The Gradlife - How to get experience (without experience)

The Gradlife - How to get experience (without experience) by Lydia Randall So, you want to build your work experience…But all the jobs you apply for ask for experience to get started â€" even the entry-level ones. Go figure.Luckily though, there are a number of options out there to help you build your skills and impress employers enough to take a chance on you. Even if it doesn’t feel like it right now.And whether it’s work experience in the traditional sense, be it paid or unpaid, taking on new opportunities through volunteering, leadership programs, or work placements, or even just demonstrating your current skills more effectively, a lack of employment history can be overcome.Here are a few of my top tips to help you solve a very common problem.Show what else you can doIt’s important to know for yourself, and what you have to offer.What are the things that make you you? And what qualities, skills or attributes can an employer benefit from by having you as an employee?One of the best ways to answer these questions is to se arch for a role you’re interested in, and then evaluate yourself against the requirements.During this process you will notice areas you are quite strong in, and others where may slightly underperform. And, you know what? That’s okay.Aside from the aforementioned experience catch-22, or a qualification you don’t have, it will almost always comes down to having the right mindset. So you should never underestimate the importance of soft skills.In fact, you’ll undoubtedly have events or experiences you can draw from, which you can use to demonstrate your skills more effectively. If you keep these experiences as relevant to their chosen attributes as possible, and show what impact they had, they can be just as persuasive as working within the industry itself.In other words, packaged in the right way, transferable skills could become your new best friend.Randall Fact â€" Just because you don’t have ‘direct’ experience, it doesn’t mean you don’t have anything to offer. Fi nd the thing that makes you distinct, identify it and highlight it.Hard skills vs. soft skillsWhat are soft skills?NetworkAKA ‘It’s not what you know but who you know’.If you’re struggling to find experience in your industry then it’s highly important to take advantage of events such as meet and greets, networking and even Q A’s.To put it simply, any opportunity to meet an employer is an opportunity not to be missed. Research your industry and find out what functions or events are held and are open to the public, but be sure to make sure you have an idea of who usually attends, to ensure that your trip is worthwhile.Making the right connections and having the right introductions can help open up doors that not even qualifications can. So, try and improve your net worth by increasing your network.But a word of warning…before you begin connecting, make sure that all social media outlets are clear and presentable. First impressions always count (even if they’re only o nline).How to make your social profiles recruiter-safeFive ways social media is costing you the jobKeep learningWhat do you do whilst patiently waiting for someone to give you an opportunity? Try to look for ways to create them for yourself.There are always options out there to sharpen your skills, whether it’s by taking a course, or becoming a mentor to help teach someone else what you’ve learnt.Not only will you get a chance to add to your attributes, it’s also a great way to get over one of the biggest turns offs for employers unexplainable gaps in candidate’s CVs.Obviously there will be times where these gaps can’t be helped, but by try to find ways to keep yourself (and your career prospects) active and busy, the more you learn the more you can offer.Remember: Knowledge is power.How to: Explain a gap in your CVBe realistic (without quitting)I often hear people saying things like ‘manage your expectations’, and ‘be realistic ‘.And I tend to agree. Of course, w hen trying to get work experience and, eventually, a full-time job, your targets need to be achievable. But whilst it’s important to set yourself reachable goals, you should to never be tempted to undersell yourself. Or, even worse, give up.No matter what stage of your career you’re in, finding your dream job is never easy.So, be consistent â€" and persistent. Just because you may not have heard back this time or the next five times, it doesnt mean you should completely give up. And if you don’t get the call? Always take initiative and try reaching out to a recruiter directly.It could be that something completely unrelated to experience has been the barrier. But, if you don’t ask, you won’t kow.Finally, it would be pointless (and very time consuming) for you to throw everything you have into trying to do something that you may not be ready for yet.But that doesn’t necessarily mean you can’t work in the industry at all. You might just need to aim your sights at a more e ntry-level position, which helps you build your skills and work your way up.Don’t rule out a field completely, just because you’re looking for the wrong kind of roles.Why haven’t they called?Four ways to follow up after an applicationStill searching for your perfect position?  View all of our current vacancies nowFind a job What Where Search JobsSign up for more Career AdviceSign up for moreCareer Advice Please enter a valid email addressmessage hereBy clicking Submit you agree to the

How to Write an Effective HR Resume

How to Write an Effective HR ResumeWhen a person takes on the task of writing their HR resume it's important to write it in a format that is easy to read and easy to make sense of. This should be done to ensure that your resume lands on the desk of the hiring manager looking for a job. So how do you accomplish this?The first thing to do when you are writing your HR resume is to read it over several times to ensure that the information is accurate. The resume should also contain any extra details that might be included such as training or certifications. If there are any inconsistencies in the resume then they should be removed immediately.In order to ensure that your resume is clear and to help make sense of it you should begin it with the best part: your name! You should always begin the first paragraph with your name. Do not begin a section by stating your position or a summary of your work.Your HR resume should then begin with a summary of your career. You should highlight your mo st impressive accomplishments as well as those that stand out to you. Always include examples of your work so that you can emphasize your skills and abilities. This section is meant to highlight your job skills, your leadership and management abilities, your commitment to customer service and above all - your professional attitude.Once you have done that you should then start your titles. You should always include your title in your first paragraph. For the rest of the paragraph, you should state your title followed by the company where you are currently employed. For example, 'Vice President Marketing for XYZ Company'.For your work experience section, you should include your business name at the end of the work history. You should then continue your work history with your job title followed by the year of the position. Include a list of references, contact information and a summary of your position that are needed by the HR department.Lastly, you should note the job title in the to p part of the resume. Next, you should include a summary of your qualifications and education including training and certifications. This information is only for you to use but is important for your prospective employer to see.It is important to remember that when writing your HR resume that the resume is meant to land on the desk of the hiring manager looking for a job. Before sending out your resume it is important to review it carefully and make sure that it is concise and easy to read. The way to get this is through your first paragraph.

Interview Preparation Are You Doing Enough

Interview Preparation Are You Doing Enough Everyone and their mum bangs on about the importance of preparing for an interview research the company, make sure you get there on time, dress smart, re-read your application etc. etc. Despite this emphasis on preparation employers still keep coming back time and time again with the same feedback the candidate was unsuccessful because they hadn’t done the necessary preparation. So what is it that we’re missing? Practice This is a widely over looked aspect of the interview process.  It’s all well and good preparing answers, questions and comments for the interview but have you thought about how you’re actually going to say it? I made this mistake at my first interview at the end of what I had considered a bad performance the interviewer asked if I had any questions, I had prepared an array of intelligent and complex questions but all I could do was meekly bleat that I had none.  In my preparation I had entirely failed to consider how I would feel posing these complex questions, and when it came to it I was just too nervous to ask them. Unsurprisingly, I didn’t get the job but what did surprise me was the feedback from the recruitment agent. The interviewer had considered me a strong candidate until I completely failed to ask any questions at the end. Don’t make the same mistake. Imagine sitting across from a stern interviewer who’s looking less than impressed. Do you feel comfortable with your words? Do they sound natural or overly rehearsed? Will you feel confident saying these prepared statements if the interview is going badly? How about if you’re really nervous? And it’s not just what you say, but everything about the interview you need to consider. How will you look, will you try and look relaxed? Serious? Friendly? Where will you put your hands? What will you say when they ask you if you want a drink? Will you take your jacket off if it’s hot? You get the picture it’s about envisioning the actual environment, not just the paper version of it. A great way to practice is to rope in a friend, but failing a willing pretend interviewer try a mirror. Put your suit on, get in the right mind frame and speak out loud. The major advantage of a real person over a mirror is that mirrors rarely provide useful feedback. Robust understanding of the role Another issue is a lack of real understanding about the role and the firm. OK so you’ve memorised the ‘about us’ section of the website, read the recent news articles and press releases and even know the job description off by heart, but do you really understand? Do you understand thoroughly enough to convincingly answer in-depth questions as opposed to just reciting a pre-prepared blurb? Gaining this insight can be tough, but it’s definitely worth investing some time in. One job I interviewed for required candidates to complete a pretty hefty essay style questionnaire on the firm and the role. At the time I was a little put out by this extra burden and the extra stage of hoops I had to jump through before interview. But after I reached the minimum 1500 words I realised I now knew far more about this company and industry than I had ever done with any other interview. So for important interviews why not challenge yourself to create and complete your own essay on the firm and t he role? Answer questions such as: Describe the main objectives of the firm. What current outside issues are affecting this firm and the climate they operate in? What growth strategies is the firm currently pursuing? Who are the major players in this industry and how do they compete? What are the main responsibilities associated with this role? What does a [insert role here] actually do? Answer those questions thoroughly and your robust understanding will shine through at interview. Appreciation of your skills You’ve probably done the standard preparation for this relating your skills and experience to the job specs and required candidate attributes. But do you really understand why they should employ you? In reality, why are you better than the other candidates outside in the waiting room? To answer this forget the buzzwords, forget what you’ve been taught about transferable skills and ask yourself what are you really good at? What can you do better than most people? As above, a great way to organise your thoughts is to write them down. Don’t write it for other people, don’t worry about sentence structure or punctuation, use it simply as an exercise to achieve a better understanding of yourself. As you’re writing down your skills, think about how you know you’re good at them, what experiences in your life have taught you that that’s where your skills lie? Again this isn’t for other people, it’s not to prepare answers for questions, it’s just for you. If you manage to do this successfully I think you’ll instantly understand its worth how can you expect to communicate your value to a potential employer if you don’t really understand it yourself? Summary: The key to ‘good’ preparation for an interview is about thinking beyond the standard. It’s about gaining deeper insight into yourself, the role and the firm. As well as making sure you can adequately communicate this to the scary person sitting across the desk from you! Author: Rachael works at Graduate Rescue, an employability resource and social enterprise for student and graduates. They provide online interview coaching, career matching and advice software, practice psychometric tests as well as a host of general advice for job seekers, check them out here.

Five Coveted Careers in Healthcare for Non-Medical Professionals

Five Coveted Careers in Healthcare for Non-Medical Professionals When you think of a career in the healthcare industry it’s common to think of such things as doctors and nurses. Sure, these are a big part of the industry, but there are a whole lot of other positions and people that help the healthcare industry to operate smoothly. If you’re looking for a career in the healthcare industry but aren’t a medical professional, there are a number of options you can choose from. Here’s a closer look at the top five most coveted careers in the healthcare industry that are ideal for non-medical professionals. Medical Administrative Assistant As an administrative medical assistant, it will be up to you to keep the clinic office running smoothly and in an organized manner. Typically, youll work at the front desk greeting patients and dealing with them over the phone. Other responsibilities include dealing with insurance forms and companies, filing medical documents, scheduling appointments, and checking in on patients. Healthcare Manager A more senior position you can work towards is that of a healthcare manager. In this career you will be responsible for looking after a clinics operations and finances, in other words the business aspect of the clinic. It will be your job to ensure that staff have the tools they need to do their job, and that patients are happy and satisfied with the level of care they receive. Occupational Health and Safety Specialist As an occupational health and safety specialist you will analzye work procedures and environments to ensure they are safe, following regulations on the environment, health, and safety. It will also be up to you to put together health and safety programs meant to keep everyone safe. Health Information Technology (HIT) Technician With the IT industry really booming, and showing no signs of slowing down, a job in health information technology could prove to be extremely rewarding. With this job you wont actually be dealing directly with patients, instead you are working with medical records to ensure that the data is organized, accurate, and that security protocol is followed. You will also be developing networks and updating and maintaining the software. Community Health Worker As a community health care worker, you will be working the front lines as they say, working with patients to help make their lives easier. Youll be helping people to get access to health information and care, helping people to understand their health and how to improve it, providing counseling, and much more. How to Break into the Field As for how you can get a job in these non-medical professional positions, typically it will take some sort of degree or certificate in order to learn the proper skills and techniques. From there its a good idea to connect with medical consultancies that work with partners in the healthcare industry. A perfect example would be Insight Medical Partners, which partners with ambulatory surgery centers, physician practices, and more. Many Options to Choose From As you can see, just because you are a non-medical professional doesn’t mean you can’t have a rewarding career in the healthcare industry.

Summaries For Resume Examples

Summaries For Resume ExamplesWriting a summary for resume examples is an essential skill for any job seeker. Not only does it help the resume stand out, but it also shows you have read your work history and filled out your personal information correctly. Here are some examples to get you started.In a summary for resume examples, do not include information that is not vital to a potential employer. Including irrelevant or false information can harm your chances for a good job. List your skills and education in detail; you should also include any training that you may have received.If you have attended school, then a summary for resume examples should also list all of your classes and their titles. This will help you to be more specific when explaining what you studied and how you were trained. You should also include any achievements that you may have won during your school years. Most employers do not want to see awards that they did not even attend.When writing a summary for resume examples, do not become too specific about the position you are applying for. Be as general as possible. Talk about the job in a general way, and do not use too many specifics. Mentioning too many specifics can make you appear to be overqualified and therefore, make you appear less desirable.It is important to remember that there is a specific job description for each position that is listed on a resume. If you mention certain skills or accomplishments that do not match the description of the job, then you will be limiting your ability to find a job. Using one example for each position you are applying for will help you avoid this problem.In the summary for resume examples, avoid using the word 'extra' as this can make you appear not to care about the position or even to be qualified for it. Alwaysinclude your commitment to the position and the benefits of working there. Keep your summary short and to the point, and do not try to cram information into a paragraph.The summary for res ume examples should include enough information that an employer can easily decide if you are a good fit for the position. If you are too specific or even too vague, then the employer may decide that you are not a good fit, regardless of your qualifications. As long as you keep your summary to the point, and include your educational background and skills and accomplishments, then you will not need to worry about the benefits of your resume.Summary for resume examples are a good place to start when trying to come up with a resume. All you need to do is write enough to give the employer an idea of what your resume is about. For a better job search, a summary for resume examples should be a first step towards making a good impression.

Assume Nothing - The Negotiator Job Search - Career Pivot

Assume Nothing - The Negotiator Job Search - Career Pivot Assume Nothing In negotiations like your job search, you should assume nothing. This is the 7th post in the Negotiator Job Search series. The rest of the series can be found here. In Jim Camp’s book, Start with NO…The Negotiating Tools that the Pros Don’t Want You to Know, he writes: Now, what about assumptions, the other chief obstacle to effective blank slating? They’re just as dangerous as positive and negative expectations, and just as common because most of us come to believe that we’re pretty good at reading other people, at understanding what they’re really feeling and thinking. Negotiators, in particular, tend to pride themselves on their people skills. A thousand times I’ve heard someone say: “I know what they’ll do if we make that offer.” “This is the way they operate.” “If you raise the price, they’ll want a volume discount.” “I’m pretty sure she makes the decisions over there.” “There’s no way they’ll make an offer today.” Listen to the most recent episode You have probably had similar thoughts as it relates to your job search. “When they make me an offer, it will be taken or leave it.” ” If I make a counter offer, they will walk away.” “If I don’t immediately accept the offer, they will walk away.” These kinds of assumptions can get you into trouble. Remember to assume nothing. Practical Examples When I headed off to teach high school math, I assumed that high schools would want me. I was an engineer with significant training and experience. I had taught for over 20 years in close to 40 different countries. There was a shortage of math teachers. Of course, they would want me! Boy, was I wrong! Schools want highly compliant people. I was a male and over 40 years of age. A demographic that is not typically considered to be compliant. It was very difficult to even get interviews. I had a client who was offered a position in the headquarters of a major retailer. He assumed that vacation and health insurance would be included. Before he signed anything, I insisted he go through the offer carefully. Two items popped out: Company health insurance did not start until being employed for six months Paid Time Off (PTO) was not accrued until six months of employment It would have been easy to assume that both of these benefits were not negotiable. That would be a bad assumption. For more: (Assumptions â€" How They Create Career Sinkholes) Research You need to do your research. Through our research, we found an HR professional who had left the company. She informed us that the company had a policy that, if asked, they would pay the employee’s COBRA payment until the company health insurance was available. Also, the company would fill the PTO account with a negotiated amount of days on the first day of employment. Research is key. You will need to reach out to current and former employees of the business. Ask them about the hiring process. Ask them what they wish they knew before they were hired. Carefully research the company on the Internet including websites like Glassdoor.com. For more: (How to check out a company before….) Remember to assume nothing in the job search process. Marc Miller Like what you just read? Share it with your friends using the buttons above. Like What You Read? Get Career Pivot Insights! Check out the Repurpose Your Career Podcast Do You Need Help With ...

Book review Playful approaches to serious problems - The Chief Happiness Officer Blog

Book review Playful approaches to serious problems - The Chief Happiness Officer Blog So, why on earth am I reading a book about child therapy? First of all, therapy is all about change. You have a problem, you need to change, therapy is one potential tool, and therapy contains many potentially useful methods for promoting change. And one of the biggest challenges facing organizations today is the need for constant change. Its almost a clich? to say it, but it remains true. Secondly, I discovered the concept of narrative therapy on the net, while netresearching therapy, and it seemed really interesting for a number of reasons. Among other things, narrative therapy is: Short-term Unlike some other forms of therapy, narrative therapy is focused on solving the problem, and on doing so as quickly as possible. Playful No matter how serious a problem is, you can probably make it worse by taking it to seriously. Narrative therapy approaches problems playfully. This is especially important when working with children, but also holds for adults. Taking your problems lightly, makes them easier to solve. Narrative The use of stories was especially interesting to me (Ive written about it earlier). Here they use stories of the childs positive qualities to replace the stories of the problem. This also helps externalize the problem, so that everyone involved can see that the child is not the problem the child has the problem. Focused on the positive Throughout the process, focus is on the childs and the familys own resources, and how they can be used to meet the problem. This makes everybody involved feel more powerful towards the problem and more in control. These principles (if not the actual methods described in the book), can probably be transferred to any change initiative anywhere. Reading the book is a delight. Its full of stories of children and families discovering their own strengths and overcoming seemingly insurmountable and in some cases life-threatening problems. The approach used by the authors is based on an obvious and deep respect for children. And the results speak for themselves. 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

How to Track Work Accomplishments - Punched Clocks

How to Track Work Accomplishments - Punched Clocks When caught up in daily tasks and to-do lists, you finish one challenge and move on. Months pass, and you know you made progress and did your part â€" but do you track work accomplishments? Many people don’t, due to daily pressures and the constant need to think ahead. When enough time passes, it’s difficult to remember all you’ve done. In truth, you accomplish more than you think. You will feel more capable and can reward yourself for a job well done when you track work accomplishments, and in turn, your career growth. Perks of Tracking Work Accomplishments With so much asked of you, it’s time to put pen to paper or fingers to the keyboard and keep records of what you achieve throughout the year. Here are the perks of making that list and continually adding your wins to it: Responding strategically to interview questions: You may rehearse your answers, but a list helps you think strategically and objectively when you respond to interview questions. Campaigning for a raise: You have to know why you deserve it and demonstrate that. Your list gives you concrete evidence of your contributions and growth. Proposing new initiatives: Your past success demonstrates your ability to succeed in the future and be trusted to get a little experimental with your innovation. Arriving prepared for performance reviews: You’ll have a clear picture of your last few months or year to communicate with your employer. Updating your resume in a snap: When you’re ready to move on, applications will feel like less work, and you can target the job you desire and deserve. Networking at your best: Share what you’ve learned and accomplished more easily, authentically and with confidence. Suggestions for What Work Accomplishments to Track Track what you define as success, from small to large achievements. This document is for your eyes â€" and maybe the eyes of others, depending on whether you post your list publically or keep it in your files at home. From awards to negotiations, here are a few suggestions for what you should track: Financial goals achieved: Include results with analytics and the steps you took. Interpersonal resolutions: Here’s one you may not think of â€" include difficult scenarios you resolved or negotiated with coworkers that ended with a positive result. This may arise as an interview question. Tasks and projects: Did you meet the deadline? What did you accomplish? Include small and big items. Succeeding under pressure: Include moments where you persevered while under pressure and succeeded. Exceeding employer expectations: List moments where you exceeded expectations and how you did it, along with positive remarks. Winning awards and earning recognition: List big and small awards, especially those specific to your company or industry. Leading: Include any times that you held a leadership role, such as spearheading a project or office meeting. List nonprofit organization memberships and other responsibilities, too. Methods to Track Work Accomplishments Now that you have a few ideas, you have to figure out how to describe each of these accomplishments in a concise, organized and powerful way. Like any narrative, you should include the instigating incident, action and change. Well-rounded characters always change. Interviewees often use the STARR method when asked tough questions during an interview, and this method of description offers a strong tool to demonstrate your accomplishments in a powerful way through narrative and timeline. Name the situation, and set the scene. Describe the task that challenged you and the action you took to handle the situation. What happened as a result of the action you took? Did you take a moment for reflection, and what did you learn in the end? In what format should you store and track work accomplishments? Will you keep a journal or a file online? What about recording through audio or video? Here are a few suggestions for maintaining your records: Handwritten journal: When you write something down, you’re more likely to reflect and accomplish more â€" 42 percent of people achieve their goals by writing them down regularly. Record the date and details. Binder: Using a binder feels old-fashioned, but it provides a physical record where you can include data reports and any handwritten thank-yous that you receive. Program or app: Programs and apps allow you to take your list with you on the road and update it instantly. Programs and apps like Inkpad or Evernote are great for notetaking and tracking, and Evernote lets you send your notes to your email. Include links and photos, like a digital scrapbook. LinkedIn: Your resume and praise are already listed, so why not use LinkedIn to track work accomplishments? Update awards and positions. Remain professional. Using LinkedIn consistently lets others interested in you keep up with your career growth. Side note: Don’t forget to update your website or portfolio in relation to your accomplishments. Voice or video record: Use a voice recorder to record your accomplishments in real time. Add to a more permanent record later on. A private vlog allows you to look at your body posture and feel the enthusiasm all over again. Calendar: This provides more of a snapshot in terms of details, but it’s easier to see your timeline unfold over the course of the year as it relates to other events. Just pop in the details of what you accomplished. Don’t let your list get too long before you add the details to your resume. Use strong verbs when updating your resume with your accomplishments, such as managed or spearheaded over handled. Zero in on statistics, facts and figures and include what’s relevant. When applying for a job, only list accomplishments related to the role you’re applying for. It’s easy to get caught up in daily work tasks and stay on top of everything to maintain your workflow. If you don’t take time to reflect and track work accomplishments, you risk stagnancy and feeling stuck in your career. Tracking your work accomplishments benefits your self-esteem and allows you to check in with yourself during your career growth, making sure you’re really where you want and deserve to be. Subscribe to Punched Clocks for more tips on celebrating your successes and using your hard work to level up your career. Keep the conversation going by sharing and commenting. Get everything you need to build a career you love by signing up for the newsletter.