NY Resume Writing

Year-end evaluation time is almost here- and that can mean bonuses and raises and promotions.  Are you ready to make the most out of this opportunity?  Yes, that’s right- I said OPPORTUNITY.  How often do you have the chance to sit face to face with your Managers and discuss…YOU?

If you are well prepared, this can open doors and set your career on target.  Here are some tips:

HAVE A GOAL IN MIND

Go into your meeting with an idea of how much of money you feel you are entitled to or a new job title you feel you deserve.  Base this on realistic research, for your industry, or other past bonuses in your company.

BE READY TO STATE WHY YOU FEEL YOU DESERVE THIS RAISE OR PROMOTION

Citing “cost-of-living” is not, and I repeat NOT, justification for a raise, because “cost-of-living” deals with how you spend, not how much you earn; therefore just spend less!    Mention specific projects you took on, over and above your normal work load or additional departments or new employees you assisted or trained.  Talk about extra education you pursued, outside the office that pertains to your job.

TALK ABOUT WHAT YOU HOPE TO ACCOMPLISH AT THE COMPANY IN THE COMING YEAR

Have concrete ideas of how you can help to add value to the company.  Perhaps the company could save money by switching vendors?  Have a report prepared, documenting pricing and savings that could be achieved.  Maybe you can add value by revamping the filing system to be more efficient?  Write out a plan detailing your idea and bring it in your meeting.

IF ALL ELSE FAILS

If you are in your meeting and you have calmly and politely stated all the above information, and your managers STILL refuse your target goal, there is no harm in asking: What can I do differently that might get me to that goal?  And then go one step further, and say: may I ask you for a 3 month performance review to see if the raise/promotion I am seeking is warranted?

Remember to keep your cool, have your facts together and know what you want!

For more information or tips go to www.mpc-nyc.com

Why should you not put personal information on resume?

Some people put their social security number on their resume, setting themselves up for identify theft.  Furthermore this is not relevant information, and you may be viewed as unprofessional. Some people put their hobbies on a resume, however this may also be irrelevant.  The only time it might be relevant is if your hobby is basketball and you are applying for a job as a basketball coach.

In addition, having irrelevant information on your resume eliminates room for more relevant headings.

For example, computer skills are more in demand than ever. Knowing how to unitize any software programs such Microsoft Excel and power point are typical use in an office. These skills would be more relevant. Therefore, hobbies and personnel interest should be omitted unless they represent your career goals.  You must keep in mind that you are marketing yourself with your resume. The more concise, the better.

“NOT YOUR MOTHER’S RESUME!”

In today’s tough job market, resumes are getting more scrutiny than ever.  You don’t want to go out in there with a document that stands out for all the wrong reasons. If you handing out resumes with any of the following information, it could be a sure sign that your resume needs an update.

FAX NUMBER:  All resumes should have an email address as part of the contact information!  Almost all jobs today involve having and checking emails, so employers will assume if you don’t list one, you probably don’t have much computer savvy. If you don’t have a personal email address, register for one.  They are free and it lets the employer know that you are familiar with current technology.

OBJECTIVE:  An objective can be extremely limiting in its scope and pigeon hole you into one position.  Employers today are looking for resumes that contain a strong profile statement, as opposed to an objective.  This allows you to speak about your accomplishments and elaborate a bit on the resume about what you bring to the table.

TYPEWRITER FONT: All resumes should be printed on a computer.  Any typewritten documents are a sure sign that the job applicant is not up to date with the technology needed.  Take a computer class at a local library or community center or ask a friend or relative to teach you.

OUTDATED SOFTWARE:  If your resume lists a software that offices rarely use anymore, such as WordPerfect, which was all the rage 20 years ago, then you are asking to be passed over for a position.  Most companies have long since replaced that with Microsoft Word.  If you are not familiar with the most up to date office technology, it would be worthwhile to gain some proficiency.

It is extremely important to make sure that your resume portrays you as someone who is familiar with the latest office technology and most current applications.  This will allow you to put your best foot forward and land that job.

Straight Up Career Tips:

People always ask me for my best career advice.  I tell them strategy

and planning play a huge part in your success in the work place.

Organize yourself by utilizing the following tips and you will be on

your way to the top!

Tip- “Create a Career Plan.”

Sit down and envision where you see your career taking you and then put

it down on paper.  This is a very important step because it enables you

to evaluate your goals at a later date. Carefully detail the field you

wish to work in and the title you want to hold, with as much

information as possible.

“If you can dream- you can become it.”

Tip- “Research your Career Path.”

Explore the steps you need to take to be successful at your career.  Do

you need to go to school and get a certain degree?  Would an internship

be beneficial?  Is there a certain geographic area that is more

beneficial for your success? For example, as an actor, you are more

likely to get work in Los Angeles, CA than in Seattle, WA. Find this

information online, through books at the library or just by asking

people you know.

“Do your homework!”

Tip- “Get in touch with others who have been successful in your chosen career path”

Ask your friends, family and teachers if they know anyone who can give

you some sound advice on how they achieved their goals in your chosen

profession. Then reach out to those individuals and ask them their

opinions on the best path to success in that particular career.

“Follow the leaders.”

Tip- “Be Patient”

Finding your career path can take some time.  Things don’t always

happen in our time frame.  The best thing we can do is be patient and

keep trying to succeed.  Understanding that sometimes we need to take a

small step backwards to take two giant leaps forward is key.

“Good things come to those who wait.”

Tip- “Have a positive outlook.”

Being enthusiastic is essential in any task in life- most especially in

finding your career path! When things are not going our way, we need to

look at it as an opportunity to evaluate our goals. Sometimes we need

to go that extra mile to be upbeat, but the rewards are far greater.

“Put on a happy face.”

As always everyone has a favorite person in life especially when it comes to your job profession. What if your boss did liked someone most in the office but not you? What do you do? Of course you always get left behind on the annual reviews and the good projects, assignments that your boss feels you’re not compliable of doing and you feel undervalued despite your efforts. One thing you should do is to step your game up and emulate the employee that your boss favors to. You must be on time to meetings produce better results and go above and beyond your call of duty.  Even though this does not guarantee that your boss will stop playing favorite’s but it’s a good start.

It can also be uncomfortable to be a favorite in the hot seat. You will never get yelled at. You always get the great task to complete.  Your boss will constantly talk about you, which can at times become inappropriate. Although you do have other options to either seek for other employment or confront with your boss, which can be very embarrassing.

Whatever the situation maybe, its important to know what’s best for your career. Your boss playing favorites may not be the best place to work. Talking to your boss about it may do more harm then good. It’s always best to not be stuck in uncomfortable situations.

The importance of a good mentor is essential in succeeding in the business world. Many years
ago, a young lady I know, who had a passion for advertising and believed it was the career path
she was destined for. After working at a major advertising firm, she became discouraged due
to feedback that she was getting from her immediate superior at the firm for projects she had
completed. After two years, she was ready to give up advertising, as she felt she wasn’t suited.
However, she had made a good relationship with a supervisor in another area of the company.
He took the time to sit with her and discuss viable alternatives, still within advertising, but that
where more suited to her strengths. He has mentored her over the years and she now owns a
successful advertising firm of her own.

Let’s face it- finding work is tough right now! Many job seekers are asking my advice about starting their own business. So is it the right time to branch out on your own and start the business you’ve always dreamed of? How can you be prepared to have the best possible chance for entrepreneurial success?
I advise the first thing to be considered BEFORE you start a business is to IDENTIFY your business opportunity! What are you good at? Where does your passion lie? Then consider: Is there a need or a market for this talent?
And then RESEARCH is so important when starting up!
You may need a license or permit. You may have too many competitors in your area, the industry may be dying off. All of this will help you make an educated decision!
Create a “niche” or specialty for yourself!
For example- Millennium Personnel Corp. has a niche of placing administrative assistants and receptionists in Manhattan.
Then when you have the passion and the talent needed to start a firm the next step is to create a business plan! A good business plan consist of:
Financial goals, advertising goals, hiring goals! A start-up with a business plan grosses 50% more profits than those with out one, so it just makes good sense.
Some of the worst mistakes people can make when it comes to taking partners is not putting everything in writing!
This can cause the destruction of relationships for no reason. If everything is clear up front both parties know what they can expect.
And I always tell people to make sure they have an exit strategy!
Be hopeful for the best, but plan for the worst! Put in your business plans some kind of goals and then a strategy for if those goals don’t come to fruition. I have seen too many people throw away their life savings and financial well being for businesses that are just not working. Set your LIMITS!
And about financing:
Get investors, or see if assistance is available in your area. Sometimes you can get grants or loans for small start-up companies. Use any resource that might be available to you!
The bottom line for start ups:
Everyone has to make their own personal decision that is right for them. But if you do your homework and take advantage of the market- you can create the dream job you want at the salary you deserve!