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Archive for the ‘Career building tips’ Category

Career Advice from Oprah

Wednesday, August 25th, 2010

The September edition of O - The Oprah Magazine has some great job search tips for women (although the ideas certainly can apply to men too). Focusing on four different scenarios, the article “Hire Power” offers suggestions on how to go after that dream job. A few of the highlights include:

  • Regrouping after a layoff - focus on metrics and accomplishments in your resume and include a summary of qualifications.
  • Foot in the door - include positive quotes from references within your resume.
  • Exiting the mommy track - highlight the impact of your volunteer work and include quotes from parent council colleagues.
  • Switching gears - consider removing dates from a lengthy resume to avoid giving the impression that you will be very “expensive” based on length of career and experience.

Check out oprah.com/omagazine or pick up your copy today for more insights on career strategies and fashion advice for wherever you are in your job search.

PREPARING FOR FUN IN THE SUMMER SUN

Monday, July 26th, 2010

 summersun

We just had a sunny weekend and according to the Weather Network we will continue to have sunny days right into the upcoming long weekend. This is welcome news after the cool start to the summer we have had.

I am really looking forward to some downtime with my family as we go on vacation. However, if you are like me, the time leading up to vacation and the time immediately following can be really hectic. I’m hoping this time around will be different and have sourced a few tips to help with the work/vacation /work transition.

Prepare early, You mark on your calendar and start dreaming of your vacation in advance so in turn, start preparing for your work departure just as early. Notify co-workers, arrange for coverage in your absence and start compiling a list of items that need your attention before leaving. The added time to prepare relieves stress and ensures items are not missed.

Do not forget the basics. Some tasks will need to be done before every vacation such as recording your out of office voicemail and setting your out office email message. Your work may have a standard list of pre-vacation policies. If so, make sure you are aware and adhere to them.

Make a vacation preparation list. Lists in general are a great way to stay on track and with each item you check off you are that much closer to fun in the sun.

Schedule a buffer day. It is not always possibly but if you are able, you should schedule in a home day between when you get back from vacation and when you start work. On this buffer day you can adjust your sleep schedule, re-stock on groceries and other tasks. This will make sure that on your first day back at work your mind is focused and you are ready to work.

Leave yourself notes on projects that you will be continuing with when you return. This way you will be back up to speed more quickly and can hit the ground running. Also, if you have them written down at work you can put them out of your mind when on vacation.

Do you have any vacation tips? I’d love to hear them!

Stampede Parties Can Help Your Career - Really!

Friday, July 9th, 2010

It’s that time of year in Calgary when business takes on a whole new look and feel. Business attire is replaced by western garb like jeans, belt buckles (the bigger, the better), plaid shirts, boots and of course, cowboy hats in a ranges of styles and colours. Instead of chasing deadlines and hosting meetings around the boardroom table, there are countless opportunities to connect with customers, partners, suppliers and even competitors over pancakes, barbeque beef and of course, beer!

Much has been made of how Calgary business “shuts down” over Stampede. Whether it’s true or not, Stampede is the perfect time to build your network and make new professional contacts. It can be a time of year that can help build your business or grow your career opportunities if you follow some simple advice:

- Watch your alcohol! With the fun atmosphere and back-to-back parties, it can be easy to overdue it. Remember, if you are with people you know professionally, you will have to face them again in a business environment so keep your drinking in check.

- Don’t forget your business cards! Simple as it may seem, don’t forget to slide a few cards into your jeans. You never know who you will meet in your “Stampeding” travels.

- Ask for cards. Even in a party setting, you may encounter someone who is a potential customer or contact. Ask for their card and don’t forget to follow up when Stampede rolls out of town for another year.

A lot of the advice that applies to what to do at corporate Christmas parties, also applies to Stampede. Have fun and be safe!

Yahoo!

Get Linked In and Watch Your Network Grow!

Wednesday, April 14th, 2010

There is no doubt that social networks can play a big role in a job search. While there are many great networking sites we have talked to the social media gurus and they tell us Linkedin is currently the best choice. That’s why our recruitment team at BOWEN is now on Linked In. We know that it’s a great place to find candidates and reach out to a talented pool of people, both locally and anywhere in the world. From a recruitment standpoint, you really can find the best person for the job!

Linked In is a good place to showcase your talents, achievements and past work history. Your profile becomes a friendlier version of your resume. One of the best things you can do is build your recommendations. Invite colleagues, clients and associates to recommend you. When a potential recruiter or employer sees these words of praise, it only builds credibility as to why you are a standout candidate.

Don’t forget to approach your Linked In network the way you would your personal network. Think of people you have encountered professionally, personally and through volunteer activities. Send out invitations, but remember to keep the tone and your network at a professional level. This is a place where potential employers will come so you need to make sure you “evaluate and screen” what you post, both for personal information and even your photo.

Take some time to research online how to truly leverage Linked In for your job search. It’s time well spent. Here are a few links to help get you started:

How to use LinkedIn in your Job Search

Use LinkedIn to Enhance Your Employment Options

Ten Ways to Use LinkedIn to Find a Job

Once you are on Linked In take moment to stop by BOWEN’s corporate page where you may find some familiar faces to connect with.

It’s never to early to start your summer job search

Thursday, March 4th, 2010

As the market has become tighter the need for applicants to have relevant experience is even more important.  This also means the demand for summer student positions is even higher, so the earlier you start your search the better.

When considering your summer employment options and goals the wage you earn is important but building your resume towards your new career should rank higher. For college and university students many companies have openings specifically for you to gain experience. These jobs may seem basic but if they are within a company that operates in an industry that you are pursuing you will be exposed to many important aspects of daily work and may be giving opportunities beyond the job title. 

This is your chance to get your foot in the door and if the job goes well you may be able to come back for future summer employment in progressing roles.  The pay in some cases may not be as much as other opportunities but the experience is invaluable. That landscaping job may have a higher hourly wage that helps pay down your school debt quicker but unless you are planning a career in landscaping the experience and great tan you get over the summer will not help your career search.  

Speak to your school, professors and other students to find out which companies may have a summer student program.  Many students looking for jobs are also maximizing the power of social media by posting on their Facebook/Twitter pages that they’re looking for a job and could anyone help them out? This is a great tool as you can get in touch with people you may not have in your own network by being recommended by someone else. 

While it may not look like it right now, summer is just around the corner and it is the right time to start your summer job search.

Social media and your job search – help or hindrance?

Thursday, February 25th, 2010

There is no doubt that today’s digital world is both a help and a hindrance to a job search. On one hand, there is a world of opportunities at your finger tips. You can research specific companies, look at industry trends or visit a wealth of job sites all from the comfort of your own home, instead of pounding the pavement like the “old days”.

 

Yet potential employers can also learn more about you than ever before – and perhaps more than you would like them to! A simple Google search can be revealing and anything posted on the Internet is essentially public domain. When you post information online, be it through Twitter, Facebook, Linked In or on a blog, you are sharing personal info that perhaps would be better kept private. Make sure that you are aware of the privacy settings on these social media sites, and if you are in a job search, perhaps you need to edit your content and postings in the event that potential employers do their on research on you.

Here are a couple links that offer a bit more information on privacy, job searches and social media:

 

http://jobsearch.about.com/od/jobsearchblogs/a/privacy.htm

http://jobsearch.about.com/od/jobsearchblogs/a/jobsearchblog.htm

 

The bottom line is, when in doubt, don’t post. In today’s tough job market, it is better to err on the side of caution and be a strong candidate for that coveted job, instead of risking it all with photos and a recap of what you did on the weekend!

The value of Outsourced HR

Friday, February 19th, 2010

A bad hire can cost companies a lot of money. However, for small- to medium-sized businesses, it is often difficult to manage the expense of a fulltime HR professional. Outsourcing Human Resources duties can make a lot of sense, both financially and from a staff resources perspective.

 

Outsourced HR can include services like pre-employment screening, reference checking, education verification, background checks and recruitment support. Whether it’s retaining the workforce you have, or building for the future, Outsourced HR can fill in the gaps with a company’s current HR team, or offer specific expertise for small companies without a designated HR person. Now that is good business!

 

It’s always important to understand the business you are in.  Employing, managing and supporting our people is essential but it may not be critical that these expertise are held in-house.  Do you need a compensation expert as part of your staff or only during salary reviews?  More and more companies are looking for alternate solutions to manage costs and resources.  As we consider demographic realities one might argue how we staff and currently see HR will likely have to change as we have so many retiring from the HR community and so few with similar expertise to replace them.  Outsourcing may be a big part of a future solution.  To get a sense of the quality of HR consultants in the market see our group of affiliates at HR Works.

Making the transition back to the workforce

Tuesday, February 16th, 2010

I am often asked by stay-at-home parents re-entering the workforce how to begin looking for a job, especially if they’ve been at home for a number of years with small children. First of all, I must say that for anyone who thinks that staying at home with young kids is “not working” is dead wrong! As a mother of two active young girls, I know how much energy, resourcefulness and wisdom is required to be at home with children. Stay-at-home parents are amazing (as are working parents who are also doing a juggling act)!

 

Here are a few tips that can help get you started:

 

  • Try to reconnect with former colleagues. They can become your new network.
  • Join a professional association related to your career so that you make new contacts and get on top of industry trends and issues.
  • Update your resume! Don’t forget to look at the volunteer work you may have been doing and how these skills can transfer to valuable experience.
  • Register with an agency like BOWEN and talk to a recruiter about any additional training you may require to be current in your field.
  • Frequently search online. There are a wealth of job postings on-line. Target companies that you are interested in, check out professional associations and job boards too.
  • Tell people you are looking for a job because you just don’t know who might know someone who is looking to hire.

 

Most of all, believe in yourself and what you have to offer.  Don’t apologize for taking time off to raise a family. Be proud of this accomplishment and be honest about why you are going back to work.

Where is your blue sky?

Friday, February 5th, 2010

I firmly believe that with every dark cloud there is a silver lining, and as we begin another year, many will use this time to think of their goals for the future. Regardless of your current reality – and even more importantly if you are in a difficult situation – it’s important to do some “blue sky” thinking.

 

Wiktionary.org defines blue sky thinking as “thinking that is not grounded or in touch in the realities of the present; open-minded thinking (i.e., as wide and clear as the blue sky)”.

 

Are you where you want to be in your career? If not, what can you do to get yourself moving in the direction of your dreams? Do you need to join a networking or professional group? Go back to school? Start looking at other opportunities? Find a mentor?

 

You are the person who can change your circumstances. It may not happen overnight but by taking those first steps in a new direction, you can create a different path.

Get out there! Job Seekers Tips!

Tuesday, January 26th, 2010
As we start to experience slow growth in our economy, more jobs will become available. Employers are going to be cautious and potential employees should be aware of this mind-set going into interviews and negotiations. Here are a few tips to help you navigate the new job market:

  • Be reasonable in your expectations. Know what current salaries are for your profession. Salaries have gone through an adjustment in the past year. Don’t expect a big signing bonus - it’s not the climate for employers to be offering these as an incentive right now.
  • Do your research. Know the company! The job market is very competitive with lots of skilled and experienced people looking for work. Research will help you shine and also shows your initiative and interest. And take some time to prepare some meaningful questions about the company to ask at the end of the interview.
  •  Make yourself stand out in the crowd. Shine the spotlight on how you have delivered results in previous roles. Take the time to match your previous skills to the specific needs in the job you are applying for. Make it clear what you have to offer.
  • Be prepared to sell yourself. Now is not the time to be humble. You need to make it clear why you are the best candidate for the job.

Think of it as a sales opportunity! You are the product and your need to market yourself to open up new opportunities.