JibberJobber, the Personal CRM, in a Poem (!!)

JibberJobber, the Personal CRM, in a Poem (!!) Its not every day your product gets mentioned in a poem, that is in a published book!   Check out what very-clever John Steensen wrote (the part about JibberJobber is in bold green).   You can get his book of 32 poems, all based on technology, from this page. Google the Elephant I posted my resume on Monster last year, I got very few hits, no help for my career. So I freshened it up and got on LinkedIn, It would surely raise me above the awful din. But alas, I was mistaken, for no hits were to follow, My career plans were looking a little bit hollow. I thought “I’ll start over” and erased all the words, I’ll do something quite different â€" I’ll stray from the herds. I’ll create a new “Me” â€" one no employer can resist, A resume that says “read me first, I insist”. I’ll heed the advice of social networking gurus, I’ll weave in hot topics still fresh in the news. My new resume screamed “hire me this minute”, Your company cannot succeed unless I am in it. I may have stretched my qualifications a bit, But within a few moments I got my first hit. So I posted it widely on every job board and Into JibberJobber each day I dutifully recorded, My interviews, follow-ups and each telephone call, I didn’t miss one â€" I recorded them all. Things were looking up nicely, I was suddenly in demand, I gave my own back a pat with my hand. For I had created a most perfect candidate, Into dozens of jobs, it was clear I would fit. But suddenly the hits screeched to a halt, The recruiters stopped calling, what could be the fault? What evil had happened to stifle my quest, For the perfect job letting me be my best. I found out too quickly my old resume, Had leapt to the surface, much to my dismay. You load up your odds but you’ll lose all your bets For just like an elephant, Google never forgets. Copyright 2009 by John Steensen I love what hes doing combining a passion with wit great way to showcase his personality and ability and creativity.   From his book page (where you can buy the Technoprose book): Although Ive written poetry my entire life the efforts have always been directed at a particular special occasion a birthday, a graduation, a wedding. One day in the fall of 2008, after a particularly engaging conversation with my daughter over the amount of time she was spending on her Nintendo DS, I was inspired to capture my impressions of this encounter in the form of the poem. My wife still insists it was an attempt at self-therapy. I realized that, because my life had been immersed in technology, the verses flowed almost effortlessly. It grew from there. Here is a collection of 32 poems that try to capture the diversity of experience that technology brings into our lives. Many are humorous, some are downright geeky, but all are inspired, for better or worse, by real-world events in both my life and the lives of my family and friends. John, great job, and thanks for giving props to JibberJobber! JibberJobber, the Personal CRM, in a Poem (!!) Its not every day your product gets mentioned in a poem, that is in a published book!   Check out what very-clever John Steensen wrote (the part about JibberJobber is in bold green).   You can get his book of 32 poems, all based on technology, from this page. Google the Elephant I posted my resume on Monster last year, I got very few hits, no help for my career. So I freshened it up and got on LinkedIn, It would surely raise me above the awful din. But alas, I was mistaken, for no hits were to follow, My career plans were looking a little bit hollow. I thought “I’ll start over” and erased all the words, I’ll do something quite different â€" I’ll stray from the herds. I’ll create a new “Me” â€" one no employer can resist, A resume that says “read me first, I insist”. I’ll heed the advice of social networking gurus, I’ll weave in hot topics still fresh in the news. My new resume screamed “hire me this minute”, Your company cannot succeed unless I am in it. I may have stretched my qualifications a bit, But within a few moments I got my first hit. So I posted it widely on every job board and Into JibberJobber each day I dutifully recorded, My interviews, follow-ups and each telephone call, I didn’t miss one â€" I recorded them all. Things were looking up nicely, I was suddenly in demand, I gave my own back a pat with my hand. For I had created a most perfect candidate, Into dozens of jobs, it was clear I would fit. But suddenly the hits screeched to a halt, The recruiters stopped calling, what could be the fault? What evil had happened to stifle my quest, For the perfect job letting me be my best. I found out too quickly my old resume, Had leapt to the surface, much to my dismay. You load up your odds but you’ll lose all your bets For just like an elephant, Google never forgets. Copyright 2009 by John Steensen I love what hes doing combining a passion with wit great way to showcase his personality and ability and creativity.   From his book page (where you can buy the Technoprose book): Although Ive written poetry my entire life the efforts have always been directed at a particular special occasion a birthday, a graduation, a wedding. One day in the fall of 2008, after a particularly engaging conversation with my daughter over the amount of time she was spending on her Nintendo DS, I was inspired to capture my impressions of this encounter in the form of the poem. My wife still insists it was an attempt at self-therapy. I realized that, because my life had been immersed in technology, the verses flowed almost effortlessly. It grew from there. Here is a collection of 32 poems that try to capture the diversity of experience that technology brings into our lives. Many are humorous, some are downright geeky, but all are inspired, for better or worse, by real-world events in both my life and the lives of my family and friends. John, great job, and thanks for giving props to JibberJobber!

What To Expect From An Executive Resume Writing Service For Hire

What To Expect From An Executive Resume Writing Service For HireMany people who work as part-time contractors, consultants, and administrators find that it is very easy to get a quality executive resume writing service. This article discusses what these types of professionals can do for you.Executive resume writing service for hire will often need to know the personal history of the candidate. They may even need to know their hobbies and interests. If you are considering hiring one of these professionals to write your resume, be sure that they include at least some of this information on the job application.Hiring an executive resume writing service for hire that has a proven track record of good results and excellent customer service is always a good idea. Even if you do not have a lot of experience in business, there are many writers who are able to put the finishing touches on high-quality resumes. In addition, they often offer to do this work on a no-cost basis.One of the reasons that so many people are choosing executive resume writing service for hire is because the services are generally offered for low rates. A lot of the people who use these services are unaware of the top-rated fees. While most of the services offer a free initial consultation, many people end up paying extra fees for later revisions or additional services. It is important to be aware of these charges and how much they may increase.In order to make sure that you are getting a quality executive resume writing service for hire, it is important to find out what these services offer and how much they will charge. There are some companies that offer a free initial consultation, but if you hire them as a contractor, they will likely charge you a larger rate than someone who is hired as an employee. These writers have to come up with a compelling, yet professional cover letter and resume, and most of them charge by the hour, which could be a factor in the final cost.While a good quality resu me is an important part of your job search, it is not the only thing that you need to know about. You will also need to have a good understanding of the industry and the culture in which you will be working. If you do not take the time to learn about these aspects, you may struggle to understand and adapt to your new employer's culture.With all of the competition for your business, you will need to have a top-notch executive resume writing service. Finding one that is a top rated is difficult enough, but finding one that has been recommended to you may seem like a daunting task. It will be easier if you know where to look. The best place to start is to research the top-rated executive resume writing service for hire.Once you have a list of various professionals who have a reputation for offering quality service, call each of them. You can then compare the prices of each service in order to get the best deal. When you find the right writer for your resume, you will also be able to lo ok forward to a smooth transition into your new job.

How Do I Get Paid What Im Worth - VocationVillage

How Do I Get Paid What Im Worth - VocationVillage Dear VocationVillage.com, Im 41 and have just completed my Bachelors in Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing. For the last 15 years I have held positions such as Marketing Manager and Marketing Director, but always for a pathetically low salary because I didnt have that piece of paper. The company I am with now (where I hold the title of Marketing Manager) has told me flat out that I will not get a raise just because I completed the degree. As I begin to look for another job, how do I get paid what Im truly worth? Marketing Managers with 15 years of experience in my neck of the woods earn an average of $65,000. Im nowhere CLOSE to that. The few recent interviews Ive had where offers were made are offering the same salary Ive been making for the last seven years. They only look at what Im currently earning, not what Im worth. I love my career and enjoy the challenges, but Im getting fed up with working 60+ hour weeks for about what theyre paying our receptionist. Any advice would be greatl y appreciated. Thanks!Signed, HollyWorking For Peanuts?Dear Holly, Holly, to give you two different expert opinions, I offer my own thoughts and also those of guest expert Jack Chapman. Mr. Chapman is a top salary negotiations expert and the author of, Negotiating Your Salary: How To Make $1000 a Minute.Salary Negotiations Advice from Jack Chapman:I notice that on the one hand you say you have a pathetically low salary because I didnt have that piece of paper and on the other hand, you say your employers told me I will not get a raise just because I completed the degree. This prompts us to ask, Are you worth more with a degree, or not? I say your degree is worth more only if it helps your value.There are two value-oriented avenues for you to pursue. And you can do both.Path #1: With your present manager, see if you can get both of you working for the same compensation goal of $65,000+.Path #2: Carefully monetize your skills and degree in job interviews.Start by doing some research to determine your objective value all laid out for you in my book, N egotiating Your Salary, How to Make $1000 a Minute.Armed with this objective info, work on identifying and creating your individual value so it is $65,000 or more.To follow Path #1, talk to your current boss and explain that you want a more competitive salary. Clarify that you arent just looking for a handout; youd like to make sure its a win-win for you and the company. Ask, How could we adjust my job duties and responsibilities to make my job worth $65,000 or more? See if together you can make yourself $65K-valuable.To go down Path #2, make sure you can express the value you create for your company and the value of your knowledge from your degree in monetary terms. Try to avoid giving your present salary. If asked what you are currently earning, say, Id be glad to share that when the time comes Im underpaid at the moment, and that is one of my motivators to look at changing jobs. So, I wouldnt want to throw you off track with a low number like that. Why dont you tell me, in round numbers, roughly what you think youll be paying for this position? If were close, we should definitely continue talking.You know how in real estate there are three factors, Location, location, and location? Well, in job and career interviewing, its Value, value, value.Salary Negotiations Advice from Dr. Janet Scarborough Civitelli:When you are hired for a position and the management team members view you as less valuable because of the lack of something like a college degree, sometimes first impressions are hard to shake. Then even if you work hard, achieve significant accomplishments on the job, and earn the college degree, they are so rigid in their thinking, they can never adjust their perception and view you differently. When this happens, the best thing you can do is move on.Companies that dont require a job application with salary history will be easier for you than companies that absolutely require that every application blank be filled in before they will consider you. For t hese more flexible companies, if they ask you for salary history and salary requirements, write in your cover letter, I will be happy to disclose this at the time of an interview. Then when you meet with them face-to-face, you can explain that you were previously underpaid because of a lack of a college degree, but you earned the degree while working full-time so you are now looking forward to getting paid what you are worth.Companies that DO require a job application with salary history and requirements are a bit more tough. But it is fine to list your previous salary history and still explain in a cover letter that you are confident your education, track record, and skills that you bring to the table will ensure that you are worth the salary jump that you are expecting.You can say, I have done research about what someone with my level of experience and my type of track record should earn. It is around $65K. There may be hiring managers that continue to low ball you because they th ink they can exploit you since you have been under-earning, but if that happens, you firmly state what you know you are worth and if they cant meet your terms, you keep hunting.You may need to practice talking about salary so that you are comfortable and confident about negotiating and you can strike the right level of assertiveness without being overly aggressive or negative about the past. Salary negotiation coaches such as Mr. Chapman are available for this, or talk to a friend who is negotiations savvy. Either way, a bit of preparation goes a long way so that you can be more effective when advocating for yourself.Good luck and let us know how it goes!

5 Tips For People Who Are Bad At Interviews

5 Tips For People Who Are Bad At Interviews Everyone gets nervous before a job interview, and almost everyone has stumbled through an interview or two at some point. But some people have a harder time with interviews than others. You might have to work harder to perform well at a job interview, whether its because you feel socially awkward, find it difficult to deal with anxiety, or just dont do well when put on the spot. Dont let being bad at job interviews prevent you from having the career you want. Prepare, Prepare, Prepare One of the most common mistakes job candidates make before an interview is not preparing enough. You should look into the company so you can tell them not only why youre interested in working for them, but why you would be an asset to the team. Read up on lists of common interview questions and craft responses to those questions. Practice your responses in the mirror. Draft a friend or family member to pretend to interview you. Prepare a list of questions you have for the interviewer, too. Ask them what they love about working for the company, for example, to end the interview on a high note. Cultivate Anxiety Management Techniques Some people walk through life without experiencing much anxiety, while others seem to drown in it. Learning to manage your anxiety with a therapist is a valuable way to perform better in interviews and throughout life. Feeling crippling anxiety before a job interview makes it difficult to perform at your best. Some people find meditation helpful, while others repeat mantras. Working out the morning before your interview might give you the endorphin rush you need to feel peppy and confident when walking into that unfamiliar office. These suggestions might work for you or they might do nothing; your anxiety management techniques will be unique to you. Work on Your Self-Presentation Do you mumble or talk too fast when youre nervous? Are you never sure what to wear to an interview? Looking and acting the part is a big chunk of the battle when it comes to winning at job interviews. Call human resources to find out about the companys dress code so you can pick out an appropriate outfit beforehand, and go shopping if you need to. To practice speaking more clearly, make a video of yourself and watch the result so you can pick out the areas you need to work on. Start Your Own Business Becoming a self-employed entrepreneur seems like a drastic step to take just to avoid job interviews. However, your poor interview performance might indicate a lack of enthusiasm for corporate work, or a lack of desire to be someone elses employee. Starting your own business might be as simple as opening up an online store, or as complex as borrowing money from the bank to open a new restaurant or hair salon. When you dont have the resources to start your own business from scratch, look into companies that help you start your own business and remain on your side throughout the journey. Selling products for Amway, for example, is a great path if youre interested in building your business acumen with a bit of assistance. Become a Freelancer As a freelancer, you can land remarkably similar jobs to the ones youd perform in an office. Many companies hire freelance copywriters, web designers, marketers, recruiters, software developers, and more. Though some of them ask you to come for an in-person interview or to interview over the phone, others simply require you submit a portfolio and a sample. Look for telecommuting jobs, since those typically require a portfolio and a resume, but not an in-person interview. Plus, if youre bad at interviews because you just dont like talking to people much, a telecommuting job requiring you to send emails back and forth might be the perfect gig for you anyway! Few people are truly good at job interviews. The final piece in the puzzle is practice. The more job interviews you go on, the more youll become  accustomed to the process. You may never be stellar, but you will be able to work constructively through interviews in order to find a great job. Image credit.

How to Write a Graphic Resume

How to Write a Graphic ResumeGraphic resumes are the latest in resume writing. Using pictures or illustrations is used to grab the reader's attention and make them want to learn more about you. A graphic shows your ability and attributes that your potential employer can learn about your skills, qualifications, knowledge, and achievements.Resume writing should be easy for the reader to understand. A good resume is also a sales letter. By using a sales letter or sales copy, your potential employer can immediately see the skills and abilities that you have that would make you a good candidate for the job. In order to use a graphic that will work for your job description, it must be brief, concise, and simple.Writing a resume that uses a graphic needs to tell a story. The graphic should demonstrate your best qualities, what you have accomplished that would make you a good candidate for the job, and how you will apply your skills to the job opening. You can have a graphic that makes the r eader want to know more about you by using charts and graphs, or by having a picture that is unique to you and highlights your achievements.When you are doing your resume, make sure that you use all of the skills, abilities, and strengths that you can as an employee. Never talk down to your potential employer because it may show that you are only interested in your job. Always remain professional and answer their questions honestly.After your resume is finished, do not wait for a response. Your potential employer does not expect to hear back from you within a week. Most likely you did not get a call back after you sent your resume in. Instead of sending a resume that did not get a call back, you may want to get some ideas for graphics that will grab the attention of your potential employer.There are many different things that you can do to make your resume stand out from others. One example of this is with the font. Make sure that you choose a font that is bold and strong, yet reada ble. If the font is too small, it may show that the writer has never used the font before. You also need to find a font that is clear and easy to read.Use a color and background color that is unique to you. Use the same colors in the resume that you used for business cards. By using one set of colors for business cards and a different set for your resume, it shows that you are well organized and someone who is capable of knowing what they are doing.To really use a graphic on your resume, write the information you want to tell in a letter format. For example, use a paragraph that outlines your background, education, work experience, and achievements. Also, use bullets and numbers when you list your achievements and talents. Use a bullet for the type of experience you have had; use a number for the number of years you have worked in your field; and use a space for the quantity of your titles or jobs you have held.

The Forgotten Art of the Follow-up [Guest Post] - Career Pivot

The Forgotten Art of the Follow-up [Guest Post] - Career Pivot The Forgotten Art of the Follow-up Copyright: gustavofrazao / 123RF Stock Photo The internet has fundamentally changed the world of job hunting. It’s never been easier to apply for jobs all over the world, at the click of a button. The result is hiring managers get their inboxes flooded with applications from unqualified candidates, and even good candidates can be lost in the shuffle. Unfortunately, even if you create a well-crafted resume, getting it in front of the right eyes can be a challenge, and won’t always happen on the first go. But fortune favors the persistent â€" with so many possible reasons why you didn’t hear back after your application or interview, the resilient job seeker takes action. 1. Follow-up after submitting your resume The act of following up after submitting your application communicates a couple of key messages to hiring managers or employers: It brings you to the forefront of their minds It indicates you are interested in the position It communicates you are persistent in achieving your goals Remember that for a potential employer, the whole hiring process is about getting the maximum amount of information about each candidate in a fixed period, for an important decision that will impact their business. The follow-up immediately separates you from those who didn’t follow up, and even if you weren’t picked for an interview right away, you may get the opportunity to talk your way into one. As for timing, it’s harder to gauge this one than after an interview, as the hiring and interview timeline can vary dramatically from one company to another. You want to give hiring managers enough time after submitting your application to consider your candidacy for an interview, but not wait so long that you get discouraged. If a general rule applies, you might say 5-7 days after you submit your application, aiming for the beginning of the week. If you decide to send the second follow-up (well done, persistent one,) another 3-5 days after the first follow-up is appropriate. Job seekers are often worried about coming across as impatient or pushy, but the truth is hiring managers generally don’t give most people much attention if they aren’t already planning to interview them. Getting a rejection response is better than hearing nothing at all, so stop worrying about how you might come across and commit to following up on every application you send in. With that said, here are three stages in the job hunt where you have opportunity to follow up, with tips on how to be successful. 2. Follow-up after an interview This is one of the most important follow-ups you can do, and yet is surprisingly neglected by many job seekers. In a nutshell, you should always thank someone for their time, particularly when you want them to hire you. Even if you think the interview went badly, send a thank-you. Make it a part of your job hunt that you never fail to remember â€" the integrity will serve you well. Listen to the most recent episode At the end of an interview you do, always push for clarity on the next steps of their process. Get them to tell you what happens next and on what timeline. This will inform you on how to proceed with your follow-up. Then, as soon as possible after the interview (and within 24 hours), send an email thanking your interviewer for their time, and reiterating any key information about the next steps. You might also add a personal touch by referencing something you discussed during the interview, such as a joke or specific conversation topic. The whole follow-up helps you build a connection, shows you were paying attention and gives you the chance to put your intent to continue the process in writing. 3. Follow-up after a rejection If you get rejected for a job, your odds of getting a response to any follow-up are low â€" they’re now focusing on the people still in the pipeline. But, in the words of Wayne Gretzky, “You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take”, and you’ve got nothing to lose from sending off one more push. If you get an email or a phone call informing you that you didn’t get the position, zip off one last message with the following: Thank them again for their time and for letting you know Indicate your continued interest in working for them in the future Ask them for 1 actionable step you could do to be a more attractive candidate for them in the future The worst-case scenario is you won’t receive any response. But you might get an idea of how you could improve your candidacy, or even end up on a call-back list if things change. Consider it part of your new commitment to persistence in the job hunt, and see what happens. Pro tip: Pick up the phone In the age of apps and texting, picking up the phone to actually call someone has become an act of personal kindness and human connection. In the job search world, it’s become a pro tip. Emails get lost very quickly in the daily flood, and hiring managers in particular get a lot of them. Try reaching out via the telephone and actually speaking to another human being, and see what your response rate is versus email. That said, many people don’t like taking phone calls because they are time and attention consuming, and the more proactive of those people have purposefully made it tough to reach them by phone. If you decide to call the hiring manager as a follow-up to an application, be prepared so you don’t waste anyone’s time. There are several ways the conversation can go: The hiring manager has not seen your resume and has no idea who you are The hiring manager has seen your resume, and has decided not to bring you in for an interview The hiring manager has seen your resume, and you are on the shortlist for an interview but haven’t been contacted yet If you do get through, remember the rules of attempting the phone call: keep the small talk to a minimum, thank them for their time, and get the information you came for. Conclusion: Become A Practitioner of the Art If you’re serious about landing the job you’re applying for, start thinking about your follow-up strategy before you apply. Your follow-up is most likely to be successful if you have written a targeted resume and cover letter addressed to the correct person. Each follow up attempt you put out there is one more possible conversation started, and you’ve got to initiate more conversations if you’re going to land that next job you want. And when you get complimented on your persistence in your next interview, come back and leave a comment on this post! This post was written by Lauren McAdams. Lauren is a hiring manager, career consultant, and lead writer at ResumeCompanion.com, home of the internet’s most professional resume templates. She’s been quoted by sites like Forbes, TechRepublic, and Careerbuilder.com, and her resume templates and career advice on Resume Companion have helped hundreds of applicants find their dream jobs. When she’s not busy enriching the lives of job seekers,she’s either sipping on coffee or a glass of wine â€" depending on the time of day of course. 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 ...

Harness Your Expertise - CareerAlley

Harness Your Expertise - CareerAlley We may receive compensation when you click on links to products from our partners. You might not think youre an expert at anything. Most of us shy away from the idea of being an expert; it seems to be a title that should belong to people who have trained for years, have more degrees than most people own pairs of shoes, and have given their lives to becoming an expert in. You? You work in a desk job, or youve moved from career to career with nothing specific in mind as to the end goal what could you be an expert in? Everyones An Expert We all have something that, even without knowing, we have cultivated our own expertise in. It might be something simple, like being able to coupon better than anyone else. Or it might be something very specific, like being able to coax a piece of industry software into working for you. If at some point someone has had to learn it, and you know how to do it, then youre an expert at it. But what if youve moved between menial jobs, always switching, never settling? Well, youve become an expert in job interviews it would appear if youve had a lot of them and have continued to get hired, then you must be doing something right. Or have you been fired, and had to change your career to cope with that? Then youve got some expertise there: how to recover from being fired and launch back into the career world. So whether its to do with your work life, your home choices, or even something like knowing how to paint your nails perfectly youve got some expertise. What Use Is That When It Comes To Your Career? The most obvious use for any work-related expertise is that it should go on your resum. It might help recruiters take a look at you, seeing that you have mastered something it might be a string to your bow that others dont have. Outside of traditional employment considerations, theres another avenue to explore which can provide a very fulfilling supplementary career. Have you ever considered writing about your expertise? It could be in articles that you pitch to blogs and magazines, or you could start your own blog dedicated to your topic. Even if its a dry piece of a software only used in a certain industry, someone is going to want to read it. From there, you can expand on by writing your own books on the subject. It can and does happen; people corner a niche and then become the go-to for that niche, working from home freelance as an authority on the subject. Tools like Grammarly and the Wattpad cover maker make it easier than ever to be your own writer, designer, and editor all you need is a subject that you know so well, you can explain it to others. Finally, your expertise might also be the pathway to an entirely new career; youve just not realized it yet. Say you can paint your nails perfectly have you ever thought about retraining as a nail technician, so you can share your gift with others? The same applies to any at-home skills you might have, from DIY through to cooking. If youre good at it, seem to have a knack for it, then someone somewhere will see that as a valuable commodity. We are always eager to hear from our readers. Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions or suggestions regarding CareerAlley content. Good luck in your search,Joey Google+

Tough (Question) Tuesday What does your heart want - When I Grow Up

Tough (Question) Tuesday What does your heart want - When I Grow Up This week I had the opportunity to coach a client who was listening to The Voice of Reason (aka Not-What-You-Really-Want-But-What-Will-Most-Likely-Work-So-Just-Suck-It-Up-And-Do-It-Or-Youll-Never-Make-It-In-This-Crazy-Business) instead of The Voice of The Heart (aka This-Is-What-I-Really-Want-But-Theres-No-Guarantee-That-I-Can-Really-Succeed-So-Im-Scared-And-Should-Just-Do-Whats-Easy-Instead).    I sensed a shift when I asked:  What does your heart want? It was then that she acknowledged her dream, and the obstacles in front of her. We were then  able to work together to figure out how she  could actually  use what she doesnt want (but is an opportunity shed be crazy to pass up) to get her closer to her goal! This doesnt mean you should throw logic or smarts out the window -but if you make sure to include at least a sliver of what your heart wants, youll certainly know youre traveling down the right path. How does this question relate to your current challenge? Join me in answering this question in the comments section. You can read the other installments of Tough (Question) Tuesday here.