Top Federal Resume Writing Services

Top Federal Resume Writing ServicesThe top 10 federal resume writing services are not easy to find. There are many services that will offer your resume a quick once over and then throw it away without even a second thought. These services are quite dishonest and tend to get away with this kind of thing quite often.These top federal resume services have a great deal of experience at dealing with various types of employers. They know how to write effective resumes and which questions to ask.The top federal resume services can easily tell you what they find wrong in your resume and what should be changed. They can often avoid giving you the impression that they are biased or are trying to help you. In fact, most of these services are reputable and do not want you to get rid of the resume so quickly.Many people are faced with the need to start a new career. You may be dealing with a layoff, retirement, an illness, or the death of a family member. You may want to be sure to get that resum e back on the right track.This is an excellent service. Their resume writers know the ins and outs of the industry. They have a lot of experience and know what people will be looking for when applying for jobs.They will save you time because they will narrow down your job search to a smaller number of positions. They will also give you tips and ideas to make your resume stand out from the crowd. There is no limit to the amount of information that these professionals can provide you with.It is important to be careful when dealing with the top federal resume writing services. It is possible that they are only concerned with providing your resume a quick once over. Since this is their job, they may leave you with the impression that you need to get rid of your resume to get it out of their way.They may also try to convince you that the amount of information they will give you is not very useful, or that they do not know what the best answers are. These types of services are more intere sted in filling your resume with any information that they have available. Beware.

Resume Lingerie and 10 Other Guerrilla Job Search Strategies - Executive Career Brandâ„¢

Resume Lingerie and 10 Other Guerrilla Job Search Strategies Are you having a tough time landing an executive job? Maybe it’s time to consider shaking things up and innovating an unconventional search campaign to position yourself above the crowd. Yesterday I took an eye-opening Reach Personal Branding teleseminar, “Job Search Secrets Revealed”, featuring Guerrilla Job Search Gurus Kevin Donlin and David Perry of Guerrilla Job Hunting. David and Kevin guarantee that, because most people don’t use guerrilla tactics, you’ll blow the competition away. 1.   You must have clarity. Know what job you seek and where you can get that job. Zero in on a job title and/or the 2 or 3 skills you need for the job you want. Pick 10 to 20 companies where you’d like to work. Don’t be concerned if you don’t know anyone at these companies. You’re going to work on that. Now you know your target audience. You’ll need to research and uncover what their issues and problems are, then develop and pitch your unique value proposition. 2.   Get a subscription to ZoomInfo’s FreshContacts. They boast a database of 45 million professionals at 5 million companies. Start compiling a list of key decision makers at each of the companies on your list. 3.   Zig when everyone else is zagging. With the average job search today taking 28.5 weeks (the highest since they started keeping data in 1948), you can’t do what everyone else is doing. Realize that in job search, youre in the middle of a sales and marketing campaign. 4.   Resume Lingerie or Guerrilla Resume. Create a resume that captures attention and, just like lingerie, is designed to tease them into whats possible â€" a one-page, highly-charged, full-color branded resume. On the lefthand side, place 3 or 5 (always an odd number) logos of current/past employers, universities attended, snapshots of awards, etc. People are drawn to graphics. They prefer to look at pictures instead of read words. They buy based on emotions. 5.   Use your recommendations to sell yourself. Put 1 or 2 snips of quotes in your resume. (Note: I do this frequently with my clients’ resumes and it’s a powerful, brand-reinforcing strategy!) 6.   Add a P.S. to your cover letter â€" they always get read. Two ideas for the P.S.: Write Call me today to learn why my [insert person’s title] said [insert quote and include year person said it].” Insert your most provocative bullet point. 7.   Send your resume and cover letter by regular mail, not email. Two reasons: Too much email gets caught in spam filters. Your email may never reach hiring decision makers and recruiters. Direct mail is having a resurgence because most people only use email. This gives you a competitive advantage. 8.   Clean up and brand up your ZoomInfo and profiles. What do hiring managers, HR professionals, and recruiters do to fill a job? They go to ZoomInfo and to run a search. Using the following two innovations, David and Kevin got 2 people into jobs in 7 weeks in Detroit,   where unemployment is 2 to 3 times higher than the rest of the nation: 9.   The Coffee Cup Caper. Send your resume and cover letter in a package along with an empty Starbucks coffee cup with a note saying, Can we meet for coffee, Id love to discuss your [title of position] job. Add the P.S. I will call you very soon to follow up. How soon you may be surprised. Send your package by overnight mail. You’ll be able to determine when it will arrive, so that you can place a call to the recipient within an hour or so of their receipt. 10.   The Trojan Thank You Letter. Instead of sending your resume and cover letter in a standard envelope, use a smaller, thank you note-sized one, with the card reading “Thank you for reviewing my resume and cover letter”. The envelope will suggest an invitation or thank you note. Both are mail people love to receive. You’re practically guaranteed the recipient will open it and read it. 11.   Now is the time to be proactive and go for it. The hiring decisions that will be made in January are being contemplated now. Other job seekers are sitting back during the holiday and waiting. And hiring decision makers arent as busy now as they will be in January. Check out Kevin and David’s initiative Put America Back to Work. Theyre offering to speak to any group of 50 or more people about their guerrilla job search secrets and waive their customary $5,000 speaking fee. What do you think of their aggressive strategies? Related posts over at my Executive Resume Branding blog: 6 Essential Strategies To Land Your Next Great C-Level Executive Job How to Target and Network into Hidden C-Level Executive Jobs   00 0

Utilizing Non-Degree Skills for Temporary or Permanent Employment - CareerAlley

Utilizing Non-Degree Skills for Temporary or Permanent Employment - CareerAlley We may receive compensation when you click on links to products from our partners. Your earning ability today is largely dependent upon your knowledge, skill and your ability to combine that knowledge and skill in such a way that you contribute value for which customers are going to pay. Brian Tracy We all have an innate set of skills that develop as we go through life. They develop as we grow and learn, and have a lot to do with how we are brought up and raised. Skills such as communication, organization, and professionalism, are very underdeveloped but with experience become stronger. Whether a degree is in your future or not, these skills are housed somewhere within you; thats not to say that experience from college or university wont strengthen them. Knowing how to correctly use these fundamental skills will be an advantage when looking for temporary or permanent employment. Communication When looking for employment, effective communication is a key ingredient to landing the job. In fact, employers who took part in a 2011 job survey by the National Association of Colleges and Employers placed communication skills at the top of desired skills among future employees. As a prospective candidate, effective communication with employers is necessary employers are interested in those who can speak, listen and write, in addition to think and communicate above their job title. Communication is considered a soft skill, which means that its a skill employers desire regardless of the type of job or your knowledge. With experience, we are able to strengthen our communication skills as we interact with different types of people; when it comes to employment, how we are communicating with future employers needs to be perfection if we desire a seat at that new desk. Organization We all know people who are sloppy, unorganized, and never have a plan and sometimes in their personal lives that works for them; however, it often transfers over to your career. Some people can separate the two, but employers really want someone who can think logically, and in an orderly fashion. Organization is a skill some people really have to work at, for others it comes naturally, or outsiders see it as OCD. For those who have some problems with organization, it can be developed in a way that can benefit you. Any employer wants to see prospective candidates as put together, with their own organization method. This comes especially handy when in a job where youre multi-tasking being able to differentiate different projects to items you are working on in absolutely necessary, especially in a busy work setting. Professionalism Professionalism is another natural skill we possess that only continues to develop as we go through life. Professionalism encompasses two different areas appearance and behavior. I dont know anyone that would attend an interview dressed in jeans and a t-shirt with their hair looking like they just rolled out of bed. In this society, thats not even considered an option when it comes to finding temporary or permanent employment. Its always been said that when you look good, you feel good so knowing how to properly dress and look when it comes to work is important.1 Sometimes, the job you are applying for has a very casual and laid back attitude, but making yourself look professional for the interview, and even if you land the job is vital, at least until otherwise noted by your superiors. Secondly, professional behavior is a crucial skill when it comes to finding employment. Respect, politeness, punctuality, and being well spoken are all very important. There are many factors within professional behavior, and being aware of your actions and manners when in a professional setting will be to your benefit. In order to gain employment knowing how to utilize these skills will be to your advantage. Good luck in your search! Source: 1 monster.com Britania Starr is a content writer for College.com, and enjoys writing about online education and career planning. For more information, her posts on the College.com facebook page. This is a Guest post. If you would like to submit a guest post to CareerAlley, please follow these guest post guidelines. Visit me on Facebook

10 Ways to Be a More Inclusive Co-worker - Career Advice Blog for Millennials

10 Ways to Be a More Inclusive Co-worker - Career Advice Blog for Millennials Though you may not be the jokester or the loudest employee in your workplace, you can still get on everyone’s good side. The secret? Make them feel valued. Recognition motivates 94% of employees, which leads to higher engagement and productivity. Here are 10 foolproof ways to become everybody’s favorite co-worker. Welcome New Employees With a Drink Since many of us spend the majority of our days with co-workers, getting to know who they are can foster a more meaningful working relationship. Invite the new employees out for happy hour or a coffee together and learn what makes them tick. Sharing personal experiences with each other reminds you how each employee is more than their title at work. You are unique and have the power to make someone else feel unique and welcome, too. Make (and Use) a Birthday Calendar Use those small personal facts you learned at happy hour or coffee to give small personal gifts. Whether or not your company sends out birthday cards to everyone, offering a unique gift of your own speaks volumes about your investment in your co-workers and how much you value their friendship. Hint: It also tells them that you’re a good listener. Listen It’s easier said than done. But when done whole-heartedly, listening can be the most powerful positive connection between co-workers. Let them finish their thoughts before jumping in. React to what’s being said rather than editing what you’re already waiting to blurt out. If you’re an overachiever, think of solutions to their situations and offer more to the conversation when you meet again. Say Thank You Often, new workers are underappreciated since they either fill a void or relieve a previously unassigned workload. Take notice of the difference they’ve made in the office and say a sincere thank you. They’ll remember your recognition and feel more connected to the work when they know it makes an impact. Avoid Gossip If you don’t know something, don’t assume anything. You know what happens when you assume, and it rarely turns out well. Colleagues will respect your ability to hold your tongue and may even follow suit. If they don’t, it’s often easier to walk away rather than restraining yourself when others are begging you to join. Answer Messages Don’t leave a co-worker hanging. If you have voicemails, emails or instant messages awaiting a response, catch up within 24 hours to take care of any urgent business. Prompt responses also reassure colleagues that their voices matter and you are a reliable listener. Respect the Boss Even if it’s not cool to do, you need to do it. Word travels fast, especially in close quarters. Although co-workers may not agree on the outside, they will respect your stance and respect your team mentality within the company. This doesn’t mean surrender defeat no matter what type of leader you have, but that they are just as much a part of the company as you and deserve a conversation before unsolicited judgment. A positive perception of your boss is your own way of being a leader. Good leadership doesn’t talk smack. Neither should you. Extend Social Media Invitations When appropriate, include the same co-workers you chat with during the day in your online presence. Keep your private media private, but don’t hesitate to treat co-workers as friends who may want to get together outside of the workweek. This is especially true of career-specific social media sites. When 91% of people spend more than 30 hours each week with colleagues, developing work friendships is super important to your happiness. Sharing today’s social personas is a win-win in that case, as any good co-worker can give and receive professional recommendations. Greet Co-Workers Every Morning Beyond the explicit check-in to announce your non-tardiness, it’s polite to say good morning as you make your way to your desk. This lets co-workers know you are free for conversations, both scheduled and spontaneous. It also builds the communal relationship within the office and encourages the shared motivation of working to help each other toward a common goal. Be a Reference If you’ve followed all nine of the above tips, it should be no surprise when somebody asks you for a recommendation. After all, you’ve been the best co-worker they’ve ever had! You don’t need to be the boss to be a fantastic reference. But, to uphold your stellar reputation, frame the letter or conversation in a positive light and be honest. Who knows, maybe they will do the same for you one day. Make a Difference Tomorrow This quick guide can help you on your way to becoming a stellar co-worker overnight, but you have to do the heavy lifting. When you show up to work tomorrow, greet everyone with a cheery hello and make your way over to a colleague you don’t know very well. Ask a simple question about their work or their day before you settle into your routine. Starting with one small, but genuine, change a day is all it takes to help foster a friendly, engaged team and win over the entire office. What are you doing to be a better co-worker? Share your tips and stories in the comments!

Best Resume Writing Services

Best Resume Writing ServicesThis year the best resume writing services have been arriving in the mail to keep the process of assembling the resume going smoothly. To make this process even easier for you, here are a few suggestions:o Consider SEO and search engine optimization as an essential part of your resume. Start this by finding out what your target audience is. Make sure that you also make some modifications to your keywords and phrases.o Well, how do you get around this problem? Most professional resume writers will advise you to add a few of your best links from articles and blogs. By adding these links, you will be adding to your online reputation and thus getting more visitors to your website.o Have a list of candidates to interview with in mind when you write your resume. This way, you will not just be having to look through thousands of resumes to find a few that you feel really suit you, but you can focus on the ones that will provide the right kind of information for t he right job.So I can hear you say 'That sounds like language that would slow me down. What if I have to write it right now?' Well, yes, it will indeed slow you down (especially if you are not a fast writer), but by then you might already have been accepted for the job.o While it is fine to have separate documents, never put too much information in one document. If you submit your resume at the same time, it will most likely be picked up by a number of companies that will give you very low interview scores.A good sound strategy that will definitely improve your chances is the one you can use online. There are resume writing sites such as Keynote that will send you resume writing tips and techniques that are fast becoming the norm. These are just a few of the ways that you can improve your chances of being selected as a top candidate for the job.

How to Know if Youre About to Be Fired

How to Know if You're About to Be Fired Getting fired can be a real shock to the system. But there are usually signs that your termination is pending. You’ve just got to know where to look. Maybe your boss is out to get you. Maybe you’ve been embroiled in some recent controversy at work. Or maybe your organization is undergoing a massive transition or merger. Either way, it helps to be prepared. Lynn Taylor, a national workplace expert and the author of “Tame Your Terrible Office Tyrant: How to Manage Childish Boss Behavior and Thrive in Your Job,” tells Business Insider that the savviest professionals always keep an eye out for the classic signs that their job is in danger. This way, if and when they notice red flags popping up, they can attempt to turn the tides before it’s too late. Here are 23 signs you may be getting the boot: 1. You receive a bad performance review (or two, or three) Tap into these essential skills to get on your supervisor’s good side. A negative evaluation is not always synonymous with being fired, but, in conjunction with other bad feedback, it can mean trouble, says Taylor. “Your employer needs to create a paper trail, so along with warnings, your employer will use a performance review to document the problem areas.” More than one poor performance review in a row is an especially bad sign, adds Michael Kerr, an international business speaker and author of “The Humor Advantage.” “Depending on how bad your first performance review was, you may be given a chance to make corrections and improve, but a series of critical performance reviews could be a major sign that your job is in jeopardy,” Kerr tells Business Insider. If it’s because of a lack of experience or lack of training in a certain area, then there’s always a chance to fix it. But critical phrases to be mindful of during performance reviews include, “You’re not a good fit for our culture,” “You’re not a team player,” “Your personality or style doesn’t seem to mesh with the team,” or “You have a major attitude problem.” “If you hear any of these types of criticisms then it’s time to break out your résumé, since it’s often assumed that attitudinal issues are deeply engrained and unfixable,” he says. 2. You’re left out of the loop If it’s suddenly hard to access important data that would help you perform well in your job, or you’re not invited to important meetings or included on key emails, a pink slip may be coming your way, says Taylor. “There could be other reasons for this happening, but certainly one may be that your leadership has lost the trust or confidence in your abilities, making you vulnerable when and if layoffs happen,” Kerr says. 3. Your job has become mission impossible “When you first assumed the role, you had your marching orders and could accomplish them. Now it seems that you’re tasked with projects akin to climbing Mount Everest blindfolded,” says Taylor. “You’re being set up to fail,” Kerr explains. “Sometimes this is due to lousy leadership, but occasionally it can be because a company wants to get rid of you, but they need solid evidence to do so, and setting you up for disaster is one way of getting the ‘proof’ you longer belong there.” 4. Your boss has ‘warned’ you (more than once) Formal warnings are never a good thing. “You may have received a verbal warning, a written warning, and maybe even a second written warning,” says Taylor. If you have, know that more bad news may be coming your way. 5. Your relationship with your boss has deteriorated You used to be friends (or friendly, at least) â€" but now there’s tension whenever you’re in the same room. “Once your relationship has deteriorated to the point of being toxic, then how your boss treats you â€" from ignoring you to publicly berating you â€" can be obvious signs that your job might be in peril,” says Kerr. 6. You’re asked to provide detailed reports about time or expenses “Increased scrutiny is a phenomenon that is rarely initiated by the accounting department,” Robert Dilenschneider, author of “50 Plus!: Critical Career Decisions for the Rest of Your Life,” tells Business Insider. “The boss believes that you have wasted time or inflated expenses. Even if you are 100% innocent, it doesn’t matter. Find out if you are the only person being scrutinized.” 7. Fewer projects are coming your way Here’s a bad sign: You suddenly have a lot of time on your hands because not a lot of work is being assigned to you. “As you try to secure normal work, it seems it’s hard to get cooperation from your boss and other managers,” Taylor says. “They’re suddenly making your work life difficult.” 8. Teamwork isn’t your strong suit It’s important to fit into the company’s culture. That means taking one for the team sometimes, as HR consultant Laurie Ruettimann tells Reader’s Digest: “If we ask you to travel for your job or attend a conference, it’s not really a question. Say no, and it can be career-ending.” 9. You’ve lost resources When you lose staff, budgets, and access to certain outside services and/or office space â€" or any number of tools that would enhance your performance â€" it could be because your employer is trying to push you out. 10. Your boss is on your case all the time Are you constantly being asked for progress reports? Do you find that your boss constantly monitors your work? If so, you may want to start looking for a new job, says Dilenschneider. 11. You’re being micromanaged or ignored It seems that you’re working in extremes. Either your boss is watching your every step, or they’re nowhere to be found. “Either way, it makes for a highly uncomfortable environment,” Taylor explains. “If they’re watching over you, you feel a lack of trust. If they’re ignoring you, then you are in a seemingly endless state of inertia on your project status.” 12. You have fewer responsibilities Do you feel less important? Have your subordinates been transferred to other managers? Have projects been reassigned to your colleagues? If so, you could be getting the boot sometime soon. 13. Your perks start to evaporate “Your colleagues are all sent to a conference in Marrakesh, but you aren’t invited. You are told to fly coach after years of flying business class. Suddenly, you lose your corner office and are relocated to the bullpen,” says Dilenschneider. “Perks are an important part of the job, and if you sense yours are being eroded, you have every right to worry.” 14. You’re no longer praised for your work Even if you performed a miracle never before witnessed by a mortal being, it seems your boss wouldn’t acknowledge it now. “To do so would run contrary to the campaign underway to remove you from the company,” explains Taylor. 15. You’ve received a pay cut or been asked to take time off If you’ve been asked to take a leave of absence, you probably have something to worry about. “This is a major sign that things aren’t well, even if it’s under the guise of being what’s ‘best for you,'” says Kerr. “It’s the equivalent of a dating couple ‘taking a break for a while’ â€" and we all know how that usually ends.” 16. You notice more gossip and strange behavior from your coworkers When people seem to shy away from you, and you notice it most from people with whom you shared a friendship, it probably means something’s up. “Oftentimes when coworkers hear rumors about someone being fired or even reprimanded, they stay away to avoid ‘guilt by association,'” Taylor says. 17. You report to new or more people Suddenly you’re reporting to more junior people or more managers in a matrix environment. “There’s more red tape and bureaucracy whereas before you could get your work done in a streamlined way,” Taylor says. This isn’t a great sign. 18. You’ve made a major mistake that causes your company external embarrassment or a lot of money “Depending on the context and how your leadership team treats failures and setbacks, especially in the realm of experimenting with innovative ideas, then you might be allowed to file a major mistake under the heading ‘learning experience,'” Kerr says. “But for some, this will mean an early exit out the door.” 19. Your boss goes directly to your subordinates This sign is similar to “being left out of the loop” â€" but even worse. “Most organizations have a chain of command, and when it is disrupted, it is a clear indication that you are no longer needed,” says Dilenschneider. 20. Your access to certain data is limited When a company is preparing to let someone go, they sometimes limit or revoke the employee’s access to certain accounts a bit prematurely. Beware if your email password no longer works or you’ve been locked out of your company’s intranet, says Taylor. 21. You’re no longer asked for input on key decisions Not being asked for input means your boss no longer values or cares about what you have to say, Kerr warns. “Freezing you out of the loop is often the first sign of a slow slide out the door.” 22. There was a recent merger, but little information After a merger, it’s not uncommon for a company to make layoffs â€" sometimes even massive layoffs, Kerr says. “If you’re feeling that your job was at risk already, then a merger could put the nail on the proverbial coffin,” adds Taylor. 23. Your instincts are telling you something’s wrong “If you feel you’ve done everything you can, but still have that ‘I might get fired’ feeling, you’re probably right, and it’s likely time to move on,” Andy Bailey of business coaching service Petra Coach tells Business Insider. “You may be an ‘A’ player, but it might have to be somewhere else. Begin seeking out other positions that better reflect your personality and work ethic.” Ketti Salemme of TINYPulse, an employee survey product, also tells Business Insider that it’s important not to disregard your own instincts. “Sometimes the sign can be nothing more than a gut feeling,” Salemme says. “Whether it be a shift in the company culture, your job duties, or your relationship with colleagues, this can be indicative enough that you may soon be let go.” This story originally appeared on Business Insider.

Should I Refer Job Applicants From My Social Networks - Work It Daily

Should I Refer Job Applicants From My Social Networks - Work It Daily Should you refer job applicants you've met, or maybe even haven’t met, from the social networks you participate in? Short answer? Yes. Cautious answer? Maybe. The long answer is a bit more nuanced than a simple yes, no, or maybe. I was hired at my last two positions from job referrals on Twitter, both tweets from people I had never met. Why would someone take a chance on me? Personal Branding Delivers An Evolving Resume If you’re using social media tools correctly (and at this point there are good bad or right wrong ways to use these tools), you’re developing relationships constantly. You no longer network because you have to when you need a job. You network all year long to increase the size and quality of your network for anything you may need. This is the basis of crowd sourcing when you need something like a restaurant recommendation, thoughts on a new product, or if there are open jobs available. The idea of referring a person from social media interaction isn't unusual because there have likely been quality conversations on a variety of platforms with said person. At the end of the day, you wouldn’t refer a person that didn’t represent you or you yourself wouldn’t want to work with. Assessing a candidate’s personal brand on social networks is easy. If the candidate has done a good job, at the minimum their picture is consistent on sites like LinkedIn and Twitter, they’ve hidden Facebook from search results to avoid any embarrassing stories/photos, and they’ve gone over their first two pages of Google search results for links that show them in the most positive light. They might also show up in various online communities like Reddit or Brazen Careerist, or guest blog posts to demonstrate their expertise in an area. Again, if the person is actively participating in this activity, these actions speak for themselves as a live interactive resume. Why Refer Unknowns? Many companies offer applicant referral bonuses to employees because odds are a friend of an employee is going to be a good hire. That person has already been vetted and vouched for. The company didn’t have to do any advertising to get their attention. When there’s monetary incentive for the employee, the employee will actively keep open positions in mind and let job searchers they know personally, what’s available. As I work for a company that is growing at a quick pace, I’ve referred quite a few people recently. It’s the perfect way to get a little extra cash and surround yourself with a team of people you know are going to knock it out of the park. Of the few referrals I’ve submitted, two were actually hired. I had met one at various networking events and I had never met the other. They are both working out great. Research In order to refer someone and feel morally OK in doing so, a bit of research is required. The personal branding mentioned above goes a long way, but the ongoing conversations you have on these social networks is the icing on the cake. You know these people, what they’re after, what they want, and where they’re coming from because you see them everywhere as subject experts. They’re desirable candidates. If there are still trepidations, feel free to schedule a Skype call and do your own mini interview before giving them the referral link. No sense in putting your seal of approval on someone that doesn’t deserve it, and might not get you that referral bonus, or brownie points for future referrals. Feel confident that you’re suggesting the best person for the job, otherwise it’ll come back to haunt you. This article was written by Community Manager Jenn Pedde, on behalf of Work It Daily-Approved Partner, 2tor. 2tor is an education technology company that partners with institutions of higher education such as the University of Southern California to deliver their online MSW degree. Jenn is also the co-founder of TheCommunityManager.com, and loves to travel. Related Posts The Social Networking Mistake That Could Hurt Your Job Search Don’t Put All Your Eggs In The Social Networking Basket 5 Reasons Why Your Social Network Isn’t Working Photo Credit: Shutterstock   Have you joined our career growth club?Join Us Today!