Is Decision Making in Our Hands?
William Frierson is a staff writer for CollegeRecruiter.com.

Most of us wake up every day thinking we are in control of our decisions, but are we really?  Some decisions seem easier to make when they are based on our preferences; other decisions are more illusional based on our options.

Behavioral economist, Dan Ariely, believes people can build a better world once they understand their cognitive limitations.  In the following video, he uses illusions to demonstrate how some decisions don't necessarily reside in us, but with the choices we're given.



Article courtesy of the Recruiting Blogswap, a content exchange service sponsored by CollegeRecruiter.com, a leading site for college students looking for internships and recent graduates searching for entry level jobs and other career opportunities.

Read More

 Executive Resume Words and Phrases You Should (and Shouldn’t) Avoid

Global resume authority Jessica Hernandez of http://www.greatresumesfast.com is a former HR Manager who partners with professional- and executive-level candidates to create authentic, branded resumes and cover letters.
http://www.greatresumesfast.com

If you’ve been searching for executive positions for some time, it’s possible that you’ve gotten into the habit of utilizing catchphrases to describe yourself. While there’s nothing wrong with choosing great brand attributes to define who you are, you want to avoid those that sound generic to decision makers who read your resume.

Sometimes, a word or phrase sounds impressive, but when broken down into simple language actually means that you are organized, or work well with others—something all executive candidates should be great at by now. To avoid sounding too clichéd or ordinary on your resume, let’s take a look at some phrases that you should and should not include.

Phrases to Avoid

Once you’ve spent hours finding amazing skills and accomplishments to share on your executive resume, you assume your work is complete. But the real challenge comes with finding unique ways to describe those qualities.

Many job candidates fall into a pattern of using certain words and catchphrases they know sum up skills into a neat little package. However, those very words have been seen time and time again by key decision makers and are just too redundant and inauthentic to offer real meaning.

What are some of those phrases you want to avoid?

-        Superior communication skills

-        Team player

-        Strong work ethic

-        Exceeded expectations

-        Proven track record of success

While these phrases may describe you to a T, they also (should) describe every candidate who applies for any job in any organization. These are base-level skills that companies assume all candidates bring to the table. They don’t make you stand out as a top candidate.

So if you do list them on your resume, you run the risk of leaving the impression that you’ve either carbon-copied your resume—or you don’t have any more specific qualifications to offer.

Words You Shouldn’t Avoid

When it comes to choosing phrases to include in your resume, it gets a bit tricky. You don’t want to choose clichéd phrases that make your resume sound redundant, as it would by using the phrases listed above. Instead, you want to come up with descriptions based on specific experiences that show you’re an authentic candidate.

A great way to come up with great descriptions is by combining action verbs with colorful adjectives. Here are a few action verbs to consider:

-        Accelerate

-        Orchestrate

-        Incentivize

-        Capitalize

-        Revolutionize

-        Fortify

-        Catapult

And some adjectives that you might add include:

-        Encouraging

-        Unbiased

-        Courageous

-        Upbeat

-        Harmonious

-        Confident

-        Impartial

There are many other strong words out there that can help you to create a more powerful presence on your resume. So don’t be shy about looking for others that genuinely describe the impact you’ve had in every position you’ve assumed, as well as in your field as a whole.

It’s important to remember to brand your resume before applying to each new position for more information on branding check out my recent article 5 Key Areas to Target When Branding Your Resume. You can also get additional job search and career related advice by checking out our blog or following us on Twitter @GreatResume.

Article courtesy of the Recruiting Blogswap, a content exchange service sponsored by CollegeRecruiter.com, a leading site for college students looking for internships and recent graduates searching for entry level jobs and other career opportunities.

Read More

Job Advice For New Graduates
Author Byline:  D. Lawton
Author Website: http://www.careerconnected.com

Finishing your college studies and obtaining a degree is really a cause for celebration. After years of sleepless nights trying to fulfill requirements, endless days of doing research and lots of memorization, finally, you are now a proud holder of a college diploma! After you've settled down from the celebrations, it's time to take stock of what your next steps would be. It's time to consider some job advice that could help you know what direction to take to have the best career.

Job search is always a challenge, not just for new graduates but also for those who have been working for years. You need to remember that when you start filling out job applications and distributing your resume, you could be competing with people who may be more skilled and more experienced to handle the job you are vying for.

Improve Your Resume

If you are a fresh graduate and have not had any working experience in the past, you could highlight other strengths in your resume that could make you a good candidate for the position. Mention some of the extra-curricular activities you have actively participated on while at studying. If you have been a President of any club you belonged to, write it down as well. Any opportunity you've had while in school to show your leadership potentials are markers that your future employer could be interested in.

Were you the school newspaper editor, or at least one of its writers? Were you chosen to represent your school in a competition? Did you participate in any social or cultural activity while in college that could be a good sign that you could be a good team player? These are some of items that you could include in your resume to make your future employer aware of your positive traits and potentials.

Be Prepared For The Interview

The interview is an important aspect of your job search. Before you show up for your interview, do your research on the company to know about its business interests and corporate culture. Come on time for the interview and wear business attire. Remember that first impressions last, so you would want to project a confident, professional image.

Expand Your Network

People seeking for employment these days have to utilize the Internet to make their search easier. Create an account on social networks like LinkedIn where you could post your resume. You could also post your resumes on career search sites. If you are a member of any organization, spread the word around that you are job hunting. Explore many opportunities when you could let others know your strengths and potentials.

Think Positive

Be prepared to face rejection. First of all, because the unemployment rate is high these days, you are facing more competition than ever. Second, it naturally follows that human resource managers are becoming choosier with their new hires, because there are more people applying for the post. Third, almost all who are searching for jobs face rejection at one point in their lives. The important thing is that you keep a positive attitude and welcome any opportunity that comes your way,

Get Career Counseling

Almost all colleges and universities offer free career counseling that could help you understand your strengths. The career services department of your school may have a list of employment opportunities. Your state office may also have a listing of job openings that you could look at to see if you could qualify in any of the required positions. Listen to other job advice from your parents, teachers and other people you trust. Remember that the final decision is yours and that success depends on your own efforts to excel in whatever job you choose.



Don't forget to visit Career Cafe to get access to hundreds of additional articles on professional networking, career transition, job searching, resume preparation, interviewing, sample cover letters, blogging, and going solo.
Click Here for job and employment Opportunities.

Article courtesy of the
Recruiting Blogswap

, a content exchange service
sponsored by CollegeRecruiter.com, a leading site for
college students looking for internships and
recent graduates searching for entry level jobs and other career opportunities.

Article courtesy of the Recruiting Blogswap, a content exchange service sponsored by CollegeRecruiter.com, a leading site for college students looking for internships and recent graduates searching for entry level jobs and other career opportunities.

Read More

Tips For When I Need To Find A Job

Author Byline:  D. Lawton
Author Website: CareerConnected

The economy has made it more difficult for people to find jobs. Some companies are not hiring as many workers as they did in recent years. However, because I need to find a job, I have several choices available to me in my search. Rather than look for companies that advertise their openings, I can also send resume and apply for positions with businesses that do not list their available positions. If my application is in line with what they need, those companies may hire me.

In fact, most employment experts recommend that searchers update their resumes to help in their employment pursuit. Giving an outdated resume to a potential employer does not allow that business to know fully the qualifications a person may have. It also might contain information that is no longer accurate. For that reason, people are encouraged to update their resumes every so often to make sure that they are current on their qualifications and contact information.

Many searches include looking online for positions. Employment sites list jobs that are open in a person's specific area. An individual can enter in his or her zip code and then browse jobs that are available within that small area. This helps a person know which companies are hiring immediately.

Likewise, classified advertisements in newspapers also list openings. These listings are usually updated on Sunday and Wednesday every week. As such, these two days of the week might be the ideal time for people to consider new positions.

Moreover, some cities host employment fairs once or twice a year. These events invite a wide range of potential employers, as well as applicants. People can meet with representatives, give them their applications, and speak with them about that particular company's recruitment needs. This venue provides individuals to know for certain if they would like to be employed by a particular business.

However, sometimes searchers are able to find new careers by looking at companies that do not necessarily advertise their openings. People are encouraged to send out their resumes from time to time to various companies within the area, even if there are no positions readily open. Sometimes company representatives find a skill or qualification on a person's resume that is exemplary. That leads to that individual's being called for an interview.

Additionally, recent college graduates might find employment by using their colleges' career placement services. These departments help graduates find potential employers, as well as assist them in constructing viable resumes. A person may even be able to locate a career option away from the immediate area. Some graduates relocated to new cities or states to begin their post-graduate careers.

I might heed a variety of suggestions when I need to find a job. My local newspaper, the Internet, my college that I graduated from, and job fairs can help me find employment. Similarly, I may choose to send out my application to companies that are not hiring. Even if they do not call me right away, my application might be kept on record for several months.


Don't forget to visit Career Cafe to get access to hundreds of additional articles on professional networking, career transition, job searching, resume preparation, interviewing, sample cover letters, blogging, and going solo.
Click Here for job and employment Opportunities.

Article courtesy of the
Recruiting Blogswap

, a content exchange service
sponsored by CollegeRecruiter.com, a leading site for
college students looking for internships and
recent graduates searching for entry level jobs and other career opportunities.

Article courtesy of the Recruiting Blogswap, a content exchange service sponsored by CollegeRecruiter.com, a leading site for college students looking for internships and recent graduates searching for entry level jobs and other career opportunities.

Read More

How Leaders Bring in Followers 

 William Frierson is a staff writer for CollegeRecruiter.com.
Author Website: College Recruiter


A leader has the courage to stand out before other people.  However, is leadership given too much credit at times?

Entrepreneur, Derek Sivers, says leaders need guts to stand out among the crowd.  In the following video, he explains who is responsible for creating a movement.


Article courtesy of the Recruiting Blogswap, a content exchange service sponsored by CollegeRecruiter.com, a leading site for college students looking for internships and recent graduates searching for entry level jobs and other career opportunities.

Read More

Useful Interview Tips When Applying For A New Position

Author Byline:  D. Lawton
Author Website:Career Connected

Securing a new job in today's market is not always easy. Being granted an interview is the first step. Although applying for a new position may be stressful, these interview tips will hopefully help you achieve a new position.

While some interviews are conducted over the telephone, most are face to face. First impressions are important. If you are offered the position, you may be wearing casual clothes to work. However you should take pains to dress really well for a first meeting with a prospective employer. In most instances, a suit and tie will not be out of place and will tell people that you are serious about being employed. Wear a freshly ironed shirt and clean shoes.

Women should dress appropriately too. Do not wear short skirts or low tops. Conservative establishments may like women employees to wear jackets and skirts rather than trousers. Jewelry should be discreet. Wear light make-up.

Being late for such an appointment is highly likely to ruin your chances of employment. Double check the day and date, particularly if you have more than one interview lined up. If you are using public transport, check out the length of the journey well ahead and be sure to allow enough time. If possible travel the route beforehand. Have a contact number on hand so that, if you are delayed, you will be able to contact the company.

If driving, allow yourself plenty of time. Check that you will be able to find parking nearby. Take some coins for the parking metre if you think you might need to pay for parking. Aim to arrive ten minutes early.

Be courteous to the receptionist. Although they won't be conducting the interview, they may still be asked for their opinion of you. Memorize beforehand any names you have been given. When introduced to a person, make an effort to memorize their name so you are not embarrassed later.

When you meet the interviewer, thank them for the opportunity to be considered for the position. Good manners still rate highly with most employers. At the end of your meeting, thank them again for seeing you and for giving you the chance to present your qualifications. Shake hands firmly, smile and look people in the eye.

Be sure to take any necessary documents with you. If you have been applying for a number of positions and have been using different resumes, read through the one you are using on the day so that you are conversant with it. Let your referees know that they may be called on to speak for you.

Do some research on the company that is interviewing you. If they have a website read it thoroughly. Learn a little more about their industry if you don't know much about it. Try to preempt questions that they might ask and prepare answers to these. Employers often ask interviewees if they have any questions so have something prepared.

Although it can be a stressful time, you have been chosen as a prospective employee so try to relax a little. Take a deep breath if you find yourself becoming tense. With these interview tips, you will be able to position yourself for the best outcome.


Don't forget to visit Career Cafe to get access to hundreds of additional articles on professional networking, career transition, job searching, resume preparation, interviewing, sample cover letters, blogging, and going solo.
Click Here for job and employment Opportunities.

Article courtesy of the
Recruiting Blogswap

, a content exchange service
sponsored by CollegeRecruiter.com, a leading site for
college students looking for internships and
recent graduates searching for entry level jobs and other career opportunities.

Article courtesy of the Recruiting Blogswap, a content exchange service sponsored by CollegeRecruiter.com, a leading site for college students looking for internships and recent graduates searching for entry level jobs and other career opportunities.

Read More