What to Do About Gaps in Your Resume

What to Do About Gaps in Your Resume This is probably one of the most common questions job seekers face when creating a new resume. The traditional chronological resume can be daunting when there is a gap in employment. Knowing that you will have to explain the gap during an interview can  be even more daunting. No worries!   There are several ways to deal with this problem, and any expert resume writer can easily communicate your value regardless of whether or not youve been unemployed for a period of time. Employers understand that there are numerous, legitimate reasons job candidates have gaps in their employment records. You might have taken time away from work to pursue  an advanced degree, care for a sick family member, or even raise a family. No matter the reason,  its best to use a resume format that will highlight your skills and downplay these gaps. Remember that just because you were not officially working, it doesnt mean that you were idle and learning nothing. You want to play up these points as much as possible without focusing on the periods when you were not employed. A closely related issue is where someone has had many jobs in a short period of time. This can make a candidate look unreliable when printed on a resume. Again, a resume that highlights skills over chronological employment is normally the best fit. Its not uncommon for freelancers, technical support personnel, and other contract workers to have been contracted by  several employers during a short period of time. What is important is making sure that your resume shows the expertise and skills you learned, as well as what accomplishments youve  achieved in each job. The best resume writers will focus the  reader on  a candidates skills and expertise, to the point that gaps and/or short contract jobs become a non-issue. If you are writing your own resume, you need to do the same. If you are having your resume professionally created, discuss the matter thoroughly with the writer and make sure that the best possible version of  YOU shines through in the final product.

Resume Writing For Beautician - Resume Tips For Your Business

Resume Writing For Beautician - Resume Tips For Your BusinessAs a new beauty salon owner, you are probably looking for ways to make your resume stand out among others. If you're like most aspiring business owners, you are using the Internet to help you with your resume. A beauty business owner should use the Internet to help you with your resume. To make your resume stand out among others, here are some pointers that can help you:Adding keywords is a good idea. It's not that big of a deal when you simply have words like 'hair'beauty salon' in your resume. The point is you need to use your keywords and the more keywords you use, the better. You may think it's just about adding the keywords to a resume, but it's about filling the page with keywords. That means you need to get out there and do some keyword research.Do not forget about your educational accomplishments. There are many websites where you can find schools you've attended and colleges that may be relevant to your field. Just include them as in the case of a university. You can also include their contact information, just be sure they are accredited.Professional references are important. A beauty business owner needs to have professional references. They may be your colleagues, clients, other professionals who you work closely with, or even family members. They will be the people you tell about your success and what they see with you as a business owner.In addition to the resume, you need to also prepare a cover letter. This is something you need to have ready before your interview date so you can go in prepared. In addition to preparing this, you need to be sure you have all the right contact information for your prospective employer.Clients are the lifeblood of any business. You may want to take this opportunity to thank them for their patronage. Be sure you know how to write a good thank you note. For example, be sure to thank them for the complimentary services they provided for you and include your thanks in the note.With a little bit of luck and a little bit of effort, you can easily find the job you are looking for. Good luck!

How to Save $900 a Month on a $42,000 Salary Budget Tips

How to Save $900 a Month on a $42,000 Salary Budget Tips July 2015 found me in Florence. To get there, I had penny-pinched for a year and a half so I could travel across Italy for 16 days with my younger brother. I saved $2,730 to take the trip, which was pretty impressive. Between climbing Il Duomo and drinking local wine, I had time to ask myself the big questions about life, love and career. As I journaled outside a café one day, I finally realized what I wanted to do professionally: freelance editing. I began editing as a side gig in 2013 and have maintained at least a minimal workload since. I live for working one-on-one with an author, and I fall easily into the rhythm of freelancing. It fits me like nothing else. As I reflected during that European adventure, I knew: When I got home, I would start my journey of working for myself as a full-time freelance editor. Close Modal DialogThis is a modal window. This modal can be closed by pressing the Escape key or activating the close button. The Path to Working for Myself Before I could quit my day job as a community relations coordinator and start freelancing full-time, I realized I had to save money for another goal: building an emergency fund so I had a cushion to get me through the inevitable slow periods most freelancers encounter. To do this, I continued to build a client base at night while working at my current job during the day. This would allow me to put six months’ worth of take-home pay in an emergency fund to fall back on if business slowed once I was on my own. Because of the low cost of living in my city of Jacksonville, Florida, this six-month safety net equated to $10,500. I started with $1,100 in savings and aimed to add $9,400 to it before leaving my day job. Because financial planners often recommend that freelancers with variable income stash nine months’ of take-home pay in an emergency fund, I plan to continue socking away part of my freelance income to reach this goal after I put in my two weeks’ notice. The following are the lessons I’ve learned in the year after that Italy trip, or what I like to call, “How to Save $9,400 in a Little Over a Year (When You Make about $42,000 Annually).” Read More: Feeling Burned Out at Work? Here’s How to Fall Back in Love With Your Job Phase 1: Budgeting With a Goal in Mind At first, I planned to stash away whatever I had left in my budget at the end of the month to reach my goal, just as I had for the Italy trip. So I started by cutting down on expenses. I would withdraw $200 each month for everyday spending and do my best to avoid dinner or drinks out once that cash was gone. Anything leftover that didn’t go toward rent, bills or other fixed expenses would be shifted into my “future freelancing” fund. The amount I was able to save fluctuated anywhere between $0 and $446 depending on the month. By Thanksgiving, or about four months into my plan, I realized the limits of my “whatever’s left” mentality. There would always be an excuse to spend that extra money here and there unless I had a concrete savings goal in place. Moreover, I realized I couldn’t go more than a year at my current pace, working full-time and freelancing while also managing a start-up literary magazine, keeping up with my friends and boyfriend and maintaining my physical and mental health. To speed up the savings process, I needed to work backwardâ€"determining a set amount I could save every month, then building my monthly budget around that. I did this by tailoring the 50/20/30 rule to meet my needs. At the end of each month, I reviewed my spending from the last 30 days. Then, I anticipated my earnings and expenses for the next month, distributing them over categories like housing, groceries and savings. Even with calculated goals, there wasn’t much fat to trim at first. I could only spare $110 from my regular paycheck each month for a while, so I had it direct deposited into my savings account. It wasn’t much, but it was a start. Read More: Classic Money Advice That Stands the Test of Time Phase 2: Avoiding Lifestyle Inflation The money I was saving really started to accumulate in March (nine months into my savings journey) when I refused to fall victim to lifestyle inflation. Lifestyle inflation is when a person comes into extra cash and changes her lifestyle to spend that money instead of saving it. It’s a no-brainer to avoid. In fact, I was inspired by Detroit Lions’ wide receiver Ryan Broyles and his wife, who live on $60,000 annually and stash the rest of their earnings into savings and investments. So when my boyfriend moved in with me and when I got a pay raise at my day job, I didn’t let myself get used to the freed-up extra money. Also, any extra cash I earned (like from an unexpected freelance project) went straight to savings. This way, I was able to put $500, then up to $900 each month, toward my goal. Phase 3: Staying Motivated When Surprise Bills Pop Up Sometimes, life can be messy and unpredictable. I’ve had to cover surprise expenses for sick cats, blown tires and other emergency charges that required transferring from savings to checking. These expenses will continue to pop up. But it’s all OK, because I remind myself that even if I take a step back, I’ve taken two steps forward by simply being a goal-oriented saver. I do try to stay away from large, out-of-budget expenses, though. If an unnecessary outlay like a haircut doesn’t fit into a month’s budget, I’ll fit it into the budget for the following month. Even with some delayed gratification (and darker roots), I’ve lacked for nothing. For instance, I’ve found that when I don’t grab takeout every week, dining out with my boyfriend or having brunch with my friends feels special again. When I make each month’s budget, I’m inspired to stick to it by evaluating how far I’ve come. I subtract the current amount in my emergency fund from my future savings goal in order to see how much farther I have to go before I can put in my two weeks’ notice at my current rate of savings and interest. I feel like a kid counting down to Christmas! This practice has encouraged and motivated me along the way and has honestly made saving fun. Read More: 5 Ways to Fire Up Your Money Motivation to Getâ€"and Stayâ€"Out of Credit Card Debt Phase 4: Calling in the Professionals Anything worth doing is worth doing right, so I found a local CPA who specializes in small business accounting. My accountant helped me establish an LLC to separate my business and personal finances. He also advised me on how much to pay in estimated quarterly taxes and when to give a client my W-9. Accounting is the farthest thing from my two humanities degrees, so I am exceedingly grateful that a professional could take these worries off my plate. It has been well worth the $175 business expense to know I’m doing everything on the level. Read More: Can’t Get Going on Your Long-Term Money Goals? Match Your Strategy to Your Personality What’s Next Right now, I’m on target to hit my savings goal by the end of the month. Even though I’m in a middle class income bracket, it’s been empowering to see that by budgeting, monitoring results and hiring professionals, I’ve saved enough to launch my full-time freelance editing career before my 27th birthday. Becoming a full-time freelancer is a new reality that’s full of challenges I’m eager to face. Instead of leaning on guaranteed paychecks, I will have to pay for anticipated expenses as earnings come in. I will commit to spending money on extras only after I meet my savings goal. At first, this new lifestyle may cost more than my old one. I’ll have to shell out for an individual healthcare plan and hustle for each new day’s work. Ultimately, I believe the financial habits I’ve taken on won’t cease when I quit my day job. Instead, this experience has made me a lifelong saver. My next goal might be a tour of Scottish whiskey distilleries to thank my boyfriend for his support during this process. It might be saving for a down payment on a house or possibly even financing a wedding. Who knows? If I’ve learned anything from this journey, it’s that with some smart planning and the support of others, I have the power to reach my goals.

How To Match Your Skills To A Job With Your Resume - Work It Daily

How To Match Your Skills To A Job With Your Resume - Work It Daily Have you ever wanted to apply for a job you realized did not completely match your skill set? It’s happened to all of us at some point in our careers, especially when attempting to switch fields. Related: How To Present Skills For A Resume The good news is, winning a position when not fully qualified is completely possible. By using your resume as a tool, you can show just how great a candidate you are. Read The Job Posting Carefully The first step in ensuring you add skills to your resume that align with those required by a specific position is to read the job posting carefully. Doing so not only shows you exactly what’s required of the job but it also helps you to examine your own skills that match. For instance, if a company mentions in its job posting that it is looking for an administrative assistant with strong organizational skills and experience setting up meetings for company executives, you know you need a certain take-charge attitude to ensure the office is organized. Now, you can include your own organizational skillsâ€"and even show proof that you’ve interacted with top executives in the past. Think From The Hiring Manager’s Perspective Thinking from the perspective of a hiring manager is not always easy to do, but it is possibleâ€"and necessary if you want to add the right information to your resume. To start, read the job postingâ€"and even take a few moments to learn more about the company itself through its website or other sources. Then, think about what you would hope to see on someone’s resume if they set it on your desk. Would you expect to receive resumes from people who only have experience as models or background dancers? No, you would want to see how their experience relates to the position they’re applying for. Using this perspective while writing can help you to create a resume you feel will get you hired. Show You Can Learn New Skills It’s important to showcase your ability to learn new skills by highlighting previous training, along with a willingness to take on new projects. One way to do this is by listing any training courses you’ve taken, certifications you’ve received, programs you’re proficient in, and any other details that prove your ability to hit the ground running. Some people who have acquired their dream jobs did not have all of the experience needed to claim the positionâ€"but they did submit a resume that helped them score an interview where they could then prove that they were right for the job. Don’t let a lack of skills stop you either. Take the steps necessary to make your skills a perfect match for the job you deserve. Now that you know how to match your skills to a job, which position will you land? Related Posts Adaptive Skills: What Do They Add To A Resume? 5 Transferable Skills Job Seekers Need 3 Keys To Customizing Your Resume   Photo Credit: Shutterstock Have you joined our career growth club?Join Us Today!

Fairygodboss of the Week Diana Peters

Fairygodboss of the Week Diana Peters Diana Peters grew up spending herbei weekends at her fathers tool and die shop in Illinois. And although she began her career in law, the manufacturing industry called her back home. Peters founded the Symbol Training Institute in 2005 to address the shortage of skilled labor in manufacturing. Now, Symbol has two locations and is a nationally ranked program.We spoke to Peters about the path that brought her to career development work, how she shut down doubters that thought a woman couldnt impact a male-dominated industry and what she thinks it takes to succeed in any entrepreneurial endeavor. Then, she shared the self-help book she considers a must-read and what she does to unwind from her busy schedule.Fairygodboss of the Week Diana PetersExecutive Director, Symbol Training InstituteGreater Chicago AreaTell us a little about your career. How did you get to where you are now?I started out working at a law firm, Kirkland Ellis, but I always had an itch to return to manufacturing. My father had a tool and die shop that he started back in 1985, where I would spend most of my weekends with him. After Kirkland, I founded Symbol Training Institute to combat the skilled labor shortage that is plaguing the manufacturing industry. I helped turn my fathers small machine shop Symbol Tool Inc. into a world-class training center with two locations. Symbol is also the No. 1 ranked National Institute of Metalworking Skills (NIMS) credential provider in the nation, and our graduates account for 25% of all NIMS credentials earned in Illinois. What is an accomplishment that you are proud of?My proudest accomplishment besides starting my family and currently raising three young children is the fact that Symbol has positively impacted literally thousands of lives from our students to the community to the manufacturers. Our impact has mainly been in Illinois, but we have also had a national impact as some of our students relocate. I am also very glad to be representing women in the manufacturing workforce, and to serve and mentor other women. I currently head up the local Women In Manufacturing (WiM) Illinois chapter, as well as serve as President of a 501c3 called Manufacturing Next that I founded with the intent to empower women and youth to enter the manufacturing and STEAM fields. What is a challenge that youve faced and overcome?The main challenge I faced was starting Symbol Training Institute and ensuring that it would be a viable enterprise. It took a lot of hard work and overcoming many naysayers, like any woman in a male dominated field can relate to. Once Symbol became established from a reputation standpoint, its been a pure joy. But my team and I always have to be on top of the industry trends, especially as a top educator. Who is YOUR Fairygodboss? Why?Karin Norrington Reaves from the Chicago Cook Workforce Partnership. She is an inspiration and a true force in the world of workforce development. She leads by example, and is a great role model for any female CEO or president.What do you do when youre not working?I like to wind down and spend time with my husband and three kids. I also like to cook.If you could have dinner with one famous person - dead or alive - who would it be?Princess Diana. My mother and I always had a fascination with her and all of the people that she inspired globally. What is your karaoke song?Escape (The Pina Colada Song). Its always a crowd pleaserWhat is your favorite movie?A tie between Pretty Woman and Dirty Dancing. These were the movies I would watch constantly with my mom growing up. What book would you bring with you on a desert island?Think and Grow Rich by Napolean Hill. It would hopefully motivate me to find a way to get off the desert island.What is your shopping vice? What would you buy if you won the lottery?My shopping vice is shoes. If I won the lottery, I would buy myself a Ferrarri Ive wanted to drive one since I was a kid. What is the 1 ca reer tip youd like to share with other women who want to have successful careers like you?You must find the confidence within yourself that you might not even know that you have. It requires a lot of self-reflection and a drive to succeed and to block out the doubters. It sounds cliche, but you have to believe in yourself as there will be times when you will be the only one who believes.Why do you love where you work?I love having the ability to positively impact and inspire our students, all while providing a much-needed solution to the skilled labor epidemic that is impacting the advanced manufacturing workforce.Fairygodbossis all about women helping other women. So each week, we celebrate a woman who makes a difference in other womens careers. Is there a woman who has made a difference in your career?Celebrate and thank her by nominating her here.

The Tips for Writing a Resume Cover Up

The Tips for Writing a Resume titel Up 6 Tips for Writing a Winning ResumeThere is tons of advice online on how best to compose excellent resumes and what things to put in it. Websites may be an invaluable tool to allow you to collect your resume. There are many websites with tips around the internet, but most bring just a small number of them. Bear in mind that not every resource you find online will be an honest great resource. Most information is completely free, so it is possible to sit back and research in the comfort of your house. A simple online search will result in a significant quantity of understanding on how best to publish a resume, the best method to design a resume, ways to make an impression on companies. Below are a few of the critical methods for all of you to make certain you make a better storyteller should you ever get the opportunity. Your resume must prove clearly and concisely that youre the perfect candidate for the work prospect. If you are at present unemployed, then you must make a full-time job out of searching for employment. Your resume is intended to highlight you, and show your possible employer why you stick out from the rest of the applicants.

How to Request Useful Feedback from Managers and Coworkers - Spark Hire

How to Request Useful Feedback from Managers and Coworkers - Spark HireFor many of us, useful feedback about performance is only available during established activities throughout the year, such as one on ones or during performance review time. However, as employees, we never stop learning and developing and feedback for performance reviews can be untimely or very cookie-cutter. As an employee, you have a responsibility to request the feedback that will be beneficial to your productivity and professional development. But in order to do so effectively, you need to have some tactics for requesting feedback that will be genuine and helpful to your continued growth.When youre looking for feedback from your boss or your coworkers, the key eintrag to remember is to be specific. Formulate questions about specific projects, tasks, or action itemsyouvebeen a part of and ask point blank what their feedback is to your performance on the job. Narrow down your request as much as possible. For exa mple, instead of asking a coworker, How do you think I did on project X, maybe you should ask, How do you think I could have better handled that roadblock during project X? If your boss and fellow employees have a specific question to ponder, youre more likely to get specific feedback in return.Be prepared to solicit feedback frequently. Because of the constantly changing landscape of the workplace, you need to ask for feedback on the same process or task frequently to fully vet it for potential flaws. What may have worked two months ago may now be obsolete, and your processes will have to account for that.Dont let the task or project get too far out of sight and mind before you request feedback about it. Genuine feedback is probably the easiest to garner soon after tasks or projects have been completed. Instead of asking about it four months after the fact, during review time, solicit a response from your manager and coworkers a day or two after the projects completion and make not es to bring to your performance review. The project will be fresher in their minds and theyll be able to give more focused feedback.If you are able, ask for feedback from a number of different people. Ask the same questions across your team, and see if you receive varied responses. This will probably also increase your chances of getting valuable feedback instead of a few answers like You did great and I think we did well, which youre bound to receive.Finally, dont be discouraged about the avenues already platzdeckchen up for you to request feedback. Just use them wisely. If you have a regular one on one with your boss, dont enter with the expectation that your manager will simply be talking at you. Enter the one on one with prepared topics of discussion, ask specific questions, and be honest about your desire for feedback in order to move forward professionally.How do you get feedback on your work? Leave a response belowIMAGE Courtesy of Flickr by striatic