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Post interview Thank-You Note

[To comment: larry at larrylitwin dot com]

Matt Tarpey of “CareerBuilder” stresses the importance of the follow-up Thank-You Note. “Following up a job interview with a personalized thank-you note may seem old fashioned, but it could mean the difference between landing the job and continuing your search.”

 

Also to help you stand out from the crowde, Tarpey suggests:

1. Be prompt

2. Be brief

3. Be specific

4. Be professional

5. Be inclusive

 

For more on Thank-You Notes, see my The Public Relations Practitioner’s Playbopok for (all) Strategic Communicators. It all starts on Page 518.

[To comment: larry at larrylitwin dot com]

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For A Resume, Type Font Matters

[To comment: larry at larrylitwin dot com]

(From NPR on April 28, 2015. Here is link:

http://www.npr.org/2015/04/28/402736024/for-a-resume-type-font-matters?utm_source=npr_newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_content=20150503&utm_campaign=mostemailed&utm_term=nprnews

      Before you even get your foot in the door of your next job, your resume can say a lot about you — starting with typeface.

     “Using Times New Roman is the typeface equivalent of wearing sweatpants to an interview,” Bloomberg says in an article in which it turns to typography experts to ask which typefaces work and which don’t.

     Helvetica is the top pick when it comes to playing it safe and straightforward. “It feels professional, lighthearted, honest,” Brian Hoff, creative director of Brian Hoff Design tells Bloomberg. It’s cleaner and lacks the discrete embellishments of fonts like Times New Roman.

     Times New Roman is trickier. Because it has a tired reputation, Hoff says using it shows that you didn’t put much thought into your font selection.

     If your experience-heavy resume is cramped for space, go with Garamond, says Matt Luckhurst, the creative director at the brand consultancy company, Collins. Its legibility makes it easy on the eyes.

     People love to hate Comic Sans. “Weird Al” Yankovic dedicates a lyric to the “tacky” blunder: “Got my new resume / It’s printed in Comic Sans.” Far from being a snob font, it tends toward the other end of the professional spectrum. Don’t use it on your resume “unless you are applying to clown college,” Hoff says.

     Emoticons are an easy way to express ourselves in informal settings. So, is emoji use off the table in resumes? “I think it’s a great idea,” Luckhurst says. “Maybe an emoji is your logo.”

     Who knows, maybe it’s the new “skills” category. But you might employ discretion before stamping your resume with your favorite emoji.

[To comment: larry at larrylitwin dot com]

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Jobs Rated 2014: Ranking 200 Jobs From Best To Worst

[To comment: larry at larrylitwin.com]

Here is an overall list and then you may link to the 10 Best and 10 worst jobs for 2014, according to CareerCase dor com.. Some may surprise you.

http://www.careercast.com/jobs-rated/jobs-rated-2014-ranking-200-jobs-best-worst

Here is a taste (Some may surprise you):

1. Mathematician = $101,360

2. University Professor (Tenured) = $68,970

128. Advertising Account Executive = $46,290

140. Public Relations Executive = $98,700

147. Author = $55,940

186. Photojournalist = $36,330

196. Broadcaster = $27,750

199. Newspaper Reporter = $37,090

[To comment: larry at larrylitwin.com]

 

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Looking for a job???

[To comment: larry at larrylitwin dot com]

CareerBuilder’s Susan Rickler has this advice (my summary). Check out the full article at CareerBuilder.com.

Susan suggests practicing due diligence.

  • Discovery step: Assess strengths. Ask yourself: What education, cerifications and experience do I have? What type of work environments do I thrive in working on my own, being part of a team, working in high-pressure situations, being creative? What would my ideal job be and what skills are needed to get it?
  • Research steps: Look at job trends.
  • Resume steps: Focus on key words. See my other blogs on resumes. There is a plethora of adice.
  • Pre-interview steps: Prepare questions and answers. See No. 30 on larrylitwin dot com under Student handouts. It contains excellent advice.

[To comment: larry at larrylitwin dot com]

 

 

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Great advice from two who should know

[To comment: larry at larry litwin dot com]

Resume advice in a moment. But first: From Rep. Jon Runyan (R-NJ) -If your are the smartest person in the room, you are in the wrong room. Surround yourself  with good people. How true.

Now, from Hannah Hamilton @ Monster dot com:

Five phrases you should never put on your resume (visit http//: careeradvice.monster.com)

  • Hard Worker
  • Out-of-the-Box
  • Salary
  • References Available Upon Request
  • Objective

[To comment: larry at larry litwin dot com]

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The right way to get a favor – networking

[To comment: larry at larry litwin dot com]

This and other tips and techniques can be found in Larry Litwin’s The ABCs of Strategic Communication. Check out Litwin’s website.

Effective networking is the proactive solution. If you think ahead

and network well, asking for a favor can be an easy, natural thing

to do. Sometimes you may find that you don’t even need to ask.

Here are a few easy ways to maintain your relationships so that

favors come easily:

  1. Get organized
  • Keep track of your contacts whichever way works best for you.

You can use computer databases, smartphone or other device, or even index cards.

  • Keep track of birthdays, anniversaries and other miscellaneous information.
  • Know your contacts’ needs, such as information, jobs and other contacts (relationship management).
  1. Keep in touch
  • Review your contact list regularly and craft a follow up plan.
  • Send notes and cards on occasions such as birthdays and

holidays.

  • Regularly call and set up lunch meetings or dinner appointments.
  1. Nurture mutually beneficial relationships
  • Send any helpful information to your contacts.
  • Connect your contacts with others who can help them.
  • Use your skills to help others.

If you care for your network of friends, colleagues and acquaintances, it will be your best resource.Whether the favor you need is

information, a job referral, technical help or even more clients, the best solution is a strong network.Most importantly, always

remember to say thank you with an email, a hand-written note, or a gift.

(Source): Andrea Nierenberg – The Nierenberg Group

420 E. 51st Street Suite 12D New York, NY 10022 –

www.mybusinessrelationships.com/

[To comment: larry at larry litwin dot com]

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Calming those interview butterflies

[To comment: larry at larry litwin dot com]

This and other tips and techniques can be found in Larry Litwin’s The ABCs of Strategic Communication. Check out Litwin’s website.

Many prospective employees get  ” butterflies”before a job

interview.

Here are tips to stay calm and present yourself in the best way:

  • Get a good night’s sleep and maintain your usual morning

routine – If you never eat breakfast, for example, don’t eat a

hearty morning meal on interview day.

  • Try remembering some of your happiest memories or a

proud moment before arriving for the interview.

  • Come prepared with a briefcase containing resumes, pen and

paper for recording your interviewer’s name and the date and

time for a possible future interview, an application and references

and examples of your work such as writing samples.

Federal Citizen Information Center – Pueblo, Colo.

[To comment: larry at larry litwin dot com]

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Organize better for networking

This “Tip” and dozens of others come from Larry Litwin’s The ABCs of Strategic Communication (available on www dot larry litwin dot com). [To comment: larry at larry litwin dot com.]

Organize your contacts to make the most of your efforts. Author Andrea Nierenberg, a nonstop networker, divides her list into three different categories: A, B and C, and follows up accordingly.

Here’s how you can make it work for you:

The “C” list consists of “touch base”people – acquaintances whom you want in your network. However, you’re not involved with them on a business or personal level. Keep in touch by sending:

  • A quarterly newsletter with a short personal note.
  • A card or note once or twice a year.
  • A holiday card in December.

The “B” list consists of “associates” – people you’re actively involved with, either professionally or personally and you would keep in touch by:

  • Meeting them for a meal, tea, or coffee at least two times a year.
  • Sending at least six personal notes in a year.
  • Giving them holiday and premium gifts.

The “A” list is for “close friends and associates” – people you keep in touch with often.

If you effectively follow up with everyone on your list, from your closest friends to the person you see only on rare occasions, your network will continue to thrive.

Source: Andrea Nierenberg – Author – Nonstop Networking (Capital Books)

www.mybusinessrelationships.com

[To comment: larry at larry litwin dot com.]

Posted on

5 phrases you should NOT use on your resume

[To comment: larry at larry litwin dot com]

Hanna Hamilton write for Monster. Her entire column appears in The Philadelphia Inquirer on Sunday, Nov. 2, 2014. These are the five words and phrases NEVER to be used in a resume.

  • Hard Worker
  • Out-of-the-Box
  • Salary
  • references Available Upon Request
  • Objective

The full column is a must read.

[To comment: larry at larry litwin dot com]

 

 

 

 

 

Posted on

The right way to get a favor – networking

This “Tip” and dozens of others come from Larry Litwin’s The ABCs of Strategic Communication (available on www dot larry litwin dot com). [To comment: larry at larry litwin dot com.]

Effective networking is the proactive solution. If you think ahead and network well, asking for a favor can be an easy, natural thing to do. Sometimes you may find that you don’t even need to ask.

Here are a few easy ways to maintain your relationships so that favors come easily:

  1. Get organized
  • Keep track of your contacts whichever way works best for you.

You can use computer databases, PDAs or even index cards.

  • Keep track of birthdays, anniversaries and other miscellaneous information.
  • Know your contacts’ needs, such as information, jobs and other contacts.
  1. Keep in touch
  • Review your contact list regularly and make a follow up plan.
  • Send notes and cards on occasions such as birthdays and

holidays.

  • Regularly call and set up lunch meetings or dinner appointments.
  1. Nurture mutually beneficial relationships
  • Send any helpful information to your contacts.
  • Connect your contacts with others who can help them.
  • Use your skills to help others.

If you care for your network of friends, colleagues and acquaintances, it will be your best resource. Whether the favor you need is information, a job referral, technical help or even more clients, the best solution is a strong network. Most importantly, always remember to say thank you with an E-mail, a hand-written note, or a gift.

Source: Andrea Nierenberg – The Nierenberg Group

420 E. 51st Street Suite 12D New York, NY 10022 –

www.mybusinessrelationships.com/

[To comment: larry at larry litwin dot com.]