Top 10 Words to Avoid on Your LinkedIn Profile

Top 10 Words to Avoid on Your LinkedIn Profile LinkedIn have compiled a list of the top 10 overused buzzwords on their profiles, and when compared to last years report   it shows some interesting results. At the end of 2011, LinkedIn was home to 135 million members. Now, this number has reached over 187 million worldwide (with over 10 million in the UK alone) and still, the number one buzzword used on profiles globally is creative. In 2010 (the first year in which this study was carried out), the number 1 buzzword was extensive experience. The words on your LinkedIn profile have to be exactly right to ensure you attract the right people on LinkedIn. If a word is being used too much, it can be seen as trying to hard, or not being original enough. LinkedIn suggest that users should choose simple language to show what skills they have and the projects they have worked on so give examples, results and testimonials. Here is a look at the Top 10 overused buzzwords on profiles in the US and worldwide. The most overused buzzwords on LinkedIn profiles in the US and worldwide: The top 10 overused buzzwords on LinkedIn profiles in the United States in 2012 were: Creative Organizational Effective Motivated Extensive experience Track record Innovative Responsible Analytical Problem solving Elsewhere in the world, these were the number 1 buzzwords in the countries where the study was carried out: Australia: Creative Brazil: Experimental Canada:  Creative Egypt:  Multinational France:  Responsible Germany:  Creative India:  Effective Indonesia:  Multinational Italy:  Responsible Malaysia:  Motivated Netherlands:  Creative New Zealand:  Creative Saudi Arabia:  Motivated Singapore:  Creative South Africa:  Motivated Spain:  Specialized Sweden:  Creative Switzerland:  Analytical United Arab Emirates:  Motivated United Kingdom:  Motivated Similar to last year creative, organisational and effective are all in the top 3. However, in 2012, more users are describing themselves as responsible and analytical with motivated overtaking extensive experience. What will make the list next year? If your profile is filled with these buzzwords you may need to do some changes. Here are some tips to help improve your profile and make it sparkle through 2013: Become an Endorsement magnet LinkedIn allows you to add Skills and Expertise to your profile and your first-degree connections can endorse you for these. However, make sure you use the system correctly, and dont become one of the Bad that  Stacy Zapar outlined  earlier this year. Also, you can only add up to 50 so be selective but dont overdo it! Make the most of the headline! When searching in LinkedIn, one of the aspects of your profile which appears is your professional headline.  By default, it is based on the title you entered for your most recent position, but you can edit it and you should. Getting your headline right  is crucial think of it being just like the headline of a news article. You want to draw people in and entice them (whether they are potential hiring managers, business partners or clients), so they click through to read the whole story â€" and in this case, this is  your LinkedIn profile.

Resume Writing For Religious Position

Resume Writing For Religious PositionResume writing for religious position is really a very challenging task. One must always try to be very precise in his work and therefore make sure that he does it properly. This means that if you are not very certain about the religious position that you want to apply for, then the very best thing that you can do is to study as much as you can and identify all the requirements of the job as accurately as possible.The best way to start your research when it comes to religious position is to look at the general internet sites. They have sections that include basic information about the religion, its history, its tenets and most important of all, what the job entails. Once you read this information, then you will be able to identify which types of positions that the organization is offering. This is a very useful tool that you can use when you are looking to apply for a religious position.There are many advantages to using these types of internet si tes when you are trying to get yourself an education on how to write a resume for religious position. Firstly, these sites have experts that will help you out with the basics of how to compose a resume. Furthermore, if you feel that you don't understand something that you are reading, you can always seek advice from these experts.Most of the websites that you will find on the internet also offer you professional resume writing for religious position, which will include information about the job and what the job entails. You can easily find some excellent resume writing for religious position on these sites. These experts will help you out a lot when it comes to making sure that you are going to get the job that you deserve.Make sure that you are well aware of what the job entails and also make sure that you are happy with the job that you are doing. It is always better to be well informed before trying to apply for a religious position, so that you can get the best possible job that you want. The best way to make sure that you have all the required information about the religious position that you want to apply for is to use the internet to gather all the necessary information that you need.Another advantage of using the internet to help you out when it comes to resume writing for religious position is that you will be able to get the job that you want without any type of problem. The information that you get on the internet will be very valuable and all you have to do is try to write the resume in the right way. This means that you should try to make sure that the format is professional and you will be able to get a job that you deserve.You should try to avoid using any kind of grammar errors when you are trying to write a resume for religious position. In order to ensure that you get the best possible resume writing for religious position, you should be careful in what you write. It is very important to ensure that you get everything correct and precise in y our resume writing for religious position.In conclusion, you should be very careful when it comes to the resume writing for religious position. You should try to avoid all types of grammatical and spelling errors. Remember that the internet is full of people who will be trying to get a job and you need to be well aware of how to be effective in your resume writing for religious position.

On the Job by Anita Bruzzese Dont Be Pond Scum

On the Job by Anita Bruzzese Don't Be Pond Scum I don't know anyone who likes having a life upturned. Whether it's losing a job, being forced to take on more work or having to deal with road construction that adds 30 minutes to a commute, no one likes change.But if you'll look back over your life and career, I'll bet you find instances where change seemed like a really bad thing -- then it turned out to be OK. Maybe you hated your new co-worker at first, but then found out he's a whiz at fixing broken iPods. Or, maybe your department was merged with another and you lost some cool clients, which made you mad. But then you discovered your new assignment meant international travel, which you love.Sometimes when change comes, we react badly. We lash out -- we get pissed and emotional and act like a big baby or a big jerk. I think that's OK, as long as you see that you should share those feelings with someone you trust -- and not just rain hellfire and damnation down upon innocent bystanders. Once you deal with the emotions, then it c an be much easier to move on and accept the change coming your way.When facing change, also consider:1. You don't want to stagnate. This has been a killer summer, and I cannot begin to tell you the nasty things growing in the pond near my house. That water has stood still for so long that you could walk easily across the green scum growing on top. Don't be pond scum. Remember you've got to keep churning things every once in a while to stay fresh. Some of that churn will be your idea, some of it won't. 2. You're more than a job. Maybe your job isn't perfect, maybe you don't even have one. You're more than just one job. Put your ingenuity to work somewhere else. Figure out how to help the local schools get more books as public funding dries up. Go walk dogs at the animal shelter. Teach a neighborhood kid how to ride a bike. Become a well-rounded human being -- be more than a job.3. Move wisely. If you don't know how to handle the change in your life, reach out to those who obviously h ave been through it many times. Older relatives or colleagues can often offer you a perspective that helps you see that you will emerge from the other side. You'll see that just as sh*t happens, so does change.What are some other ways to handle changes that impact our lives and careers? Social Bookmarking

Personal Branding Weekly and Protecting Yourself from Experts - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career

Personal Branding Weekly and Protecting Yourself from Experts - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career Personal Branding Weekly Editor’s Note:  I’ve met many wonderful people during some recent personal branding and social media seminars and sessions that I’ve presented at lately.   When we visit after my presentation, I find that unearthing your brand is by far the most interesting and most challenging aspect of personal branding for them. Do you find that to be true for you? Are you able to articulate your brand so crisply that there’s no mistake what makes you unique? This week’s posts from interviews, to job seeker apps and then a great post about what to bring to a networking event or conference, there’s some solid insights that you can springboard your personal brand unearthing and communication. 3 Things Master Networkers Do by Deborah Shane Branding Value vs Skills by Phil Rosenberg How to Buy the Perfect Business Gift by Nance Rosen Preparing for a Layoff, Hostess Style by Heather Huhman How to Save Face When Things Go Wrong by Elinor Stutz Beyond Social Media: Three Advanced Branding Ideas by The Chamber of Commerce Presents arent the Only Thing the Holidays Bring by Aaron McDaniel Did You Grow Up to Be What You Wanted? by Skip Freeman What I Bring to Networking Events and Conferences by Jacob Share 5 Tips for Increasing Your Odds for Success by Jeff Shuey Expand Your Brand on a Busmans Holiday by Erik Deckers Theres an App for That: Apps for Job Seekers by Michael Spinale 10 Things You Must Know About Getting the Interview! by Beth Kuhel Three Tricks to Get Your Email Opened by Rebecca Rapple I’m interested to hear which articles “speaks” to you this week! Protecting Yourself from Experts We look for help or outside assistance when we do not have the time or the know-how to perform a task. In these cases, we often use help to make things simpler and more successful. Unfortunately, there is one thing to consider about help it can be good and it could be bad. Important Qualities of a Personal Brand Marketing Consultant Expert in the field Consider the fact that experience is everything when looking for help. Not everyone who claims the title “expert” is going to have the experience to be a help for your brand. It’s important to understand who it is that you’re dealing with before delegating your personal brand communication. Transparent and authentic Now, ponder over how they could help you. Do they have a clear and real understanding of who you are and how you fit in your industry? One of the most frequently encountered issues that any brand has with help is that the assistance provided isn’t in tune with the brand. While being true to who you are and your brand, every brand wants to be connect with their target market in a way that is meaningful and of value to their target audience.   Without this, rather than the boost you were looking for, help can quickly hinder your efforts and become a burden. Flexible to changes Think about why you need help. For many brands, marketing can be one of the most time consuming and diverse areas to cover. For a person, that’s even more pronounced and makes personal brand marketing difficult to manage. Social networks constantly require a fresh analysis to keep up with the current audience and guarantee that your personal brand is reaching out effectively. So, take into account how important it is for someone to understand clearly how to utilize social networks in marketing your brand. Effective Communicator Whom ever you decide to include in the execution of your personal brand strategies, understand that communication between your outsourced agencies and you should be clear and concise. When they inform you of a decision they’ve come to, and you ask why, they should be able to tell you how they came to that conclusion. Communication is one of the most important, and crucially decisive, components of a quality working relationship. After all, if they’re helping you communicate your unique personal brand image, it’s important that you know why they’re doing what they think is necessary. Experts often are awesome forward thinkers in their industry or subject matter.   Yet, remember, they’re not an expert on you. [tweet this]. Author: Maria Elena Duron, is managing editor of the Personal Branding Blog, CEO (chief engagement officer) of  buzz2bucks.com  â€"  a word of mouth marketing firm. She helps create conversation, connection, credibility, community and commerce around your brand. Maria Duron is co-founder   and moderator of  #brandchat   a weekly Twitter chat focused on every aspect of branding that is recognized by Mashable as one the 15 Essential Twitter Chats for Social Media Marketers.

Resume Writing Services - Write a Resume That Will Get You Noticed

Resume Writing Services - Write a Resume That Will Get You NoticedSo you are considering hiring a resume writing service. There are two types of service companies. Some specialize in writing professional resumes, and others will only write resumes for small business owners. Both types of service companies have their positives and negatives, so make sure you know which type you need before you start looking.The first type of service companies that you can work with for a resume writing service include those that are able to be hired for short projects. These companies are usually small and they work in conjunction with your company. If you need to hire them to write resumes for a limited number of people, then this is probably a good option for you.The second type of company that you can use includes highly-trained and experienced resume writers that can create a custom resume just for you. This service is usually for larger companies, who hire these companies to write a number of dif ferent resumes. The resumes will include resumes for everyone from entry-level employees to captains. The benefits to this kind of resume writing service are the ability to control every aspect of the resume, and a lot of customization.The second type of service companies is the one I like best. These companies typically offer custom resume writing services, but they also work with smaller companies and individuals. These companies tend to specialize in specific skills, such as content and creative writing, or SEO and information technology. You can choose the type of writing service you want and then get the job done in an efficient manner.Hiring a skilled resume writers can take the stress off your shoulders. A resume needs to be optimized to get you the attention you are after. This means that the person writing the resume needs to be able to put their eye to skill to write a strong resume. They also need to be able to explain things in a concise manner.Resume writing services th at specialize in writing a resume can help you create the one that will get you the first interview. They can also work with your business to make sure the resume looks professional and presents you properly in the eyes of your future employer. They can do this through styling, grammar, formatting, and design.Resume writing services have the experience and knowledge to help you get through the most difficult and most important part of any resume: the cover letter. They have the capability to understand how to compose the perfect cover letter and can take it from there to customize it to your needs.After you have written your personalized resume, then you can start working on the interview process. These companies can help you reach a strategic first meeting with your prospective employers and give you the confidence you need to get an interview. In addition, they can guide you through the entire interview process and get you that first interview with the right person.

Can You Afford Not To Hire A Resume Writer

Can You Afford Not To Hire A Resume Writer Can You Afford Not To Hire A Resume Writer? Choose Resume Writer / Job Search / Resume Writing Cutting expenses is essential when you’re out of work. I know. I’ve been there. But, some things, like having a sharp interviewing outfit, are essential too. You probably wouldn’t pull out a suit you wore 10+-years-ago. You probably wouldn’t forgo a manicure. You certainly wouldn’t cut your own hair to save money either. But, many people feel it’s perfectly OK to write their own resumes. After all, they’re on a budget and a resume crafted by a pro isn’t cheap. So why not pull out that old resume, the one that worked just fine 5-years-ago, and just add on their most recent employment? After all the company names, dates of employment, and responsibilities are there. Unfortunately, many people don’t understand that everything, including resumes, has changed. The boring list of job duties and responsibilities that served you a decade ago won’t be as effective today. Today, resumes are marketing tools designed to showcase your unique talents and achievements.  They are career-marketing documents that will make you stand out from the crowd. Stand out in a good way. Not as the guy who sent in a 5-page resume or the senior manager who submitted a poorly-written word template. A robust LinkedIn profile increases your chances of being found by recruiters and hiring managers who are scouring LinkedIn daily looking for someone just like you. Still, many people resist hiring a career professional to create a resume and LinkedIn profile. They insist they can’t afford it. What they fail to consider is how much money it’s costing them to be out of work. Consider this, if you make $40K you lose $1,042 being out of work for one week. It jumps to $4,170 if you’re out for a month. If your salary is $70K, a week of unemployment costs $1,824 and being out a month is $7,297. The more you make the more you’re losing. Senior level managers making $100K lose $2,606 each week and $10,424 for every month out of work. So the next time you think you can’t afford to hire a professional resume and/or LinkedIn profile writer, stop and think about how much you’re losing if you don’t. Click here for our complete How Much Does It Cost You to Be Out of Work? Chart.

Crafting the Perfect Thank You Letter

Crafting the Perfect Thank You Letter You have just finished your interview and want to write the perfect Thank You letter- but what should you say? Technically, theres no such thing as a perfect thank you letter. However, you can write a darn good one! But before we get into writing, lets step back a second. Before You Leave the Interview Before you leave the interview you must ask a couple of really important questions! 1.   What are the next steps in the process 2.   What is your time-frame and if I dont hear from you by then what is the best way for me to follow up with you? These questions serve a couple of purposes. First, asking these questions shows you are interested in the job and will take accountability for following up.   Second, you now know when you should follow up and you wont feel like a pest following up because youve gotten their permission! The Thank You The interview is a business transaction.   It isnt a birthday party, bridal shower or social event. That is why I believe the perfect Thank You letter should be in the form of a letter with three paragraphs (just like your cover letter). Sure, there are those that make the argument for a handwritten note. I hear it a lot. But heres why Im taking a stand on this. You have more to say than just thank you and that may be difficult to do in a handwritten note. The real answer is determined by the preference of the person who will be receiving your thank you message. Some people and industries may value this more than others. 3 Paragraphs Paragraph 1:   This explains why you are writingthank you. Paragraph 2: This explains how your specific skills are a match for the job and how you will add value to their organization. This might also be an opportunity to address any of your areas of weakness during the interview or to improve upon an answer you gave during the interview. Paragraph 3: This emphasizes your gratitude for the opportunity and states when YOU will be following up. If you can accomplish this in a handwritten note, be my guest! The Purpose of Your Letter There is more than one reason you are writing this letter.   You are being polite, yes. But above and beyond that, you want to convince the interviewer that you are the right candidate. You want to remind them of your interest in the role, your fit with the company and the value you will deliver if hired. Additionally, sending a thank you helps make you memorable. Believe it or not, not everyone sends a thank you. In fact, only 5% send thank yous. When an organization interviews lots of people, it is very easy for them to mix candidates up or forget specifics.   Your thank you helps remind them who you are! Snail Mail vs. E Mail? You know what their time frame is for the next steps so let that determine the sense of urgency and how you decide to deliver your Thank You.   It isnt about which is easier for you. Think about the impression you will be making on the other person. Sometimes job seekers want to do both. Sending an email immediately following the interview checks the box for getting it done. Email, by definition, is shorter and a bit less formal. Go ahead and send a short, well-crafted email thanking the interviewer(s) for their time and indicate that you have mailed them a letter as well. Just remember, your Thank You letter sent through the mail shouldnt be exactly the same. Put more time and thought into it and use the 3-paragraph format above. Additional Pointers Use formal business letter heading and closing Dont make this a cut and paste template. Customize your message and details for each and every interview and interviewer. Be as specific as possible when it comes to talking about how your skills/qualifications match the job and why that is of value to the organization. Interject the right tone/personality to fit the organizational culture and personality of the person interviewing you. Sample Thank You Letter Date Name Job Title Company Street Address City State Zip Dear Ms./Mr. Last Name: It was wonderful to have the opportunity to speak with you about the [job title] position with [company name], and I thank you. I know how limited a [role of interviewer] time can be, and your timely involvement in the interview process impressed me. After speaking with you, I felt certain that we can develop an effective working relationship. After reflecting on our discussion, my conclusion is that you are looking for more than just another [job title]; it sounds like you are looking for someone who will pursue opportunities as if it were for their own business. Accountability and autonomy are engrained in me, and I have the proven experience to back this up. I intend to use not only my dedication in this position but my persistent prospecting and interpersonal skills to convert potential customers into enthusiastic advocates of your service. If you decide that I should interview with additional team members, I will be available at your convenience. Until then, I look forward to the possibility of working with you. I thank you again for taking the time to meet with me. Sincerely, Sally Finkel [Job Title] 555.111.2222 sallyfinkel@zmail.com www.linkin/in/sallyfinkel Live Careers has a vast collection of Sample Job Interview and Career Thank You letters. And  Alison Doyles About.com Thank You Letter Samples will help too!