You Need a Professional Headshot in Your Career - The Muse

You Need a Professional Headshot in Your Career - The MuseYou Need a Professional Headshot in Your Career When I welches in college, my career center hosted a free headshots photoshoot. Never one to pass up anything that comes free, I showed up, took my picture, popped it on LinkedIn, and assumed that would be the last time I looked at it. Turns out that Im bad at assumptions. That photo came in handy throughout my early career. It graced my author bio on The Muse when I was a remote intern, it was sent around the company when I started full-time so people knew who I was, and became the number one picture I grabbed from my desktop (yup, I have it saved on my desktop) when event organizers asked for a photo to advertise my speaking engagements. Maybe youre thinking, Speaking engagements? Please, Im never going to need a professional headshot in my career. But if so, youre thinking all wrong. Because for starters, I can point to countless social media profiles Ive come across that feat ured blurry or inappropriate profile pictures (or worse, gasp, no photo at all) and this affected whether or not I wanted to reach out and collaborate with them. After all, if someone cant take one clear photo, how could I trust them with my limited budget?For another thing, a nice headshot can be useful for so many situationsYour email accountYour email signatureYour LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram photosYour personal website or your portfolioYour guest posts or bylinesYour company bio that more and more companies send out when you startYour entire professional life. Trust me, at some point in your career, you will want to have this on hand.Convinced? Great, now its time to take one. And the good news is that, its really easy.Step 1 Pick out a shirt that you feel confident in. Pro-tip avoid the patterns, the dayGlo, anything too seasonal, and anything that youd wear out to a party. Step 2 Grab the newest phone you can get your hands on and a friend.Step 3 Find a plain, b ut ideally interesting backdrop. For example, a brightly painted wall. Avoid posing in front of windows or busy backgrounds (like a city street) unless youre a lighting and photography editing pro.Step 4 Smile and take the photo. Then do it again. Take lots of shots so you can pick your favorite.Step 5 Save it and use it for everything.Of course, you can take steps to make it even nicer by using a camera, editing it on Photoshop, or hiring someone (this can be a super valuable investment if you think youll need a headshot a lot), but thats the general gist. You can also read this article for more DIY tips for taking the perfect shot.But whatever you do, make sure you have one handy- and update it every couple of years. It costs you little to make and will save you from having to scrounge through old Facebook albums and crop a red Solo cup out of your hand when the time calls.Not sure what a professional headshot should look like? Check out our Pinterest motherboard for inspiration

My 9-Year-Old Gave Me Career Advice That Changed My Life and It Might Change Yours, Too

My 9-Year-Old Gave Me Career Advice That Changed My Life and It Might Change Yours, Too My 9-Year-Old Gave Me Career Advice That Changed My Life - and It Might Change Yours, Too Article by Daniel WesleyMy son is nine years old. One morning not too long ago, he asked, Why do I have to go to school before the sun is even up? He loves school, but he doesnt hit his stride until sometime between noon and 7 p.m. I remember feeling the same way as a kid, but at some point, I stopped wondering about the reasons and just fell into the gebtheit of rising before I was ready.I couldnt change my sons school policy, but his question forced me toexamine the status quo and even adopt a new perspective on my own work life.As an entrepreneur, I could change the work environment for my team. So, I instituted a policy of complete time flexibility as long as employees had no pressing meetings and got their work done. My team was a lot happier as a result - all because my kid questioned the way the w orld worked and I took his query to heart.Heres how Ive changed the way I workthanks to my sons observation I Made My Communication IntentionalIf theres one thing I know about kids, its that theyre great at asking Why? Why do we make our kids get out of bed before sunrise? Why do we follow societys expected routine? Why do we just go with it, never bothering to change it up?My sons question sparked many more whys for me. I stopped and asked myself why my team had to be at the office by 8 a.m. and out by 5 p.m., and I found no answer other than Because thats the way it is in business.As a parent, Ive had to consciously find ways to communicate with my child so that hell understand me, especially when he asks me tough questions. But Ive become much more intentional about the way I communicate with the adults in my life, too. When Im dealing with the rest of the world, whether its friends, family members, or coworkers, its easier to get frustrated when someone doesnt understand me. Now , I stop to ask myself why Im getting frustrated, and I think its partly because we arent as attentive as we should be when it comes to general communication.Now, Im certainly not suggesting you talk to fellow adults like theyre children. Talking down to people of any age is disrespectful. However, talking through problems, solutions, and the whys behind them all with the patience and respect youd give a child could foster understanding and build deeper connections. Just imagine what you could do if you took the time to listen carefully to other peoples thoughts and ideas rather than dismissing them with one short sentence. The possibilities are enormous. I Broke Up With My Strict RoutineLast time I checked, were the masters of our own destinies, right? Perhaps its time we remind ourselves of that fact and make small changes as we can.We all know the saying, Be the change you wish to see in the world. Even if you make a change thats far from dramatic - such as eating breakfast at h ome instead of on the go, taking a mid-morning coffee break, or moving to a common workspace at the end of the day - you might shift the way you view your daily routine.Like my son asking why he had to wake up before he was well rested, I asked myself what I could do if I took dienstgrad of my routine. I quit following the herd that migrates to offices and high-rises every morning during rush hour, and I allowed my employees to do the same. I work best at night, and Ive now embraced that fact.There are certain things we cannot change and thats okay. This article wont suddenly change every CEOs mind and make flexible scheduling the norm worldwide. But if you can take control of your own routine, you can make a big difference in your world. You might improve your work/life balance, you might be more productive, and you might even start to find solutions before problems crop up. Use your free time to work toward something you want to do, not something you have to do. I Dedicated Time to MyselfAs I said, my son loves school. But he also needs his sleep. I get it. One thing I need most is some time for myself at the gym. When I first transitioned to working in an office, I stopped going to the gym as often as I wanted. But I realized that I couldnt be at my best if I wasnt taking care of myself. While it still feels like a selfish decision sometimes, I make sure to get away from my desk to hit the gym regularly.Even if you just spend 30 minutes a day doing something you love, I bet youll notice a difference. Consider that in a recent study, 43 percent of participants said their work had a negative impact on their stress levels. Its clear that taking care of our mental and physical health by engaging in activities that relieve stress is important. Try going for a walk, shooting hoops with your coworkers, or reading for fun.At first, you might feel like the pressure of completing your tasks on time and living up to your companys expectations makes taking time for yo urself impossible. I cant stress enough that the time you spend focusing inward is truly productive. I use my time to clear my mind, find my center, and refocus on what matters. If you do the same, I bet youll find the people you work with - and those you live with - see a better version of you.My son might be just nine years old, but when it comes to wisdom about work/life balance, I believe age is just a number. He inspired me to make changes to the way I work, and Id wager that the advice I gleaned from his simple question could help you work better, too.A version of this article originally appeared on SUCCESS.com.Daniel Wesley is a Florida-based entrepreneur with a degree in nuclear medicine. His work has been featured in Forbes, WSJ, CBS MoneyWatch, and TIME Magazine. He is the founder and editor-in-chief at CreditLoan.com.

The easiest way to get an entire month of your life back each year

The easiest way to get an entire month of your life back each yearThe easiest way to get an entire month of your life back each yearWe all know that we spend too much time on our phones, computers, tablets and more. But when it comes to unplugging, that challenge can feel easier said than done - and for several reasons. First, ditching tech for any amount of time pushes us out of our comfort zones. And second, we rarely set a specific digital detox time goal to follow.close dialog Advertisementclose dialog/* effects for .bx-campaign-1012257 *//* custom css .bx-campaign-1012257 */.bx-custom.bx-campaign-1012257.bx-type-agilityzone .bx-close z-index 2-ms-keyframes bx-anim-1012257-spin from -ms-transform rotate(0deg) to -ms-transform rotate(360deg) -moz-keyframes bx-anim-1012257-spin from -moz-transform rotate(0deg) to -moz-transform rotate(360deg) -webkit-keyframes bx-anim-1 012257-spin from -webkit-transform rotate(0deg) to -webkit-transform rotate(360deg) keyframes bx-anim-1012257-spin from transform rotate(0deg) to transform rotate(360deg) bx-close-inside-1012257 top 0 right 0 /* KD - Remove padding from video wrapper and set height to 100% */.bx-custom.bx-campaign-1012257 .bx-row-video .bx-video-wrapper padding-top 0important height 100%.bx-custombx-campaign-1012257 bx-creative-1012257 .bx-wrap height auto/* KD - Change positioning to static as that was not necesaary and here you can adjust the height of the video element */.bx-custom.bx-campaign-1012257 .bx-row-video .bx-video-wrapper video position static/* rendered styles .bx-campaign-1012257 */.bxc.bx-campaign-1012257.bx-active-step-1 .bx-creative *first-child width 100%.bxc.bx-campaign-1012257.bx-active-step-1 .bx-creative background-color transparentborder-style nonemax-width 900px.bxc.bx-campaign-1012257.bx-active-step-1 .bx-close stroke whitebackground-color blackborder-style solidborder-color whiteborder-width 1px.bxc.bx-campaign-1012257 .bx-group-1012257-AFvXBOB padding 10pxanzeigegert blockwidth auto.bxc.bx-campaign-1012257 .bx-element-1012257-J0EiS8Y width auto.bxc.bx-campaign-1012257 .bx-element-1012257-J0EiS8Y *first-child padding 2px 4pxfont-size 10pxcolor rgb(255, 255, 255)text-transform uppercasebackground-color rgb(0, 0, 0)background-color rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.34)So what if we changed that and set some clear parameters?Follow Ladders on FlipboardFollow Ladders magazines on Flipboard covering Happiness, Productivity, Job Satisfaction, Neuroscience, and moreFor instance, lets say you set a goal of turning off your devices two hours earlier each night, trading tech time for quality time with your partner, your friends or your family members. You can cook together, whip out some fun card and board games, or dive into some deeper catch-up conversation s youve been wanting to have. Or you can take some solo time and grab that book off your shelf that youve been meaning to read, or relax to the sounds of your favorite album. No matter what you choose, its surprisingly easy (and fun) to fill two hours with something other than a screen.But before you embark on this goal, do a little math. If you were to stick to this goal, unplugging for two hours a day, 365 days a year, youd end up getting 30 days worth of your life back. Thirty days Thats an entire month you can dedicate to a beloved hobby, a new passion, an important relationship, self-care and thats just in one year Think about how many more months of your life youd be able to live to the fullest if you kept to this lifestyle shift indefinitely.If that perspective doesnt motivate you to leave your phone on the charger more often, we dont know what will.So think about what kind of time goal could work for you, and then ask yourself how it pans out in the long run and what positi ve changes it can bring to your life. You can significantly benefit your mental health, sleep cycle, interpersonal relationships and connection with yourself all just by letting that digital tether loosen a little bit. And with the right plan in place, itll become that much easier.This article originally appeared on Swirled.You might also enjoyNew neuroscience reveals 4 rituals that will make you happyStrangers know your social class in the first seven words you say, study finds10 lessons from Benjamin Franklins daily schedule that will double your productivityThe worst mistakes you can make in an interview, according to 12 CEOs10 habits of mentally strong people

Perfecting Your Resume [Checklist]

Perfecting Your Resume ChecklistPerfecting Your Resume Checklist Your Christmas wish list isnt the only list you need to read and check twice. A resume checklist- a list of must-dos for your resume - can be essential for job search success. Most of the time, people just dive head-first into the resume, with a purpose of including everything and the kitchen sink, according to Dawn Rasmussen, certified resume writer and founder of Pathfinder Writing and Career Services . But, without a checklist, people often end up including non-essential information and forget critical things, she points out. With a resume checklist , you can avoid mistakes and provide a potential employer with the exact information that they are seeking, Rasmussen says. But what should go on it?Glassdoor has created an easy-peasy guide to help you craft the perfect resume , along with a checklist you can read and tick off as you write. But below, youll find the TLDR version, in which we and Ras mussen walk you through the essentials of any good resume checklist. According to Glassdoors guide, you shouldnt go overboard with intricate or decorative resume templates . Instead, stick to styles with sufficient white space and an 11-point font. Whats more, Rasmussen recommends placing your target job title at the top of a resume. Every resume should have a target job title headline at the top of the document, she says. This acts as an introduction so the readers expectations are shaped as to what they can anticipate reading about. This job title headline acts as a clarifying driver and a lynchpin. In your experience section, you must include- at a minimum- the following informationBut perhaps more importantly, you must find a way to quantify the experience you list out. Our guide encourages you to use concrete data points whenever possible, and Rasmussen agrees. It is very tempting to do the old copy and paste of your current job description into your employment experience, but a critical element of success here is to demonstrate the so what? by creating concise bulleted sentences that take tasks and put them into practical application with measurable results, she says. For example, you dont want to say you met with clients. Its much better to say, generated $50,000 surge in new revenue after meeting with clients to better understand how company products could fit their needs. In other words, complete the thought of what you want to say and provide the impact not the task.Our guide advises you to include all your positions- even those that may not directly relate to the job for which you are applying. Why? Because those jobs can leise be used to show off the skills you have and will presumably use in your new job and at your new place of work. Plus, career movement is critical for job seekers, Rasmussen says. Employers like to hire movers and shakers, so how are you demonstrating traction? Make sure that professional development is on your resume checkl ist so you can show employers that you have current job knowledge, minimal skill gaps, and are well-poised to contribute thought leadership that will propel companies into meeting future clients needs as well as industry changes.When youre writing or editing your resume, make sure to check the job listing for relevant keywords you can add to your document. Its important for those keywords to make their way onto resume because many companies use tech that scans applications for keywords. And if the tech cant find the words its looking for, your resume could end up in the trash.While you need to optimize your resume for technology, as described above, you also need to make it menschenwrdig-friendly by putting the things most relevant and interesting to this job up top, the Glassdoor guide recommends. Remember, hiring managers spend an average of six seconds looking at your resume, so you want to very, very quickly catch their eye. The last thing on your checklist should be to reread your work, checking for errors in both grammar and spelling, and any missed opportunities to show off your skills. Even resume writers edit their work. Resume writers must embrace perfection yet they are also human and therefore prone to making mistakes, Rasmussen says. The best words of advice I received about writing a resume then editing was to read the document from the bottom up. We are trained to skim from top down, and thats where our eyes can completely skip over or block out glaring issues. Reading the resume from the top up is challenging though. You may also want to have another person- a trusted friend, colleague, career coach, or mentor- read over your work before submitting it. When you have read something a thousand times, a fresh pair of eyes can help zero in on mistakes, Rasmussen points out.

How to find the answer to What career is right for me

How to find the answer to What career is right for meHow to find the answer to What career is right for meEveryone talks a lot about how much of a struggle job hunting can be.And while fruchtwein people who agree that its a struggle are typically referring to the crazy, unpredictable maze that includes applying, researching, preparing and interviewing for whatever decent job opportunities they can get their hands on. However, a huge part of why looking for a job can be such as struggle is the fact that, sohonigweinimes you dont even know WHAT you should be looking for If youve ever felt that feeling, its leidlage unheard of to think to yourselfWhat job is actually right for my next step in life?What career path am I actually going for? is what Im doing in my job search setting me up well for that?unterstellung are all some common thoughts that might go through your head specifically ifyoure just starting out in your career ORif youve been in many jobs that all dont feel right for you .The good news is youre not alone. A third of people in the U.S. who have a job view the work they do as just a job to get them by and pretty much nobody knows what theyre doing when theyre first starting out in the working-world (with very few exceptions)So if youre having a tough time/existential crisis while figuring out what youre doing in the job world, heres the key question to be asking yourselfWhat career is right for me?As a helpful guide for figuring out what career is right for you here are 9 solid pieces of advice from over a dozen company leaders and career experts whove not only been through the struggle themselves but have guided many people through answering this exact question of what career is right for me?The advice ranges from NOT following your passion, finding your sweet spot, and giving yourself a quiz1. Dont follow passion alone, follow your FIT and futureI am not going to tell you to follow your passion because all too often, when deciding on a career path, people focus only on their passion and the ultimate impact the work will have, which are only part of the story. Satisfaction with your career is about FIT.In buchen to find the career that is right fit for you, you must first get in touch with your 4 Ps passion, personality, preferences (for work pace, type of work, work environment, etc.), and principles (to learn mora about these things, take self-assessments such as What is Your Leadership Personality?). Next, learn more about the work you are considering (beyond simply the ultimate impact) with an emphasis on the *day-to-day* experience of *doing the job.* For example, if you are interested in becoming an engineering, the ultimate impact might be the skyscraper you designed but, the *day-to-day* experience is slow-paced, detailed work in front of a computer screen. I often use my own experience to illustrate this point my first a Clinical Psychologist (without first exploring the fit factors Ive shared here) because I welches passionate about psychology and wanted to help people. Possessing a Driven personality style, I thrive in fast-paced, ever-changing environments working on challenging projects that achieve results. In contrast, as a therapist, while ultimately I helped people improve their mental health (my passion), what I actually did welches sit in a chair for 8 hours per day listening to other people. Rather than action-oriented and ever-changing, it was passive, slow-moving, and repetitive. For me, that was an awful fit In order to find your perfect fit, take an intern role, volunteer, shadow or speak to others that do the work to better understand how the day-to-day experience is aligned with your passion, personality, preferences, and principles.- Jamie Lewis Smith, Ph.D., President of Pixel Leadership Group- - - My professional advice is to do your best to find a combination of a career that taps into your passion as well as one that will be viable in the future.Clues to finding your pas sionLook at the flip side of your weaknesses. If there is something you hate to do, look at its opposite. For example, if organizational ability is not one of your strengths, you may be better suited to a less structured, perhaps artistic environment where creativity is a higher priority than organization. If working in an office makes you feel claustrophobic, perhaps you would prefer working outdoors.What subjects do you like to read about? If you are consistently drawn to a certain subject, that indicates a strong interest in that area and could provide useful information about your calling.How do you spend your leisure time? Sometimes a hobby can be turned into a career.What kind of work would you do for free? Volunteer work can uncover some strong interests.Confirm your passionResearchYour local library contains a wealth of information on careers. This is a good distributionspolitik to start your research. Also, conduct informational interviews. Once you have narrowed your optio ns to a few possible careers, set up appointments with individuals in those fields to talk to them about what they do.Volunteer/Part-Time WorkVolunteer or part-time work in a field can give you real life experience to cousine a career decision on.Career AssessmentCareer assessment can give you valuable information about your interests, values, and skills as they relate to the world of work. Assessment gives you information about yourself and what types of work environments would probably suit you.Will Your Career Be Around in the Future?Career changers should research careers that they are interested in by going to the Online Occupational Handbook. You can type in the job title that you are interested in and then read an article that gives you information about the projected growth of that field. The article will tell you if the field is expected to grow, stay flat, or decline over the next 10 years. Armed with this information you can make an informed decision about your career cho ice.- Cheryl E. Palmer, M.Ed., CECC, CPRW President of Call to Career2. Look for the overlap of three things that make up your career sweet spotWhen youre wondering what career is right for me? its best to think about the intersection between what youre good at, what organizations need done or what the world needs, and what you enjoy doing. The overlap between those three areas is your sweet spot, your career. To help populate this Venn diagram, think about your skills and interests, rather than job titles or genres you might be surprised to see what the things you enjoy doing add up to career-wise and itll expand your search, as similar skills can be applied to a wide variety of careers.Also, think about the overall work environment of someone in the different careers youre considering. Do you thrive when youre moving around all day or when you get uninterrupted time at a desk? Do you like a predictable schedule or variety? Do you enjoy interacting with others or having solo time t o work on projects? Think about when youve done your best work and felt your best and use that as a guide to narrow what type of career might be best for you.Separately, research helps If you know someone in a field youre thinking about, ask if theyll have a short coffee with you (your treat) to discuss the day-to-day duties of the job. Interviewing itself is another good way to figure out what career is right for you. You can learn a lot about jobs by being interviewed for them, and an interview often forces you to boil down your interests and skills even if it ends up not being a good fit.- Lucia Smith, HR Consultant at Gray Scalable- - - In choosing a career, I recommend that individuals find the sweet spot between the following elementsTheir superpowers or those skills that come natural to them, require little mental or physical resources, and that they feel compelled to doTheir superpowers which can be monetizedTheir core values which will lead to fulfillment when metTheir mi ssion or messageI figured this out haphazardly during my own career change, but apparently, this is very similar to the Japanese principle of Ikigai.My rationale for looking at ones superpowers or zone of genius is that the process of changing careers or building a business requires a lot of time and energy. This ensures that the actual work will energize them, rather than drain them.Its important to figure out what will fulfill these career seekers, rather than what has driven them in the past. Determining their core values through assessments or experimentation will help them make decisions regarding their career and avoid shiny object syndrome. For example, as a professor of music, I was expected to be RE consider a c-suite executive who wants to become a speaker. They may get calls for business consulting, a skill they have, but no longer want to pursue and at the same time, struggle to secure an audience as a speaker, for although they have the knowledge, they havent proven th emselves in that area.Step three Craft a planThere are plenty of assessments that can give you insights as to what you should do for a living. Some are helpful, but none should make the decision for you. Listen to yourself and your audience. People usually know what they want to do. The hard part is constantly advancing skills in that area and then making sure people know about it.- Tim Toterhi, ICF certified executive coach and the Founder of Plotline Leadership, Author of The Introverts Guide to Job Hunting.5. Turn your hobby into a careerFinding the career for you require a bit of self reflection. Its important to think critically about what it is that you like. Is there anything that excites your or passions that you have? Further, do you have hobbies that could translate to a career somehow? Thinking critically and answering some of these questions can help put you on the right path to discovering the best career for you You can also start networking and having informational i nterviews to explore career possibilities as well. Find people with careers that seem interesting to you (and hopefully fit in with your responses to the above questions) and reach out to them to learn more about their role, company and career path.- Mary Pharris, Director of Business Development Partnerships at Fairygodboss.6. Give yourself an assessment to gain self awarenessJob fit is the 1 reason people excel in their careers* (Harvard Business Review study). How do you find out the type of jobs that best fit you?Many people, Millennials in particular, have been taught they can do anything they want and be successful. The truth is, in an ideal world that may be true. However, the reality is, if you are not willing to do the work required, acquire and master the necessary skills, or complete the work in a manner that helps others, you will be unhappy and unemployed (possibly, unemployable).First, use a qualified assessment (used by companies) to determine your thinking style, o ccupational interest (does not mean you currently have the skills, but are willing to acquire them) and core behavioral traits. Do not rely on assessment products that solely provide face validity. unterstellung only show you how you want to be seen, and not how you really are.Second, with this clarity, complete the 5-steps in the book, Its Time to Brag Career Edition. Focus on the key areas that are of interest to you. This will help you sell yourself. Many readers and participants in workshops have quickly found employment after being unemployed for long periods of time. They have also used the information to increase their paychecks, receive promotions and be able to sell themselves for other opportunities.Third, rewrite your resume and network using the brag factors They workFourth, become a stellar employee. Learn the ho-hum basic skills, particularly soft skills, and build on these skills. Knowing how to input data or find out information is not the same as using it appropriat ely to make the best decisions and learn from your mistakes when working towards a fulfilling career- Jeannette Seibly, an internationally recognized business advisor and management consultant, Author of Its Time to Brag Five Amazing Steps to Sell Yourself and more.- - - Self-awareness is of utmost importance in deciding which career is right. Here are top considerations to build self-awareness that allow you to home in on - he right career optionsSkills, Knowledge Abilities (SKA) Knowing what youre good at is useful to start identifying what to pursue. However, just because youre good at something doesnt necessarily mean that you want to do it as a job. The trick is to meld your SKA with the followingCore Values What top 3s of Values Logical, Kind, Exciting, Knowledgeable, Growth-Oriented, Thoughtful.Driving Needs Whereas your core values define who you are, you have needs that groe nachfrage the span of mirroring to contradicting your values. Knowing your most dominant needs can help you decide how to satisfy them in reasonable ways instead of driving you to behave in dysfunctional ways. Examples of Needs To Win, Be Challenged, Be Loved, Be Treated Justly, Maintain Order, Be Acknowledged.Personal Style/Behavioral Patterns What are the usual patterns of your responses or relationships to other personalities, situations, information, things, and tasks? For example, what types of personalities do you usually enjoy spending time or working with, and what are usually challenging for you to deal with? Which environments allow you to be at your best and which ones lower your motivation or self-esteem, deplete your energy, or make you feel like you dont belong? How much information and learning do you require to feel confident and how much do you need to communicate to others?- Selena Tan, a Senior Consultant at ClearRock7. Ask people who know you wellIve consulted clients on this in the past and there are two questions I often ask to help them determine for t hemselves what career is right for them.First off, I ask about their employment history. Without being aware of it, many professionals naturally etch out a career path for themselves as they work up the ranks in their given profession.For example, a Junior Designer who became a Graphic Designer who then ended up managing other designers should very obviously pursue a career in design management.Sometimes individuals have trouble seeing the forest instead of all of the individual trees. By reviewing their career history you may identify a pattern that will point the applicant in the right direction.Second, if there the job applicant is relatively inexperienced and doesnt have a solid employment history to mine for patterns, they may require some direct advice from people who know them best.Simply asking a handful of your most close friends or even family, what they think you excel at, may result in at least getting pointed in the right direction. Asking people who know you best is th e most surefire way to get an outside perspective on what you excel at but may not realize you excel at.In summary, by either consulting people who know you well, or by analyzing your career history for trends and patterns, most applicants should at least get a solid idea of what industry they should be working in and in what capacity.- Rudeth Shaughnessy, Sr. Editor, Copy My Resume8. Take a non-box approachAs an executive coach, I sometimes work with professionals who have been successful in their careers but want to pivot to a new career. Finding a career is a personal process. My advice to jump-start the process includes non-box research, establishing a Board of Directors, testing things out, and stepping back.Develop a list of everything you enjoy doing professionally and personally, and have enjoyed in the past, examine themes then dive into some non-box research. Talk with people in fields that interest you but also talk with people in fields outside of your areas of interes t. Talking with people with different perspectives often leads us to think creatively, and can lead to a-ha moments.Develop your own Board of Directors (BOD). This is a group of people you can discuss career issues with, and bounce ideas off. Ideally, your board should be diverse in terms of profession, age, sex, race, stage of career etc. You can include a champion/cheerleader, someone direct and tells it to you like it is, an explorer who pushes you to stretch and think differently. If you have a mentor, coach, and connector, all the better.Test out career possibilities. Take a class or talk to people in that career. Test out skills related to that career in your workplace or volunteer organizations such as professional or service organizations. For example, an attorney interested in event planning might help plan an event within their company or volunteer organization.Lastly, step back. Everything is connected who you are, your life, your well-being is reflected in your professi onal self. Remaining resilient helps make sound decisions, think clearly, creatively and maintain the persistence needed to find a career. Step back from this decision at times and engage in healthy, enjoyable activities to keep your mind conditioned.- Lubna Somjee, Ph.D. Clinical/Health Psychologist + Executive Coach9. It all boils down to few questions and factors that apply to youWhen were little, were constantly asked the question What do you want to be when you grow up? Our answers tend to be very clear-cut careers like an astronaut, a vet, or a firefighter. Even as we do grow up, we tend to pursue a particular programme of study expecting to follow a linear path towards our chosen Career.Some people do have a deep-seated passion, what we might term a calling, and will pursue that path single-mindedly. Others in fact, I would argue most of us are more likely to end up in a particular career quite accidentally. We may get a first job after our studies because of a personal co nnection or a chance encounter, or we often follow some kind of expected path more or less on autopilot. Our careers will then tend to evolve quite organically over time as we progredienz to different roles, make various lateral moves, get promoted, and so on.Partly as a result of this accidental career choice, I believe, a growing number of professionals are beginning to question whether they really are in the right job, and to look for more meaning and fulfillment. Certainly, weve evolved beyond the job for life and youre likely not just to have different jobs over the course of your professional life but also different careers.So now that youve woken up and decided that you want to be more proactive about pursuing the right career path for you or at least, your next career move how can you go about finding what that move might be?Based on my own personal experience of quitting my job to work independently, and the career transitions Ive witnessed among my friends and coaching c lients, here are four questions I would recommend asking in order to identify the best career move for youWhats important to you in a career?What are you good at?What do you care about?What will actually generate an income?Lets look at each of the questions in turn.Whats important to you in a career?I think the best place to start when it comes to deciding on the right career path for you is to decide on whats actually important to you. Another way of looking at this is how do you define success when it comes to a potential career?In answering this question, strip away what your parents believe, what your teachers told you, what your friends and colleagues are doing. Go back to basics and define whats important to YOU. Essentially, youre coming up with the criteria for your dream job here. Youll want to consider things like location, schedule, the type of work, how much money you want to earn, the kind of people youre working with, the level of autonomy, how much learning you want t o have on the jobFor example, is it important to be able to have a flexible work arrangement so that you can spend time with your young family? Do you want to be able to work independently, or express your creativity freely? Is it a dream of yours to travel extensively, either with work or between jobs? As you list these criteria, think carefully about which of these are non-negotiable, and which are nice to have but not essential.What are you good at?Now its all very well to say that success for me is becoming a prima ballerina in the Bolshoi Ballet, but if I havent danced since I was 12 years old and I cant even touch my toes, thats probably not going to be a viable career choice for me at this stage of my life. So once youve defined the criteria for your ideal job, youll also need to ask What am I good at?Think beyond the obvious skills that are specific to your current role and consider broader skills that can be transferred to different situations. You can include skills youve developed in previous jobs, maybe even in your hobbies and activities in your spare time. For example, you may have experience in managing complex projects under tight deadlines or in managing social media networks like Facebook and Twitter.Its not just a question of hard skills, either you should also consider your personal strengths and talents. I have a friend, for example, who is a very creative and innovative harte nuss solver, always finding a solution thats ingenious and unexpected. With such a profile, shes probably not well suited to a large traditional company where its important to play by the rules and follow standard processes instead, shell likely thrive in a more flexible environment such as in a startup where agility and resourcefulness are skills that are much sought after.What do you care about?This question, I believe, is one that gets to the very heart of why many of us feel unfulfilled in our jobs. We may be good at what were doing, and it may tick a lot of our boxes in terms of working arrangements and benefits, but if we fundamentally dont care about our work then were going to feel unsatisfied. Were also not going to be giving our best to the company.My own choice to leave my full-time job three years ago was related to this question, as I asked myself Do I really care about selling smelly water (as someone, I forget who, once called the luxury perfume that I was selling)? I came from a background of studying African development and wanting to work in an international organization, so my actual employment in consumer goods marketing was always at odds with my initial career goals. This is an area that Im still working on, in fact, reconciling my skills and experience from a particular sector with the values I have and a bigger mission or purpose.So what do you care about? This can be what we might class as a classic good cause for example, taking care of the environment, protecting animal rights, providing support for the homeless but it doesnt have to be. You might be passionate about making life easier for families with better products in the home, bringing innovation to a traditional industry, building a community of like-minded people or you might care about promoting music and art, or cultivating beauty and fashion. The point is that this is a very personal choice, and you should make it without any sense of guilt, or comparing to what other people are doing.What will actually generate an income?Ah, money. Ive left this point for last intentionally. Having a secure and stable income is one of the main reasons cited why we should stay in our jobs, even if were unhappy and its one of the main criteria for most of us when making career decisions. Its all very well to follow your passion, theyll say, but how will you pay your bills?Many of my clients struggle with what they *really* want to do, and what they think will make them the most money. Often, money is not even an important value for them theyve explici tly said that they are not desperate for an immediate income when starting their business, or that they dont need to earn a huge salary. And yet they will often lean towards making a commercial decision as to the choice that will generate the biggest income rather than the one that best fits their own values and preferences.I think theres an underlying belief here that doing what you love will never pay. As I already wrote last week, however, couldnt it also be argued that doing what you love will mean that you work harder, and produce better outputs, than if youre unhappy and unmotivated at work?Whatever you believe in this regard, its true that money is a consideration, and its important that you do think about how you will earn your income. If youre looking for a new job, what are the types of companies who will value people with your skills, strengths, and experience? Which industries might you be best suited for, which types of roles? If youre thinking of working freelance, as a consultant, or starting a business Who will be the clients that buy your services? Whose problem are you solving? Is your idea actually a viable business proposition?Now it may not be as simple as ticking off criteria 1, 2, 3 and 4 and, voil, thats your dream job but in my opinion, these questions do cover the most important considerations when it comes to finding a meaningful career.As you answer the questions, and decide between the different options, try not to be too black and white. There are far more constellations of jobs than we might at first imagine, with new hybrid and portfolio careers opening up the possibilities to create our own ideal working arrangements. If youre missing information about an unfamiliar industry or a different kind of job function, who can you talk to in order to find out more? If you find gaps in your skills, what can you do to fill those gaps?- Anna Lundberg, Speaker Writer and Success Coach- - - For job seekers, it can be hard to figure out if a career path is the right one. Maybe you have tried several jobs already and not found one that clicked. If that is the case, take a look at a few key factors to determine what career is right for you.InteractionsThe amount of contact you have with coworkers, customers, and the public at large can be a big factor in deciding if a career is a good fit for you. If you are a people person, then sitting in a cubicle all day managing data is not going to be satisfying long-term. On the other hand, if you prefer to concentrate on details and not deal with many people, make sure you are not taking on a customer service role you will burn out in a few months.Growth potentialWhen looking at a career, focus on more than just the short-term. Yes, you need a job now, but make sure you are looking for a position that has advancement potential. Look at job descriptions for your dream job the one you hope to have someday and retire from. What kind of qualifications and experience does it req uire? Will the jobs you are looking at, fulfill those requirements?ResearchOne of the most effective ways to tell if a career is right for you is to talk with people who are in that career. It is easier than ever to find people willing to give you advice and input about their careers find influencers on LinkedIn, Twitter, blogs, or through old-fashioned face-to-face networking. Ask questions and see if that career path matches up with the things you value and want from your professional life.- Jessie West, M.Ed. West Coaching and ConsultingThis article first appeared on Kununu.

Top Sample Student Resume Secrets

Top Sample Student Resume Secrets What Is So Fascinating About Sample Student Resume? With a tiny bit of creativity and some thought about your top abilities, you will find an amazing position and start your work history. What a resume does is it summarizes your experience, skills, and other info. Rather, the goal of the career objective is to showcase your abilities and abilities that can help you to successfully fulfill the responsibilities of the position. Students with minimum work experience may also add a section discussing their involvements. Most employers wish to observe a resume too. Resumes can be a couple of pages. As an example, as a waitress youre guaranteed to build skills in customer support, sales, and multi-tasking, all which may be very valuable to a prospective employer. Make certain the skills are related to the job which you desire. You are unable to compose a single resume for many kinds of jobs. Sample Student Resume the Ultimate Convenience If youre looking to put in an application for a lifeguard position, your resume objective should mention all certifications you have gotten. Youve got to exploit your strength and concentrate on the information. You should find out strategies to adapt your experience to the demands of the new job and set it in such a manner your strengths are displayed on top. You must find out strategies to adapt your experience to the demands of the new job and place it in such a manner your strengths are displayed on top. As a consequence, no 2 resumes will look the exact same. Next, you will learn how to earn a college resume prepared for the big leagues If this High School Student resume example was not sufficient for you, youre absolutely free to review various other samples and templates from our website. Include contact info. Volunteering abroad may prove to an organization youre in a position to work with people who might be different than you, and that youre comfortable in uncertain circumstances. No matter your degree of job experience, your resume format is critical to making your program stick out. Utilize part time or summer jobs to reveal your work ethic. So you merely graduated high school or college and youre ready to join the workforce to develop into a productive member of society. Employers can learn all they will need to understand about a candidate from their school performance, which means that your Education section should reflect well on you. If there are a number of vital classes or courses you have undertaken that relate to the job which you seek, then it must be included in the resume. Youre able to mention your upcoming education plans too. As a high school student, employers dont expect you to develop into an authority in your work in a week. Include GPA if it sets you apart from different applicants or in the event the employer has specifically stated that you want to. For instance, University student with superior customer servic e skills seeking part-time retail position at a style retailer. Recruiters often have many applications to examine and could spend under a minute reading your resume. Resumes are intended to show you have what it requires to do exceptional work in a particular position. Technology is a rather extensive topic. You may always pick from the wide selection of High School Resume templates we need to offer you. Career Objectives are excellent for resumes with a particular function. You may be a great team player. Training proves that youre serious.

Having It All Growing My Career Family At Yelp

Having It All Growing My Career Family At Yelp Below is an article originally written by Caitlin Erickson at PowerToFly Partner Yelp, and published on September 17, 2018. Go to Yelps page on PowerToFly to see their open positions and learn more.When I started at Yelps Phoenix office six years ago as an Account Executive, I welches nervous. I was six months pregnant and had no idea how I was going to start a new career and a new family.But Yelp made it easy. No one thought twice about my going on maternity leave after only being at work for three months. In fact, my training manager asked me about names and my kollektivmates threw me a baby shower (they gifted me with a baby swing that proved to be a lifesaver). The day I left for maternity leave, my director even came over to shake my hand and thank me for my hard work.After returning from leave, I had to juggle a newborn with my new sales career. One thing I learned as a new mom was that newborns get sick and constantly have to go in for checkups Fortunately, my manager always worked with my schedule. He would help me call high-priority follow-up appointments and wed work together to recover lost time so I could still hit my target. Now the company even offers backup daycare options, so I can have someone come to ur home and watch my son if hes not feeling great or if school is closed.Fast forward a couple years and I was advancing to a management role while parenting a toddler. Career advancement in general isnt easy. Career advancement when youre a single parent is even harder, but the launch of the Yelp Parents Employee Resource Group in 2014 has helped me tremendously. I built up important professional skills and increased visibility with leadership by talking with group members and building out membership. This helped me earn my promotion into management. Today, as a leader for the Yelp Parents resource group, Ive forged lasting friendships among many other parents who have become my support network when work or life gets tough.After managing a sales team for a few years, I was offered a new opportunity as a National Sales Planner. This role allowed me to further my career, and refocus on my family and our hopes of growing it by one more. When you start a new role and tell your new boss that youre hoping to be on maternity leave within the year, youre probably not expecting a happy response. However, my new boss was delighted to hear about our plans. It was incredibly refreshing to have him remind me to not worry about work and enjoy my time with the baby on leave. My entire team echoed that sentiment, which really made my three months of maternity leave extra enjoyable. It also made coming back easy (as did having access to a private mothers room with a hospital grade pump).Since returning from my second maternity leave, Ive been able to jump back into leading Yelp Parents and continue to spread love for parents across the organization. Well be holding our sixth annual Halloween H ullabaloo in Phoenix next month, where employees decorate the entire office and bring in their kids to participate in crafts and trick-or-treating. Last year, my son dressed up as Shaggy and carried around his Scooby Doo doll, while my husband and I escorted him as Fred and Velma The office is also supporting an incredible professional development event where Yelp vice presidents are flying in from San Francisco and hosting lunchtime workshop sessions on topics like time management, work-life balance, and emotional intelligence.The opportunities and support Yelp provides constantly remind me how lucky I am to work at a place that values me as an employee, celebrates me as a parent, and helps me advance even through all the obstacles of parenting Aki Merced

Robotic Tech Comes to Home Building

Robotic Tech Comes to Home Building Robotic Tech Comes to Home Building Robotic Tech Comes to Home BuildingThe images and video, when they first surfaced in early 2017, were striking.A spare white room, a scattering of machinery, and a giant, robotic arm that spun around from a set point in the middle of it all. On the floor, at first, there was nothing but a rough outline of a rectangular room. But over time, that changed, as walls began to rise from clumps of concrete that the robotic arms was depositing, following the pattern set out on the ground.Within 24 hours, a complete house stood in the space, completed with nothing mora than raw concrete and materials that were created on site. The final cost just over $10,000.The printed house was a demonstration project put on by Apis Cor, a Russian company that has developed what it calls a 3D printer for the construction industry. The company itself has a sci-fi edgeaccording to its marketing materials, Apis Cor was created with the go al of building structures on Marsbut its work to-date has been entirely down-to-Earth, with new, automated construction tools designed to take some of the work out of residential and commercial construction.A house can be printed in just one day. Image Apis CorThe mobile printer is a smart machine that can be easily delivered to the site, and requires minimum time and energy to start working in the field, the company writes on its website. By hiring a printer for work, you free some of your resources. You save on labor costs, dealing with construction waste, renting construction machinery, tools, house finishing. One printer can replace a whole team of construction workers, saving time without loss of quality.The video of the Apis Cor project went viral for the simple fact that it was amazing to watch a 3D printer create a house from effectively nothing in less than a day, but the work the company is doing is just one partee of a larger effort that is transforming the construction a nd remodeling industries. Long dominated by hands-on, physical labor, new technologies are finally finding their way into these industries, disrupting them in some novel, unexpected ways.A New IndustryTake residential contracting, for instance. The work of home contractors hasnt changed much in the last century or so. A client hires the contractor for a job, they spec out the work, the client approves, and they get to work. The majority of their day-to-day work, however, is still low-tech. They source materials, draw up plans, and complete their projects largely on-site, employing subcontractorsif anyoneto help fill out the job as needed.But what if that contractor didnt need to hire subs to frame out an addition and could instead employ a 3D printer to create a new room for a client?What if, instead of sourcing and transporting lumber to build a deck for a customer on-site, they could simply back up their truck and let a construction robot complete the project automatically?What wi ll that mean for their day-to-day, and what will it make possible for the rest of us?A construction 3D printer developed by MIT researchers. Image Mediated Matter Group / MITWe think that this is unambiguously the future of construction, explains Julian Leland, a research assistant in the Mediated Matter Group and a Masters candidate in the Mechanical Engineering Department at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), whose work has been focused on the schools Digital Construction Platform, an automated system that can 3D print the basic structure of an entire building. Both in the long term, where large portions of the construction process will be completely automated, and even in the short term where specific tasks that fit the general criteria for automationhighly repetitive, dangerous, dirty, dusty, usually fairly structured, not without a huge degree of variability between tasks or without any complex decision making required as part of the task.For contractors and other s in light construction, he says, this means handing off tasks that menschenwrdig workers with dont want to or cannot do themselves. Repetitive tasks like scraping the paint off of a building, power-washing materials for later installation or even working in dangerous conditions (at great heights or when dealing with dangerous chemicals or abrasives, for instance) and more. These types of tasks are already being automated on large construction jobsites, so it is just a matter of time before this technology trickles down to the home contracting market.Where this really gets powerful is when you begin augmenting the output of human labor, Leland says. If we can take the human out of the loop in terms of laying foundations or doing super structure fabrication for very large structures, all of a sudden were not exposing that human worker to the dangers of being surrounded by large, heavy pieces of structural material that could fall. That worker is not directly operating tools that coul d injure them. We can see improvements in the accuracy and the quality of the build that were actually producing.Cost Savings, Efficiency GainsIn the short term, these technologies will likely have the greatest impact on the balance sheet.By some estimates, waste levels as high as 30% are common on modern construction and remodel projects. Standard lumber cuts are only available in certain sizes, regardless how much or what shape a contractor might need, and other materials go unused, broken or lost. And that 30% waste adds up to 30% more money being spent to complete projects, based solely on how they are handled and managed.Technology can make construction and remodeling a more efficient, cost-effective process. And additive processes like 3D printing are just the start.There are many other processes that are focused on subtracting, explains Patrick Mays, vice president of strategy with 3D engineering and design software developer Dassault Systemes, and those are having a larger e ffect on residential construction right now.He points to tools like large format CNC router cutters that are used for cutting plywood or other kinds of materials, as well as sheet metal cutters, both plasma-based and laser-based, that are handling metal fabrication for mechanical and electrical systems. These kinds of cutters now are being directly integrated to overall 3D design, which is all unwrapped and then precisely cut, allowing workers to bring in bulk material and custom fit it on-site. Less waste, lower cost.Youre seeing lots of new thinking about how to build buildings, he says.Tim Sprinkle is an independent writer. For Further Discussion Where this really gets powerful is when you begin augmenting the output of human labor.Julian Leland, MIT

Learn About Being a Bounty Hunter

Learn About Being a Bounty HunterLearn About Being a Bounty HunterAs with so many criminal justice and criminology careers, the profession of bounty hunting has been popularized in everything from reality TV to science fiction. Which makes finding out how you can get a bounty hunter job - and what bounty hunters actually do - that much more interesting. Whether itsDuane The Dog Chapman orBoba Fett, bounty hunting gives the appearance of law enforcement light - offering all of the excitement of working as a assekuranzpolice offer without the lengthy hiring process, hintergrund check or all that messy responsibility to protect and serve. What Bounty HuntersDo In the United States, fruchtwein states use a bail bond system, in which people who have been arrested can secure their temporary release from jail while they wait for their trial. They put up a large amount of money that they will lose if they dont show up for court. Often, the bail amount is too high for the arrested subject to come up with on his own. A bailbond agent will put the money up for the suspect, and charge the suspect only a small percentage of the actualcost of the bail. When the subject shows up for court and the case is complete, the bail bondsman gets the bail moneyback. If the subject fails toappear for court - or skips bail - the bail bond agent loses the cash he put up, and cant recover it unless and until the suspect is brought to justice. Thats where a bounty hunter comes in. Bounty hunters - now more often called bail enforcement agents - track down subjects who skipped bail and turn them over to the court system. They get paid by collecting the reward put up by the bond agent, usually a percentage of the original bail. What It Take to Be a Bounty Hunter Believe it or not, depending on the state, it doesnt take much to be a bounty hunter. Individual states have specific laws regulating what, if any, authority private citizens have in arresting fugitives. In most cases, though, there is no training or certification required to get started as a bounty hunter. In theory, and depending on where you live, the day you decide to be a bounty hunter, you can be a bounty hunter. Thats the theory. In reality, a successful bail enforcement agent needs to have a strong understanding of the laws and criminal processes in the states she is working. Given the dangerous nature of the job - capturing fugitives from justice is never safe - she needs to have knowledge of defensive tactics and safe apprehension tactics. Pitfalls of Bounty Hunting Jobs Its easy to see why making a life as a bounty hunter might seem appealing to people with an adventurous spirit. There are a lot of landmineson the road to success, though. For one, what one state may call bondenforcement, another may call kidnapping. As examples,bounty hunting per se is illegal in Florida. In Kentucky, only officers of the peace are authorized to make arrests. Outside of the United States, bounty hunting is almost universally against the law. While bounty hunting may not comewith the same level of regulation, training, and responsibility as law enforcement, it also comes without the protections under which police get to operate. Where law enforcement officers are agents of the state and protected under sovereign and qualified immunity laws, bond enforcement agents dont have the same protections because they operate as private citizens. This means they can be held liable for any injuries or damages that occur as a result of carrying out their job. How Much Bounty Hunters Can Earn Earning potential for bounty hunters can vary wildly, and has everything to do with the abilities of the enforcement agent, the relationships they form with bail bond brokers and the bounties they are able to collect. Its possible for bounty hunters to make more than $100,000 per year if theyre very successful. Youre far more likely to make closer to $50,000 or even less, though. Keep in mind that bounty h unters have a lot of out-of-pocket expenses, so the final net gain may be even lower. The Bottom Line About Bounty Hunting Bounty hunting is not for the faint of heart. You need to be highly motivated, willing to educate yourself, ready to do hard work and able to protect and defend yourself. Though theres often little or no official training or certification required for the job, the benefits must be weighed heavily against the potential negatives. If after a careful evaluation you still think youre up to the task working as a bounty hunter might just be the perfect criminology career for you.

Online Job Search Portfolio - FlexJobs

Online Job Search Portfolio - FlexJobsOnline Job Search Portfolio 71Isnt it nice to find a website that is well-designed, easy-to-use, and tells you exactly what you want to know quickly and without hassle? Or to find a website that instantly inspires you as soon as you see it? (Were looking at you, Pinterest) Recruiters feel the same wayabout finding a job candidate whose application is easy to read, clean, and thorough. They like it when job candidates make it easy to hire them by creating easy-to-read application materials which paint a detailed, well-matched picture of the candidate. Aside from your resume or cover letter, one great way to accomplish this is by creating your own professional angeschlossen job search portfolio. Its a lot easier than it sounds, and it can be very helpful in your job search.Who should set up an online job search portfolio?Anyone with a work history theyd like to show off should consider an online job search portfolio. Specifically, professionals who se work can be easily showcased online are a great match for professional portfolios, includingWriters and JournalistsArtists, Actors, Musicians, PerformersDesigners (Interior, web, graphic, fashion, etc.)Advertisers/MarketersTeachers, Professors, Tutors, TranslatorsScientists and researchersReal Estate ProfessionalsSports and Fitness ProfessionalsEven if you dont fall into a profession that easily translates into a portfolio, you can use an online portfolio to show off your resume with a little more pizazz than a piece of paper or a PDF allows. Professionals from almost any industry could benefit from having an online portfolio.What do you use to create an online portfolio?Creating a website for yourself sounds expensive, but its not. In most cases, its free. Use a free blog creation site like WordPress or Blogger to get started. They have lots of templates to choose from, so you can select one that looks more like a website than a blog for your portfolio. These sites have two grea t things going for themTheyre FREE, andThey make it very easy to set up a basic site, which is all you really need.What else can you put on your job search portfolio?By creating a portfolio using a blogging platform, you can also demonstrate your knowledge of current events in your field by writing the occasional blog post about the news in your industry and your thoughts on it. If you decide to blog on your professional profile, your entries should be well-written, professional and intelligent-sounding, and free of errors or questionable material.What should you anthroponym your professional portfolio?The best name for your site is your name. For example, Jane Smiths portfolio name could be janesmith.wordpress.com, or even janereedsmith.wordpress.com, if she wants to distinguish herself from the other Jane Smiths of the world. If employers are searching for your full name online, the best option is to name your portfolio using your full name as you have it written on your resume. So, if Jane Smiths resume header says Jane Reed Smith, she ought to name her portfolio the same way. Consistency is key, so employers always know what they find is YOURS and dont confuse it with someone elses.What should you include in your portfolio?A brief bio about yourself, your experiences, and your openness to future work Show your personality and be positiveA brief overview of your resume (you dont want to copy it word-for-word, just display the highlights)Links to any work youve done on the web (articles, if youre a writer websites if youre a designer, etc.)Snippets of your work, including videos, pictures, and written piecesQuotes from previous clients about how great you are to work withContact info name, e-mail, and perhaps phone (though name and email are most important)A link to your LinkedIn profile if you have oneWhat do you do after you get your online portfolio set up?Once youve got this set up, have friends and colleagues look it over to make sure its attractive to outside readers, and to spot any errors you might have made. Then, include the link on your resume, in your LinkedIn profile, and anywhere else you can think of. Facebook, Twitter anywhere you think recruiters might find you. Keep updating it, keep it simple, and keep the job search faithDo you have a job search portfolio? Share it with the group by leaving your link below