4 Ways to Layout Your Resume!

4 better ways to lay out your resume, depending on your next career move

You've quantified your bullet points, you've curated your skills section, and you've proofread it from top to bottom. Sounds like your resume's all set to go, right?

Almost! There's actually one more step — and that's putting all the sections in the correct order. Like with everything job-search-related, this should be tailored to the position and your specific situation. To give you an idea of where to start, here are four great ways to organize your resume depending on where you are in your career.

1. For most of us

·         Summary Statement (optional)

·         Experience

·         Education

·         Skills and Certifications

This is where most people begin when it comes to organizing a resume. If you've had a lot of different relevant experiences, it might make sense to have a summary statement that helps tie it all together (here's what that looks like), but if it's all in the same field, it's not necessary. The section on professional organizations and community involvement is similarly optional.

The best reason for using this layout is that everything is where a recruiter would expect it to be, which means it's easier to find and skim your qualifications. And this almost always gives you at better shot at getting called in for an interview.

2. For recent grads

·         Education

·         Experience

·         Leadership

·         Awards and Activities (optional)

·         Skills

New grads are in a slightly unique position. While there are plenty of supposedly "entry-level" positions that require two to three years of experience, there are also many opportunities geared specifically toward recent graduates. With this in mind, it makes good sense to signal that you're new to full-time employment by keeping your education at the top.

With that said, you don't want to sell yourself short by not including your extracurricular activities. There are tons of transferable skills gained though leadership positions in clubs — and you need to make sure to highlight them in a separate section. Read this for a step-by-step guide on your post-college resume.

3. For career changers

·         Objective (optional)

·         Relevant Experience

·         Additional Experience

·         Professional Organizations / Community Involvement (optional)

·         Education

·         Skills and Certifications (option to move up)

As if changing careers isn't hard enough! The trickiest resumes to craft are ones that need to show how experience in one field is relevant and transferable to another. There are a few ways to do this effectively.

You can offer an objective that explains your career change and the strengths you would bring to your new field. (More on that here.) Or, you can split up your experience into "relevant" and "additional" in order to highlight specific experiences. (Pro tip: Instead of "Relevant Experience," label this section "Editorial Experience," "Sales Experience," or whatever makes sense for your new field.) Or, finally, if you have limited relevant experience, you can simply spell out your skills and certifications and place that section above your experience section as a way to drive that home.

4. For senior-level candidates

·         Summary Statement

·         Experience

·         Professional Organizations / Community Involvement (optional)

·         Education

·         Skills and Certifications

You'll notice that the senior-level resume looks an awful lot like the standard resume layout. You're not wrong; just because you're at a higher level doesn't mean you can get away with a convoluted format. How easy it is to skim your qualifications is important, no matter how far along you are in your career.

Of course, there are some differences. If you're applying for a senior-level position, you're usually in the clear for submitting a two-page resume. Also, with so much experience and a two-pager, it's absolutely necessary for you to have a summary statement at the very top. This isn't really negotiable anymore.

While you don't want to deviate too much from what's expected, you do want to personalize it a bit to your own experience and needs. As a starting point, give one of these layouts a whirl and go from there

Find full article here!

4 ways to help you get through a tough conversation

4 ways to help you get through a tough conversation without backing down

Have you ever gone into a tricky conversation with someone at work, determined to stick to your guns and make sure things go your way — only to leave that same conversation having promised away your weekends, sanity, and shoes?

How did that just happen? you wonder, as you shrink back to your desk to dream up words that rhyme with "backbone."

So, to help you out the next time someone makes an unreasonable request or pulls you into another equally tough conversation, here are a few pointers on how to remain firm and come out on top.

1. Know your deal-breakers

Before you go into the conversation, you have to know your deal-breakers — the things you absolutely won't compromise on. For example, giving up the weekend of your kids' birthday.Working late on date night. Taking the heat for something that didn't have anything to do with you.

Your deal-breakers will likely stem from your personal values — the things that are ingrained 10,000 feet down inside you; the things that, if you break or devalue them, will end up costing you happiness and self-worth.

These are the things you need to be crystal clear on, so you can confidently say, "Sorry, I can't do that" when the time comes.

Know your deal-breakers, then honor them.

2. Stay strong through the personal favor dilemma

It happens all the time: Your boss asks you to get involved in that new project — the one you already said you didn't have time to work on — because it would really help him out of a tight spot. Or, you're asked to take on more responsibility because it would mean so much to the requestor. Or, after resigning, you're asked to extend your notice period until things calm down a little, because it would make the transition easier for everyone on the team.

This is a tough situation, because if you say no to the personal favor, will your boss see you as someone who's unreliable or doesn't have his or her back?

Nobody likes to say no to someone who's asking for a personal favor — but keep in mind, this is your boss or manager, not your best friend or partner. And this is about work, not helping a friend through a crisis or being there to support a family member dealing with some bad news.

It's a tough call, but if you're truly going to stick to your guns, your response should be civil, professional, and absolute. Say that you understand what he or she needs, but due to your existing commitments, you're not in a position to contribute this time. Say that you wish you could help, but because of your current workload, you wouldn't be able to do the project justice right now. Or, you may even say that you're happy to find a way to help out — but only within your existing time constraints or commitments.

3. Make saying no a good thing

You're allowed to say no to a request that's unreasonable or downright unfair. The trick is to find a way to reframe it so that by saying no, it's clear to everyone that you're doing the right thing.

For instance, if your boss asks you to take on a time-consuming project on top of your existing work, explain that by spreading yourself that thin, you wouldn't be able to dedicate the necessary time or effort to either set of work. Instead, suggest that it might be worth it to pause the project while the team figures out the best, most efficient way to get the work done.

Or perhaps you've been asked to give up some of your personal time to stay late and do additional work. In this case, you could say that you'll pitch in where you can, but in your experience, working longer hours rarely results in great work. Then suggest looking at a few other approaches to find one that could benefit everyone involved.

In essence, this strategy takes what's being asked of you and turns it back on the requestor by saying, "Can I help you find a better way?"

4. Know your value

Remaining firm in tough conversations is much harder when you think that doing so makes you a bad person: If I turn down that request, I'm being really unhelpful. He'll hate me if I say no. If I stick to my guns, she'll think less of me.

Those all sound like reasonable things to think — until you realize that your value isn't determined by the quantity of requests you say yes to, but by the quality of your work.

Don't let a need to please others or a lack of confidence drive you to give up what matters. Sometimes, sticking to your guns in tough conversations comes down to one question: What would I do if I had nothing to prove and was already worthy of respect?

Find full article here!

What you should do instead of over analyzing your job interview

At the end of a job interview, you can usually breathe a sigh of relief. The hardest part is over!

But as soon as the office door closes behind you, the interview starts replaying in your head. Over and over and over.

And each time, it gets a little worse. Did you really giggle nervously when you shook your interviewer's hand — or was it a more of a hysterical screech? Did you stumble over a few words when explaining your biggest weakness, or did you babble incoherently? Did you come across as confident or ridiculously conceited?

As you probably realize, over analyzing your interview isn't going to change how it went. But what can you do to get away from that habit of dissecting every little word, gesture, and facial expression from your interview? Here are a few suggestions.

1. Quit practicing (at least for now)

It always happens: You think of the perfect answer to a question that stumped you just minutes after you finish the interview, and you're able to verbalize it flawlessly in the car on the way home. It drives you crazy that you weren't able to think of this answer just an hour ago.

First, take a breath and realize that this is normal. It only makes sense that you're going to have a more developed, succinct answer in mind when the question has been marinating in your head for an hour or two.

It may seem like a great idea to continue rehearsing the answers to these tough questions over and over again until you get them perfect, but for the moment, take a break. By focusing all your energy on what you could or should have said, you're only bringing more stress on yourself. When you have another interview lined up, you can use this as a learning experience — but for now:

2. Focus on the big picture

When you over analyze, you often get stuck on the details: Did she smile at my story because she thought it was funny or because she thought it was stupid? Did he ask about my management experience because he doesn't think I seem like a leader? Why didn't I say delegation when she asked about my strengths?

While interviewers certainly pay attention to the small things, it can help you get past that tendency to over analyze if you simply take a step back and try to look at the big picture, rather than get lost in the details: Did you feel a good connection between you and the interviewer? Overall, did you demonstrate your enthusiasm for the role and company? What's your gut feeling about the meeting as a whole?

Often, you'll find that when you look at the big picture, it looks a lot better than if you pry into the interviewer's every last word and expression.

3. Think through (and write) your thank you note

If you're still truly concerned about something you said or did during the interview, take just a few minutes to ask yourself: Is this something I can fix in a couple sentences in my thank you note? And, perhaps more importantly, is it significant enough to merit that kind of explanation?

In many cases, you'll find that what you're thinking of as huge, decision-impacting mistakes aren't things you really need to address. For example, if your worry is that you came across as nervous or jittery, you'd find that it'd probably be better to simply let it pass than awkwardly explain it ("I know my palms were sweaty when we shook hands — sorry about that!") in a thank you note (more on that here).

Then, either way, write and send that thank you note. Putting your effort into writing a thoughtful note will do much more good than thinking through your interview for the hundredth time.

4. Find the one thing you want to do differently next time

Of course, everyone will tell you that you should learn from your mistakes — and you absolutely should. But if you tend to over analyze, you're going to find yourself spending the next three full days coming up with list after list of ways you want to improve your interviewing skills.

Instead, allow yourself to select one takeaway from the interview. Maybe, for example, you want to be able to think better on your feet, so you don't stumble over your words when you're asked an unexpected question. Or, maybe you want to prepare a wider arsenal of anecdotes to share, so that you're prepared for any and every behavioral-based question they could throw at you.

Pinpoint that one thing, and make that the target point of improvement for your next interview. Until then — and aside from that — give yourself a break.

5. Keep pursuing other possibilities

If you're over analyzing, it may be because the interview was for either your dream job — or the only career possibility you have on your radar right now. And that puts a whole lot of pressure on you to nail the interview.

Instead of dwelling on that interview as a make-or-break opportunity, get right back into job hunting and start looking for more open positions that interest you. If you have several viable options going at any given time, you'll feel much more confident about your prospects — and less likely to keep analyzing every word in that one interview.

It's perfectly normal to review and learn from an interview — but taking that too far can distract you from your goal of getting a job and, instead, cause a whole lot of stress and anxiety. Take the necessary steps to move past this interview, and you'll be even stronger for the next one.

See full article here!

The Annual Worlco Cup!

Worlco Cup!

Each year the Worlco Computer Resources family takes a trip to the golf course for some summer fun! We split into to teams, team Placements and team Consultants, and play a game of golf and enjoy the day. 

This year, two of our employees, Davidson Hang and Emma Parry, stepped on to the course for the FIRST time. Luckily, the previous Worlco champs were there to give them some tips.

After 18 holes, and many lost golf balls for the rookies, a team winner was determined! TEAM CONSULTANTS take the win!

CONGRATS Rob, Frank, Gerry and Emma!

15 Ways to Enjoy the Summer Even While You're Stuck at Work!

As you've probably noticed, summer has arrived! And we're sure you've also noticed that your office is still operating as if it's not beautiful outside. You're stuck inside, staring at a stock image of a beach as your desktop background while your social media feeds get filled with photos of tropical getaways, Summer Friday activities, and tan lines.

While you can definitely continue daydreaming of your next escape, you can also take matters into your own hands and learn to enjoy the season from indoors. While my tips and tricks won't land you that summer glow, they'll definitely help you scroll through Instagram without feeling (quite so) jealous.

1. Make fruit-infused water

One of the best parts of it being sunny out is having the excuse to down fruity drinks without feeling silly. And we're not just talking poolside cocktails! To make a summery, SFW drink, all you need is a flavor enhancer, like MiO Liquid Water Enhancer. Or, check out these DIY recipes that you can make at home and leave in the office fridge.

2. Switch up your playlist

'Tis the season to make a new playlist with all your favorite summer hits. Maybe it's a classic like "Summer" by Calvin Harris, or perhaps it's a song that no one else relates to summer but reminds you of your family's annual beach trip. Or maybe, it's just a compilation of every "song of the summer" from the past 20 years from Spotify. Get everyone (else stuck) in the office involved by asking for suggestions. If you're still feeling stumped, start with Billboard's recommendations.

3. Brighten your desk

It's no secret that colors affect our mood, environment, and work ethic. So, why not incorporate the colors of the beach into your work space? May I suggest starting with this poster or this desktop sand box — or this amazing fish tank deskcoration if you're in the mood to go all out?

4. Plan a frozen treat happy hour

If your office doesn't participate in Summer Fridays, suggest starting an (alcohol-free) happy hour on Fridays to enjoy some ice cream sundaes (or slightly less-messy ice cream sandwiches). The only thing that doesn't work for this? Bringing your guilt! Taking an hour away from work will actually make you more productive. So, put down your computer, and pick up a scoop.

5. Lighten up

Whether you bring a new lamp to your desk or purchase a "happy light," brightening up your workspace is a simple trick to feeling more like you're outdoors. Especially when you're trapped in a cubicle craving some sunshine. Try out this one to get the full sunlight effect — even if you can't see any windows.

6. Play with your wardrobe

Nothing notes a season change more than switching out your closet. If your most beloved part of summer is a sundress or bright shorts, find ways to wear incorporate your summer pieces into your wardrobe. Obviously, keep your company's dress code in mind, and be sure that all attire is work-appropriate. But, there's no reason you should still be wearing what you wore when it was snowing out. (Ladies — check out some of our outfit suggestions here.)

7. Switch up your lunch

BBQs are great for the summer, so leave the boring old sandwiches at home and grab a hot dog or burger for lunch. Bonus points if you start an indoor BBQ tradition with your co-workers! Rather than firing up the grill, you just need everyone to agree to bring a key ingredient: buns, hot dogs, ketchup, you know the drill.

8. Get outside every day

A little fresh air can do your mind and body wonders, so step outside for some breaks during the day. It's a simple trick that will score you some Vitamin D and improve your efficiency. Can you say win-win?

9. Bring popsicles for your office

Stock your office freezer full of popsicles and snack on one when you're craving a treat — or, better yet, make some friends by offering them up to your co-workers. Have a few extra minutes? Grab one and go sit outside while you eat it.

10. Buy a plant

Bring the outdoors (and some fresh O2) to your cubicle with some small plants. Even if you can't physically be outside, you'll feel a little better if you can actually see some green. Personally, I love this one — and not just because it's called a Donkey's Tail.

11. Make your schedule more summer-friendly

If possible, start coming in an hour earlier so you can actually head out at a reasonable hour and enjoy the late night sunshine. (Because it wasn't so long ago that it was dark at 4 PM.) Or, put the bulk of your work or meetings on your schedule earlier in the week to allow you to duck out on Friday afternoons without missing anything important.

12. Use your lunch breaks differently

Eat outside instead of at your desk, bring your lunch so that you can use your break to get a quick mani-pedi, or spend those 30 minutes reading a book at the park near your office. Feeling more ambitious (and have a bit more time)? Work out! From walking around the neighborhood to taking a short class to jumping in the local gym's pool, it's possible to be active in the middle of the day without getting behind.

13. Make summer Friday friends

Also known as all of those other people who have to work on Fridays, too. Try to make a routine to grab lunch together at your favorite outdoor restaurant. Or, at the very least, know who will be around on Gchat when the rest of the world goes quiet at 2 PM.

14. Change up your commute

If you usually drive to work or take the train, give yourself extra time in the mornings to walk or bike to work. If that's not an option, try to take a different route. Switching up your daily routine (especially if it's been daily for years) will feel more exciting than you even realize.

15. Get sporty

Bring summer sports to your office! While I don't recommend throwing a frisbee around electronics, there's no reason you can't take 10 minutes to toss one around with your co-worker outside in the parking lot. Or, if your office has the spare room (and your co-workers understand the difference between tossing a beanbag and torpedo-ing it), you can easily play a quick game of cornhole.

The line in the sand (too soon?): You don't have to envy your traveling friends during the summertime. Incorporate your favorite parts of the season into your office space to help you enjoy the warm months while you're still trapped indoors.

Visit full article here!

10 Tips on Giving a Killer Presentation

10 Tips on Giving a Killer Presentation

As presentation software goes, PowerPoint has long been ubiquitously chosen by presenters, but other good options exist, depending on what you want to communicate and how you're putting it all together. For example, Google Drive Slides are great if you need to collaborate with others on content, because all changes are updated and stored on the cloud so you have real-time access to the latest version. Apple users should definitely consider iCloud Keynote, which is also good for collaborating but features an intuitive user interface with a sophisticated look and feel. But if you want to do something fresh, Prezi is worth checking out. It uniquely uses motion to let you zoom in and out of your content, all of which is visually connected in a path that shows how ideas are related. The online software also makes integrating YouTube videos simple, a nice perk for anyone using video sourced from Google's platform.

Regardless of which software you use, Prezi's blog offers a wealth of tips on how to give a presentation your audience will pay attention to and remember. Here are 10 solid bits of advice from Prezi, which has amassed more than 50 million users in the six years the company has been around.

1. Research your audience.

If you want to influence these people, you need to know what they care about and what motivates them.

2. Include dissenting views.

Identify ways your audience may challenge your ideas and acknowledge them in your talk. Dismissing dissenting views won't make them go away. 

3. Start with a good story.

TED Talks speakers use this tactic all the time. Your opening story should be one everyone in the room can relate to.

4. Reiterate your main message three times.

Professional communicators put it this way, "Tell them what you're going to tell them. Tell them. Then tell them what you told them." In other words, introduce the points you will be making, and then spend the meat of your presentation fleshing them out. Conclude by reminding the audience about your points.

5. Practice like crazy.

When you know what you're going to say backward and forward, you don't have to worry about fumbling your words or losing your train of thought. Saying your talk out loud many times in advance also helps you to edit out awkward wordiness. Your audience will appreciate a no-rambling approach.

6. Memorize.

If you've ever seen someone glancing at note cards, you know that it's not only distracting to an audience but also conveys that a speaker may lack confidence. Don't memorize every word, just the flow of your key points and the examples you will use to back them up. Check out Prezi's blog on how you can memorize any presentation in 60 minutes or less.

7. Make eye contact.

You can't persuade someone if you're not looking him or her in the eye. Just make sure to scan the room without staring at any individual for too long.

8. Use a good closing story.

It should be one that relates directly to your message and allows you to reiterate your main points. Less is more when it comes to closing, so keep your story succinct while being authentic. Essentially, your closing story should be close to your heart while summarizing your message.

9. Avoid bullet points.

They're boring. Instead, use a compelling image with text that's no longer than a tweet.

10. Use big gestures.

Holding your arms in close to your body not only looks unnatural, it also makes you look nervous. You're telling stories, so act like it by commanding the space you're inhabiting in front of the room.

See full article here!

Let's Get SERIOUS!

5 signs you need to get more serious about your job search

Few will argue this point: The job search is arduous. Frustrating. Overwhelming. Befuddling.

Sometimes, when a job search isn't going as planned, it has as much to do with you as it does external factors. Specifically, you not taking this big, important process seriously enough.

The good news here is that, once you identify where and how you're sitting down on the job, you can fix these issues. Let's take a look at a handful of the more common violations and how you can sidestep them.

1. You lack required credentials but apply anyway

If a skill or qualification was listed as "required" on a job description — and it's one that you don't have — don't be surprised if you're never contacted for an interview. Now, don't assume you're going to be flat-out dismissed without a required credential (unless, of course, it's something essential to the role). However, you can't expect the software that scans your resume to flag you as a "yes" if it has been programmed to reject everyone who doesn't list that specific skill.

Instead

If you're missing a mandatory requirement and still truly want to take a run at this? You should find ways to buddy up with someone on the inside of the organization. (Here are a few tips.) You will need the opportunity to explain where you're coming from in applying for this job and how you can deliver in spite of that lacking credential.

2. You assume instructions don't apply to you

If you selectively paid attention to the instructions on what this company wants you to submit, or how it wants you to apply, you may well strike out by failing to provide something specific that the organization has asked for. Worse, you could be tossed into the "no" pile simply because the reviewer figures you can't follow simple instructions. (And yes, I recognize that job applications are rarely "simple.")

Instead

In any instance that you're applying for a job via online application, pay attention to the instructions, and follow them to a T. Better yet, cultivate an "in" with someone influential at that firm, and forward your materials (resume, cover letter) directly to that person.

3. Your entire strategy involves "apply and wait"

If your job search can be summed up in its entirety by "fill out online application, wait for however long it takes," then you shouldn't (at all) be surprised if your phone isn't lighting up with job interview requests. You must realize that you and a gajillion other people are all trying to shove your way through the front door of the company when you apply for a job online — at the same exact time. And for every single job you pursue, someone is sidestepping the online application, then finding and endearing themselves to the right people on the inside. And it's these very people who will typically be invited in first.

Instead

After you apply for a job, at a minimum, zip over to LinkedIn, do a quick people search, and see if you have or can cultivate, an "in" at that organization. (Sensing a theme here?) Get on the radar of the people already working there. Every time.

4. You're machine-gunning out unfocused applications

In spite of what anyone has ever told you, quantity does not typically trump quality in the job search. Machine-gun spray methods rarely work. You're almost always better off with a single, well-executed rifle shot. For every job you apply for, at least a few of the candidates in the mix are going to make absolute, perfect sense to the reviewer. If you're blasting out 15 resumes a day? It's nearly impossible for you to compete with people who are delivering clear, customized, "I'm just what you've asked for" resumes and cover letters.

Instead

Realize that this is not a numbers game. It's a game of strategy and intent. It's almost always better to build and execute a killer approach strategy with a short, targeted list of jobs than to aimlessly approach dozens and dozens of potential employers.

5. You're applying for out-of-town jobs, without explaining why

If you're targeting jobs in another city or state and wondering why no one is calling you, part of the reason may be that the company either isn't considering offering a relocation package or you gave them no clue on why a guy in Philadelphia is applying for a job in Fargo. Decision makers within organizations sometimes get nervous about relocating people. They're reluctant because of the added expense that's typically involved. Also, they fear you might arrive in that entirely new geography and decide quickly that you don't like the place.

Instead

If you're looking to move for your next job, always try to make it instantly clear (via the cover letter or personal contact) that you have a specific tie to that city or region or another plausible reason that you want to be there. For even the most serious job seeker, some aspects of the process are simply out of your control. Spend no time fretting about these. Control the things that you can, and take the hunt — and yourself — seriously. Because, guess what? No one cares more about you getting this right than you do.

It's your career, and your life. So do yourself a solid and approach this search like the all-star you know you are.

See full article at here!