The top courses to help get you hired February 2015

The top courses to help get you hired February 2015 by Michael Cheary Not feeling the love this month? Let us spoil you…  With thousands of new courses and qualifications available on reed.co.uk, the hardest part is finding the right one to treat yourself with. Let’s face it, flowers are overrated anyway…If you’re interested in doing something more with your Saturday nights, here are three of the hottest courses you can find on reed.co.uk this month:The Complete CompTIA BundleAlways wanted to get into the IT industry but not sure where to start? CompTIA could be for you…With over 30 years’ experience in the field, the Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA) is a global provider of IT certifications.Not only do they offer some of the most respected qualifications in the industry, they’re also vendor neutral, meaning that they’re not limited to learning all about one particular technology, such as Microsoft or Cisco. Instead, they’re an all-encompassing way for beginners to demonstrate their creden tials â€" and gain a wide array of experience.This bundle includes the incredibly popular CompTIA A+ certification, seen as the industry standard measure of a candidate’s ability to deal with hardware issues, as well as specific certifications for anyone interested in networking, security or mobility.It also happens to be half-price. You know, if you like that kind of thing.What do I need? No previous experience necessary, although a basic knowledge of computers would be helpful.How long will it last? The course is self-paced, so you can take as long as you need.Perfect for: People who like to keep their IT broad and supportive.The Complete CompTIA Bundle »Award in Management and LeadershipSome people are born to lead. Other people choose to buy it.This BTEC award is perfect for anyone looking to work within a management position, and is highly regarded by employers in a number of different sectors.Content includes personal development, principles of leadership and learning about particular management styles. It’s also perfect preparation for anyone looking to progress to a master’s in business management. Which at the very least will be enough to boss any water-cooler chit-chat when you start your new management role.If you like the idea of leading a team to greatness, get started now.What do I need? You will to be over the age of 18, and have more than six months previous work experience, in order to get started.How long will it last? Around three months.Perfect for: People who want to be the boss.Award in Management and Leadership »AAT Level 4 DiplomaAccountancy and diplomas go together like… well, two things that go particularly well together.And for any aspiring Accountant worth their salt, AAT qualifications are an absolutely essential part of getting into the industry and validating their skills. Also, making their CV’s sound about 256%* better.Level 4 is the final and most advanced stage of AAT, and teaches key skills such as budget prepara tion, monitoring financial performance and drafting financial statements. Impressive right?Oh, and did we mention that you get a fancy new tablet, completely free of charge, just for enrolling? See, learning really can pay off…What do I need? You will need to have completed AAT Levels 2 and 3 in order to get started.How long will it last? Roughly 300 hours, part-time study.Perfect for: People who want to get on top of their accounts.AAT Level 4 Diploma »*N.B. May not be actual figure.Not sure which course is right for you? View all available courses. Find a job What Where Search JobsSign up for more Career AdviceSign up for moreCareer Advice Please enter a valid email addressmessage hereBy clicking Submit you agree to the

Types of Resume Writing Services

Types of Resume Writing ServicesResume writing services come in different types and you can find a resume writer that will suit your job and career. You can choose from an extensive list of services, which can help you find the perfect solution for your needs. You will find different categories of professionals that specialize in writing resumes that fit different criteria. The selection of a resume writer is important to your success in your job search.As you look for resume writing services, you should determine how you will use the services you choose. There are many different ways to use these services, which include writing samples, samples sent via email, free trial resume writing, samples, and paid services. This article will discuss the many types of services you can use when you need to find the perfect option for your resume. You will also find some places where you can get free resume writing samples and information on where to get free trial resumes samples. By the time y ou finish reading this article, you will know how to find the right resume writing service for your job search.The first type of resume writing services is when they give you sample resumes. These samples are considered to be very useful because they are intended to meet the needs of both job seekers and companies. You can go over the samples provided by them and compare it to what you want your resume to look like. If you like the samples and you think they match your style, you can send these samples to your potential employers and have them sign off on them before you submit your resume.The reason why sample resume writers are so valuable is because you can then choose whether or not you want to use them for your job search. Many companies and professional service providers send free sample resumes to their customers and clients. Once you send a sample resume to one of these professional service providers, they can review it and add your name to the list of people they send the s amples to.Now you have the option of sending the samples you received directly to the resume writing service provider yourself. However, you will save money if you get these samples professionally written. You may be wondering why you would hire a professional service to write your resume if you know what you want it to look like already. Well, most service providers know exactly what you are looking for and will give you samples that will fit your job search needs.Now you have the option of sending your own samples and deciding if they match what you want. This is a very easy process, and you can get this accomplished by using a resume writing service. One thing you need to remember about resume writing services is that they can only write for a limited number of clients, so make sure you choose a service that can accommodate your needs. The other thing you need to know is that even if you choose a service that has a large client base, you do not necessarily have to use the samples they offer you.Free resume writing samples are available to almost everyone who uses a computer or online sources. They will typically offer you samples that fit your unique job requirements and resume writing requirements. There are some professionals that charge a fee for their services, but there are also many that offer samples for free and use these samples to create their own unique resume. If you choose to use a service that provides samples for free, make sure you only get the information that they provide to you so you can customize your resume according to your individual needs.Free samples are widely available. You just need to know where to look. The free sample samples are often offered by some popular websites that are used by many professionals, like Amazon, where you can find thousands of samples. These samples usually come with a free sample letter that will help you craft a persuasive resume that will help you land your dream job.

Why Do You Do What You Do - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career

Why Do You Do What You Do - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career Simon Sinek proposed in his 2009 TED Talk titled How Great Leaders Inspire Action that Martin Luther King, Steve Jobs, and other inspirational leaders communicate starting with Why? His talk is posted on YouTube and has garnered over 15 million views to date. It also led to a best selling book titled Start with Why. With this in mind, I want to challenge you to consider WHY you do what you do: Why is your company in business? What is its purpose for being and does that inspire you? Why do you choose to serve the customers you currently have? Have you consciously chosen them, or did they simply have money you needed? Why are you running or working for your current company? Have you examined other options, or are you simply accepting a default solution to your need for income? Why are you in the profession that you practice? Is it motivating and interesting to you? To help clarify your thoughts, Mr. Sinek suggests in his book: By WHY I mean what is your purpose, cause or belief. WHY does your company exist? WHY do you get out of bed every morning? And WHY should anyone care? As seen in this quote, the inquiry applies as well to a business owner as it does to an individual employee or a customer. If you are a business owner, a clear answer to WHY provides you a higher level of guidance that can decouple your thinking that otherwise may be occupied by analyzing the competition to figure out how your products must be modified to stay ahead of them or catch up to them. If you are an employee, a clear answer to WHY may provide you a higher level of motivation within your current employer, a way to inspire your subordinates, or motivation to go somewhere else. If you are a customer, a clear answer to WHY may cause you to appreciate a supplier more or to seek out one that is more aligned with your values. It will be helpful to figure out your WHY, but that is not enough.  You must communicate it to others who are important in sustaining your goals. If you are a business owner, helping your employees understand WHY you are in business and they will become more loyal to your mission. If you are an employee, understanding your WHY will bring you an increased sense of purpose and sharing it with others will strengthen bonds within your team. Finding your WHY and communicating it to those who are important to you is an exercise worth pursuing. I hope this post inspires you to find yours.

7 Tricks for negotiating in business situations

7 Tricks for negotiating in business situations Your gender might matter most when it comes to negotiation women just arent as good at it as men. Part of the reason for this is that women are more hesitant to ask. But to be fair, women who negotiate competitively are judged negatively, whereas men arent. BATNA Thousand Another factor that has a huge impact on your ability to negotiate is the power of your BATNA or Best Alternative to a Negotiated Deal. William Ury, author of the negotiation bible Getting to Yes, says that the key to effective negotiation is learning how to read the core needs of each side. If you can estimate the BATNA of each party, then youll be clear on where you can push during the compromising stages. I learned about Urys methods when my husband and I were in couples therapy. The therapist taught us to stop trying to change each others needs and to understand them instead. This is how we got better at accommodating each other in a way that didnt crush us. And it was a great lesson in negotiating that went way beyond our marriage. Meeting Expectations Ury focuses on strategy he teaches how to understand the big picture from both sides. But you also need to have some tactical plans. I learned mine from one of my former bosses. My strengths are management and coming up with ideas. One of the reasons I took a job with this guy was because I knew he had totally different skills from mine: He was a great dealmaker, especially in business meetings. This boss gave me so much negotiating advice it could fill 50 columns. Here are seven of the most memorable tactics I learned from him: 1. Dont attend a meeting without decision-makers. If you cant get the meeting organizers to tell you wholl be making decisions about the items under discussion, tell them youre sending an admin to the meeting in your place. When they complain, say, Then why dont we both send our decision-makers? 2. Dont take a meeting unless you know whos attending. If the person who scheduled the meeting wont tell you whos going to be there, call just before the meeting and say, Im calling to see if the meetings still on. Please give me a call. When my former boss did this and got a call back 10 minutes later saying that the meeting was on, he asked, Great, whos coming? 3. Always have a scapegoat handy for hard questions. This is a person who takes the first shot at an answer to tough questions. When my boss and I went into a partnership meeting and they asked how we would handle billing to small businesses, I told them wed do it by hand. After a half-minute of me going on, my boss came up with a more reasonable answer because I had bought him the time to think. 4. Treat your lawyer like your friend. Of course,  the companys  lawyer was my bosss friend because he only hired his friends. But lawyers at top-tier firms are generally smart people who shunned a risky career path by going to law school and then straight into a big law firm. Consequently, they can keep a meeting strategy in their head and help you think of the other companys point of view. And while some people say lawyers are slow thinkers, I think this is an illusion created by hourly billing. 5. Inundate the other side with information. When my boss and I met with venture capitalists, they fired off question after question. We began to be able to predict their questions and created bright, visual charts and diagrams to answer them. This caused the VCs to slow down in order to look at the charts, which allowed us to finally say what we wanted to say. 6. Dont fidget. In the first meeting I had with my boss, he noticed that I dropped my pen eight times. A fidgeter doesnt know shes fidgeting because shes too absorbed in the fidgeting. Someone whos relaxed and confident doesnt look rigid, and definitely doesnt fidget. Even if you cant master this, at least look around the room to see who has: Theyll be the toughest negotiator. 7. Believe youre good at negotiating. If you think youre bad, youll be bad. If you believe youre smart and you do a lot of preparation, then theres no reason not to think youre good. If you really, really dont think youre a good negotiator, go to work for someone like my ex-boss. When youre surrounded by great dealmakers, some of it starts to rub off on you thats how it worked for me.

Creative Writing Resume - Tips For Your Writing Resume

Creative Writing Resume - Tips For Your Writing ResumeOne of the most difficult things to do when you are seeking employment is preparing a creative writing resume. Not only does it involve a great deal of time and thought, but it is also often one of the most important documents that you submit with your application for an entry-level position.The following are some tips to help you prepare a creative writing resume. By first reading this article, you will then be prepared to present it to the recruiter or employer in the best possible light. This is something that you must learn to do.When it comes to creative writing resumes, it is best to start out with an outline. This will make it easier to read through your resume and make sure that everything is presented correctly. In addition, it will give you a better idea of what you should write when you are presenting your resume.When writer's block strikes, go back over what you wrote in the outline. Look at your writing again. Make su re that all of the elements in your resume are there. Make sure that all of the information is presented correctly.If you have ever written a novel, resume writing is a lot like that. Do not keep a resume that is just information. It has to be something that can jump out at the recruiter. If it is not impressive enough, it is not going to impress anyone.There are many ways to incorporate your writing resume into your cover letter. First, you can use your resume as a way to stand out from the rest of the resumes on the table. Be unique. Include some personal information about yourself that the employer can use to see why you would be a good candidate for the job.You can also include your skills as well as your own skill. Make sure that you mention your abilities in these areas as well. You can always talk about your writing ability and how it relates to the job that you are applying for. This is something that you need to work on and perfect in order to present your resume in the bes t possible way.Also, make sure that you leave yourself enough time to get your resume finished. This will allow you to focus on the things that are important while allowing your resume to be complete before you submit it. One of the most important things that you must remember when you are writing a creative writing resume is that it is your job to make sure that it is as impressive as possible.

Monday Tip Change your to-do list to a could-do list - The Chief Happiness Officer Blog

Monday Tip Change your to-do list to a could-do list - The Chief Happiness Officer Blog Are you also burdened by your todo-list? Feeling the pressure of overdue items screaming at you in red? Want to stop procrastinating and do something about it? Heres a tip from Hilda Carroll, who wrote me with a great idea that you can try this Monday: I saw your request for tips, and this is something I?ve been doing for several months now when I noticed my ?To Do? list was generating a sense of frustration. Now, I write a ?Could Do? list, instead of a ?To Do? list. When I draw up my daily lists of tasks I refuse to see it as stuff I have to get done. When I did that in the past, I?d feel a sense of dissatisfaction at the end of the day when I didn?t have everything ticked off, despite the fact that I knew when I wrote it, it was highly unlikely I?d get to everything. It?s a tiny shift, but by viewing it as a list of things I could do today, I?m relieving the pressure to get them all done. It feels like there?s more of an element of choice around how I spend my time ? I don?t have to do x today, I could leave it till tomorrow and focus more attention on y today instead. Now, at the end of the day, I don?t mind how many ticks I do or don?t have against the items on my list, and I feel better about my day?s work because there is no shadow from what I should have done and didn?t. I think thats a fantastic idea. Its a subtle shift inside your own mind that is likely to help you get started. In my experience, taking the pressure off yourself makes you more likely to get stuff done. Which is of course a sharp contrast to traditional business thinking which holds that greater pressure = greater performance. If youre still not getting your could-do items done, you can also read my previous post on How to procrastinate effectively. The Chief Happiness Officers Monday tips are simple, easy, fun things you can do to make yourself and others happy at work and get the work-week off to a great start. Something everyone can do in five minutes, tops. When you try it, write a comment here to tell me how it went. Previous monday tips. Thanks for visiting my blog. If you're new here, you should check out this list of my 10 most popular articles. And if you want more great tips and ideas you should check out our newsletter about happiness at work. It's great and it's free :-)Share this:LinkedInFacebookTwitterRedditPinterest Related

Dust Off Your Professional Development Plan

Dust Off Your Professional Development Plan Professional development is offered as a perk at many companies so their employees continue to grow their skills. Whether it is an annual conference or several training seminars, employees often have several opportunities to continue their development. Professional  Development Is It Worth It? Most times, we are told about the professional development opportunities when we are first hired. But, after time, do we take advantage of them? When the classes come up do we feel that were too busy to take a day off just to learn a few new things? Do we feel like we will be punished for going to a training seminar by having to work weekends to make up the work that we missed? While you may have to work extra hours to make-up for the missed work, think through the long-term benefits of the training. This advice can apply anytime you have to make a trade-off between short-term goals and long-term aspirations. Ask yourself the following: What skills will you learn? Can you apply them directly to this job? Can you apply them to other jobs? Will they make you a more valuable employee to the company (especially around performance review time)? Will they allow you to move to the next position you were striving for? Will the new skills make you a highly sought after candidate for a new job at a new company? Professional Development  Shouldnt Stop Once we graduate from college, our learning shouldn’t stop. Continuous learning can benefit us in many ways. Whether you are taking a class to learn new skills or reading an industry blog to find out where your industry is headed, we can utilize this knowledge in our career development. This knowledge and these skills can set us up for success in our current job or close the gap on the skills we need for a promotion. Take an inventory of what you are doing to learn new information or skills: reading industry publications/websites, taking training courses, attending annual conferences, attending lunch-and-learn meetings, joining networking groups, volunteering, etc. Once you have a grasp of what you are doing, ask yourself â€" what should you be doing? Make a plan to fill in some of those gaps in your current professional development plan. You will have to make some short-term sacrifices but taking this action now will only benefit you in the future. Tell us about your career development plans in the comments section below. What has helped your career the most?