51 Alternatives to a Real Job, Final Proof and What Ive Learned

51 Alternatives to a Real Job, Final Proof and What Ive Learned Yesterday I spent a good 12 hours doing the final proof of my third book, 51 Alternatives to a Real Job.  This is my third book, although Ive done three editions of my other books, so it was my sixth book writing exercise.  Here are some things Ive learned: Writing a book is really, really hard.  I tell people to write books (not always for-print books), and its easy to say in front of an audience, but there is a TON of work and tenacity that goes into getting a book ready for print.  My very first book (Im on LinkedIn Now What???) was about 20,000 words.  This book looks like it is just shy of 50,000 words (which is about 170 pages). I made the work on this book harder than it was going to be. You might know this was originally titled 101 Alternatives to a Real Job what happened??  Well, I realized I needed to interview people who were doing the type of work I was writing about.  Managing those interviews was like herding cats, and it was just too much.  I had about 47 done when I decided just a few more Hence, 51 instead of 101.  And Im glad I stopped there I really didnt want a 400 page book! I fell in love, then out of love, then in like, then hated, then in love again, then in like, and, well, its a very confusing relationship.  I forget how working on a long-term project that requires a ton of thinking can make you feel about the project.  I was convinced this was going to be the biggest book I ever wrote, then after going through draft after draft I thought this is just a glorified list, everyone will return it! Last night, as I was finishing the proofreading, my recurring thought was wow, thats a great quote there are a lot of pearls in this book!  I hope people get past the list of 51 alternatives, which you can get in the table of contents, and dive into the real meat of the book, which is the quotes from entrepreneurs.  There is a lot of amazing advice throughout the book.  And yes, Im proud and in love again.  I just sometimes dont want to look at it anymore :p Hyphens are funny.  My writing buddy, Google, has helped me throughout the process.  Is it door to door or door-to-door?  Google it.  When do you write word of mouth vs. word-of-mouth?  They are different I had no idea.  I used define:_____ a bunch of times, as well as synonym websites, to find the write words. Attention to detail is not my strength, normally, but with the feedback Ive gotten from my other work I know that I have to make this as good as possible. Last night I found about 150 changes to the final draft.  This means there is a final final draft, which should be cleaner than the final draft.  Im sure readers will find at least a dozen mistakes and a few dozen almost-good grammar choices.  Im a casual speaker and writer, and getting this good enough for a book is a stretch for me.  I know some people will not be able to get past those errors and shortcomings and will miss out on the real message of the book. Now the real work starts.  I have a neighbor who wrote a text book.  He ordered a garage full of books.  I think he still has them, maybe less one he gave his mother as a gift.  I am not going to inventory these books.  This was not a vanity play.  I want this book to permeate the market.  I want this book to sell a lot. Writing, editing, and getting a book to print is really, really hard.  But it is the easy part of the entire equation. Now, getting the word out and moving books thats the hard part.  Im up to the challenge There is more but I have to get back to things Ive been neglecting like my email and blog posts!  Check out the introduction to 51 Alternatives to a Real Job here. Pre Order Amount: $19.99 Shipping and handling: $3.99 Total: $23.98 Estimated Shipping Date: July 1 2013 51 Alternatives to a Real Job, Final Proof and What Ive Learned Yesterday I spent a good 12 hours doing the final proof of my third book, 51 Alternatives to a Real Job.  This is my third book, although Ive done three editions of my other books, so it was my sixth book writing exercise.  Here are some things Ive learned: Writing a book is really, really hard.  I tell people to write books (not always for-print books), and its easy to say in front of an audience, but there is a TON of work and tenacity that goes into getting a book ready for print.  My very first book (Im on LinkedIn Now What???) was about 20,000 words.  This book looks like it is just shy of 50,000 words (which is about 170 pages). I made the work on this book harder than it was going to be. You might know this was originally titled 101 Alternatives to a Real Job what happened??  Well, I realized I needed to interview people who were doing the type of work I was writing about.  Managing those interviews was like herding cats, and it was just too much.  I had about 47 done when I decided just a few more Hence, 51 instead of 101.  And Im glad I stopped there I really didnt want a 400 page book! I fell in love, then out of love, then in like, then hated, then in love again, then in like, and, well, its a very confusing relationship.  I forget how working on a long-term project that requires a ton of thinking can make you feel about the project.  I was convinced this was going to be the biggest book I ever wrote, then after going through draft after draft I thought this is just a glorified list, everyone will return it! Last night, as I was finishing the proofreading, my recurring thought was wow, thats a great quote there are a lot of pearls in this book!  I hope people get past the list of 51 alternatives, which you can get in the table of contents, and dive into the real meat of the book, which is the quotes from entrepreneurs.  There is a lot of amazing advice throughout the book.  And yes, Im proud and in love again.  I just sometimes dont want to look at it anymore :p Hyphens are funny.  My writing buddy, Google, has helped me throughout the process.  Is it door to door or door-to-door?  Google it.  When do you write word of mouth vs. word-of-mouth?  They are different I had no idea.  I used define:_____ a bunch of times, as well as synonym websites, to find the write words. Attention to detail is not my strength, normally, but with the feedback Ive gotten from my other work I know that I have to make this as good as possible. Last night I found about 150 changes to the final draft.  This means there is a final final draft, which should be cleaner than the final draft.  Im sure readers will find at least a dozen mistakes and a few dozen almost-good grammar choices.  Im a casual speaker and writer, and getting this good enough for a book is a stretch for me.  I know some people will not be able to get past those errors and shortcomings and will miss out on the real message of the book. Now the real work starts.  I have a neighbor who wrote a text book.  He ordered a garage full of books.  I think he still has them, maybe less one he gave his mother as a gift.  I am not going to inventory these books.  This was not a vanity play.  I want this book to permeate the market.  I want this book to sell a lot. Writing, editing, and getting a book to print is really, really hard.  But it is the easy part of the entire equation. Now, getting the word out and moving books thats the hard part.  Im up to the challenge There is more but I have to get back to things Ive been neglecting like my email and blog posts!  Check out the introduction to 51 Alternatives to a Real Job here. Pre Order Amount: $19.99 Shipping and handling: $3.99 Total: $23.98 Estimated Shipping Date: July 1 2013

3 Qualities of a Professional Resume Writer

3 Qualities of a Professional Resume WriterProfessional resume writing services provides jobs for people in the business world. But what do you need to know when hiring the right professional for your job? What are the qualities that a good resume writer must possess? There are several qualities you should look for in the person that is going to write your resume.If you're a student, chances are that you want your resume to be impressive. A good professional resume writer will add in some impressive information on your resume to make it stand out. Many people forget to add in the relevant information during the resume writing process. A professional will not only include what you want on your resume, but will make sure that it is clearly written and well organized.Resumes should be organized. Make sure that your resume is formatted and properly formatted. In this regard, the most important quality to look for in a professional is how well the resume is formatted. A good professional can be trusted to format the resume correctly.When hiring a professional for resume writing, you want to find someone who has worked in the business world. You want a professional to have a portfolio to show. A portfolio of sample resumes can be helpful when hiring a professional for resume writing services. You want to look for a professional who has samples of their work.When hiring a professional for resume writing, you want to look for someone who is thorough in the material they write on your resume. You need a resume that is organized and well structured. A professional will take the time to review your resume and organize it so that it is easy to read. This ensures that your resume stands out from the crowd and gets you noticed.An important quality to look for in a professional is how they present information. In order to get noticed, you need to have your resume be presented the way you want it to be. A professional will know what you want in your resume and will provide you with examples that show how your resume can be presented the way you want it to be. This makes the job much easier for you.Another important quality to look for in a professional is how well they know your company. You want a professional to be familiar with your industry so that they can put in the right information. They should also know your company and how it operates. This makes the job of creating your resume a breeze.One final quality to look for in a professional resume writer is how experienced they are. You want someone who knows what they are doing and is professional. You want a professional to hire but also make sure that they continue to improve as time goes by.

What Do Managers Want From Entry-Level Employees

What Do Managers Want From Entry-Level Employees When it comes to hiring entry-level employees, most hiring managers will place their focus more on the attributes an individual possess, over skills. Training can be given to those who they chose to hire, so skills can be learnt on the job,  however personal traits that make up what someone is like as a person  may influence  how they behave and perform as an employee. This infographic by Bridge, outlines the finding of a recent study by Instructure, that investigated  which factors managers take into consideration when hiring, which attributes are most important, and how they perceive employee competence. Takeaways:   The top attributes that a manager looks for in a new entry-level employee are  a good work ethic, the ability to work well in a team and professionalism. Though the characteristics that the least new hires actually possess are the ability to manage time, critical thinking and problem solving and the capability to communicate well with people. When asked about the most and least important traits an employee must have, 85% of managers surveyed said that work ethic is crucial, whereas 79% said that prestigious schooling wasnt particularly relevant. 85% of managers think that they provide effective training for new employees; however only 8% of managers believe that entry-level employees are prepared to immediately contribute to their organisation. 29% of managers think that team work can be trained and 27% think that technical/trade skills can. On the other hand, only 13% think that interpersonal skills and time management can be taught. Overall, most companies hire talent based on their soft skills, such as their attitude towards their work and personality traits, rather than technical skills and industry knowledge that they can be taught on the job. RELATED:  How to Be Spotted During Your Entry-Level Job Search

The Rise of the Specialist - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career

The Rise of the Specialist - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career I have a theory. It’s been developing for a few years. It’s been tested over the past couple of years. And it may be coming to a head now. Did the Great Recession Create Specialists? This is one conclusion I have come to. I’ve not  tested it  extensively with regressive and longitudinal studies, but I have noticed that a lot of people seem to have focused on specialization. Over the last few years, really since The Great Recession, there has been a transition in many of the  people I have observed in that they have transitioned from being a generalist to a specialist very quickly. This is especially true with new hires, and especially true with Millennials and Gen Z’s. This is not too unexpected. New hires are just starting their careers  â€" in the case of Gen Z’s this is likely their first big job, When they are just starting they are wide-eyed and looking at every facet of the business they can. As they grow in their careers I suspect there is a combination of what they themselves have divined from the business and also from their managers and mentors (Hopefully they have at least one). They realize (or have been told) that they need to focus … which is another way of saying that they need to become more specialized. There is a risk in specialization. From a Nature POV: A specialist species can only thrive in a narrow range of environmental conditions. A generalist species is able to thrive in a wide variety of environmental conditions and can make use of a variety of different resources Overall Im not sure its a good thing but it seems to be becoming prevalent and probably shouldnt be too surprising. There are great arguments on both sides of the Generalist vs. Specialist career path. I consider myself to be  a generalist. One way to look at this is that I like to be a mile wide and an inch deep on things. Of course, a specialist is exactly the opposite. I used to be a specialist, but I learned over time to widen the net. In doing so I found myself being much less of a deep dive specialist and much more of a broad generalist. I can see both sides of the argument. I’d like to get your point of view. A Few Big Questions I’d like you to think about and discuss are below: Does being a specialist help or hurt your career? Can specialists be successful entrepreneurs? Who Stands Out in Their Career more  â€" A Generalist or a Specialist? The BIG QUESTION is: Will there be more generalist or specialist jobs in the future? Discuss! Add your comments here and let’s see whether the generalists or the specialists can come up with a more cohesive argument.

Resume Writing Services in Bellevue WA

Resume Writing Services in Bellevue WAAs a service provider to many businesses, Bellevue WA is one of the fastest growing companies in this booming metro area. We are now handling resumes from many employers as well as office managers that we interviewed in person, on the phone, and online. The best candidates were recommended by our clients.In today's business world, resumes are all the rage. As the economy improves, resumes should continue to rise in popularity. As technology continues to evolve and continues to change how employers search for applicants, it is imperative to update your resume as often as possible.Before you begin, be sure to check with your employer and see if they have a need for you to do a SEO or search engine optimization on your resume. Many times a generic resume will get you results that you won't be able to get with an optimized resume. For example, while job listings are always updated, these listings may include a lot of outdated information, which may n ot be updated at the time your resume is being created.SEO and resume writing services can help with this. First, if your employer is currently looking for a candidate, they may tell you to add a little extra to your resume. Search engine optimization and a professional resume writing service can make your resume to be more competitive. Use the keyword phrases that they are most likely to use and see if it is able to make your resume rank higher in the search engines.After a few weeks of following their advice, you should notice some great results as far as SEO and resume writing services go. Your resume will start to appear in the search engines as high as number one, for the keywords that you used for your SEO campaign. This is where most hiring managers are looking.Now, there are no easy ways to create a resume. While everyone has different tastes, there are certain tricks that can be used to keep your resume updated as time goes on. A professional resume writer can do this for y ou and can also help to increase your chances of getting the position you want.So, you can see, there are plenty of advantages to using a professional resume writer. Not only can they do the writing for you, but they can also help you get the job you want. They can also help you boost your SEO and resume writing efforts by ensuring that your resume is as current as possible. After all, the most recent information is what employers are looking for.The Internet is full of information about how to best go about starting a new career opportunity. The next time you find yourself stuck on a question or want to get ideas about a job opening, take a look at the Internet. You will find that there are plenty of free tips to help you get ahead and have a great resume.

Skills For Resume Customer Service Skills

Skills For Resume Customer Service SkillsAs a recruiter, it is important that you also be familiar with the information you need to know for skills for resume customer service skills. These are some of the skills that could help your employer determine your true capabilities and determine if you would be a good candidate for a job.One of the first skills for resume customer service skills is that you are responsible for ensuring that your company's phones are answered. If you have a list of phone numbers on your company's website, you need to make sure that you are available to answer them each day. If you have a number of employees who will answer the phones but they are unable to do so on a regular basis, you need to make sure you have an alternate set of numbers to call that will accommodate the needs of your employees.Another skill for resume customer service skills is making sure that you are knowledgeable in getting things done, especially when you are working with other people . You need to know the best ways to ask your clients if they have questions, especially when you are dealing with customers who may not know their phone lines better than you do. Having these skills can help you establish rapport with both your clients and with your co-workers as well.Another skill for resume customer service skills is to speak to your client on a personal level. When you have a customer service representative, your customers are actually your friends and family members. They trust you to be able to offer them the support and care they need at all times. You should never stop visiting with them because of your busy schedule; your customers are probably more dependent on you than you know.In addition to knowing how to speak to your customers in a way that shows that you take them seriously, you also need to know the right things to say to avoid creating a bad impression. You need to be patient with your customers because they can only hold so much informationin their head at one time. If you have had a long wait or they have not received their item quickly enough, you need to give them space. Once you have dealt with their issues, you can move on to other clients.There are some other skills for resume customer service skills that you need to know if you are going to run a business such as a store. In order to handle your customer service, you need to be skilled in dealing with sales staff and clients alike. You need to know how to ask for help when needed and how to relate to your customers to ensure that you are able to effectively help them.If you have been making careers out of being a customer service representative, you might want to consider adding skills for resume customer service skills to your list. There are people out there who are looking for these types of services and you might be the best person to help them get hired. You should try to find out as much as you can about how you can make a career out of this type of work. You mig ht be surprised how many jobs are available and how much money you can make just by learning how to be an effective customer service representative.Skills for resume customer service skills are something that you can easily add onto your resume. As long as you know what to put on the resume and how to properly create a cover letter, you should be fine. These are all the skills you need to be an effective customer service representative for any company.

In a Job Search, Knowledge is Power

In a Job Search, Knowledge is Power This months Career Collective question is What is your favorite resource for job seekers? Some of my favorite resources for job seekers are those that allow you to research a company or industry and gain information on key decision makers. Many of the best jobs are in the hidden job market, meaning they are never formally advertised. By building inroads with the right people at the companies you are interested in targeting, you can gain a competitive advantage over job seekers spending most of their time in the open job market, mainly the job boards. By proactively building relationships with industry and company insiders, you increase the likelihood of remaining top of mind should a position become available. Here are a few of my favorite resources for job seekers.Jigsaw is an online directory of more than 8 million business contacts. Every contact in Jigsaw is complete with full name, title, postal address, hard-to-find email address and telephone number (75% are direct dial). Memb ership is free and you can get a contact by adding one of your own. For each one you add, you get access to any other in the Jigsaw directory. If youre too busy to add contacts, you can sign up for a premium account. A monthly fee of $25 guarantees you 25 contacts a month.FTT Research Leverage information on millions of domestic and international companies and in-depth coverage of thousands of the worlds top business enterprises to identify target companies and business contacts and accelerate your job search.The Vault allows job seekers to read employee surveys on particular companies and view message boards for sharing job search information.The Occupational Outlook Handbook reports comprehensive information on the training and education necessary to be qualified for different professions, working conditions, job earnings, expected job prospects, and job descriptions.Career One Stop profiles high paying occupations as well as growing and declining industries.Interested in hearing about more job seeker resources? I am facilitating a free webinar called Find Hidden Job Leads Online and at the Library that will be broadcast in over 100 libraries across the country on September 29 at 3pm EST. You can check with your local library to see if they are participating.In the meantime, check out the advice on job search resources from my esteemed Career Collective colleagues. If your industry does not participate online, you can lead the way, @Keppie_Careers6 Ideas to Put In Your Toolbox, @WorkWithIllness,Your Best Job Search Resource? You!, @WalterAkanaIn a Job Search, Knowledge is Power, @barbarasafaniJump Start Your Job Search Now!, @resumeserviceFavourite Resources for Jobseekers, @GayleHowardThe Best Job Search Tool Ever, @careersherpaFind What You Do Best, Know Your Stuff, and Connect, @chandlee27 Recommended Blogs for Entry-Level Job Seekers, @heatherhuhmanInvaluable Resources for Job Search Success, @heathermundellFavorite Social-Media Resources for Job-seekers , @KatCareerGalCanadian Resources for Job Seekers, @EliteResumes @MartinBucklandA Self-Empowering Job Search Resource, @KCCareerCoachCovering your bases: 5 ultra-useful online career resources, @LaurieBerensonFavorite resources for Job seekers, @DawnBugniTop 3 Resources for Job Seekers to Position Themselves as Experts and Increase their Visibility, @expatcoachmeganTime as a Career Resource: How Not to Squander It, @ValueIntoWords

Career Seekers Teleclass - Next class begins June 5th - Hallie Crawford

Career Seekers Teleclass - Next class begins June 5th Imagine waking up each morning and looking forward to going to work. Imagine feeling excited and enthusiastic about your job. Imagine being so involved in what you’re doing at work that time seems to fly by. Sound impossible? It’s not! It’s simply a matter of deciding what you really want to do … and than finding the career or position that matches those desires. And this is exactly what happens in the Career Seekers Teleclass. We talk about what it takes to find a career you can fully and completely enjoy. Click here to listen to the intro teleclass for Career Seekers: Finding a Career that FITS Does This Describe You? You feel like you’re at a dead end. You want to move on but you’re too scared to take the next step. Or perhaps you simply don’t know the next step. You have an idea of what you want to do career-wise, but you’re afraid to invest the time and energy into something that isn’t a fit. You’re on the fence. You’re not totally unhappy where you are, but you feel there must be something out there that’s more suited to your interests and talents. Then the Career Seeker Teleclass is for you! In it, you will learn how to: Define your ideal career path Overcome your fears and build your self-confidence Identify your natural talents, values, and priorities and put them to work for you Focus on what you want and actively move towards your goals Develop a sense of empowerment to achieve your desires Create a plan of action and put it into effect Plus you will hear and gain inspiration from successful people who are working in a field they love. The Career Seekers Teleclass is a group course that is conducted over the phone, so you can easily participate from your home or office. During the sessions, you will have the opportunity to ask questions, as well as share your accomplishments with others as the class progresses. What You Get Three 55 minute calls per month for four months (a total of 12 classes). Feedback and support from: A certified professional coach Others in the group who are going through the same thing you are A group buddy Career Seekers Workbook Unlimited private email access to me (to assist with your homework if needed) All teleclass calls are recorded, so if you can listen later if you miss one. PLUS you receive the Jumpstart Your Career audio recording (a $15 value)! Click to reserve your space now!