The top courses to help get you hired September 2015

The top courses to help get you hired September 2015 by Michael Cheary Want to go back to school? We can help with that…So six weeks of summer* are just about behind us, and everyone’s settling in to their old routines. But if you’re not feeling ready to get back to the grind just yet, there are plenty of qualifications out there to help your career take a whole new direction.If you’re looking to learn something new this September, here are three of the top courses on reed.co.uk right now:Cognitive Behavioural Therapy DiplomaConsidering a career in counselling? Here’s something to think about…Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, or CBT, is a type of psychotherapy which aims to help people deal with the issues they face by changing their negative mindset.Although originally seen as a treatment for anxiety and depression, CBT has gone on to provide an essential lifeline for people suffering from a wide range of mental and physical health problems, making a difference in thousands of lives worldwide as a result.This fully cert ified CBT Diploma course will teach you a wide range of CBT techniques, not to mention help you to identify any of your own thoughts and behaviours that may be limiting your progress in life.Upon completion, you will receive three CBT Diploma certificates from the IANLPC, the IAHT and Centre of Excellence. Which could not only help improve your career prospects, but also happen to sound pretty impressive on a business card. Just saying.CBT: Proof that positivity officially pays off.What do I need? There are no formal pre-requisites.How long will it last? Around 200 hours of home study.Perfect for: People who are big fans of Pavlov.CBT Diploma »Diet and Nutritional Advisor courseAccording to the old adage, you are what you eat. Unfortunately, that isn’t always a good thing. Especially for those of us that still consider crisp sandwiches an acceptable evening meal.With many of our diets falling firmly under the category of ‘could do better’, Nutritionists and Dietitians are bec oming invaluable outlets in helping us make more informed choices when it comes to what we consume.This distance learning course covers topics ranging from the understanding the digestive process and improving metabolism, right up to dealing with allergies and the importance of supplements. Once completed, you’ll be ready to see clients as a fully certified Nutritionist, and have the potential to earn up to £30,000 a year.At the very least, your Instagram will become infinitely more interesting…What do I need? No previous qualifications or experience neccessary.How long will it last? Approximately 150 hours.Perfect for: People who really, really like Kale.Diet and Nutritional Advisor course »Microsoft Office Specialist courseWhatever industry you’re in, some skills never go out of fashion. And when it comes to core computing skills, Microsoft Office certainly falls within that category.Becoming a Microsoft Office Specialist not only validates your expertise and ability to us e the full Office arsenal, it also looks pretty impressive when it comes to your CV. So whether you want to excel at Excel, improve your Outlook or make your Word mean more, this is the course for you. Also, you know, something about Powerpoint.And the best part? You don’t need to own a copy of office yourself to get started. So no more asking your mates for their passkeys (this definitely didn’t work), or persevering with a copy of Word that’s so 1995.It’s win-win.What do I need? Access to a computer. That’s pretty much it.How long will it last? Around 120 hours (part-time)Perfect for: People who are sick of taking advice from a paperclip.Microsoft Office Specialist course »*Actual length of summer may vary  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

What an Executive Resume Writing Service Can Do For You

What an Executive Resume Writing Service Can Do For YouThe role of an executive resume writing service in the hiring process is significant, and plays a critical role in terms of quality. In addition to writing a nice, organized document for an individual who has been in your company for a while, you will also be offering that individual, certain services that might not be available to them otherwise.One service that they provide to their clients is that of interviewing a candidate's previous employment and assessing his or her suitability for the job. This means that the executive resume writing service in Sacramento can offer various levels of interaction with the candidate - so they know exactly what kind of relationship they can expect from them. Additionally, they will work with the candidate to provide additional information about them that is provided as part of the job application process.Additionally, the executive resume writing service in Sacramento can assess the qualific ations and experience of a particular job position by referring to a job history of the individual. This means that when you hire an executive resume writing service in Sacramento, you will be able to get the information you need without even having to visit the individual's previous work environment.A job as an executive resume writing service means that you have an incredibly convenient resource to refer to when you are in need of particular information for a position within your organization. The executive resume writing service in Sacramento will ask specific questions relating to their needs, and the person you provide with the answer will be contacted by them to see what kind of assistance they can provide. This is a valuable asset for anyone looking to hire employees at a particular time.You can find the right person or team of people to help you with this work if you keep your eyes peeled for any vacancies in the area. All individuals working at an executive resume writing s ervice in Sacramento will receive a pay increase when they help you by writing resumes for you, and they do so as a courtesy to you. Whenyou have someone you feel comfortable with working with, and they are offering you services, there is nothing to stop you from receiving referrals for other individuals who can assist you as well.The most important thing to remember when seeking the services of an executive resume writing service in Sacramento is that you will be receiving specific information about the type of applicant you have. That means that you should carefully watch for individuals who are associated with an organization that is going through a transition period, or one that is struggling to keep people in the field. The last thing you want to do is waste your time and effort on people who do not have the appropriate skills and can in fact contribute little to your organization.It is also wise to take a look at the type of past jobs that the executive resume writing service in Sacramento has provided for you to find out if they have ever had anything negative to say about those individuals. Some people just do not enjoy working for their former employers and may attempt to contact you for a referral. Also, you will want to consider that if your former employers were generally unfavorable to your former employers, the same could possibly be said about the individual you will be working with.Being able to establish the best possible relationship with the executive resume writing service in Sacramento, will go a long way towards making sure that you have the necessary information in order to get the best results. One great way to do this is to simply pay attention to your reputation, and make sure that they are using the services of a reputable company who will always provide you with a pleasant experience. By doing this, you will be able to obtain results that are worthwhile and productive for your career in no time at all.

5 Rules for Maintaining Your Brand Once You Have the Job - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career

5 Rules for Maintaining Your Brand Once You Have the Job - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career You’ve worked hard to build your brand in order to land a job. Now you have a job (yay!), so what happens to your brand? Does it get consumed by your employer, or should you continue to develop it? 1. Devote XX amount of time each week to your brand. Just like before you landed your job, decide what amount of time is necessary to either maintain or continue to enhance your personal brand now that you have a full-time job. This time will likely be less than in the past, but it’s important not to stop devoting attention to your personal brand altogether. After all, what if you were to lose your job tomorrow? Scary thought, I know, but in this economy you have to be ready for the worst! 2. Commit to brand-promoting activities both within and outside of the workplace. Your time isn’t as free as it once was, but determine what avenues of promoting your brand have the most impact. For some people, that might be blogging â€" for others, Twitter. Just be sure not to over-commit your time. Also, find ways while you’re at work to promote your personal brand, even if just among your colleagues. Because you cannot possibly know what the future holds, consider everyone a potential audience. Does your personal brand involve being a “social media guru”? Offer to host a brown bag lunch to teach your co-workers how to use Twitter. 3. Be conscious of your appearance. The Internet is a wonderful thing, and when it comes to personal branding, it allows us to shape the image of ourselves we want to portray to the world. However, once you enter the in-person workplace, you need to be sure to not let your appearance slide. Been hiding that nose ring? Save it for around the house and with your friends. Even seemingly minor “indiscretions” can tarnish a brand. Take the opportunity to dress at least one level above where you currently reside in the organization. 4. Involve yourself in workplace activities related to your personal brand. Is there an opportunity to represent your organization at a networking event or trade show in which you brand would benefit your employer? Just because you now have a “9-to-5” doesn’t mean your brand goes away. In fact, this could be a great opportunity to receive additional professional development and grow your brand faster than ever before! 5. Don’t compromise your brand for your new employer. You own your personal brand, not your employer. So, let’s say your brands aligned when you started and now they no longer do. It’s up to you whether you move on or stay put, but outside of work, your brand direction should be controlled by you, not your employer. If you’re blogging, for example, be sure to include a disclaimer that the opinions on the blog are yours alone and do not necessarily align with those of your employer. Author: Heather R. Huhman is a career expert and founder president of Come Recommended, an exclusive online community connecting the best internship and entry-level job candidates with the best employers. She is also the national entry-level careers columnist for Examiner.com and blogs about career advice at HeatherHuhman.com.

Networking at Conferences Part 2 - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career

Networking at Conferences â€" Part 2 - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career Though numbers may be down this year due to the economy, according to Meetings Conventions magazine, more than 27 million people attend conferences, trade shows, and conventions each year. And the main reason they go is to network. It’s no surprise then that in their brochures and on their websites, conference organizers take great pains to stress the fantastic networking opportunities the event provides. While last weeks post covered some of the preparation work you can do BEFORE you arrive at the conference to help you focus and maximize your time, this weeks post will help you engage in more productive conversations once youre there! Don’t sell Unless you’re attending a true industry buying event where the purpose is to bring buyers and sellers together to place orders and get deals done, most conferences are set up more for information sharing and connecting.   In those cases, people are rarely primed to buy. No one is walking around thinking, “I’m really in the mood to hire a consultant today” or “I’m not leaving until I spend millions on computer software.”   So avoid turning your conversations into sales pitches, even if you know for certain that you can help. Better to use the face-to-face time with other participants to establish a genuine connection by asking questions and understanding what their goals are, rather than talking about your company and your services ad nauseum.   The purpose is to make an impression as a helpful resource, someone with whom they’d like to continue the conversation, not as a used car salesman ready to pounce. Focus your discussions Connections happen through conversation, but if you’re not prepared, most of your discussions will consist primarily of small talk.   While some of this is necessary to get the ball rolling, too much won’t advance your relationship very far. After building rapport with someone, you want to move quickly into more interesting territory. Ask questions about what brings them to the conference and what theyre looking for.   People love to talk about themselves and find it easy to do so, so there won’t be much work for you but to listen. Then once it’s your turn, you can share your own objectives on what you hope to accomplish at the conference. Perhaps you’ll discover commonalities, ways you can help each other, or possibilities to make connections to other folks in your respective networks. Get the right people to come to you No matter how hard you work the event, you can’t possibly get to every person you need to meet. You can be much more efficient with your time, however, by attracting the right people to you.   One way to do this is by asking a question in one of the presentation sessions.   But don’t just ask the question.   Use a quick five-second intro to preface it. A gentleman in one of my workshops tried this during the QA session of a conference seminar.   He raised his hand, stood up and said, “My name is Bob Smith with The Mergers Acquisitions Company (note: name and company changed).   We help privately-held businesses find an exit strategy, and my question is…” then he launched into his question. He said that after the session, five people approached him and he got business from three of them.   Why?   People knew what he did, his question was smart, and he sounded confident.   He never would have found those specific people on his own in the room of 200, so he did something to make them seek him out.   They self-selected, making his job a lot easier. You can do the same thing.   All it takes is some prep work before the conference to pick the keynote or breakout session most likely to attract your biggest target audience, develop your intro (make sure its short!) and question tied to the topic (make sure its relevant!), and practice so you speak effortlessly and forcefully.   Then stand back and watch what happens. Next week, Ill finish up this 3-part series with a few more strategies to take your conference networking to the next level. Author: Liz Lynch is founder of the  Center for Networking Excellence and  author of Smart Networking: Attract a Following In Person and Online (McGraw-Hill, 2008).  She writes, speaks and consults to experienced professionals on  how to seamlessly integrate social media and traditional networking to save time and  accelerate results.

Nurse Resume Example - What You Need to Know Before You Start Writing Your Resume

Nurse Resume Example - What You Need to Know Before You Start Writing Your ResumeA nurse resume example can help you get started in writing the section that they most likely will be reading when you apply for the position. They can even provide you with pointers and tips on what to include and which areas to keep straight.The nurse resume example will contain all of the information that you will need. You will have to make sure that you have included everything, including your educational background, and work experience. The example that you will find should contain everything that you will need.In order to make the document that you will be writing easier to read, you will want to make sure that you are including your previous experience as well as your education. You will want to put everything that you have ever done. It is a good idea to do this even if you have not had much experience as a nurse. It will make it easier to read if you include your previous experience and do not c ut any information out.If you are going to include your education, you may also want to include anything that you have ever taken online. It does not have to be a degree. You can also use this type of education to include your credits from a community college or other college. Make sure that you have listed everything that you have ever received for classes.When you are listing your past experience, you will want to list everything that you have done. If you have ever worked as a nurse, or as a medical assistant, you will want to list them under 'other' information. This will make it easier for the person who is reviewing your resume to see who you actually have worked for. Do not put things in your past experience unless they relate to the specific job that you are applying for.Of course, one major factor that you will want to take into consideration is youreducation. This should include everything that you have ever attended, including vocational and technical schools and even com munity colleges. Include every program that you have attended for at least two years.You will want to be sure that you add up all of the credits that you have obtained for your education. You will want to list them as degrees as well as certificate programs. They will be listed in order of their most recent date. You will want to include all of the colleges and universities that you have attended.Nursing school is just one of the many jobs that you will have in your life. It will be a good idea for you to use the nursing resume example as a guide when you are first starting out.

Are You Looking For Your Next Job the Right Way CareerMetis.com

Are You Looking For Your Next Job the Right Way â€" CareerMetis.com If your job search currently entails printing off a generic CV or posting one on a job site, you may not be maximizing your opportunities. In fact, in the modern job market, there are a range of things you can do to optimize your employment potential. The most effective of which you can read about in the post below.1) Use social mediaevalInstead of dropping off a CV to local businesses, why not use something that most of us have already, social media. Of course, you can often use social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter to track down the best job opportunities in your area.evalHowever, if you really want to optimize your chances of getting the best position possible, you need to choose something like LinkedIn. A platform designed specifically for career and employment purposes.In fact, the key here is to make an effort not just to list your work history.Instead, you need to fill in your profile fully, as well as get testimonials from those you have worked with. Then you will have the best chance of coming up in people searches when they are looking for someone to fill a position.Of course, there are other things you can do via social media to boost your chances of landing the best job possible too. One of these is to create contenton the field on which you are working. Something that helps to set you out as an expert in your area, and further boosts your reputation when it comes to applying for the best roles.eval2) Consider referralsSometimes it is not just what we know that can land us the best job, but who we know as well. After all, the most reliable intelligence on a potential employee is a referralfrom someone an employer is already familiar with.Happily, there are likely plenty of people that can help you with this. In fact, if you are currently looking for a new post, don’t be afraid to get back in contact with supervisors and manager you have worked with in the past.The reason being they are the ones most likely to know of anyone that is hiri ng. You can often find the newest job the fastest this way too.3) Customizing your CV evalIf you want your job search to be as effective as possible, it’s often a wise idea to look at your CV.In particular, ensuring that you don’t send a generic resume to every job you are interested in is vital. Otherwise, you could end up pouting potential employer off rather than securing an interview.Instead, it’s crucial to take note of the skills and qualities mentioned in the job specification you are applying for. Then you can make sure that your resume makes reference to these along with evidence of when you have used them. This being something that is much more likely to get you through the candidate selection phase.4) Getting help from an employment agency Another way to make your job search much more effective is to work with one of the many employment agenciesout there. In fact, doing this can help to connect you with businesses that have the best opportunities much more quickly t han if you go it alone.Some agencies even offer advice and training too. Something that will ensure your skills stay razor-sharp, and help you to be as employable as possible even while you’re not in work. Something that can make a massive difference on your applications when the opportunities do start to come your way.eval5) Volunteer positions and internshipsLastly, interning canhelp you get the job you really want. Especially if you are thinking of changing careers, or you are trying to break into a particularly competitive field.evalIn fact, just by having some evidence of commitment to your field on your CV, you can help yourself stand head shoulders above the competition.Of course, an additional benefit interning is that you get to see what your day to day life in such a career will really be like. Something that can help you know you are making the right decision, or help you to readjust your course if you find it’s not quite what you thought it might be. The latter being incredibly valuable for your career progression in the long term.SummaryIn summary, you may not be approaching your job search effectively if you aren’t using social media sites like LinkedIn. Also, finding somebody that will make a personal referral can really help you get your foot in the door, as can working with an employment agency.Don’t forget either that you CV needs to be customized to the role you are applying for as well. Oh, and if you can’t get a paid gig straight away, do consider an intern roll!

Reasons to Choose a Strategic Management Career - CareerAlley

Reasons to Choose a Strategic Management Career - CareerAlley We may receive compensation when you click on links to products from our partners. Strategic planning is used in most corporate, marketing and management environments. It is the foundation of marketing and the business decision making process, therefore it can be a very lucrative field for university students wanting to complete a business oriented degree which also offers aspects of communications, advertising and journalism specialties. What Educational Credentials are Required? A degree in this field combines business communications with public relations and advertising. In this field, students build presentation, critical thinking skills and writing presentation abilities. But some schools take the career field even further, offering specialized courses such as account management or creative classes that allow students to get a more globalized view and understanding of their field. Types of Courses General courses include statistics and those that are journalism oriented. For students entering internship programs this can be a hands-on work-study program, preparing students in the professional fields of: Mass media communication (Internet, TV, Radio, public speaking) Statistics Communication ethics Communication psychology Computer management Effective advertising strategies Corporate public relations Marketing strategies Why Choose this Career? There are actually a number of reasons to choose strategic planning. It offers many educational, personal growth and salary growth opportunities involving several different areas such as advertising, online media management, and business management and coordination. Future Professional Opportunities A person who studies in this field can enter the advertising, public relations or online marketing field. This person has specialized within these areas and can work at a variety of business in both the non profit and profit business sector. They usually find very lucrative career growth within businesses in the following departments: Sales management Online media marketing specialist Account management. Further Educational Opportunities Those students wishing to continue studying or furthering their career opportunities after completing a bachelors degree in this area can earn a Masters degree in areas such as strategic communication or management. These higher education programs prepare graduates even further in areas such as academics and research. With these higher degrees students can seek opportunities in business management or in academia and research, teaching and investigating innovative techniques within specific communications and advertising fields. Work Environment According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics most of these professionals work in large corporate environments and in the advertising and promotions industry. Even so, many of these jobs are decentralizing from the corporate main offices and many professionals are opting to either telecommute from home or their own private office. Salary The median annual salary for this professional will vary based on an individuals educational background and the industry he works in. Still, this usually ranges from about $50,000 to more than $166,000 per year. Although the work environment is comfortable and often in a relaxed atmosphere, the average work hours this professional puts in can be somewhat long, often ranging at about 50 hours per week. Job Growth Outlook Employment in the field is expected to grow at about an average of 13% over the next 10 years, which is about as fast as for all other career fields, and may be even more as the digital industry continues to extend and more professionals are needed to manage and plan strategic marketing campaigns for businesses of all sizes around the world. Richard Kleven is an independent education researcher. He has recently been researching Strategic Management Masters programs and reporting his findings to higher education blogs. This is a Guest post. If you would like to submit a guest post to CareerAlley, please follow these guest post guidelines. Good luck in your search. Visit me on Facebook

Finding a Job When You Are an Older Worker

Finding a Job When You Are an Older Worker One of the most difficult positions people can find themselves in is to be unemployed towards the end of their career. Many people think that the best option is to take early retirement if possible. This is not only untrue, but it can also be devastating to your financial goals. Older workers, those over 45, have a great deal to offer and most corporations recognize this. They actively recruit end-of-career hires because of the dedication and stability that they bring to a team. It has long been assumed that the most desirable age for a new worker is between 23 and 25. This is no longer the case in most fields! Longevity is now being seen as a positive. Consider that on the resume of someone who has been in the workforce for 20 years a hiring manager has a tremendous amount of information about the person before ever meeting him. The manager can see how stable his employment has been, what types of projects he or she been working on and for how long; having decades of experience is always a positive trait. If you are an over 45 worker that suddenly finds yourself looking for a new position, play up your longevity. Make sure you are familiar with all the latest trends. This is where networking is great because it will help you be sure you havent missed anything important. Then play up your contacts, your education and your projects. Use your wisdom and skill to your advantage and in no time you will be employed again, and perhaps in an even better position than you thought possible.