Is Your Dalhousie University Resume Writing Strategy Working?

Is Your Dalhousie University Resume Writing Strategy Working?If you want to be successful in your attempt to hire a new employee for your Dalhousie University career, there are many aspects of your resume that need to be taken into consideration. These factors range from the most important features of a resume to the least important ones and this article will provide an overview of these aspects to help you determine what type of resume you should be writing.The first part of a resume is the summary, and this portion is not necessary if the job vacancy posting that you received is a university job advertisement. But if it's not, then you should include the job description, the job location, and the duties required for the position as well as any education and work experience. If you don't have these items already included, then you should put them in your summary.In the summary section, you can also add any education that you have had that you think would be helpful for the applicant , or just a little extra information about yourself. The rest of the sections are going to be devoted to details about the past employment that will help you present your skills and abilities to the hiring manager. This section of your resume should contain your education, work experience, awards, professional organizations, volunteer experience, and a summary of any honors that you may have received.Finally, the resume should be formatted properly and be error free. All these documents that you write should be accurate. Be sure to make any necessary corrections before sending the resume along to the employer. Your resume should not only look great, but it should also be easy to read and you should always proofread before sending it.You should also pay attention to the spacing in your resume. When making changes to your resume, make sure that you can retype it so that it's correct. Also, make sure that the resume has enough spacing between the paragraphs.The resume is a document tha t has been approved by the University before it goes out to the world. This means that there is a certain format that is acceptable and that you need to adhere to it in order to have your resume approved. There is no point in submitting a resume that doesn't follow the rules and regulations.It's also important that you don't imitate other resumes that you see out there. Make sure that your resume is different from others that are currently on the market. Also, you should try to find information about specific industry sectors and this will help you understand what is being offered in the job posting you are looking at.Just like with any other written document, your resume needs to be revised on a regular basis. Some of the information that you might have forgotten or that was incorrect on your resume will eventually become apparent as you go through the process of hiring a new employee. The only way to avoid this is to revamp your resume regularly.

We asked a recruiter for their 6 top tips for video interviews

We asked a recruiter for their 6 top tips for video interviews This article was written in collaboration with Capgemini Consulting. Find out more about roles and opportunities available at Capgemini Consulting by downloading the Debut app. Its the part of the recruitment process that takes most of us by surprise. Video interviews?! We live in the world of Snapchat and Instagram Stories Ive got this in the bag, many of us may think but actually video interviews seem so much easier than they really are. Unfortunately, video interviews arent for everyone; we cant all be stars of the screen after all. Even in this age of social media and YouTube influencers, there are some fundamentals to bossing a video interview we all need to know. Well, fear not, because weve searched high and low for somebody who can save video from killing the interview star, and his name is Christopher Baird a Management Consultant at Capgemini. We asked him if he could reveal the mystic ways of the video interview, and he very kindly obliged. Why do employers use video interviews? Well, because bodies talk, as they say. Body language, hand gestures and facial expressions are really important in communication, and you don’t get any of these with a telephone interview, Christopher says. And its true, video interviewing does give you that extra element of human contact with an employer you wouldnt get without being there face-to-face. A video interview is your chance to really convey what youre passionate about, at your own pace, and without the thousand-yard piercing stare of a recruiter on you. The Dos Do a test run The whole itll be alright on the night mentality? Yeah, it doesnt really fly for video interviews. There are a lot of different moving parts your background, your lighting, your microphone and camera. Its not as simple as it seems. Christopher says: This applies both to the technology and your general interview preparation. Make sure the technology (webcam, microphone etc.) works and that it all looks good in the final recording. Look at the camera, not the screen If there was ever a golden rule for a video interview situation, its this: resist the temptation to look at yourself on the screen. Youll look like youre staring at the ground and thats not a strong look. Looking directly into the webcam may feel weird, but it gives the illusion of eye contact, so make sure you keep it at eye-level. It might seem unnatural, so take the time to practice answering questions whilst looking at the camera, not the screen, Christopher recommends. Be yourself They say in Hollywood you need to fake it till you make it. For video interviews, you should really keep it honest. Doing a video interview is not an excuse to put across a fake version of you just because you have rehearsal time. Present yourself honestly, warts and all. Christopher notes:  Capgemini places a lot of importance on the people it recruits, and we want to get to know the real you. We’re generally pretty good at spotting where candidates are forcing themselves to come across in a certain way, and if you get through to the face-to-face interviews, we’ll definitely be able to spot any anomalies. The Donts Talking quietly or mumbling Video interviewing is about content as much as it is about visuals. Make sure youre speaking with clear diction and at a volume that people can actually hear you. It might be tough with your housemates still asleep at 11am, but dont worry, you can handle it. In a telephone or face-to-face interview, the interviewer has the opportunity to ask the candidate to speak up or to clarify a point they have made, but video interviews don’t allow for this correction. If the person reviewing the video interview has difficulty hearing you, you’ll have less chance of a successful outcome, Christopher points out. Getting too comfortable Its your house, so your rules, right? Wrong. Laying back on your bed or getting dressed only above the waist can spell disaster in a video interview. Pick a professional looking setting and dress smart from head to toe. Its all about having the right mindset, and this will help you get there. Christophers advises: Doing a video interview from your living room or bedroom might make it tempting to forget that you’re taking part in a formal interview process. If possible, I’d recommend that you sit at a table or a desk with a fairly neutral background and good lighting. Getting interrupted We all saw what happened with this poor guy on the BBC. Dont be the next victim; make sure everyone you live with is aware of whats going on when youre doing your video interview, lest one of your housemates appears half-dressed in the background Christopher concludes: If you’re living with someone else, let them know in advance when you’re going to be doing the interview, and ask them if they can leave you undisturbed for the duration of the interview. And there you have it, you are red carpet-ready for your next interview. Now get out there, and make yourself a star, kid. Download Debut  and keep an eye out on the app this September for details on upcoming roles at Capgemini Consulting in their Consulting Development Community including the Core Management Consulting programme, Analytics Consulting Academy, Financial Services Consulting Academy and Business and Technology Innovation Academy. And dont forget to connect with us on  Facebook,  Twitter  and  LinkedIn  for more careers insights!

A question for ya New boss gets the cold shoulder - The Chief Happiness Officer Blog

A question for ya New boss gets the cold shoulder - The Chief Happiness Officer Blog Ive written a lot about bad bosses and what you should do if you work for one but sometimes its the other way around. I recently got this email from a reader: Dear Alexander, I hope you dont mind me off-loading on you, but I could really do with your advice. I have just started a new job as the Director of a department that has undergone significant restructuring. I do not have a predecessor as my role is brand new. However, I have inherited a team of 4, all older than me, with clear loyalties to the person who did a similar role before and left in very unpleasant circumstances. She had about 50% of my role, but only managed 2 of them. I am now responsible for the over-seeing of all 4 posts. The office that previously was independent is my biggest challenge. I am being given the complete cold shoulder. They dont speak to me, make conversation, keep me informed and trying to get information from them is like trying to get blood from a stone. There are 3 women and 1 man. I am a woman, and my problems are with the women! What can I do? I feel miserable and scared I wont be able to perform. I have the feeling Im being set up for failure I would really appreciate your advice. Interesting question and something Im sure a lot of new managers face. What would you do? 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

6 signs you should start your own business -

6 signs you should start your own business - Youve been having a tough time finding a job, and the longer it takes, the more obstacles you face. Your last jobs end date has become more distant, and you arent seeing any reason to be optimistic about landing something permanent anytime soon. Should you start a business? If this describes you, it could be time to shift gears and stop looking for a job in favor of starting your own consulting firm or business. Is the writing on the wall, but you arent seeing it? Consider the following signs that you should re-focus your energies and start thinking about working for yourself. Why to start a business? 1. Hiring independents is on the rise. Independent workers (people working 15 or more hours per week as freelancers, contractors, or business owners) are part of a fast-growing sector of our workforce. The Harvard Business Review (HBR) frequently shares research showcasing these trends. For example, Author and Workplace Researcher Tammy Ericksons HBR post highlights data from the temporary placement service provider Adecco, illustrating that contingent (temporary) workers will grow at three to four times the rate of the traditional workforce in the future. Whitney L. Johnson, author of Dare, Dream, Do: Remarkable Things Happen When You Dare to Dream, had a recent post on HBR noting there are currently around 17 million independent workers, which is expected to rise to 23 million by 2017. When you start a business, you join this group. On her blog, Workplace author and Columnist Alexandra Levit recently shared data from technology firm Mavenlink that shows the number of self-employed, independent service firms, solopreneurs, and temporary workers grew by an estimated 4.3 million workers since 1995. The contingent workforce is expected to grow to 40 percent, or 64.9 million, by 2020. While its not always a good idea to follow the crowd when it comes to your career, these data suggest it may be time to think about how to market yourself as a business of one and start a business. 2. A lack of jobs or hiring freezes in your field. Its tough to land a job in the midst of hiring freezes. If your industry is hard hit by the economy or in a state of flux, its likely hiring freezes will affect your ability to land a new jobâ€"or even a promotion. 3. Projects are going to contractors. Most trends dont manifest overnight, but sometimes employees dont notice them until its too late to respond. Look around: Is your organization contracting with freelancers to get things done? 4. You need a new challenge. Not all signs suggesting its time to start a business come from your industry. Take a good, hard look at your own goals, skills, and what you want to accomplish in your career. 5. Controlling your work environment is important to you. The recent news from Yahoo! demanding that employees who work from home report to the office highlights how tides can turn. The only way to be sure you maintain control over your work environment is to work for yourself. 6. Working for yourself is the new job security. With millions of workers serving as employees at will, subject to layoffs and reductions in force at the drop of a hat, traditional, or corporate jobs no longer offer the type of income security that people once though. Dont be the last one to the entrepreneur party. Whether starting a business is something youve always wanted to do, or youre thinking of going that route because youre having trouble finding work, you should start planning now to prepare yourself to succeed in the new economy. Read the whole post at U.S. News World Report. photo by karindalziel

Taking Online Resume Writing Courses to Improve Your CV

Taking Online Resume Writing Courses to Improve Your CVOnline resume writing courses have been very effective in improving the quality of an employee's CV. If you are working with a company, it will be very important for you to have a better CV. You do not want to do some other person's job, but ensure that you get hired by them! They will need to know that you are capable of doing their job, not just taking an examination to get hired.Not only is this why you want to make sure you are a perfect candidate, but also, if you have any skills, then make sure that you put them to work for you. By taking these online resume writing courses, you will learn how to write the perfect CV, keeping in mind the requirements of your prospective employer.Resume writing courses provide a selection of different types of resume writing. Some are tutorials while others offer reading and practicing materials for students to practice with. Some have free training sessions, while some require a payment to their participants. There are also some that charge extra for their materials, but if you can afford it, you should definitely try them out.If you find that it is more convenient for you to take online resume writing courses, you should definitely do so. Online courses are much easier to handle compared to actually going out and using the resources of a college or university.Your education allows you to quickly gather information in regard to the kind of curriculum that you will be taking, as well as your availability to take classes. Also, you will be able to locate online courses that fit your budget and your schedule. It is highly recommended that you seek out online courses that are reasonably priced.With all of the convenience that online courses bring, it is highly recommended that you enroll in these courses. You can save a lot of time if you enroll in these courses and are given all of the proper instructions. Besides the practical skills that you gain through online course, you will also gain a broader perspective on how to write a resume. That will benefit you, especially if you are a recent graduate.Because the instruction is online, it will allow you to be able to work as many hours as you wish, if you do not mind doing them at the same time. Aside from all of this, there is nothing to lose when you try online course or even enrolled in them.

5 Ways to Achieve Workplace Zen

5 Ways to Achieve Workplace Zen Back in the day, unwinding once the clock hit 5 P.M. meant a pow-wow with coworkers at a local watering hole. But as work pressures have exponentially increasedâ€"admit it, you check office email in bedâ€"lowering your cortisol levels requires more than just a happy hour. In fact, a study released this year by the Harvard and Stanford business schools found a direct link between work-related stress and serious health issues ranging from hypertension to depression. “It’s the relentless demand and constant change. There is no coming home and unwinding anymoreâ€"only the ever-present struggle to set boundaries for when you’re ‘on’ and ‘off,’ ” says Sharon Melnick, a business psychologist and author of “Success Under Stress: Powerful Tools for Staying Calm, Confident, and Productive When the Pressure’s On.” If this all sounds frighteningly familiar, take a deep breathâ€"literally. Because if you’re finding it exceedingly more difficult to deal with stress at work, you may need to embrace something different. And by different we mean strategies you may have once deemed too “alternative-y.” “You can’t manage the things outside of you, but you can manage yourselfâ€"your physiology, your psychology,” Melnick says. To help you do just that, we’ve rounded up five wellness trends hitting the mainstream that are simple enough to execute from a quiet spot in your office. Although they may seem a bit out there to someâ€"ever heard of tapping?â€"they could be just the thing to help you reclaim the Zen that work zaps out of you. Mindfulness Meditation What Is It? A type of meditation derived from Buddhism in which you focus on your breathing in order to remain present and in the moment. It’s garnered attention in recent years, thanks to high-profile converts like Steve Jobs, who practiced mindfulness meditation regularly, and Arianna Huffington, who describes it as a way to fight burnout in her 2014 book, “Thrive.” They’re fans for a reason: A 2011 study found that eight weeks of practicing mindfulness meditation triggered changes in the brain, increasing grey matter in areas that help regulate emotion, learning, and memory. How to Practice It: Sit in a comfortable chair or cross-legged on the floor. Then close your eyes and simply breathe, intently focusing on each breath you take. “Your mind will wander, and that’s normal. But bring it back,” says Jane Ehrman, a mind-body coach and owner of the practice Images of Wellness. “The more you practice bringing it back, and just breathing, [the more] you’re teaching yourself to be present and far more aware of when your mind wanders.” Ehrman suggests starting with five minutes a few times a week, and then gradually building up to seven and then 15 minutes. Where to Learn More: Visit mindful.org for a video that can help guide you through your first mindfulness meditation session. You can also download the Headspace app, which was created by a former Buddhist monk and features daily mindfulness exercises. Adult Coloring Books What Is It? As the name implies, it’s the childhood practice of staying inside the lines, except with more intricate patterns and pictures. And it’s gaining momentum among members of the grown-up set who want a little art therapy to help relieve stress. In fact, at one point, adult coloring books outsold Harper Lee’s hotly anticipated “Go Set a Watchman” on Amazon.com’s best-seller list. And Game of Thrones fans can expect a coloring book based on the T.V. series to hit stores this fall. “When you’re coloring, all you have to do is stay in the moment,” Erhman says. “It gets you out of your head. That’s what’s so great about it.” How to Practice It: Order an adult coloring book off Amazon.com, or download freepatterns and pictures online. Then grab your crayons, colored pencils, or markersâ€"and start coloring away. Consider it an alternative lunchtime activity to checking emails on your smartphone. Where to Learn More: Check out this list to see what types of adult coloring books are availableâ€"from hypnotic patterns to whimsical scenesâ€"and get recommendations on art supplies. Pranayama Breathing What Is It? Yoga-based breathing techniques that provide a calming effect, like alternate-nostril breathing (Nadi Shodhana) and “cooling breath,” which helps lower your body temperature (Sitali). Studies have shown that not only does pranayama breathing reduce stress, but it also helps improve cardiovascular function and symptoms of asthma. And as more companies incorporate yoga and mindfulness into employee wellness programs, they’re also increasing awareness of controlled breathing. For example, Aetna’s yoga and meditation classes for employees teach breathing techniques, while a popular mental-wellness course offered at Google encourages employees to take a deep, conscious breath as part of a five-step process to deal with work stress. How to Practice It: For alternate-nostril breathing, sit up straight, with your shoulders relaxed. Bring your right hand up to your nose, folding your index and middle finger toward your palm, so they are out of the way. Then place your ring and pinky fingers over your left nostril, and your thumb over the right nostril. (These fingers will alternate closing and opening your nostrils as you breathe.) Gently press down with your thumb to close your right nostril, inhaling through your left. Then close off your left nostril, and exhale through the right. Then inhale through the right, and exhale through the left again. This is one cycle. Try repeating 10 cycles. For cooling breath, breathe in for several seconds as though you were sipping through a straw, creating a wind tunnel by curling the tip of your tongue. Exhale through your nose. “When you’re feeling heated, [cooling breath] can immediately calm you downâ€"and take your brain out of hijack mode,” Melnick says. Where to Learn More: There are many types of pranayama breathing, so get a rundown of descriptions and benefits of each at Yoga Journal. You can also watch video tutorials of alternate-nostril breathing here, and cooling breath here. Guided Imagery What Is It? A visualization technique that helps you relax by imagining a calming place, or doing a mental rehearsal of a stressful situation, such as giving a presentation in front of clients. A variation on strategies used to help athletes visualize a win, guided imagery is now popular as a wellness technique. A 2015 medical study, for instance, showed it significantly decreased anxiety levels among patients undergoing an angiogram, while the Cleveland Clinic says it can have a positive effect on your heart rate and blood pressure. That might be why Richard Branson put guided imagery on in-flight meditation channels on some Virgin Atlantic flights, allowing stressed-out travelers to transport themselves to a deserted island or a summer meadow. How to Practice It: Sit in a comfortable spot, close your eyes, and take three or four deep breaths. Imagine yourself in nature, or walking on a path. If it helps, listen to music or nature sounds. “You’re putting yourself in that mindset of everything going well,” Ehrman says. Next, picture you’re about to take on the source of your anxietyâ€"for instance, that big presentation. “Tell yourself all kinds of positive facts, like ‘I know this information. I know how to speak clearly, accurately, and concisely,’ ” suggests Ehrman. “Imagine yourself being asked questions by the audience, and giving an answer. I used to be a gymnastics coach and would say, ‘Where your head goes, your body goes.’ It applies here, too.” Where to Learn More: Check out the Academy for Guided Imagery for more on how the technique works, and Meditainment.com for guided imagery scenarios that can help you escape to an island paradise, a mountain refuge, an arctic igloo, and more. Poll: If You Could Make Enough Money to Live, Would You Go Freelance? More From LearnVest: 5 No Good, Very Bad Office Behaviors That Could Be Holding You Back at Work Money Stress Across America: ‘What Keeps Us Up at Nightâ€"and How We Cope’ 6 People, 6 Balancing Acts: ‘The Brilliant Work-Life Hack That Saves My Sanity’

Kristi Wiggins - Work It Daily

Kristi Wiggins - Work It Daily Recruiter Info Name: Kristi Wiggins Title: Talent Acquisition Manager Email: tophire923@gmail.com LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/kristi-wright-wiggins-lion-42636573 Phone: 323-491-6083 Company Info Company: Recruiter Society Location: 18121 C E Hampden 80 Aurora, Co 80013 Website: recruitersociety.com For Job Candidates Preferred Method To Be Contacted By A Candidate: Email Preferred Process For Following Up On Application: My preferred method for follow up, is to make use of three methods that work really well. I like to contact the candidate by email, phone and LinkedIn. Things That Impress You In A Candidate: 1. Professionalism 2. Positivity 3. Good Communication Skills 4. Confidence Things Candidates Must Include To Be Considered For Job: 1. Proper communication and correspondence. 2. Proper qualifications. 3. Good attitude. 4. Current and truthful information on resume. 5. Consistent work history. Things That Will Disqualify A Candidate From Getting Considered: 1. Lack of communication and correspondence. 2. Lack of job qualifications. 3. Inconsistent Job track/ work history. 4. Fictitious information on a resume. 5. Bad attitude. Can Candidates Apply For Multiple Positions And Not Get Penalized?: Yes Recruiter's Perspective What's your favorite quote? To See Change...Be Change. What do you like to do in your free time? Read, Write, Artistic Endeavors, Listen to Music, Community Involvement In a sentence, why do you enjoy working at your company? I am able to help people find the career they seek. In a sentence, how does your company have fun on a regular basis? We take trips to exotic places. In a sentence, how would you describe the employees at your company? Each person is dedicated and completely committed to their role as a Talent Scout. Have you joined our career growth club?Join Us Today!