5 big mistakes Googles head of HR sees on resumes

5 big mistakes Googles head of HR sees on resumesIts a real truism in life We often learn best from mistakesboth our mistakes and those that others have made. Humans are creatures of trial and errorwe bravely take risks and try out new things. Sometimes we meet success other times we hit unexpected obstacles and find failure. googletag.cmd.push(function() googletag.display(div-gpt-ad-1467144145037-0) ) This tendency to make mistakes impacts all facets of lifeincluding our search for a new job. Talk with any HR professional or hiring manager and ask them if they have any stories of folks who have absolutely fumbled the opportunity to get a new job, and chances are youll hear a bunch of them. Some are funny, others odd, and some will be downright sad but theyll all have something in commonthe person likely made a bad choice or neglected to do something they should have, and it wound up wrecking their chances for success.The unfortunate truth is that some people make mistakes at the ve ry beginning of the job hunton their resumesand take themselves out of contention before even getting started. It happens more than you realize, and in countless waysIn fact, resume gaffes are such a pervasive herausforderung that Laszlo motorrad, former Senior Vice President of People Operations at Google, wrote a LinkedIn article about it, entitled The Biggest Mistakes I see on Resumes and How to Correct Them. Bock estimates that hes personally reviewed over 20,000 resumes, so he certainly knows what hes talking about.Lets take a look at what he says are five of the biggest mistakes that hes seen on resumes so you can avoid them on your job hunt.1. Bad formattingWhen it comes to foolish resume formatting Bock has seen it all, from wildly creative designs and outlandish fonts to splashes of color and crazy margins, all done in an effort to try and stand out from other resumes and grab the readers attention. Unfortunatelywhat you may earn in attention grabbing could cost you in anot her key areaeffectively, clearly, and professionally conveying your background, experience, and skill set.Artistic bells and whistles simply dont work on resumes. A clean, legible, and professional looking document is what works best. If you want to be taken seriously in the job market, save the creativity for your next arts and crafts project.2. Careless typosIts a real shame that such an avoidable problem like resume typos is such a pervasive issue, but Bock reports that a surprisingly high percentage of the resumes hes reviewed, for positions at all levels, contain pesky typos. And good luck being taken seriously during the job hiring process if the first impression you make is someone who cant be bothered to put in the extra effort to get such an important document correct. Typos are absolute resume killers, so be completely sure that yours is error free and in perfect shape before sending it out.3. Excessive lengthThis is a trickier problem, because the longer youre in the job market the more things youll have to say about yourself. However if your document reads more like a novel then a resume, chances are itll either get ignored or glossed over and key parts will get overlooked. Bock has a great rule of thumb for resume length1 page for every 10 years of experience. Do your best to stick to this guideline, and remember that youll have an opportunity to say more about yourself on interviewsif you make it that far.4. Leaking confidential informationThis doesnt happen very often, but when it does it raises big red flags. If youve worked with a company that handles sensitive information or have had jobs with which youve had confidentiality agreements, be very careful about what you put on your resume. If you cross the line and the hiring manager figures it out, your chances of moving to the next stage of the hiring process are slim to none.5. LiesHopefully this ones obvious Despite what you may have heard, there are no such things as good lies when it comes to your resume. If you get caught making something up on your resume, theres just no way to explain it away or cover up for it. Your chances of getting a job with a resume built on liesno matter how small or insignificantare effectively obliterated. Even if you wind up getting the job, if your lie is figured out sometime later you could even lose your job. Bottom linelying is just not a good way to search for your next job.There you have it Five of the biggest resume mistakes according to a real industry veteran and insider. Make sure youre not committing any of these gaffes before you send out your next resume, and youll be one step ahead of the job-hunting crowd.

The Problem With Managers Who See Themselves As Inspiring, According to Harvard

The Problem With Managers Who See Themselves As Inspiring, According to Harvard In an iconic moment on an iconic show (The Office, of course), regional manager Michael Scott offers the following reflection Would I rather be feared or loved? Easy. Both. I want people to be afraid of how much they love me. In his desperate desire to be considered inspirational by his employees, Michael represents an unfortunately large number of supervisors who place their priorities in the wrong spots.In a recent HBR implies that the issue with positioning oneself as an inspirational figure for your employees to admire involves a disconnect between this goal and the very menschenfreundlich experience of being an effective manager. As human beings, the researchers point out, we are all driven by basic needs for meaning, happiness, human connectedness, and a desire to contribute positively to others. And leaders that truly understands these needs, and lead in a way that enables these intrinsic motivati ons, have the keys to enable strong loyalty, engagement and performance. As leaders, we must be humans before managers.Rather than fixating on inspiring their employees, HBR suggests that managers should try to engage their workers using a people-centered approach. The writers describe this form of motivation as a four-step process1. Practice empathy.Focus on relating to your employees with empathy, thinking of them not as cogs in a machine, but instead as intelligent people with their own opinions, ideas, and priorities. HBR encourages readers to keep this thought in mind when considering their management strategies If my child or parent or good friend worked here, would they appreciate this decision? In this way, any managerial decision becomes a personal question.2. Be self-aware.Work on your self-awareness, as having a good handle on what drives you and how you deal with challenges will enable to you have a clearer perspective on those you lead.3. Be selfless.Remember that leade rship is not about you, but about the people and the organization you lead. Removing your personal agenda from your management practices and instead focusing on actions and behaviors that benefit your employees and your company will ultimately make you a more effective leader.4. Have compassion.Never think of compassion as a weakness, because its actually your greatest strength as a manager. In the words of HBR When it comes to leadership, nothing beats compassion. It is a universal language that is understood by anyone, anywhere.--

How to Help Your New Teachers Get Adjusted - Spark Hire

How to Help Your New Teachers Get Adjusted - Spark HireRegardless of experience, taking a position in a new school can be overwhelming for any educator. In order to ensure that the transition is as seamless as possible, its important to put measures in place to help make the new teacher feel welcome and included. Such steps could includeEstablishing a mentoring programIf youve got veteran teachers in the building, try having them serve as mentors to newbies who are trying to get settled. Just knowing that they have someone to turn to with questions or concerns is often a huge relief for a new educator, who may be feeling totally overwhelmed.Dont forget the basicsIt may seem like second nature, but taking time to go over the very basics of your school (Where is the bathroom? How about the cafeteria?) can help to prevent your new hire from feeling like theyve stepped off the tuch in a foreign country without knowing the language. Talk to them about how your school handles early dismiss als, and clue them in on some of the cultural quirks that exist within the institution. Is there slang that they should know? What about abbreviations or acronyms? Even these tiny details can make the transition much easier to navigate.Keep lines of communication openNew teachers need resources, and should feel like they have a support system to lean on should they require assistance. Talk to your new hires about where they can go if they need help. Is there information online that they may find useful? How about handbooks or other materials? If you dont have a mentoring program in place, are there certain teachers who know the ropes and would be willing to chat if necessary? Providing this kind of information can help a new teacher to feel significantly less lost.Lastly, its important to check in on new teachers regularly. The school day is busy and flies by, and its easy to let a new hire get swept away in the rush of the day. But make it a point to check in, answer any questions that may have come up, and provide reassurance and support. This is extremely helpful, particularly for someone who may not have much experience in the field.What do you do to help new teachers get comfortable? Let us know in the commentsImage monkeybusinessimages/Bigstock.com

9 Fun Ways NOT to Quit Your Job

9 Fun Ways NOT to Quit Your Job9 Fun Ways NOT to Quit Your Job5Would you give your boss two weeks notice, offer to train your replacement, and be a good sport about it? Or would you do it in an outrageous way, like announcing it with a YouTube video or a musical band, or even posting your resignation letter online with your grievances?According to a new humorous study from Shoutly, a social commerce platform that allows social media users to make money by recommending products to their followers, 52 percent of Americans are planning to quit their jobs in some extreme (and potentially bridge-burning) fashion.A sample of the surprising ways in which people are planning to quit their jobsWith a publicly shared video (e.g., YouTube) (7 percent)With a musical band (7 percent)In a blaze of glory (7 percent)Sending an inappropriate Tweet from the company Twitter handle (such as what happened with US Airways) (5 percent)Call from the beach with a Mai Tai in hand (5 percent)With as many cowor kers as possible (5 percent)In drag (5 percent)With a well-rehearsed speech upbraiding your boss in front of your office (4 percent)In an open letter posted online with your grievances (3 percent)While it can be fun to adopt a take this job and shove it kind of attitude, its never a good idea to be unprofessional when giving your notice.Here are three things to do when you decide to quit your job.Give ample time.Although its customary to give two weeks notice when resigning, you should try to allow for more time than that. Ideally, you should aim for three weeks to a months notice. This gives your boss ample time to find someone new to replace you. It also shines a positive light on you from the perspective of your future boss. He will landsee that you are not only professional, but a dedicated worker as well.Offer to train your replacement.Sure, your workload just tripled in the weeks before you finally leave, and the last thing you need is the newbie employee slowing you down. But training your replacement will create goodwill between you and your soon-to-be former boss. You never know when you may need to cash in on that goodwill you may need a letter of recommendation or even a referral to another job in the future from your boss.Maintain your professionalism.Once youve given your notice, you may be tempted to slack off. You might clock in to work at 1000 a.m. (instead of your usual 915 check-in), and take an extra long, leisurely lunch. But its crucial for you to continue working hard right until your last day. Leaving your job on good terms is the first step towards starting your new job on the right foot.In this age of viral videos, quitting your job in a fabulous fashion can tempt you to make your own resignation as outlandish as possible. But being professional and respectful when quitting will ensure that you dont burn any professional bridges.Readers, what is the craziest way that youve quit a job? Or what would be your fantasy way to quit your job? Let us know in the comments section below

14 Ways to Not Get Hired

14 Ways to Not Get Hired14 Ways to Not Get HiredTodays job market doesnt give you the wiggle room to be anything less than exceptional. Its good to keep these major pitfalls at the top of your mind. Dont be that guy.Want to know how to fail? Its easyDont Follow Up Follow up, follow up, follow up. The people you are dealing with have full, busy days. You need to stay top of mind. As long as you are arent making mora than one to three connection attempts per week, you dont need to worry about bothering them.Dont Personalize Your Resume Cover Letter Personalization is about two things showing investment in the opportunity and displaying yourself in the most positive terms possible. Show investment by clearly displaying it through research, connection or visual branding. Consider how to portray yourself and your skills most effectively for each opportunity. This means re-taking and revising the job section of our assessment for each applicationDont Research Research is key to showing th at you care, that you can find information and that you are intelligent - three key aspects of the job hunt Make sure you read the whole company website, including the last few months of their blog, Google the company, the CEO and any executives in your field. Additionally, when you know who will be interviewing you, Google them tooDont Connect with Lots of People However many people you are connecting with or connected to, you should aim to meet more. A large, high-quality network is the best safety net you can have for your job search. Research shows that loose connections (friends of friends and similar) are where the majority of job opportunities are found.Dont Send Thank-You Notes Thank-you notes are a key part of following up. They instill positive feelings about your mutual experience and show that you are organized and effective. Surprise notes, like to the executive assistant who gave you the inside scoop on the dress code, are uber effective and often ensure that you have their vote.Dont Offer a Clear Value Proposition Tell companies why they want you This sounds obvious, but many applicants get caught in stories of what they have done or narratives about what they want. Rather, as a revolutionary, you will tell the company why they want you.Dont Prepare Your References There is nothing worse than calling a reference who doesnt know that they are a reference. And, only slightly better when they dont know what the industry and position are for the opportunity. Make sure that your references are TOTALLY prepared to speak with kompetenz employers by arming them with the information in advance. Do the work for them - tell them what you want them to sayBe DESPERATE The only thing you will get if you offer to do anything is nothing. Confidence and initiative are imperative during the job search. You can think of it a bit like dating no one is attracted to someone desperate. Approach each interaction as an equal.Make It All About You An application is sup posed to be all about you, after all, it is selling you right? WRONG This is a very common mistake in sales and it is a killer. Applications, interviews, emails, they are all about the other person and the value you will bring to them. Ninety percent of materials should focus on the core value you will deliver.Dont Make a Good First Impression Poor first impressions change the one-mile jog you were about to go on into an uphill marathon. It may not be possible to recover from a bad first impression. To impress, dress a notch up, stand up straight with deliberate eye contact and learn the art of the handshakeBe a Debbie-Downer Positivity rocks. No one wants to work with a negative nelly and a positive attitude is often the difference between success and failure. Even when talking about the worst boss and job ever-in-the-world, it is important to have a positive outcome, if with strong lessons learned. How can you change your frustration into lessons?Use Only One Strategy Todays marke t is competitive and deep. Its important to use multiple strategies for your job search - at the same time and, often, for the same position. Dont only use big job boards, but dont totally ignore them either. Build your network, but dont solely depend on it. Anything you can do to decrease your dependence is gold.Dont Build Your Network Before You Need It Networks are something unquestionably best built before it is needed. That said, many people who enter the job hunt have to then reach out to contacts that are long overdue, which can be an uncomfortable undertaking. If, rather, your network is fresh and readily abreast, it will be much more quickly useful and powerful.Uhh, Pepper Your Speech, Like, With, Umm, Filler Words Nothing makes you come across dumber, quicker than littering your speech with verbal ticks. Like, umm and uhhh all count. Practice taking them outDont be that guy. Be the one who gets the job offer.Reposted with permission from Personal Branding Blog

Want a Promotion 10 Ways to Get It

Want a Promotion 10 Ways to Get It Want a Promotion 10 Ways to Get It Welcome to Recruiter QA, where we pose employment-related questions to the experts and share their answers Have a question youd like to ask? Leave it in the comments, and you might just see it in the next installment of Recruiter QATodays Question What tips do you have for employees who want to make a good impression and snag a promotion? What are the best ways to get on managements radar?1. Toot Your Own Horn But SubtlyYou have to toot your own horn, because no one else will do it for you. It isbetter to notlage use blatant or brash techniques and avoid blunt force when you toot your own horn. Use subtle techniques that put you in the spotlight1. Prepare for meetings so you can make intelligent comments on the points being discussed. 2. Volunteer for a project that gets visibility with a senior manager. 3. Meet your deadlines. If you run into stumbling blocks on a project, let the manager or gruppe lead know and ask for an extension. 4. Be positive. Dont be the negative person in the office that people want to run from. And dont feed the negative company grapevine. 5. Respond in a positive manner, not a tentative manner, when given a task. Say, Ill be happy to do that (even if you dread it).6. Turn in mistake-free work. 7. Give discretionary effort. Discretionary effort is more than just going the extra mile it is giving your intellectual powers, being committed emotionally to the company and/or the project, and offering creative ideas for nagging problems. - Karla Brandau, KarlaBrandau.com 2. Take on Jobs That are Larger Than Your Current standortShow that you want to learn, grow, and be invaluable for your company. This may include working longer hours, arriving to the office early, and building informal teams of people to complete projects. - Joshua Evans, Enthusiastic You 3. Hitch Your Wagon to a StarFind the mentor whos moving up and help that mentor get to wherever it is they want to go. - Barry Maher, BarryMaher.com 4. Its All About BalanceFirst, balance listening with initiative. Spend plenty of time learning all you can from your higher-ups and peers. Find out who the key leaders are and greet them by name when you see them. When you get the chance to speak with them, find out if its okay to ask a few questions (ones that show youve gotten acquainted with the companys mission). Embody the values of the organization, demonstrating that you fit right in. Second, balance passion with work ethic. Demonstrate the same level of work ethic for mundane tasks as you do for those tasks youre passionate about. Sometimes, your work on the project that isnt glitz says more about your work ethic than anything else. If you can show passion for the smaller task youll do at the bottom of the career ladder, youll be more likely to move up and on to tasks youre more passionate about. Finally, balance ambition with humility. Employers love ambition, but be sure yours doesnt make you look cocky. Many call this balance humbitious (humble/ambitious). Your boss may value your insight, so let them know youve got ideas, but that youre hungry to help with theirs first. - Tim Elmore, Growing Leaders 5. Be Clear About Your AmbitionsBeing British (an infamously reserved culture, with an aversion to being seen bragging about personal or professional achievements), Ive found that the key to being noticed is to be unfailingly honest about your contributions, successes, and failures. Dont shy away from claiming credit where it is due and own your mistakes as well. Always reflect on both success and failure constructively and honestly with your managers. Offer to write up case studies to benefit colleagues and team members, allowing them to learn from your actions and aiding your managers in training. Most importantly, be clear and direct about your ambitions. The number of managers Ive worked with whove had no idea their employees were keen on advancement until t hey were explicitly told is astonishing. Never assume your manager knows you want advancement you have to tell them. - James Armstrong, Roman Blinds Direct 6. Stay CurrentStay current with the news, including internal and external company dealings. Read, read, and read some more Managers and executives appreciate someone who can hold a conversation with them vs. a bobblehead doll that just nods in agreement with nothing to add. I cannot emphasize enough how important and impressive it is when a young professional knows what they are talking about. Participate in intelligent conversations where you can add value and make people step back and say, Hmmm Youre right. I didnt think of it that way. - Brenna Smith, SheNOW 7. Make a PlanThe first step is to have a plan. If you have a strategic plan for the direction in which you want your career to go, you will be more likely to keep acquiring new skills and working on a variety of projects that will get you noticed with your managemen t. Once you have your plan, you should communicate that plan to your management Let them know that youre hoping to acquire certain skill sets and how those skills will benefit your company and team. When they know you are planning for your long-term career success, theyll be more likely to promote you if and when a position comes up that fits within your plan. - Leila Hock, Alignment Coaching8. Demonstrate Authentic PassionGetting on managements radar and getting that promotion requires authentic passion and hard work. Be direct. Share ideas and ask for feedback from your boss. If a specific job may be available, say youd like to be considered and ask what steps you might take to get it. Your authentic passion is crucial, because a phony egotist is easy to spot and nobody promotes that person. - Laura MacLeod, From the Inside Out Project 9. Consider the Company CultureBecause every organization has a unique culture, the best ways to get on managements radar will vary from organiza tion to organization. For instance, in some organizations, the way to get on the radar is to be wildly creative. In other organizations, being highly productive might be the key. Best advice? Ask managers what they did to get noticed for their promotions. - Larry Sternberg, Talent Plus 10. Practice the Skills Youll Need for Your Next JobPeople prefer to fill roles with people who have already done the role or handled the job requirements before. It reduces training time, and the hire has a better chance of succeeding. So figure out what skills you will need in your next role and start practicing them. Make sure to update your resume to reflect these new skills Itll be easy for management to promote you if youve already shown them you have the right skills for the job.- Mike McRitchie, MikeMcRitchie.com

Housing the Displaced

Housing the Displaced Housing the Displaced Housing the DisplacedIt isnt often that a grad school project can land you a visit with the Pope. But anyone whod like to try may want to talk to Nicols Garca Mayor. In 2001, at the age of 21, he developed the Cmax System as a graduate student in industrial design at the Universidad Nacional de La Plata in Argentina.Named for his younger brother, Carlos Maximiliano, the Cmax is an emergency shelter that combines advantages of tents with those of trailers. It ships and stores flat like a tent, and two people can set one up in 11 minutes.The Cmax can be unfolded in a few easy steps. Image Cmaxordnungsprinzip.comThe Cmax rests above the ground when its open, with a solid floor supported by 10 adjustable aluminum legs. The shelters contain survival kits, collapsible furnishings, and electrical connections. They can sleep as many as ten.Made of polypropylene, aluminum, and polyester, the shelter can reportedly withstand high wind and heavy rainf all. The system costs about $3,000more than some tents, but less than a trailer. Separate sanitary facilities are made of plastic and also rest on adjustable legs. They are divided into three segments, which can be fitted with toilets or showers, as needed.Garca Mayor says he designed the Cmax to dignify and improve the quality of life of people made homeless by natural disasters and wars.He has been trying to bring Cmax to market for years. Although he had an opportunity to roll it out in the U.S. in 2007, his dream was to start in his own country. Early last year, the Argentine Foreign Ministry finally asked him to submit his project for review.Since then, Garca Mayor unveiled a Cmax prototype at the Humanitarian Aid Forum in Washington and gave a presentation at the United Nations in New York. The light is now on the verge of turning green on this project, he said.During a general audience at the Vatican, Nicols Garca Mayor met Pope Francis. Image LOsservatore RomanoCmax caught t he eye of a fellow Argentinian, Pope Francis, who met Garca Mayor in rolle at the Vatican in September. Garca Mayor later described the meeting for La Nacin, a newspaper based in Buenos Aires His Holiness told me that the project was blessed by God and that it demonstrated how we can make a better world, by thinking of our fellow men, of those who suffer. I promised I would continue to work toward this goal. We gave each other a brotherly embrace, the kind that signals you will see each other again.View the current and past issues of Mechanical Engineering. For Further Discussion His Holiness told me that the project was blessed by God and that it demonstrated how we can make a better world, by thinking of our fellow men, of those who suffer.Nicols Garca Mayor, Universidad Nacional de La Plata