5 Things You Should Consider Before a Video Interview

5 Things You Should Consider Before a Video Interview Being interviewed for a position can be an intimidating experience, but the increasing trend for video recruitment means there’s a whole new set of factors to take into account. If you’re not used to being on camera, giving a video interview may be nerve-wracking, but it has a number of benefits for both you and your potential employer. Easier to arrange and more convenient for all parties to attend, particularly if they live some distance apart, video interviews are growing in popularity. Although many of the golden rules remain unchanged, there’s a new set of challenges and potential problems which need to be considered. Here are just 5 of the things that you should always consider when you’re being interviewed by video. 1) Using headsets Regardless of whether the role you are being interviewed for involves public speaking, your voice is a powerful tool in persuading the individual to hire you. Clear, concise diction, with an agreeable tone will be a pleasure to listen to and can help the interviewer to pay close attention to what you are saying. Unfortunately the microphone on your computer may make you sound tinny, quiet and add a strange timbre to your tone. This is less than ideal and could influence your interviewer’s desire to listen to your answers. The other problem with computer microphones is that they pick up every other noise in the room, adding a soundtrack that you would rather not include. Whether it’s other people moving around, pets, noise pollution or other sounds, it can be a real distraction during the interview. The best way to get round this is to eschew the computer microphone and instead use a headset. This will eliminate all other noises and ensure that your answers are conveyed clearly and that your voice has the opportunity to influence the interviewer as you hoped. The other benefit to using headsets is that you will instantly appear more composed, professional and organised, rather than giving the impression that everything was put together in a rush. 2) Your user name When you’re applying for jobs, you might think nothing about handing about your email address and user name, happy to rely on more modern means to secure a position. But if your accounts were set up originally for non-professional purposes, don’t forget to consider the type of reaction that your name could provoke. Ideally you’ll want a user name or address which is your regular name, but this might not always be possible. However, having something which is rude, offensive or just unprofessional will create an instant opinion which isn’t favourable. If your existing account isn’t suitable for use with a prospective employer, consider either changing the name or setting up a brand new one for the purposes of recruitment. 3) Screen sharing A lot depends on the job that you’re applying for but there may be the opportunity for you and the interviewer to screen share, so that you can demonstrate some practical skills. This can be the perfect opportunity to showcase what you really know but make sure you’re aware of everything that they can see. This means that if you’ve been googling to check facts that you claimed to already know, you could blow your chances of getting a job. Having other chat windows open is also an extremely bad idea, even if you haven’t been using them during the interview. There’s always the chance that a friend or acquaintance could pop up and make a derogatory comment or remark during the interview. 4) Transmission delay There’s nothing worse than mistiming your comments and either sat listening to a stony silence or constantly talking over the person who is trying to interview you. It’s especially important to demonstrate an ease with technology if the role could potentially involve the use of computers or modern methods of communication, such as video conferencing or Skype. There’s a real art to conversing over video, and it’s not as easy as having a physical face to face discussion. You’ll need to take account of the lags or delays that the transmission might cause and ensure that you match the rhythm of your conversation to this. 5) Picture quality and position Unlike a physical interview, you’ll have to put much more work into creating the right position when you’re being videoed. Rather than simply pulling up a chair at an interview table, over video it’s up to you to create the right position which is neither too close nor too far. Don’t forget to check the results before you go live, so you can see the view that the other party will see. You shouldn’t be higher than them, looking down can make you appear arrogant and superior. By direct contrast, position your chair too low and you’ll give the impression of being meek, mild and subservient. Once you’re sure that you’ve got the position right, do a final check for any blurs, smudges or marks on the lens. This can be very distracting for the interviewer and may mean that you come across as less than professional as a result. Author: Nick Williams works for Acuity Training  in the UK and helps on their communication and assertiveness training courses. [Image Credit: Shutterstock]

Job Search - Oakland University Career Services Resume Writing Guide

Job Search - Oakland University Career Services Resume Writing GuideLooking for a good Oakland University career services, resume writing guide? The following information may be helpful to you.The career services resume is the first step in landing that dream job. By following the steps outlined in the guide, the career counselor can assist you in helping yourself to land your dream job. You can learn how to get prepared when submitting your resume by making a list of the basic skills and abilities you possess, as well as any educational or professional experience you may have had.Upon reviewing your career services resume, the career counselor can guide you in creating a letter outlining your skills, educational achievements, and qualifications. After you have come up with a good letter, it is time to review your curriculum vitae and complete a sample cover letter to begin.Your letter will tell a potential employer a lot about you, whether or not it is professionally written, as mos t letters are, or if it is a personal letter created by a professional career service. It can take years to write one resume, let alone many. And when you're not at work, you may find that you are working on a degree or certificate that you've been meaning to do for a long time. You may not have time to write a letter or to send in your resume.So use the career services resume writing guide to help make sure your letter is as professional as possible. You want to make sure it doesn't sound rehearsed sounding. That is why you will need to review a variety of samples before you select one. Then make sure you feel comfortable with it before you submit it.Recipients of resumes understand how difficult it can be to write a great letter. So make sure you take the time to make yours as simple as possible. It doesn't have to be long and it doesn't have to be detailed.The career services resume writing guide will be able to help you avoid many common mistakes. You want to make sure your resu me is as professional looking as possible. As long as you submit a quality letter, your career counselor will be happy with the results.Remember, a letter should speak for itself. Be brief and to the point. Don't use the cover letter as a way to create a resume, but it is an important part of the overall job application.

Set a Budget for the New Year and Stick To It

Set a Budget for the New Year and Stick To It The start of a new year can see many changes. Out with the old and in with the new. Whether that be our diet or exercise regime or having a clear out of our wardrobe. Though we can make changes any time of the year, a fresh new year is always helpful and a good time to start. What changes are you thinking about this year? A lot of people will be looking for ways to saving money. Making a budget and then sticking to it, is key to save money or even clear some debt. Have you thought about getting your finances sorted this year, though? It can quite often be neglected but setting a budget should be a priority. It will help you to avoid debt, or clear it if that is relevant to you. It should regularly be updated. Why? Our income and personal circumstances can change quite regularly. Our outgoings can certainly change too, so it is important to keep it up to date. If you are unsure on the best ways to set a budget, and importantly, to stick to it, read on. It may take a little bit of time to work out your budget to start with. It is a good idea to keep receipts and bank statements. From these you need to calculate your expenses. How much are you spending each month? Make a note of the must-haves, like food, travel, insurance and utility bills. Look at what you are spending on everything else, including things like Christmas, birthday or valentines day gifts. If you can track back a few months, you can work out an average yearly spend. Divide that by 12 and then you have a rough idea of a monthly income. Calculate your income is the next step. Using payslips or bank statements, work out how much you earn after tax. You should consider other forms of income you may receive too. If you get child support money or sell things online, add an average amount of that income, into the budget. An important thing to note if you are self-employed is to put aside the amount you will need to pay in tax, immediately. You don’t want to get behind on those payments. Set it aside and don’t touch it. The next step is to set yourself goals. These could be paying off debt goals or savings goals. Perhaps both, depending on your circumstances. Take away the cost of your monthly expenses from your monthly income. This leaves you with what is ‘leftover’. This then determines how much you can put aside for savings or for paying off debt. It could even go towards a fund for something special that you want to save for. If you find that you are overspending and spending more than you earn, you will need to make changes. Keeping your receipts or bank statements is another great way to check this. Note where small amounts of money go to. Are you spending $3 each week day on a coffee on the way to work? This can add up to $45 per week and over $2000 in a year. That is a lot of money. If you can’t budget it in, then cut it out, or make other changes. Thinking about needs versus wants is important when setting a budget. Staying on top of your budget is key to sticking to it. It may be worth getting a notebook or a spreadsheet to track your expenditure and savings each month. It can so satisfying to tick off your savings goals or clearing your debt. When you keep a record of everything, I think it is less likely to result in splurging. Keeping a close eye on your finances will help you so much. The most important way to stick to a budget is to be realistic. You don’t want to deprive yourself of certain things if you know that you will just go and get them anyway. It can be ok to get a little off track some months. Only if you get back on track and have some stricter months the rest of the time. It is like dieting, we all want something sweet now and again. Just make sure that it isn’t all the time. Good luck with setting a budget this year. I hope that you will be able to reach your financial goals. The satisfaction of being able to save a significant amount of money is great. Clearing away debt will feel so much sweeter. image

Career Change Success Story Nursing To Career Coaching - VocationVillage

Career Change Success Story Nursing To Career Coaching - VocationVillage Todays interview is with Dawn Lewis. Dawn worked as a Registered Nurse for eight years before she changed careers to become a Resume Writer and Career Coach. Dawn describes her career change success story from nursing to career coaching below and she shares advice for other nurses who might be interested in exploring a career change.Can you please tell us a bit about your own career change from nursing?My current career as a resume writer and career coach began a few years after I left nursing. Although nursing had been a great profession for me, there came a time when I felt the needto try something new. I explored a variety of opportunities, including radio, television, andfreelance writing, to name a few. Eventually, I took a coaching course and felt as though I had started to find my place. From there I realized that I could help people live out their passions and purposes by helping them find their next meaningful career. Making this discovery focused my coaching, and also led m e to resume writing. Resume writing draws on my creativity and allows me to help people discover and communicate their unique brand as they search for challenging and fulfilling careers.What factors should nurses evaluate before deciding whether to leave the nursing profession?There are a number of questions nurses should ask themselves when considering leaving the nursing profession. For example: What do I like about nursing? What is causing me to consider leaving the profession? What am I passionate about? What do I want my legacy to be? What would I do if I knew I couldn’t fail? These questions can help nurses uncover whether leaving nursing is the best solution for them, or if moving to another department or using another skill set within nursing would better meet their needs.For example, a medical/surgical nurse in a busy hospital is looking for a change. After asking herself some questions, she realizes she doesnt want to leave nursing; instead, she discoversthat she would b e energized by obtaining a new role and new setting within the profession. Shenotices that there are a number of aspects of teaching that she enjoys. With help from othersshe discovers that becoming a diabetic educator in a clinic would bring her the challenge andfulfillment she is seeking.There are also practical questions nurses may want to ask themselves, such as: How muchsavings do I need to have? Do I need to return to school to retool? Who can help me uncovermy next meaningful career?Are there ways to stay in the nursing profession but leave direct patient care?There are numerous options within the nursing profession, both in terms of roles and settings â€" this is one of the wonderful things about nursing. It’s good to remember that sometimes a change in setting can feel like a change in profession, due to the different pace and skill sets. In addition to hospitals, nurses can also practice their skills in hospice care, home health care, nursing home facilities, family prac tices, specialty clinics, schools, businesses, and urgent care clinics.Some other roles that allow nurses to remain in their field, but without the heavy patient carerequired in hospital floor nursing, include: Nurse Educator, Community Health Nurse, Helpline Nurse, Nurse Administrator, Nursing Instructor, Research Nurse, Nurse Epidemiologist, Nurse Midwife, Occupational Health Nurse, Nurse Anesthetist, Clinical Nurse Specialist, Nurse Practitioner, Psychiatric Nurse, Informatics Nurse Specialist, and Certified Diabetic Educator.What are some transferable skills that nurses have that they can take to other career fields? Nurses regularly use teaching, educating, advocacy, counseling, and caregiving skills. Therefore, some professions for nurses to consider include: Teacher, Trainer, Mediator, Counselor, and Coach.Nurses also tend to be natural helpers and there are numerous medical positions that depend on caregiving and helping skills. Some of these include: Occupational Therapist, Dietitian Nutritionist, Veterinary Technologist, Medical Technician, Paramedic, Physician Assistant, Personal Fitness Trainer, Speech Pathologist Audiologist, and Dental or Dental Hygienist.Thank you, Dawn!Dawn is on LinkedIn, here: Dawn Lewis, ACRW, CCMC

Ramp Up Your Brand Network with LinkedIn Groups - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career

Ramp Up Your Brand Network with LinkedIn Groups - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career In order to drive more exposure for your personal brand it’s important to be actively communicating with your connections in order to build a stronger network. With the right strategies in place your business can attract influencers and potential customers with groups. LinkedIn is a still a top networking resource for business, and just experienced a major overall of its platform. People in your niche are turning to this social network for information and research. There are several things your brand can start today in order to attract the right connections. Get prepared Be very specific on which groups to join according to your target market. Find out who is influential in each one and the activity level. When creating your own think about the factors that would entice people to join and how your brand can stand out from the rest. Choose a logo One of the many good aspects of LinkedIn groups is the unique branding for each. Choose a logo that is consistent with your website and social accounts that your audience will recognize. Keep your bio and message clear and to the point you want to make sure that your followers know exactly what type of group they are joining. Help your group move to the top With over 1.5 billion groups on LinkedIn it may seem impossible to stand out from the rest. But with regular engagement, fresh insights, shares to other social media networks, and transparency your brand can build a strong following. Dont go it alone Once you have gained some traction invite a trusted team or group member to help administrate and share your LinkedIn group. Not only can they assist you in weeding out spam, but tapping into their network will help you build even faster. LinkedIn is a great place for your personal brand to connect with professionals in your industry as well as attract new leads who show an interest in your knowledge and expertise. With a helpful, and friendly approach and regular publishing of your content your network will attract a loyal following for your brand.

Are You Better or Worse Off Since the End of the Great Recession [survey] - Career Pivot

Are You Better or Worse Off Since the End of the Great Recession [survey] - Career Pivot Better or Worse Off? I want to pose a question to you this week â€"Are you better or worse off since the end of the great recession? From Wikipedia: According to the US National Bureau of Economic Research(the official arbiter of US recessions) the recession, as experienced in that country, began in December 2007 and ended in June 2009, thus extending over 19 months. For most of my readership, the great recession did not end in June of 2009, and for some, it has not yet ended. To determine whether we are better or worse off, we will focus on 4 key areas: Finances Physical Health Career Status Happiness Level I want to describe my own journey duringthis period and then ask you to take a survey. We will report the survey results in 2-3 weeks. Finances I was hired by a growing startup in December 2007. I left my non-profit position just a couple months earlier inOctober and planned to take a few months off before looking for a new position. My time off did not last long. Instead, I landed at LifeSize Communications as the training manager. My job was to build a training and certification program on a shoestring budget for a booming startup. Well, we grew from $15M in revenue in 2007 to over $100M in 2008. Then, the effects of the great recession hit. I watched my IRA crumble, but I was smart…and did nothing. My retirement accounts have recovered. In 2009, we downsized into a condo and in 2010 we sold our house of 28 years. In January of 2011, I stopped working forLifeSize Communications. I was broken both physically and emotionally…but more on that later. Listen to the most recent episode Are we better or worse off financiallysince the end of the great recession? I would have to say we are about the same. We are certainly not worse off. Career Pivot only partially pays the bills, but it is on plan. Physical Health Above, I stated that I quit my job in January 2011. I was exhausted and completely stressed out. My blood pressure was over the top. LifeSize was acquired in December 2009 by Logitech. At that point it got ugly. Previously, I wrote,When Your Ethical Boundaries are Crossedabout the time in 2010 when I was put in a highly unethical position. Give it a readâ€"it was one factor to my becoming stressed out. Since I left, I have focused on reclaiming my health. My blood pressure is close to normal, my body weight is normal, and I am fairly fit for a guy over 60 years of age. Am Ibetter or worse offin myphysicalhealthsince the end of the great recession? I have to say my physical health is much better since the end of the great recession. Career Status My career has pivoted once again. I left high-tech in 2004 to teach high school math in an inner city high school. When I foundit difficult toteach and stay healthy, I did a year long stint in the non-profit world. Irelapsedand went back into technology in 2007. I launched the Career Pivot brand in February 2012 and have never looked back. It was my first entrepreneurial effort outside of technology (I have worked for two successful tech startups). Am Ibetter or worse offin my career statussince the end of the great recession? My career status is…very different. I will never go back to work forthe man. I definitely believeI am better off now. Happiness Level The end 2009 and all of 2010 were some of the worst years of my career. I was scared to leave my job because the economy was so shaky.I was not happy. Am Ibetter or worse offin my happiness levelsince the end of the great recession? This is an easy one. I am MUCH HAPPIER! My stress level is way down. My only problem is that I work for the worst boss ever… ME! Take Our Survey What about you? Are you better or worse off since the end of the great recession? The survey is now closed. Check out the results here. Check out past Career Pivotsurvey results here. Marc Miller Like what you just read? Share it with your friends using the buttons above. Like What You Read? Get Career Pivot Insights! Check out the Repurpose Your Career Podcast Do You Need Help With ...

Mailing Addresses on Résumés To Include or Not Include

Mailing Addresses on Résumés To Include or Not Include Mailing Addresses on Résumés: Include or Not? Mailing addresses whod thunk? I think I just stepped into a veritable cow pie. The Society of Human Resources Management has a LinkedIn group where HR pros discuss a variety of topics. One recent post caught my attention:   “Why you must include mailing addresses on the resume.” Human resource professionals and recruiters weighed in with their opinions. Here’s a short overview of some of the perspectives that were offered: Pros of listing mailing addresses: Allows employers to mail important documents to applicant. If the employer is going to screen you out based on where you live, you probably don’t want to work for them anyway, so it doesn’t matter if you list it or not. Missing information is a red flag to employers â€" not including mailing addresses comes across as being incomplete. Not including it begs the question: What are you hiding? Are you homeless? If asked by the employer to fill one out, you are going to have to provide your address on an application anyway. If you are the right fit for the company, a true HR professional will care more about getting you on board than whether you included your address on the résumé or not. Makes background checks easier after you’ve been through an interview and are being seriously considered for a position. Cons of listing mailing addresses: Applicants are discriminated against economically due to where their residence is located. Mailing addresses that include a lower-income zip code can indicate that the candidate lives in a less-than-desirable location and therefore is (illegally) assumed to be a less-than-desirable potential hire. If you are not local, the employers might weed you out so they won’t have to pay for relocation expenses (even if the applicant is willing to foot that bill themselves). Lazy résumé reviewers may decide you live too far away from the office â€" they make their own judgments about what you are / aren’t willing to do for the job based on mailing addresses. Can conflict with applicant’s phone number (which might be from a different area code/location). In the wrong hands, mailing addresses can be the target of enterprising thieves entering your home while you are on an “interview.” Another con: Identity thieves are trolling job websites trying to capture applicant data, and by providing mailing addresses, you have just helped them. This discussion has been of extreme interest on my end as a professional resume writer. In general, candidates are frustrated by the strikes that go against them based on the socio-economic status of the location of their residence, or for being discarded from consideration due to the fact they arent in the red-zone of what an employer deems as acceptable commuting distance or whether the applicant is willing to relocate of their own volition. Add on unscrupulous recipients of candidate data and numerous instances of homes being robbed while applicants are traveling to an interview, and this is the perfect storm. At the end of the day, isnt the best candidate who has the best skills, best experience, and best culture fit the one to hire, regardless of where they live? And that they are at work on-time? So what is a person to do over this seemingly trivial aspect of a résumé? Options for listing mailing addresses: Include city and state only. Tweak the document per application â€" sometimes include it, sometimes not based on what you know about the company and who might be looking at your résumé. Don’t include any address information to any jobs where you are asked to submit your résumé to a blind box with no identifying employer information. Use a PO Box, friend/family member’s address, or Postal Annex box as a local “placeholder” if you are trying to relocate. If you are planning on commuting, understand that this can be a big burden in terms of potential delays into the office. Don’t expect employers to create a “flex job” for you if that isn’t part of the original offer.   Be realistic, and don’t demand that the employer accommodate your needs. Understanding what works best for you and your intended audience (since everyone has their own preferences) is your best bet. But staying informed about the discussion going on behind the scenes is equally important so you understand how those potential employers may interpret the information you provide.

Impress Your Boss With These 17 Tips - Career Advice Blog for Millennials

Impress Your Boss With These 17 Tips - Career Advice Blog for Millennials Just showing up to work, doing what you’re told, clocking out and leaving is easy. But going through the motions won’t leave you feeling fulfilled. And it certainly won’t impress your boss. If you’re looking for ways to go the extra mile so that you can enjoy your job and impress your boss, check out this list. Be Present Be present at your job. Don’t just show up on time. Show up early, set up meetings and stay later than normal if work needs to be wrapped up. This will show your boss you’re committed to your job. Voice Your Opinion If you want to impress your boss, you can’t be afraid to speak up. If you have a new idea or an opinion about a project, tell your supervisor about it. Even if you have a question or a concern, you should voice it. Your boss will see that you are willing to learn and that you care about the company. Plus, it demonstrates your ability to think critically, beyond the surface of the project, and that’s always a good thing. Make an Extra Effort It’s important to show initiative in the workplace. If something is broken, fix it. If you see a problem, address it. Don’t just wait for the next person. Fifty-two percent of employers prefer a worker who goes the extra mile. Don’t just sit around and meet the status quo. Go above and beyond your boss’s expectations! Ask for Feedback Asking for feedback means you aren’t afraid to take some constructive criticism, and that you want to improve. Ask your boss for a review of your performance so far â€" even if it’s not time for a formal review. Your employer will see that you are willing to learn from mistakes and be a better employee. Want to Learn Show an eagerness to learn. Ask smart questions. Find a mentor who can help you through difficult workplace situations. Read books. Take courses. Get certifications. Do additional training. Etc. Your boss will notice your interest in your job and in improving the company. Follow Through If you say you’re going to do something, make a point to do it. Let your actions speak louder than your words. Volunteer Your Time If your boss needs volunteers, raise that hand! If you notice that your coworkers are overwhelmed by responsibilities, offer your assistance. This is all a part of being a team player. Just know when to draw the line: If you feel like your workload is too much, don’t take on someone else’s workload. Improve Your Communication Skills Communication is key, no matter what your role is in your company. Learn how to communicate effectively both externally and within your organization. If you improve your public speaking, you may find yourself looking at a promotion! Be Positive Maintaining a positive attitude can make all the difference. You will find yourself happier and your boss will notice your enthusiasm. Even when a project seems especially difficult, do your best to rally your team and keep a smile on your face! Dress to Impress They say you should dress for the job you want to have. The way you dress certainly counts for something in business. First impressions go a long way. Even if you’ve been working for your boss for several years now, if you have a new client coming in or you are going to a meeting, dress for the occasion. Either way, you will be noticed and your business attire will be appreciated. Think Outside the Box Get creative in your workplace. If you’re running a project or heading up a campaign, it can never hurt to spend a little extra time brainstorming creative ideas. Be the person in the office with the best vision for the company and its individual projects. You won’t regret it; employers consider creativity a huge bonus in their employees. Be Educated Don’t get left behind! While you clock out and go home for the night, your coworkers are probably studying new skills or maybe even earning another degree. Show your boss that you want to grow as an employee. You never know â€" some employers even pay for tuition. Care About the People Around You Show your concern and interest in your job. Going through the motions is what everyone else is doing. If you want to stand out, care about your clients and care about your coworkers. Ask them about their families and learn things about them. Your boss will be impressed when you remember to ask him how his son’s baseball game went last night. Being a people person will pay off. Find Solutions to Problems Show some initiative when it comes to problem solving. Don’t look for help when you first encounter a problem. Do some research and dig a little. Find a solution to your problem so you don’t have to bug your boss. They will definitely appreciate it, problem-solving skills are one of the most important traits employers look for. Be a Good Listener If your boss calls you in for a meeting or a review of your performance, practice some active listening. Bring a notepad and pen in with you and take notes. Make eye contact and be confident. Finally, carry out whatever instructions you are given as soon as possible. Show that you’re willing to do whatever it takes to be great at your job, not just satisfactory. Be Part of the Team Don’t skip out on social engagements for your job. Skipping the Christmas party won’t win you any points in your boss’s eyes. Do your best to put on a smile and enjoy yourself. Be part of the team. You’ll enjoy your job more and your boss will notice your willingness to be a team player. Balance Work-Life and Home-Life Keeping a healthy balance between work and home life will make you happy. When you’re happy at home, you’re more likely to be happy at work. While your career is important, your friends and family are important, too. Any boss can appreciate an employee’s desire to do what’s best for family and friends. What do you do to impress your boss? Bosses, what can employees do to impress you? Share your tips in the comments! While you’re here, be sure to subscribe to the PC newsletter for all the latest news and tips about winning over your boss!