What are Performance Reviews or Appraisals

If you are concerned about what to expect in a performance review on the job, learn more about what it is in the following post.

Be it the year end review or the beginning of the year goal setting meeting, you might feel as if it is just another meeting to get done with. Think again, your performance management, appraisals and reviews impact you in different ways. It could mean a higher raise, an opportunity for a

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What are Performance Reviews or Appraisals

Getting Your First Job at a Legal Firm

The following post shares tips on landing your first legal job.

“Employment of lawyers is expected to grow 10% from 2010 to 2020, about as fast as the average of all occupations.” As anyone who has tried it knows, becoming a lawyer is a long arduous process.  After excelling in high school, getting into a quality undergraduate program, working to get to the

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Getting Your First Job at a Legal Firm

Always an Intern, Never an Employee

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Always an Intern, Never an Employee

Employment Elsewhere: Signs You Need A New Job

Sometimes no matter how hard you try, a particular job just doesn’t work out.  In the following post, learn the factors that point to the need to find a new job.

The following is a guest post by Shelley Davenport. The common, misguided concept about employment is that it isn’t meant to be enjoyed. You show up, do your job, go home, and hopefully at the end of the week have a nice chunk of change to show for it. Being able to find a job where you are paid

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Employment Elsewhere: Signs You Need A New Job

Recent Graduates: Before You Go Job Hunting, Take the DISC personality Test to Learn What Kind of Employee You Are

Person taking a personality/aptitude test. Photo courtesy of Shutterstock.

Embarking on your first big job search after graduating college can be an eye-opening, humbling overwhelming and exciting experience.  You’re pumped to show the world what you’re made of yet rife with frustration as even landing an interview can prove trying and difficult. Rather than getting discouraged or fed up during this time, use this experience as an opportunity to get to know yourself better. Meditate; take aptitude tests, anything, really, to better understand how you operate as a person in both the professional and personal realms, that way, when you do finally land a job, you’ll be a better employee. Continue Reading

What Counts in a Cover Letter

Writing a cover letter is a commonplace aspect of conducting any job search. When you apply for a job, even if the prospective employer does not ask you for one, it’s good to send one as a way to give them a little more insight into who you are and what you’re capable of.
But despite the fact that people write them everyday, many still are unclear about the more important aspects to keep in mind. So to help you out, let’s look more specifically at what counts in a cover letter.
Good Use of Grammar
There’s not much that stands out more in a cover letter than how it has been written. Yet, you’d be amazed by the number of individuals who send theirs out without having edited it – big mistake.
Remember, when sending a cover letter, writing is the only way to get your point across. This means this mode of communication needs to be perfect. Improper grammar usage or misspelled words can say a lot about how efficient an employee you are likely to be – at least in their eyes. So unfortunately, you may be an excellent employee who won’t even be required to rely on written communication when working, but because of your cover letter being poorly written, you may not be called in for an interview.
Avoiding Fluff, Cliches, and Generalities
It’s a well-known fact that prospective employers don’t have much time on their hands when reviewing cover letters. So it can be irritating when they’re trying to read through yours to get a good sense of your skills as well as desire to work for them, and all they get in return is ” … and like my grandmother always says, you can’t make anything of yourself unless you be yourself …”
In other words, while it’s nice to know that you listen to your grandmother’s words of wisdom, it really doesn’t have a place in your cover letter. And neither does showing how many big words you know or being too vague about why you’re applying for the job. Your best bet when writing about yourself is to be specific about what skills you bring to the table (mention an example or two if possible). This way the employer doesn’t have to dig through a bunch of fluff just to figure out why they should hire you.
Being Honest and Clear in Your Intentions
One aspect of writing that any prospective employer can respect is being honest and clear about the contributions you hope to make at their company. This means there is no room for template answers. Your cover letter should be tailored to their company, and honestly speak as to why you’re applying and how you want to make a difference. Of course, doing so will require research on your part. But if you really want to be considered for the position then this is a step you should not overlook.
Writing your cover letter can be easy if you keep in mind what really counts. So dive in and write yours with care. Making a real effort to speak directly, clearly and honestly to a prospective employer will work wonders in getting you the call back you’re hoping for.
About the Author:
Heather Eagar is a former professional resume writer and is passionate about providing working professionals with current, reliable and effective job search tools and information. Need a resume service? Compare the top companies in the industry at http://www.resumelines.com.

Returning to a Previous Employer

Every once in a while, you may do something you said you would not do: return to an ex-boyfriend/girlfriend, dive in the deep end of a swimming pool, or maybe eat frog legs. But for some, doing something they said they would not do falls into the realm of returning to an employer after leaving many years ago.
If you’ve thought about returning to a former employer, it’s definitely not the end of the world. In fact, it could be the beginning of a new one. So if you’re serious about boomeranging back to a former employer, here are some tips to consider before doing so…
Remember the Contributions You Made
The thought of returning to a company that you once worked for can be exciting and intimidating at the same time. On one end, you may be excited about the prospect of returning to an environment that was once very familiar to you. But on the other end, maybe thinking about what employees and managers thought about you leaving the company in the first place. You may also be thinking about how the environment you once knew so well may have changed since you left.
A good way to feel more comfortable about the pursuit of your return is by thinking of the contributions you made while there. If you left the company in good standing then it is likely that the company will be more than willing to welcome a knowledgeable and reliable employee back with open arms – even if you’re now coming into a different position. They will likely have more faith in your abilities than a stranger’s, which actually puts you in a better position than most others up for the same position. So if you’re a little nervous, remind yourself of these contributions to help build your confidence.
Sell Your Knowledge of the Company’s Culture
Another area of comfort that you can carry with you when looking to return to a previous employer is knowledge of the company’s culture, mission, and what it values. This is a big deal since every company can be vastly different – and it takes time to get comfortable in a new one. Because you already understand how the company works, and what is expected of all employees, you have a better shot of sliding past your competition.
As for selling this point to the company, you can do it both in your cover letter and interview. If you are facing a recruiter who has entered the company since you’ve left, selling your knowledge will be especially important. Think about it; unless you were a dynamo, the recruiter will not likely be familiar with what you contributed. But that’s okay; this is where you can explain that catching up will be like riding a bike. Essentially, all you’ll need to do is learn new skills and begin to apply them.
Returning to a former employer can definitely bring with it great rewards. If you decide to return, take it as a positive experience. By rekindling old friendships and building new ones, you can make the return a great experience for everyone involved.
Heather Eagar is a former professional resume writer and is passionate about providing working professionals with current, reliable and effective job search tools and information. Compare the top resume services in the industry at http://www.resumelines.com.

Top 7 Mistakes Hiring Managers Make When Advertising Open Positions

Originally posted on George’s Employment Blawg
There are plenty of reasons a particular job ad may not work well. Sometimes these mistakes are tough to recognize and even harder to learn to avoid.
Here are seven mistakes that can cause an ad to provide less bang for the buck than desired:
Not writing good ad copy
The key to writing good ad copy is to grab the job seeker’s attention, give enough details about the position to make it clear what the candidate will be doing, keep job requirements brief, outline what makes the position and/or company special, make sure the ad is keyword rich, and make the application process simple.

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