Applying for graduate jobs

Applying for graduate jobs by Amber Rolfe Finding the right graduate role for you isn’t always easy…But whether you’re trying to figure out what role would suit you, or you’re still struggling to write a good graduate CV, it’s important to remember that all job applications are not created equally. Finding and applying for graduate roles have some key differences from the norm, which you need to consider every time you search.To help maximise your chances of success, here’s our advice on how to apply for graduate jobs:  Start searching for graduate schemesWhen you dive into the job seeking world as a graduate, figuring out what role you should actually apply for can be the most difficult part of your search.Instead of blindly firing off applications, check what graduate-specific schemes are available in your industry â€" which are specially designed to help graduates get started in their career.Benefits of joining a grad scheme include the opportunity to work in variety of roles, on-the-job training, and a fast-track to management or senior positions.Remember: getting started is half the battle.Actually write a graduate CVAlthough your current CV may have worked for you in the past, it may not be the best fit when it comes to applying for graduate roles. Especially if your previous positions were jobs unrelated to your preferred field.So, to give your search a better focus, and to make sure your CV isn’t letting you down, always tailor your CV to the job you’re applying for and make sure you place extra emphasis on your degree.Restructuring, for example, will help make the most of your educational experience, something which probably outweighs your work history at this stage.And don’t forget to properly research the company, as well as the role you’re applying for (the clues are in the job description), before you start writing.Because CVs are never one-size-fits-all…Graduate CV templateGraduate cover letter templateChoose occupation over employerWhen it co mes to graduate employers, size isn’t everything.In other words, although bigger brands might seem most attractive on the surface, that doesn’t mean that vacancies from smaller companies should be instantly dismissed.Thousands of lesser-known businesses are looking for graduates to fill roles, and searching harder for these could be the best way to let go of unconscious bias and keep an open mind. They may even offer something that’s a better fit for you.So, always place your main focus on the job itself, and let the company name come second. After all, your ‘dream’ brand might not be able to offer you your ‘dream’ job…  Focus on values, not tasksDont just talk about what you’ve done, talk about what you’ve achieved.For example, simply stating that you worked as a barista in a local coffee shop is too vague, and doesn’t add value to your application. The same goes for simply listing the tasks you did on a day-to-day basis.To make it mean more, think about how y our work had a positive impact. I increased lunchtime footfall by 20% by implementing a new voucher scheme’, for example, shows the actual results you brought back to the business.Because the truth is, you probably have more abilities than you realise â€" and selling yourself accurately is the best way to produce an effective application.STAR technique: What you need to know  Find your USPFinally, no matter what stage you’re at with your application, understanding your unique selling point is vital.Essentially, it all comes down to recognising your biggest, best, and most relevant accomplishment â€" and understanding how it could help set you apart.Reference a specific project or assignment, or any situation where you were involved in carrying out a task which produced a positive result. And, ideally, how this skill could benefit your prospective employer.By doing this, you’ll be able to show the employer what you’re really capable of, and how your USP makes you their perfec t fit.Still searching for your perfect graduate role? View all available positions nowFind a job What Where Search JobsSign up for more Career AdviceSign up for moreCareer Advice Please enter a valid email addressmessage hereBy clicking Submit you agree to the

4 Home Security Tips for Busy Moms

4 Home Security Tips for Busy Moms As a busy mom, you might not be spending a lot of time at home. Between work, shuttling kids around from school to different events, and trying to maintain some semblance of a social life, home is often a place where you just recharge between outings. Unfortunately, this opens you up to a lot more risk on the security front. 4 Tips to Keep Your Home Safe If you live in a relatively “safe” neighborhood and have never had your home broken into, then it’s easy to get comfortable and assume that your family is safe. After all, don’t burglars have bigger, more expensive houses to target? The truth of the matter is that these factors are irrelevant. Burglars don’t discriminate when it comes to selecting targets. All they care about is how easy it is to get inside and avoid being detected. And if you aren’t thinking about home security, you’re essentially a sitting duck waiting to be taken out. As a working mother, your home spends a lot of time empty. This means you’re more likely to be targeted than your neighbor who rarely leaves the house. Thankfully, there are some things you can do to enhance your home security. Here are a few suggestions: Use Video Cameras to Monitor Video cameras are great for both monitoring and deterring criminal behavior. For a working parent who spends a lot of time outside of the home, video cameras are also good for keeping an eye on kids when they get home from school. Research how to pick the right security camera that can transmit video online and sync up with your phone for real-time, high-resolution viewing. In addition to making your home more secure, this provides peace of mind. Sign Up for Smart Features The more smart features you can include in your home security system, the better. You need the ability to manipulate as many different elements as possible, remotely. This includes the alarm, thermostats, lighting, cameras, and even door locks (which will be discussed in greater detail in the following section). Most of today’s leading security companies allow all of these features to be integrated together for greater convenience. Use Keyless Door Locks Do you have latchkey kids at home? While you obviously trust your kids to a degree if you’re letting them stay home alone for a couple of hours, it’s never a good idea to leave a key under the mat. This is one of the first places a burglar is going to look if they want to enter your home. A better option is to use keyless door locks. You can either purchase a standalone product or ask your home security company if they have products that integrate with your existing system. The benefit of keyless door locks is that your children simply enter a code to get in the house (and you can lock and unlock remotely). Install Motion Activated Outdoor Lighting One of the simplest, yet most effective crime deterrents is motion activated outdoor lighting. Install floodlights around the perimeter of your home to keep your family safe at night. Safety is Your Number One Priority Your job as a parent is to raise happy, healthy kids who grow up and ultimately become independent and (hopefully) successful. While your kids still live under your roof, safety is one of your biggest priorities. You can encourage safety in a number of ways, but don’t forget about protecting your home. Whether you’re there all the time, or your house sits empty for most of the day, the right home security solutions will go a long way towards protecting the ones you love the most.

Candidate Salaries Tackling the Taboo Topic

Candidate Salaries Tackling the Taboo Topic In my career I can unequivocally say that the majority of declined job offers are as a result of something salary-related. There can be other factors that force a candidate to decline an offer; job title, location, benefits package or so much more. However it has been my experience that salary is the number one reason. As  salary plays such a major role in a successful hire, it is important that both the  candidate and employer are on the same page about it. If there is a significant gap between the two sides, chances are the offer process won’t be a smooth one! Squash the stigma Unfortunately, most  conversations  surrounding  salary are  very difficult and uncomfortable. As a  society we have established that talking  about salary feels  as taboo as politics or religion. As a recruiter,  it is important to separate what it’s like to have a discussion at the dinner table with a friend versus gathering information that leads to a successful hire. The sooner you take away the stigma that goes with “what do you make?” the sooner you will be able to have an effective conversation and understand where everyone stands on the matter. Get in early Salary  information is so crucial to a successful hire, the  conversation needs to be had sooner rather than later. A candidate does not want to go through several rounds of interviews taking multiple days off of work and spending hours preparing for tough questions, only to find out the business  cannot afford to hire them! Likewise, recruiters dont want to spend time prepping and facilitating  candidates  to interview only to find out the person they are representing has outlandish, unobtainable expectations. The same can be said for hiring managers; no party wants their time  wasted  for no reason! Aim for mutual understanding For recruiters, it is important to be on top of this, the whole way through the process. Keeping all this in mind, I  like to  have the salary conversation with my candidates immediately.  That means on the first call. I always ensure the candidate that I am NOT  trying to lock them down on a salary amount, rather that I would like to know what it would take for them to accept a new role.  Its important the candidate knows that having this  conversation is actually in their very best interests. I always do my best to relay this to the individual.  Also, remind them that in the end, medical benefits, time off and other package factors will impact this number  too, so its not the be-all and end-all right then and there. Ask the hard questions I like to prompt the  subject  by saying “in order for me to get you the best offer, what would you be looking for in total first year earnings?” It allows the candidate to realize that I am going to work for them to get the best offer I can. If a candidate isn’t comfortable sharing this information immediately, you need to remind them that knowing this information means you won’t be wasting their time, rather just making sure everyone is on the same page to avoid a huge misunderstanding at the end.  Its also important for recruiters to know what their candidates current salary is, to  contextualise their expectations and fully understand their  situation and motivators. Understanding what  your candidate is currently on AND  where they  want to be is important  information that will help recruiters gauge  if the role they are applying for is actually right for them, both level and expectations-wise. There is no point encouraging a candidate through the interview process that is too much of a reach for them, or not going to fulfil their monetary goals. If their expectations are unrealistic, its better to confront the situation head on at the start. Likewise if your client cant pay them what they want and deserve, be upfront about it. Asking them what  an  unbelievable, excellent, good, okay, unsatisfactory and outright terrible offer would be is also a good way to understand their priorities, appreciate  how important salary is to them and recognise how much selling youll have to do come offer stage, depending on the amount. Maintain control As soon as you realize that you are asking this information for the benefit of the candidate, salary talks  no longer becomes an awkward or difficult conversation. As a recruiter it is important to gather all of the information that will impact the acceptance of an offer ahead of time so there are no surprises throughout the process. Enough can go wrong in the recruiting process, so the more you can limit issues, the easier it will be to hire successfully! Image: Shutterstock

7 Habits of the Successfully Published, Part 6 Modelers - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career

7 Habits of the Successfully Published, Part 6 Modelers - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career Successful published authors often model their success on the successes of other authors. They dont they dont model to copy or plagiarize, they model so they can understand the ideas and techniques that are working for other authorsor has worked in the pastso they can adapt the lessons to their own current situation. Why reinvent the wheel, when the essentials are waiting to be reused? Authors are not alone Modeling is common throughout all creative endeavors. Musical composers, like Mozart, modeled and built on the music of their predecessors. Each generation of painters learns from its predecessors and builds on their accomplishments. Authors can profitably model other authors at every stage of the Planning, Writing, Promoting, and Profiting process. Step 1: Planning stage Research and analysis play an important modeling role during the planning stage. A good starting point is to spend time at online book retailers like Amazon.com, analyzing the characteristics of top selling books in your field. Seek to identify the underlying elements that contributed to their success. Analyze elements like: Title. What were the title elements that contributed to the books success? Was it the titles promise, the alliteration (or sound), of the words, or the engaging, curiosity-building, approach the author took? Position. How did the successful authors position their books relative to others that were available at the of publication? What did they do to differentiate their book? Did they adopt a contrarian tone, slant their book towards a specific market segment, or write to a broader, or more more sophisticated, readers? Style. What elements of the authors writing styleas differentiated from information or messagecontributed to the books success? Does the author use a voice, or personality, that is distinctly different from the other books? Does the the author show more reader empathy, or is his style more businsslike and detached? Book proposals Another modeling technique for the planning stage involves studying successful book proposalsi.e., those that were accepted for publication by leading publishers. . One way to do this is to study the sample book proposals in Jeff Hermans Write the Perfect Book Proposal: 10 That Sold and Why, 2nd Edition. This book provides a guided tour of successful book proposals. Another, similar, resource is BOOK PROPOSALS THAT WORKED! Real Book Proposals That Landed $10K $100K Publishing Contracts by Angela J. Hoy. Step 2: Writing stage There are two ways authors can profitably study successful authors during the writing stage. Study what they wrote. One approach is to carefully analyze the the writing style found in the books written by the acclaimed authors. Study their writing in terms of sentence and paragraph length, their use of story, and how they organized the contents of their book and the techniques they used to engage and maintain their readers interest. Pay attention when authors write or speak about writing. Many of the top authors and writing coaches in the country have written about the act of reading, and most have been interviewed. Their views on the writing process in books like Stephen Kings On Writing, Jack Harts A Writing Coach, William Zinssers On Writing Well, and the forthcoming Essential Don Murray all share valuable first person writing techniques and strategies. Step 3: Promoting stage Book sellings transition from bricks and mortar bookstores to online retailing has made it far easier for authors to model successful marketing and promoting techniques in numerous ways. Author marketing. The transparency of the Internet, and the fact that just about every author has a serious online presence, means it is easier today to know how competing authors are marketing their books. By spending time at their websites and reading their blogs, you can gain ideas for topics and formats for your own online marketing. Online market research. When researching competing books at websites like Amazon.com, you can find out what other books are often purchased along with the book youre analyzing, as well as find out which titles are ultimately purchased by visitors to a books catalog page. Amazon.coms Related Books feature can help you locate competing books you might now be aware of. Reader Reviews and tags. By studying the Reader Reviews that can be added to each books catalog descriptions, you can gain a new, real world perspective on the strengths and weaknesses of each book, helping you better focus your own book. In addition, the Tags readers associate with each title can help you do a better job of identifying the best keywords to use for for your books search engine optimization and pay-per-click search engine marketing Step 4: Profiting stage Finally, online research, or success modeling, can help you identify new ideas for creating profitable back-end products and services for yourself. Products. Studying the e-books, special reports, CDs, and DVDs displayed in the Stores sections of other authors in your field will likely spark ideas for creating your own. By tracking what various authors are charging for these products, you can gain an idea of the profit potential these products can offr you. Speaking and training. By monitoring the Speaking pages, you can get an idea of the types of speaking and training opportunities available in your field. Many authors use these pages to describe their fee structure and terms, which can help you price yourself in the field. The lists of clients and testimonials will also help you identify new categories of prospects for you to approach. Turning ideas into action Modeling the success of other authors requires a multi-step, systematic approach involving: Identify. First, you have to identify successful authors in your field, then, you must identify the information you want to gain. Organize. Second, you have to organize and simplify the results of your research. Adapt. Few ideas can be simply applied, as is. In most cases, youll have to figure out how to adapt and apply the results of your research to your specific circumstances and goals. Act. Its easy to get overwhelmed by the amount of information your research turns up. Best results occur when you analyze the potential risks and rewards of the various ideas youve identified, and you create an action plan for applying them in order of importance and available resources. Are you a modeler? Do you actively model the techniques used by successful authors in your field, as well as other fields? How and when did you model a technique used by another author? Most important, how comfortable are you with the idea of modeling? Do you think its right, wrong, or neutral? The comments area, below, is for your use! Use it to share your comments about authors modeling authors and to comment or ask questions about modeling techniques. Author: Roger C. Parker is a “32 Million Dollar Author,” book coach, and online writing resource. His 38 books have sold 1.9 million copies in 35 languages around the world. The NY Times called his Looking Good in Print “…the one to buy when you’re buying only one!” Roger has interviewed hundreds of successfully branded authors and shares what he’s learned at Published Profitable and in his daily writing   tips blog.

5 Main Reasons to Quit Your Job and Start Working On Your Own - CareerMetis.com

5 Main Reasons to Quit Your Job and Start Working On Your Own Quit your job. Chase your passion. Follow your dreams. Live your life to the fullest extent.These apparent cliché pieces of the suggestions are repeated again and again whenever you go through any inspirational websites or motivational blog, right? Have you ever imagined why is this so?Photo Credit â€" Pexels.comWell, it is because all these words mean something. All these words are actually stressed because they are quite valuable as well as essential to the betterment of your life and the improvement of your personal growth. While quitting the job and working for yourself may not be everyone’s cup of tea.evalBecause there are numerous people who are not quite sure exactly from where to begin or what the advantages are. In this article, you will get 5 cool reasons why working on your own is awesome.1. More OpeningsevalWorking for yourself will let you explore various opportunities and jump on board with new ideas and change when they come along. You will be your own boss when you start working on your own. You will be more liable for what is actually going to happen.Therefore, you will be more hands-on in terms of doing the actions associated with your dream job. Not only this, you will learn to follow up, tighten up your safety belt and make your money stretch. Additionally, you will learn to be responsible for your judgments.2. Control Your LifeWorking for yourself implies you are controlling your own objectives and the decisions you make about the direction, workflow and extension. Well, it offers you the ultimate authority to fight for something you really want or say no to something you don’t want.Not only this offers you a pride for everything you make and a superb feeling of ownership. When you start working on your own all the successes and achievements are entirely yours, just as the lessons and failures are too.You will achieve a full understanding of accurately what money means and how the financial structure of any work functions. This provide s you a complete control in selecting what areas to develop and exactly where to hold back. Well, this control also implies you can easily work hard and generate more when the energy levels of yours are higher.If you want to become on the top of the list of professional ghostwriters since your childhood days then quitting your job you can chase your unfulfilled aspirations now. You can browse ghost writer websites to know more about it.3. Enhance your Innovation and Creativity SkillsevalLeaving your job and chasing your passion, such as starting the career as a professional ghostwriter, establishing your own beauty salon or running your own business will all drain your emotional reserves and bank account at the same time. Then how can you push through and also moving forward?Well, you will do this by restarting and do with what you actually have. In this way, you can boost your creativity and innovation skills. Not only this, maybe you can make more money because this time you are t hinking to do something that you love and that you want since a long time.If a professional ghostwriter is something that you want to, then gather some knowledge about it like how much do ghostwriters charge or how they work. It will be beneficial to start a career of a professional writer.4. Achieve Satisfaction by Doing Work that You WantHappiness can only be gained by being with the individual you love. Similarly, satisfaction can only be achieved from your passion. Satisfaction is not only restricted to money and everyone knows that well.evalThe ultimate bliss and the feeling of fulfillment that you are doing something different to change your world in your very own manner- these can be satisfied as well.eval5. Be Successful and IndependentNo one can achieve success overnight, however one will definitely be successful in one night. So, it’s time to take leaps of faith, do whatever you can or whatever you are able of and lengthen your limits. Every morning brings success with i t. But the monotony of work makes a useless person.But if you start working on your own, then the world will become less boring. So always try to do the work that you really love. Only then you can be independent and successful in coming future.The idea of leaving the job to work is a totally overwhelming concept. Though, these fears and nerves are exactly what you require to get yourself motivated.Being scared implies you are being realistic as well, which is believed to be one of the best ways to enter into a new venture. So, what are you waiting for? Write a resignation letter and let’s start to live your dreams.