resume

This Is What Your Resume Should Include in 2018

Ashley Eneriz — Wed, 28 Mar 2018 09:30:21 +0000

It's 2018, and while there have been many technological advances in the past five to 10 years, the dreaded resume is still here to stay.

While most recruiters haven't yet turned to video clips or other high-tech means to screen potential candidates, there are still some significant changes that current job seekers need to make to their resumes in order to succeed.

Use a clean, modern template and font

Your resume should look crisp and sleek both on your computer screen and printed out. Forget the fonts of yesteryear, like Times New Roman. Forget the graphics and fancy bullet points, too. You want your resume to resemble a modern, minimalist style. If you plan on submitting your resume through an online application platform, a simple style will read better than a complicated template.

Pack a quick, powerful punch

According to Live Career, recruiters spend an average six seconds reviewing an applicant's resume. That's it: You have six seconds to convince a busy recruiter that you are worth a closer look. Don't start with a stale "Objective." Instead, jump into your resume with a compact and powerful sentence or two about your experience, and follow with your most relevant achievements and skills.

Many experts recommend a one-page resume. Even if you have a lot of experience, remember how fast recruiters move. If they're only taking a few seconds to review your CV, they may not even bother to turn the page. Pack your best hits on a single page and expand any additional experience you'd like to share on your LinkedIn profile. You also want to keep your experience relevant. In other words, if you're going for a marketing job, leave your part-time bartending gig out. (See also: 10 Resume Mistakes That Will Hurt Your Job Search)

Forgo your address, cover letter, and references

Good news! You can toss out your address, cover letter, and references along with your objective. Instead of a physical address, include your LinkedIn profile url. As for references, if a recruiter wants you to send them, they will ask for them — so don't waste space on your one-pager to mention that they are available upon request.

Finally, don't completely say goodbye to your cover letter. It is a good idea to keep a well-written cover letter in your saved documents, but you might discover that many more companies these days don't require a cover letter to apply. This is simply because many people don't have time to pore over a cover letter, no matter how brilliant it is. (See also: 7 Things You Should Never Include in Your Cover Letter)

Don't forget to shine on LinkedIn

A common mistake of job hunters is to copy and paste their resume on LinkedIn. Your LinkedIn profile is your chance to highlight your best self professionally beyond what your paper resume offers. Don't let it be boring. Instead, feature your achievements and expertise in your field through your profile, articles you can write and post, and recommendations. Be sure to follow notable people in your line of work and befriend recruiters who are employed at your dream companies. (See also: 30 Minutes to a LinkedIn Profile That Gets You Hired)

Use keywords to get past automatic screening bots

Think your well-crafted resume is going to be read by a thoughtful human? Think again. Many companies rely on automated screening bots to help weed out poor applicant choices. The point of this technology is to save recruiters and human resource employees time, but sometimes the process can trash worthwhile applications before human eyes even have a chance to see it.

To avoid your resume from becoming digital trash, use similar keywords in your resume that are found in the job listing. The point isn't to keyword stuff — this might get you past the automated bot, but it won't get you an interview. Instead, if you have the required skills needed for a job posted, make sure your resume reflects it by using similar keywords and phrases. (See also: Almost Half of Job Applicants Make This Same Foolish Mistake)

Sound human

Career expert Liz Ryan suggests job hunters forget the old-school advice of sounding like a robot or drone when describing current and past job roles. Instead, grab recruiters' attention by sounding human. She shared an example on Forbes of how to do this:

Materials Director 2006—present

Acme is the USA's largest stick dynamite maker, a family-owned, $10M business. I was brought on board to start a Materials Management function as the company grew outside the Southwest to serve the entire country.

She stresses that this method would show a hiring manager who she worked for (and the significance), the job she was hired to do, and what she accomplished.

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This article is from Ashley Eneriz of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

7 Money Moves That’ll Protect You During the Next Recession

Kentin Waits — Tue, 23 Jan 2018 09:00:07 +0000

Full disclosure, folks — I’m a worrier. What’s been keeping me up at night lately? Unchecked financial optimism. The Great Recession ended nine years ago and the bull market we’ve been enjoying since can’t go on forever. In fact, many economists think we’re overdue for significant contraction. If round two is even half as bad as round one, will you be ready? Here are seven money moves that’ll protect you during the next recession.

1. Bulk up your emergency fund

According to a 2012 Bureau of Labor Statistics report, the U.S. unemployment rate in 2008 reached 10 percent, and the long-term unemployment rate (defined as unemployment lasting 27 weeks or longer) hit 4.4 percent. If another recession caused a mass wave of unemployment, would you have enough cash on hand to weather months without a job? If not, now’s the time to bulk up your emergency fund. You should have a minimum six months' worth of income stashed away. (See also: 7 Easy Ways to Build an Emergency Fund From $0)

2. Pay off consumer debt

High-interest consumer debt only makes you more reliant on your job and less adaptable to changes in fortune. Use this relatively strong economic period to beat down debt. When the next recession hits, you’ll be glad you did. (See also: The Fastest Method to Eliminate Credit Card Debt)

3. Avoid new debt

If you’re trying to pay off debt, it probably doesn’t make sense to increase your debt load. To prevent a debt spiral, keep the credit cards on ice. And unless you plan on taking advantage of a 0% balance transfer offer, shred every new credit card application you receive. (See also: The Best 0% Balance Transfer Credit Cards)

4. Take aim at fixed expenses

When it comes to trimming budgets, variable expenses are usually the focus. But you shouldn't ignore fixed expenses, either — they aren't set in stone. If your car is older, consider switching to liability-only insurance. Try to negotiate a lower interest rate on credit card balances. Swap premium cable for a less expensive on-demand service. And if you’re not a heavy internet user, choose a cheaper data plan. (See also: The 6 Monthly Telecom Bills You Can Negotiate)

5. Learn new skills

Knowledge is always in demand. Practical skills like basic auto maintenance, carpentry, and gardening can save you money at home and generate extra income. A broader set of professional skills can make you more indispensable at work (and less likely to be laid off). Pursue both as part of your creative recession preparation. (See also: 8 Ways a Side Hustle Can Advance Your Career)

6. Update your resume

Your job is your primary source of revenue, right? Anything that keeps your career running smoothly helps keep your financial life on track, too. With an up-to-date resume, you can take advantage of new opportunities now and launch a job search quickly in the event of a sudden layoff.

Remember, use your resume to focus on measurable accomplishments (“managed a team that increased sales by 10 percent in six months”), include relevant titles and keywords to facilitate automated scanning, and proofread every word obsessively. (See also: 12 Words You Need to Delete From Your Resume Right Now)

7. Review your portfolio

Now is the perfect time to review your 401(k) and IRA investment choices. If you’re nearing retirement or simply feel your current risk level is too high, dial down your stock market exposure. And as long as you’re making a few tweaks, see if there’s room in your budget to bump up your contribution rate. (See also: 7 Retirement Planning Steps Late Starters Must Make)

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This article is from Kentin Waits of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

Are Online Certifications Worth the Price?

Christa Avampato — Wed, 02 Aug 2017 08:30:05 +0000

Online certifications are available on a number of platforms. They tell you they can help you get ahead in your current job, change careers, or start your own business. They claim to save you time from traditional schooling and connect you to other like-minded people who will help your career skyrocket.

But can they actually do any of this? You're right to be skeptical. Here's how to figure out when these online certifications matter, and when they don't. (See also: 7 Certifications That Add Big Money to Your Salary)

If you want to get ahead in your current company

If you like your job and the company you work for, and you're hoping to move up into a new role at this company, you have the perfect scenario to do some research before you decide whether or not to pay for a certification. Have a conversation with your boss about your career path, and ask if he or she thinks a certification would make a difference.

Don't feel comfortable asking your boss this kind of question? That's understandable — I've had bosses like that! There are other ways to find out if a certification matters. Find people at your company who have a role that you'd like, and take them to coffee. Ask about their education and training so you can figure out if a certification could help.

If you have a knowledgeable and helpful Human Resources department, talk to your HR representative. Tell them about your ideal career path and see if the certification would make a difference from their perspective. If it does and you're willing to do the work, they may even have some professional development funds that they could provide to offset the cost.

If you want to change careers

This takes a bit more work on your part, but it's completely doable. Social media to the rescue! Do a search on LinkedIn or Twitter to find people who work at companies and in roles that interest you. Look at their training and experience to see if they mention a certification. Then, introduce yourself to them online and see if they'd be willing to chat with you about their experience.

I've done this a number of times, and people are often very quick to offer up their perspectives. I've also had people reach out to me for this kind of chat, and I have always been happy to help.

A second option is to get involved: Join LinkedIn Groups, go to conferences and events, and subscribe to newsletters related to your new career interest. This is a great way to make connections, get advice, and ask questions. Curiosity gets rewarded, so always seek to learn what's worked for other people by asking them about their experiences.

You could also investigate a range of different job postings in the field that interests you. Is a certification listed as a requirement or a preferred qualification? Don't be shy about reaching out to those companies to find someone willing to share the company's perspective on the value of certifications. They are looking for qualified applicants, and your interest in them could yield not only information on certifications, but valuable contacts in your new field.

Another strategy is to reach out to a recruiter in that field, and ask them whether certifications make a difference as they are looking for applicants in the field for a variety of companies.

The certifications that really matter

I was recently speaking to a project management recruiter. She mentioned to me that while many companies used to want all project managers to be certified, now it's less of a concern. Project management software has gotten so sophisticated that it now does much of the work that used to be manual.

This discovery taught me that it really is worth the time to dig in and do your research before putting the time, effort, and money into a certification. Only take the plunge if it's necessary, and if you're fully committed to the path the certification opens for you.

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This article is from Christa Avampato of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

Don't Forget About These 7 Job Hunting Expenses

Mikey Rox — Wed, 11 Jan 2017 10:00:15 +0000

Thinking about changing careers this year? There's a lot that goes into the search, like sending out applications and brushing up on your interview skills. But you might not consider how much it'll cost you.

From hiring a professional resume writer to bulking up your work wardrobe and factoring in transportation costs, let's review these tips on how to prepare your money for a job hunt.

1. Hire a Pro to Polish Your Resume

Plenty of HR directors will tell you that if your resume contains errors, if it's lackluster, or if it's just plain boring, it's likely to end up in the circular file. That's a trash can, for the uninitiated. (See also: 4 Resume Rules You Should Be Breaking)

To give yourself a fighting chance against all the other qualified candidates, you have to stand out. You can beef up your resume on your own if you know what you're doing (and there are plenty of resources online to help you), but you also may want to consider hiring a professional resume writer whose job it is to keep up on resume trends and provide you with the most up-to-date vitae.

A good writer charges anywhere from $150 and up for a revamp of your resume, though I probably wouldn't pay more than $300. Before you begin, however, ask for samples and references. Anybody can put a resume together — we've all done it for ourselves — but does the person you're paying get results? Research a solid writer so you don't waste your money. Some other resume-related expenses for which to plan include resume paper and printer ink.

2. Invest in Professional Headshots

Social media has been a bane for job seekers since it took off 10 years ago, and I can almost guarantee that your future employer will look you up on Google and investigate your social media profiles to get a better idea of who you are outside of the interview. As such, don't shoot yourself in the foot before you get in the door by leaving up posts and photos that don't portray you as a reliable person who's looking to advance their career.

First, scrub your profiles of any offensive material. You don't have to go through all your photos and delete every picture of you with a drink in it, but, you know, use common sense when deciding whether or not the photo of you hanging halfway out of a taxi window at 2 a.m. is the best representation of you. Second, if there are no photos of you looking professional, get some — stat!

Career coach Devay Campbell recommends investing in a professional headshot for your LinkedIn Profile — at the very least — which may have residual effects.

"Your future employer will look you up and if your profile is optimized correctly, you may even have profile views from recruiters in organizations that you have not applied to," she says.

3. Save Up Enough to Cover the Transition Period

Not every job change has you leaving your old workplace on a Friday afternoon and showing up at your new place of employment early Monday morning. There may be a transition period — especially if you left the old job before you landed a new gig — and you should prepare for that financially. Give yourself at least a three- to four-week window of savings that you can rely on, Campbell says, so you're not struggling or teetering on the verge of debt.

4. Enhance Your Wardrobe to Show You Mean Business

They say you should dress for the job you want, not the job you have. And that makes perfect sense when you're interviewing for a new position — because you want that job. Thus, take your frumpy butt over to your favorite store that sells business attire and pick up a few new items. This will likely set you back a few hundred dollars. But it's well worth it to show your future employer that you know what's up as soon as you walk through that door. Looking fresh also will give you more confidence, and that'll show.

5. Factor in Transportation Costs

You'll need to get to your interviews somehow, and that'll raise your fuel bill if you're driving. But depending on where you're applying for new positions, you may have to get there via other methods, like train or plane.

When I was looking for jobs in Manhattan a decade ago, I had to foot the bill myself, generally opting to take a bus or train from Baltimore to New York City. If you're being considered for a high-level position, you may get special treatment wherein the potential employer will fly you out, but otherwise you shouldn't count on anybody subsidizing the cost of getting you to that interview.

If you are traveling a distance, remember to factor in arrival and departure times. Don't book a ticket in the morning for an afternoon interview. Give yourself more time to get there and relax. Besides, you don't know what could happen along the way in terms of delays, and you'll be disappointed in yourself when you're passed over because you couldn't show up at your scheduled interview time.

6. Will You Need Domestic Help?

Conducting a job search is time-consuming and other parts of your life could suffer if you're not careful. If you have children, you may need to hire a baby sitter or someone to help around the house if you're otherwise occupied. If you're a pet owner, you might need to spring for day care or sitting so your furbaby is well taken care of while you're out doing your thing. Think about the impact your search will have on the other parts of your life and plan accordingly.

7. Do the Math Before Accepting a New Position

For most of us, the goal of changing careers is to be happier at what we do with a higher salary. Hey — that's America.

But before you accept that initial offer — which you should never do immediately as a general rule; take a day to think about it — look into what you're losing or gaining by switching things up. Your new employer may have higher-cost health insurance, and it may not provide matching funds to your 401K. If this is the case, you may not be winning financially in the long run, and you'll kick yourself for it eventually. Do your homework and crunch the numbers to ensure that all your needs are met before committing to the change.

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This article is from Mikey Rox of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

7 Ways You're Sabotaging Your Job Hunt

Mikey Rox — Fri, 30 Sep 2016 10:00:11 +0000

You're probably familiar with ways to sabotage an interview, such as dressing inappropriately, showing up late, and giving poor responses to an interviewer's question. But sometimes, job seekers sabotage themselves before getting their foot in the door. If you're applying for jobs but not getting a call back, you could be unknowingly sabotaging your job hunt with these bad moves.

1. Looking Like an Idiot on Social Media

As employers review resumes and cover letters, some will Google the names of applicants to begin assessing the pool of candidates. If there are images attached to your name online — and there are — these could show up in a search. Thus, if you haven't Googled yourself, do so before applying for jobs to see what information is available about you.

The employer's first impression of you begins with your online profiles; therefore, your Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and other accounts should have professional images. Even if an employer can't see your status updates because of privacy settings, they can see your profile images. If any of these photos portray you as a drunken partygoer (or worse), this could move your name to the bottom of the list.

2. Using a Cookie-Cutter Resume

When employers receive hundreds of responses to their job ads, they don't always have time to read every single resume or application. Sometimes, they use screening software to narrow down the best candidates for the job. This software is designed to look for resumes and applications that include specific accomplishments, levels of education, and keywords matching the job description. For that matter, your resume must include keywords found in the employer's job ad, or else your resume may never get through the filters and reach the right person.

Also, make sure you tailor or customize resumes for each position. An employer can recognize a cookie-cutter resume, since pretty much everybody else applying for the job will have a similar vitae. This is a sign of laziness and employers may assume you're not serious about the position.

3. Being Overly Aggressive

After submitting an application or resume, it's okay to follow up after a couple of weeks — just don't be overly aggressive. This can annoy hiring managers. You can send a brief email or leave a message about the status of your application, but don't call every day, and don't stop by the office unannounced with hopes of getting a face-to-face meeting with hiring managers. If you come off as needy right off the bat your application will be sent to the circular file promptly.

4. Typos in Your Resume

With so many job applicants and so few opportunities, it's understandable why some people rush through their resumes and cover letters. The more you can complete in a short amount of time, the more you can send out. However, be cognizant of typos and grammatical errors.

It only takes one major typo or grammatical error to leave a bad taste in an employer's mouth. And if you have several mistakes, the employer could think you don't pay attention to detail, that you simply don't care, or, the most likely scenario, you're just a dummy. If you didn't take time to proofread your resume, application, or cover letter, you may drop the ball in other areas, and employers aren't keen to hire that kind of employee.

5. Thinking a Resume Is Enough

Sometimes a resume is enough, but depending on the type of work you're seeking, it also helps to provide hiring managers with additional information like examples of your work or a link to an online portfolio. It's useful to highlight why you're the best person in your cover letter, but it's even better when employers can preview your work for themselves so they can see your talent and accomplishments firsthand.

6. Not Following Instructions

Job ads typically have detailed instructions for applying for positions, and it's important that you follow the employer's instructions carefully. If the employer says to submit your application using a specific online link, don't hunt down the hiring manager's personal email and send your resume to this address. And if the hiring manager says resumes should be no more than one page, don't send a longer document to give a stronger impression. If you can't follow simple instructions, the employer may assume you're unable to follow bigger ones, and that's not an attractive quality in a candidate.

7. Forgetting to Network

One of the worst things you can do when seeking a job is forgetting to work your network. This doesn't mean expecting family or friends to hook you up with a job, but in all likelihood, you know at least one person who knows about a company currently hiring. If you open your mouth and let others know that you're seeking work, they can possibly provide a lead or let you know when jobs become available. In doing so, you can find job openings you might have otherwise never known about.

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This article is from Mikey Rox of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

How to Get the Job Without Saying a Word

Paul Michael — Thu, 29 Sep 2016 09:30:26 +0000

An interview is something most of us will do several times throughout our careers. Whether it's for a promotion within your current organization, or a new job in a different company, you need to nail every appearance you make. And while what you say is important, how you say it, and the body language you use is crucial. Here are some basic rules everyone should follow.

1. Make a Confident Entrance

It has been said that the interviewer can tell within the first 30 seconds if you are going to be a good fit for the company. And most interviewers have already made up their minds between five and 15 minutes. So you need to walk into the room being very self-assured, without looking arrogant or cocky. Stand up straight, walk with purpose, and be both professional and welcoming. You are happy to be there, without being so enthusiastic that you're as giddy as a puppy meeting its new owner. Offer your hand if they don't immediately offer theirs, and you will be off to a great start. When it's time to leave, apply the same rules.

2. Give a Firm Handshake

The key word here is firm. This is not a competition to see if you can crush the fingers of the person opposite you. Some men see the handshake as a test of manliness and strength, which it is definitely not. Think of the way you would grip a golf club before a swing — good enough to hold onto it, without trying to crush the steel. It should not last too long, one to three pumps is all you need to get this done and get onto the proceedings. If your handshake is flimsy or limp-wristed, you may be considered weak or insecure, and that is not a good first impression to give.

If your hands are clammy or sweaty, find a way to dry them off before you shake. This equates to nervousness or illness, and is not something you want the interviewer to be thinking of. And finally… it's possible the person interviewing you will not shake hands for their own hygiene reasons. If you extend your hand and don't get one in return, just quickly place your hand back by your side and move on.

3. Make Eye Contact

This is not the same as staring (which some interviewers have said is both unnerving and creepy), or refusing to look away from the interviewer during the entire interview. You simply want to maintain good periods of eye contact, around 10-15 seconds at a time, before breaking to look up into the air when pondering a question, or looking at items around the office while you keep the conversation going. It should feel like you're talking to a friend.

If you have a hard time looking right into their eyes, look at their nose, or the space between their eyebrows. They won't know the difference. If you are being interviewed by more than one person, do your best to make eye contact equally with each person, not only the person asking the questions. And remember to smile.

4. Maintain Great Posture

Your usual sitting position in the office is probably far from textbook. Most of us tend to slouch a little in our chairs, even with the advanced in lumbar support. But in an interview, you need to be on your best behavior, and that means sitting up straight without being so stiff that you look like you're on parade. Your posture should look comfortable, but professional. Chest up, shoulders back, spine straight. Keep your hands on your knees or folded in your lap. If you sit back in your chair too much, you look sloppy, and the interviewer may think you're not taking this seriously.

On the other hand, if you lean forward too much, you can be considered aggressive. However, doing it from time to time, particularly when the interviewer says something of great interest, is fine. It shows that you are listening more closely, and that is a nice way to express enthusiasm.

5. Mirror Some of the Interviewer's Moves

A person doing a lot of interviews will usually be comfortable, and express positive body language movements. By mirroring (which is also a common way two people on a date will break down barriers and express interest), you are creating a subconscious bond between the two of you. However, it should be subtle, and used infrequently. If you get into a situation that becomes mimicry, you are going to offend or irritate the other person. They cross their hands, you cross your hands. They scratch their ear, you scratch yours. This is a surefire way to irk the interviewer, and you will not be called back.

6. Don't Overdo the Arm Movements

We are creatures that communicate with more than just words. In fact, over 90% of communication is nonverbal, and that means you are going to make gestures with your face, your body, and your hands. But don't get so excited that you're a windmill. It's okay to use your hands in a minimal way to help get a point across, but don't overdo it.

7. Respect the Interviewer's Personal Space

Most interviews are conducted over a table in an office or conference room, so you shouldn't have to worry too much about boundaries. However, there are times when you may have to get closer to the interviewer, especially if you are showing work from a portfolio, or you are sat facing each other without a table. When this happens, remember personal boundaries and barriers. No one wants a complete stranger getting too close, and it can also expose them to things like strong cologne, body odor, or bad breath — though hopefully, none of these are an issue.

8. Don't Get Too Relaxed

After a few minutes, you may start to become at ease with the interview process. The interviewer may have done a great job of calming your nerves, putting your fears at ease, and making you feel welcome. By all means, laugh at the interviewer's jokes, if they make them, and engage in more casual conversation if the interviewer is taking that lead. But do not sit back in your chair with your arms behind your head. Don't swing on the back legs of the chair either, or slump and stretch out your legs. These are signs of arrogance. And of course, never swear. No matter how casual the interviewer makes it, you do not want to curse like a sailor in any job interview.

9. Don't Fidget

Picking at your nails. Rubbing your head. Twirling your hair. Scratching your nose. Rapidly shaking one leg up and down. These are all annoying little movements that you may well be making unconsciously. A job interview can be nerve-wracking, and when you're nervous, you might do these things without realizing it. You must get them under control. They will only be perceived negatively. The interviewer will see that you are genuinely nervous. They may also think you're bored, hyperactive, or want to be anywhere but in that room with them. Practice with a friend or relative, and do everything you can to eliminate these fidgety moves.

10. Don't Cross Your Arms

Let's first address this myth that crossed arms mean you're closed off, bored, defensive, or trying to hide something. This is untrue. For some, crossed arms are simply comfortable, or a way of controlling fidgety hands. And science suggests that when you cross your arms, you are actually using both sides of your brain, and are more likely to stay on task.

However, the myth has become more powerful than reality. Interviewers have been told to believe the pseudoscience, and when they see crossed arms, they think you're closed off or possibly uptight. In this case, crossing your arms is going to play into the folklore that 90% of interviewers believe to be true, so don't give them that signal.

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This article is from Paul Michael of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

9 Careers You Don't Need a Ton of Experience to Start

Paul Michael — Tue, 20 Sep 2016 10:00:09 +0000

So, you don't have a lot of experience, but you don't want to settle for a terrible job. What are your options? Well, you may be surprised to learn that there are careers out there offering decent salaries that don't even require a high school diploma, let alone a degree. And since the cost of college these days is so high, continuing education may not even be an option for you. If you're looking for a career that doesn't need any real experience to start, here are nine options worth considering.

1. Private Investigator

You'll see private investigators popping up in movies and TV shows all the time, and they seem to live the lifestyle of an action hero crossed with Sherlock Holmes. In reality, a P.I. does not spend his or her time jumping off buildings, embroiled in car chases, and saving the day. Instead, the job involves a lot of research and background checking, and 80% of the work will be done in front of a computer and on the phone. Cases usually revolve around personal disputes, legal issues, or financial troubles — although sometimes a P.I. will be brought in to help look for a missing person, deliver a subpoena, or track down a relative. Although a background in either law enforcement of the military is the usual path of getting into the business, all you really need is a skill for uncovering information and, in some states, a P.I. license.

Average Annual Salary: $45,610

2. Real Estate Broker

With good people skills and the ability to convince someone to buy something, you could do well in real estate. To get started, you will need to get a license to become an agent, and that requires you to take a 60-hour course. Once you have that, you can either go out on your own, or get a job with a local real estate firm. And after you've tucked a little experience under your belt (usually 1-3 years), you can take another test to become a broker. Then, you can build a network of clients and referrals, and start making some serious money. Although the median salary is just over $70k, top real estate brokers can earn well over $300k per year.

Average Annual Salary: $72,500

3. Delivery Driver

If you have a license to drive an automobile, you can become a delivery driver. You do not need a Commercial Driver's License unless the job you're applying for states it specifically. Delivery driver jobs can range from part-time work at the local pizza place, to handling dangerous substances (known as Hazmat). Once upon a time, you needed a good working knowledge of the local, or sometimes national, roads and highways, but smartphones with built-in GPS and map apps have changed all that. The hours can be long, and not always 9-5, but if you're looking for a job with no experience, this is a good bet.

Average Annual Salary: $38,326

4. Deckhand

If you like the ocean and want to do some free traveling, a deckhand could be just the job you're looking for. The deckhands on a cruise ship don't get to do a lot of fun work, but they do get to see a little of the world as part of the job. Duties include monitoring gangways, running ship drills, mopping, sweeping, cleaning, making minor repairs, painting, helping to dock the boat, solving small problems, and basically being a jack-of-all-trades. Deckhands are also needed on dredges, riverboats, fishing vessels, and scows. No experience is needed to start this job, and contracts are usually for six months or longer. After you gain some experience on the ship, you can move up to deck officer, mate, or even captain.

Average Annual Salary: $38,000

5. Police Officer

"To protect and to serve." It's the motto of many police departments, and if you have what it takes to do it, you could make a fine police officer. All you need is a high school diploma, and to be in good physical shape. Police expert Neal C. Griffin says that great officers exhibit the Five I's: integrity, intellect, industry, initiative, and impact. Therefore, you should also exhibit excellent moral character, have a knack for solving problems, and work well under duress. If this sounds like something you are interested in, you will need to submit an application, complete a written test (called a civil service exam), and take a physical fitness test. After that, you'll undergo a background check before being accepted to an academy for training. This takes six months, after which you'll do 3-6 months of field training.

Average Annual Salary: $48,815

6. Oil Field Worker

When asked about the experience needed in an interview for JobShdaow.com, the "roughneck" replied, "You don't even have to have a GED to do this job. In fact a lot of the industry never finished high school, or middle school. There is no educational boundaries for drilling. All you need is a strong back and a lot of common sense."

This 22-year-old who was interviewed is already making over $100K a year, but does warn that it is hard, sometimes backbreaking work, and the 84-hour workweek can be grueling (you work two weeks on, two weeks off). If you can take direction well, don't mind getting your hands dirty, and can manage the schedule, you'll do well in this business, and make a lot of money. Of course, it can also be dangerous work; in 2012, 138 workers died on the job, with the fatality rate eight times higher than the all-industry rate of 3.2 deaths per 100,000 workers.

Average Annual Salary: $69,000

7. Administrative Assistant

Although many companies will look for at least a high school diploma on your resume, there is no experience required to be an administrative assistant. You should have good typing and organization skills, and familiarity with some of the most common software programs (Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint). Admin assistants are usually tasked with filing, making and receiving calls, managing visitors, typing letters, organizing business meetings, and doing other odd jobs around the office. If you excel in the position, you can quickly rise to senior administrative assistant, executive assistant, and even senior executive assistant. The higher up the ladder you go, the greater the perks and the pay. You may get to do a lot of traveling, and attend some pretty fancy industry events, too.

Average Annual Salary: $37,006

8. Security Guard

Don't think that all security guards are strapping six-foot bodybuilders with former military experience. While some positions do require someone with good physical fitness and self-defense training, many are simply asked to report suspicious activity. In fact, many retirees go into security work, and they are in their sixties and seventies.

Duties can include sitting in a room watching CCTV monitors, crowd control, and doing regular patrols of the building. It's possible you will have to confront people, but that will be outlined in the job description. If you're young and fit, you could easily get promoted to head up a team of guards, and may eventually get a job at the head office.

Average Annual Salary: $29,083

9. Car Sales Consultant

No experience is needed to sell automobiles, but how much you earn in a year will vary greatly depending on the kind of salesperson you are. Now, the profession gets a bad rap, but the industry has definitely cleaned up its image over the last decade. And with the Internet helping people do a lot more research, sales consultants are much less likely to force bad deals and excessive pricing on customers. Instead, the job is more about selling the great features and benefits of the car, and closing the sale. Interestingly enough, only 20% of a dealership's revenue comes from new car sales; the majority comes from buying and selling used cars for a profit, servicing cars, and financing. Selling cars can be hard work, especially during the weekdays when few people come onto the lots. But if you're good at it, you can easily make over $300K a year selling higher-end cars like BMWs and Audis.

Average Annual Salary: $31,000 + Commission

Salary information found on Indeed, Payscale, and Glassdoor.

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This article is from Paul Michael of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

How to Use Snapchat in Your Job Search

Kat Tretina — Wed, 14 Sep 2016 10:00:13 +0000

Graham Allgood, a college senior, dreamed of landing a social media internship at top agency Horizon Media. The problem was, so did every other college senior. Allgood knew he had to set himself apart, so he decided to skip the traditional resume and application and did something completely unexpected: he created an on-demand geofilter. This is a Snapchat design that features a custom location or special event, and Allgood scheduled a campaign to launch during the agency's working hours.

That same day, Allgood received an invitation to interview, and within days, he had a job offer. His ingenuity and innovation cut through the competition and showed off his social media savvy, making him a great fit for the agency.

Snapchat and Job Searching

If you think Snapchat is something just for teens to swap selfies or make silly faces, you may be missing out on a powerful career development tool. While known for its use by millennials and teenagers, Snapchat is one of the fastest growing social media platforms with over 200 million active users.

Companies from HubSpot to General Electric are increasingly using the app to highlight their work, culture, and employees, and it can be an easy way to connect with prospective employers. From showcasing your portfolio to networking with professionals, Snapchat can be an asset in your job search. Here's how to take advantage of all Snapchat has to offer:

Highlight Your Achievements

Snapchat provides a unique opportunity to highlight your work in an engaging way visually. Share your expertise, exciting projects, and great results. Use the app as a platform to position yourself as an industry leader. For example, comment on the latest trends in your industry, create stories with Snapchat's features to show off your latest campaign, or show your team celebrating a significant milestone. It lets employers see not only your work, but your personality, teamwork, and social media savvy.

Instead of a Resume, Tell a Story

If you are in a creative industry, like advertising or event planning, posting your resume as a story can be an excellent way to stand out from the competition. Video clips and pictures that recap your experience, accomplishments, and growth emphasize your capabilities and potential for a new position. While a Snapchat resume may not work in fields like law or accounting, a social media-based resume can resonate in fields that focus on out-of-the-box thinking and ingenuity.

Network With Employers

With employers like Goldman Sachs posting regularly on Snapchat, it can be a great way to learn about a company, find out about their culture, and connect with their staff. They often post breaking news, milestones, and other achievements, which can give you great talking points in a cover letter or interview. You can interact with them as well, but do it strategically when you have something of value to contribute to the discussion.

Taco Bell is a great example of a company using Snapchat to advertise job opportunities and recruiting for internships.

Career Development

Some of the biggest leaders in business use Snapchat to offer tips, advice, and tutorials on industry trends. Follow key leaders in your field to learn about building your executive presence, how to increase engagement or how to improve your productivity.

While Snapchat is most well known as an app for funny pictures and video clips, if used strategically, you can use it as a powerful platform to supercharge your job search.

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This article is from Kat Tretina of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

Make Guerrilla Job Hunting Work for You

Claire Millard — Thu, 05 May 2016 09:30:26 +0000

Guerrilla job hunting means: adopting unconventional tactics to land the job of your dreams. This method hits the headlines every now and again. And occasionally, we hear about a stroke of brilliance and a deserving candidate landing the job. But all too often, these stories are about job seekers who go to enormous lengths to catch the eye of a prospective employer, only to have it backfire horribly.

Did you hear about the one where the candidate back-flipped into the interview room? Or where she arrived armed with items purchased from the interviewer's Amazon wishlist? Those tales did not have happy endings. But even if your usual approach is a little more low key, you can still use some guerrilla skills without needing to hire a billboard to advertise yourself, or tattoo your resume on your forehead.

Here's how to make this job seeking approach actually work for you, without making a total fool of yourself. (See also: 6 Extreme Interview Tactics That Worked)

Make Yourself Stand Out

Recruiting managers might receive hundreds of applications for any single position advertised. Even with the most rigorous screening process in place, resume number 357 has to be pretty special to stand out. Some job seekers have gone to great lengths to make sure their applications memorable, including one famous tale of a job hunter sending a note asking for a coffee meeting, inside a coffee cup, using a FedEx tracking number. Monitoring the delivery notes online, she was able to see the exact moment it was received and signed for, and placed a call immediately to follow up. But don't panic. You don't need to do anything so extreme to make sure you get noticed.

Make sure all the basics are covered first. Write a tailored resume and cover letter, making your enthusiasm for the role clear. Using a resume template is a great way to create a resume that stands out for the right reasons.

Then try this:

Make an effort to find out the name of the individual recruiting, and use it.
If you can start adding value to the business at this early stage, you'll be remembered. Is there a business improvement idea, or some customer insight you can share as part of your application?
Have an "elevator pitch" summing up your unique abilities, ready to use whenever you get the ear of a potential recruiter.
Gather intelligence. If you send an email application, follow up with a call. Ostensibly this is to check that the email was received, but take the chance while you're on the phone to get any insight into the business that you can.

Leverage Your Contacts

Once upon a time, "it's not what you know, but who you know" was the embodiment of a system that favored the elite. With the democratization of information resulting from Internet use, this is no longer the case. If don't have contacts who can help you in some way, then it's probably because you're not trying hard enough.

First of all, think through your real-life connections. Do you have friends, family, or previous business contacts who might be able to help you? Can they put you in touch with managers at businesses you're interested in applying to, or who you can tap for information and ideas? Even if your direct connections don't work directly at the company in question, they may be partners, suppliers, or contractors, who can still offer valuable insight.

Then try this:

If you want to pump connections for ideas, ask to meet for a coffee. An informational interview sounds too formal and demanding.
Follow the right people: businesses, recruiters, industry insiders, and the trade press, on social media. The knowledge you gain can be game-changing. For example, if you learn about an organization's expansion plans, reach out directly even before they start to officially recruit, to get ahead of the game.
A referral opens doors. If you have an inside contact, ask them to send your resume directly to the recruiter with a recommendation.
If you have the nerve, call the CEO (or another senior manager) directly. Ask them where you should address your application. And when you do send in your resume you can legitimately say, "the CEO recommended I apply to you directly." It's cheeky, but this implied recommendation has been known to work.

Follow Up

Recruiting managers are only human. There's research to show that if you've scored an interview, you're more likely to be selected if you are the first or last person seen, as memories are sharper, and the recruiter's mood is perhaps more forgiving. You can't necessarily dictate the order in which your interview falls, but you can increase your chances of being remembered with a polite follow-up note after an interview. Failing to follow up is a common complaint of recruiting managers, so don't miss the chance to do so.

Try this:

Handwritten notes, in more traditional businesses, are preferred. In more modern or tech-focused organizations, an email is fine. Include a link to your LinkedIn profile, and you'll be able to see if the reader clicks through to check you out.
Thank the interviewer for their time, and reiterate your interest in the role in authentic terms. If something came up in the conversation that impressed you about the business, then say so.
Refer to a point of connection. If you mentioned an interesting article or book during your conversation, pass over the link in your message.
If you felt you did not get across some skills, or answers as well as you could have, this is a chance to elaborate. The interviewers are likely to be flattered that you're still thinking of them after the meeting.

Traditionally, a job search follows a regular pattern: find a relevant role advertised, apply, interview, and if all goes well, receive an offer. These days, finding a job is a more fluid process. Many roles are not even openly advertised, putting the ball firmly in the job seekers' court. Use your intuition, employ some of these tactics, and you will stand out for the right reasons. No backflips required.

What tactics have you tried to get a job? Did they work for you? Share with us in the comments!

This article is from Claire Millard of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

Flashback Friday: The 65 Best Career Tips We've Ever Shared

Chrissa Hardy — Fri, 11 Mar 2016 11:00:15 +0000

Your first job will probably not be your dream job. In fact, you might not land your ideal professional role until your fourth, fifth, or sixth job. Crafting a fulfilling career takes time, and hopefully your peers and mentors are sharing their wisdom with you along the way.

But just in case that wisdom is hard to come by, and you need some additional assistance in your path to success, we've got some brilliant job search tips right here.

Here are the 65 best career tips we've ever shared.

How to Answer 23 of the Most Common Interview Questions — Answering any question during a job interview can be stressful experience. There's so much pressure to nail every answer that's it's easy to flub a response. Well, not anymore. This will help you nail all interview questions, and hopefully, get the job.

6 Extreme Job Interview Tactics That Worked — Sometimes the path to the stop requires standing out in a crowd. These unique interview tactics may seem extreme, but amazingly, they worked!

7 Career Tips You Wish You Could Give Your Younger Self — Hindsight is always 20/20, right? Well, what would you tell your younger self about how to be professionally fulfilled? There might be some handy advice in there for you now, too.

6 Ways to Transition to a New Career After 30 — Starting over in a new field is not easy, especially once you're past your 20s — when life is generally more flexible and suited to career changes. These tips will help you transition at any age.

Fired? Here's How to Keep It From Hurting Your Career — It happens to the best of us. Don't worry, losing your job doesn't mean your entire professional world has imploded. Pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and read this.

10 Things You Should Never Do During a Job Interview — There are certain topics that should not be discussed and certain things you should never ever do during an interview. Know the rules before you go.

11 Signs the Job Is Too Good to Be True — Don't fall for the job scam. There are plenty of jobs out there that are too good to be true, and here are all the telltale signs.

The Best Times of Year to Start a Job Search — Certain seasons are just better for job hunting. If you've got a job now, but would like to make a change in the near future, try to search when the time is right.

What other career tips have you learned along the way? Share your wisdom with us!

This article is from Chrissa Hardy of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

11 Financial Moves to Make the Moment You Get Fired

Tim Lemke — Tue, 08 Mar 2016 10:00:05 +0000

Just about everyone goes through a job loss at some point in their lives. Hopefully, any job loss you endure will only result in a short time out of work, and minimal financial hardship. But even if you expect your time between jobs to be short, there are a number of things you should do right away to ensure you can make it through a stretch of time with no income.

As someone who endured two layoffs in the past, I can tell you that these steps will help keep you afloat until you land a new position.

1. Determine if You Are Eligible for Severance and Vacation Pay

If you've been let go from a job, employers will often provide severance pay based on the length of time you worked there. You may also be paid for any unused vacation time. The company should explain your eligibility for these funds upon your termination, but if not, make a point to check with the human resources department. In some cases, you may have to engage an attorney to fight for what you believe you are owed.

Companies generally aren't required to offer severance at all, but there are instances when you may feel you are due money for uncompensated overtime or other reasons. Just keep in mind that benefits may vary depending on if you were fired for cause or laid off through no fault of your own.

2. Assess Your Emergency Fund

Now is the time when your savings will come in handy. If you've followed the advice of many personal finance experts, you have at least three months of expenses available in liquid savings. But now is the time to assess precisely how much you have and what your expenses actually are. With proper savings and cuts to your spending, you should hopefully be able to pay your bills until you get back to work.

3. Reduce Unnecessary Expenses

You may think you're living frugally, but now is the time to really strip life down to the bare essentials. Your expenses should really come down to your rent or mortgage, utilities, and a modest food budget. (Keep the Internet and cell phone services, as you may need them for your job search.) But that cable TV subscription? Kill it. Gym membership? Suspend it. Avoid going out to eat, or shopping at high-end grocers. And turn down the thermostat a couple of degrees. Every penny you save now is money that will help get you through to the next job.

4. Assess Your Health Insurance Situation

If you received health insurance through your employer, your benefits may no longer be accessible to you. It's likely that you are eligible for COBRA benefits, which provide discounted coverage between when your benefits run out and when new benefits kick in. After a job loss, you usually have 60 days to apply for COBRA benefits, and they last between 18 and 36 months, depending on your situation. At this time, it's also worth exploring insurance options available under the Affordable Care Act at HealthCare.gov.

5. Apply for Unemployment Benefits (But Don't Necessarily Claim Them Right Away)

If you've lost your job, there's a good chance you'll be eligible for compensation from unemployment insurance. In most states, unemployed people are entitled to up to 26 weeks of benefits that are a portion of their previous salary. Note that earnings from part-time or freelance work can be deducted from unemployment benefits. You don't necessarily have to claim unemployment benefits right away if you still have some money coming in, but it's still important to research options and get your name into the system immediately after a job loss.

6. Accept Outplacement Service if It Is Offered

You may feel like you can do a job search by yourself, but if your former employer is connecting you with assistance for free, take it. Outplacement professionals can help you update your resumé, assess your skills to see what jobs might be right for you, and even help you with interviews and salary negotiations.

7. Update Your Resumé and LinkedIn Profile

Hopefully, these are things you've kept more or less up-to-date anyway, but if you haven't looked at them in a while, give them some attention now. You don't have to necessarily reveal that you are between jobs, but it's important to have up-to-date information on your skills and accomplishments. Be sure to make several resumés based on the different types of jobs you may be pursuing. (See also: 30 Minutes to a LinkedIn Profile That Gets You Hired)

8. Collect All Your Retirement Account Information

If you've lost your job, you're no longer going to be able to contribute to your company's 401K, or other similar retirement plan. You don't necessarily have to do anything with the account right away, but eventually, you may want to roll your old 401K into another 401K or IRA.

In the immediate term, make sure you save the login and password information to the account, as well as any relevant paperwork. It will also be important to check your account balance to see how much of your matched contributions were "vested." If you leave a company after a short amount of time, it's possible that the company can reclaim some matching contributions.

9. Adjust Your Auto Insurance Premium

What you pay for auto insurance is often partially based on how much you drive. If you are no longer commuting to work, you may be able to reduce your premium slightly by arguing that you're driving less. Your rate is especially likely to go down if you're no longer driving and parking in a dense, urban area.

10. Take a Breather

It's okay to take some time off before doing any hardcore thinking about your next career move. While you don't waste a lot of time in getting back to work, it's important to make decisions with a clear head. Do you want to remain in the same field? Do you want to start your own business? Do you even need to go back to work full-time? There is a lot to think about, so take some time. This is as much a financial move as one for your mental health, because the last thing you want to do is rush into a job that you're not suited for and find yourself back in the unemployment line again.

11. Reallocate Some Investments for Income

If you have some investments in a non-retirement account, it's worth examining whether you can adjust them to produce some income. It's not necessarily a good idea to immediately sell a large quantity of stocks or mutual funds, especially if they are for long-term savings. You certainly don't want to do anything rash. But perhaps a portion of your portfolio could shift to bonds or dividend stocks that will help bring you some extra cash.

What other money moves should you make after getting fired? Share with us in the comments!

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This article is from Tim Lemke of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

30 Minutes to a LinkedIn Profile That Gets You Hired

Qiana Chavaia — Thu, 18 Feb 2016 10:00:05 +0000

LinkedIn is the world's largest global professional network — with 400+ million corporate and individual members in more than 200 nations.

LinkedIn is more than a professional network and job board. Corporate headhunters use it as a recruitment tool in their quest to retain viable talent. And it's the first place potential employers and business associates look when deciding to hire and do business with you. In today's business community, it's imperative that you have a professionally designed LinkedIn profile.

Here are six major components to creating a successful career-building LinkedIn profile that will get you the job opportunities you've been seeking.

1. Use Appropriate Profile Images

Use a professional looking photo as your profile picture. Use a headshot or three-quarter photo that shows you from the waist up. Ideally, it should capture you in your business environment. Real estate agents, who understand the importance of branding themselves, do this exceptionally well. They often embed a forward facing photo in property listings to convey their professionalism and sense of style.

LinkedIn also offers the option of adding a background image. This is a second opportunity to brand yourself that adds visual context to your profile. Use it and upload a high-quality image. Also, you may want to add text to the image using a photo editor. For example, "Raymond Miller, Java Developer." Make use of the space, as it's an opportunity to stand out in the crowd.

2. Customize Your Public LinkedIn Profile URL

Create a unique URL on LinkedIn from which your public profile will appear. You should use your given name if possible, but those with highly common names will encounter limitations. In this case, you should get creative and try lastname-firstname or use professional titles in your vanity URL, such as Dr., MBA, PhD, DDS, CFA, CPA, etc. Professional designations will also work. If, in the future, you acquire a professional title or designation, or you simply don't like the vanity URL you've created and wish to change it, you can always do so by clicking the gear icon to manage your "public profile URL" settings. (See also: 6 Easy Ways to Improve Your Online Reputation)

3. Tag Yourself With Keywords

LinkedIn's search tool functions are based on keyword relevance, just like Google's. Therefore, you should tag yourself with keywords you want to be found under. It's very important that you use them in your headline, or current job title. Do this by giving it a "present" value in the date field. For example, if you're looking for work as a freelance journalist, make sure your title as a freelance journalist remains present in order to stay relevant to search queries.

And secondly, tag any companies you worked for in the job description area. In addition, list work experience separately (see below). This will improve your chances of appearing in "current search queries," which is a feature of the Advanced Search options. To better understand how LinkedIn's search algorithm works, read 5 Tips on How to Search LinkedIn Like a Pro.

4. Detail Your Experience

Describe your professional background in a brief summary that highlights your accomplishments over your career. Add degrees, awards, TEDx Talks, brands that you've worked with, and project achievements. Most sources recommend including 10 years of work experience, or more, but only if it's relevant to the present. The multimedia feature that LinkedIn introduced in 2013 let's you embed video and web content to sections of your profile. This is an obvious one for artists, authors, and speakers, but every professional can find use for this feature. Add letters of recommendation, presentations, case studies, press feeds, and anything that you contributed to that will give your profile a boost.

5. Build a Network

Start to build your network by granting access to your email contacts. Here you may find former colleagues and alumni. You should have added the names of schools you attended and companies you worked for to your profile. If so, LinkedIn will automatically begin to suggest connections. Another way to build your network is to join groups and connect with its members. Search for groups based on your interests and ask to join. You can also use the "People you may know" tab beneath "My network" in the top navigation, surf member profiles, and connect. From there, watch your network grow. Then, periodically rinse and repeat.

6. Promote Yourself

Connect your social media accounts and start sharing. Promote insightful content to your network. If you like an article or blog post you've just read, share it as an update on LinkedIn. Use the rich media feature to add photos to your updates and make them more eye-catching.

And with LinkedIn Pulse, you can publish posts by contributing original content you feel may be valuable to your network. Pulse posts are visible to all of LinkedIn's 400 million members and adds a follow button to each title you publish, which is another great way to build your network and promote your brand: You!

Any tips we missed for creating a LinkedIn profile? Let us know in the comments!

This article is from Qiana Chavaia of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

The Best Times of Year to Start a Job Search

Dan Rafter — Tue, 15 Dec 2015 10:00:07 +0000

So, you're ready to search for a new job. The good news? One of the best times to job hunt is coming soon.

January happens to be one of the best times to begin a job search. As massive jobs site Monster.com said in a recent feature story, winter is the time of year when the greatest number of decision makers are in the office at the same time, because these key people are done with the vacations so many of them take during the winter holidays. And this is important, because these decision makers often work as teams when making hiring choices.

At the same time, January is when office work at many companies tends to pick up again after a slowdown in December. Some companies still mostly shut down during the last two weeks of the year. These firms won't be making any hiring decisions around the holidays.

Then the best time to get your resume out there would be right after the New Year's holiday, when hiring managers are back at work and no longer thinking of holiday parties, gift-giving, and ski vacations.

There's a financial reason for the new hiring, too. Many companies get their new yearly budgets in January. Once they have these in place, they can then make hiring decisions with confidence.

The Early Fall Rush

The beginning of the new year isn't the only good time to start a job search. Career advice site Career Sidekick recommends, too, that job hunters send out resumes and cover letters during the early fall, especially in September and October.

The holiday season plays a role again. Companies often want to make hiring decisions before the winter holidays and the year-end lull. If you want to catch businesses when they are shifting into hiring mode, the early fall months are a good choice.

It's not just that hiring managers don't focus on work during the holiday season. As Career Sidekick writes, it's easier for them to schedule interviews and complete the hiring process during the fall months when they don't have to schedule them between the days off and vacation time that other key managers are taking.

Summer Can Be Rough

There is also one time of year that is a particularly slow period for hiring, and that's summer. Again, this often has to do with the number of vacation days that key managers take. Those managers who don't take time off during the end-of-the-year holidays often do it instead in June, July, or August. This is a particularly busy time for family vacations.

This makes it difficult for hiring managers to schedule a series of interviews with job candidates who have to earn the approval of several key office personnel. If you're searching for a job in the summer, it might be a while before you actually hear back.

There is an exception here, though. Recent college graduates applying for more entry-level positions might find better luck applying for jobs in the summer. That's because hiring managers expect to see these resumes during this time of year.

It's also easier to hire recent college graduates because they are usually applying for lower-level jobs. They don't need to meet with as many key decision makers before they are hired. Summer vacations don't play as big a role in these interviews.

Find the Right Time for You

It's important to remember that these are just rough guidelines. The best time to look for a new job is often when you make the decision to take on a new challenge, no matter what time of year it happens to be.

And the best time to job-hunting might also be when your life has slowed down enough. If you're in the middle of moving to a new home, if you're planning a wedding, or if you've returned to graduate school, this might not be the best time to hunt for a new job, even if it is early fall or the beginning of a new year.

You need the time and energy to run a successful job search. If you're bogged down with too many big responsibilities, it might be best to wait before sending out those resumes, no matter what the calendar says.

What time of year have you had the most luck in finding jobs? Share with us in the comments!

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This article is from Dan Rafter of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

9 Ways to Job Hunt Without Getting Caught

Mikey Rox — Thu, 12 Nov 2015 11:15:12 +0000

Applying for a new job is often a Catch-22: You've got to put yourself out there as a candidate, but you don't want to get caught by your current employer for fear of being prematurely fired. Yes, it's a fine line to walk for career advancement, but you can totally perfect this skill with these nine ways to conduct a stealthy job search.

1. Keep Your Social Media Profiles Current at All Times

If you're active on social media in general, your various profiles are probably up-to-date on the regular. If they're not, and you update them out of the blue, it could raise suspicions, particularly on LinkedIn and if you're connected to coworkers — which you probably are.

Ian Cluroe, director of global brand and marketing for Alexander Mann Solutions, warns against this sudden attention to your social media profiles.

"Keeping your social profiles up-to-date ensures that you don't raise flags when you're the one actively searching, and enables you to be found by sources who may have an opportunity that you're the perfect person for but you would have otherwise known nothing about because your outdated profile made you impossible to find," he says.

2. Don't Send Resumes to Blind Ads Online

If you don't know who the recipient of your resume is, do not send it. I repeat, DO NOT SEND IT. You don't know who is on the other end, and serendipity has a way of biting you in the butt for not being careful.

"A woman once told me that her coworker responded to a blind ad and then was confronted a short while later by someone in the company from Human Resources," reveals certified career coach Cheryl E. Palmer. "The HR professional asked her if she was looking for another job. The woman lied and said no. The HR professional responded, "I got your resume." It turned out that the job that this woman had unwittingly applied for was at her own company."

3. Be Cautious When You're Networking

Of course you have to network when you're searching for a new position — just be smart about it. Be very careful to whom you're telling your plans to switch jobs, because you never know who you're talking to. As a rule, don't go to networking events at a bar where you're going to have a couple drinks and become less inhibited. That's a recipe for certain disaster.

4. Don't Let Your Attire Give It Away

Here's a prime example of amateur tactics that absolutely raise red flags: When your everyday work attire is chinos and a button-down and you all of a sudden show up to work in a suit and tie. The jig will be up immediately, and you're better than that, bro.

"Dressing up more than normal can be a real giveaway that you are interviewing for another position," says Palmer. "To avoid suspicion, put your interview clothes in your car and change in a discreet location before the interview. It's also a good idea to schedule interview appointments during times when your absence won't raise questions. Taking too much time off from work can signal that you are interviewing at other companies."

5. Don't Tell Your Coworkers That You're Looking

I'm sure there are coworkers you trust to keep the secret that you're looking for a new job, but my life motto has fared me well so far — trust no one, and fear everyone. Besides, you don't know what plans they have in mind for their own career advancement. They may view your undercover search as an opportunity to swoop in and take your job right out from under you. And if that happens, you'll kick yourself for being so loose-lipped. Ruthless comes in all shapes, sizes, and smiles.

6. Consider Having an Executive Recruiter on Your Side

If you're afraid of getting caught searching for a job (and you should be), there are ways to ease your anxiety. Hiring an executive recruiter is one such solution, and it won't even cost you. Recruiters are paid by employers, and their fees are usually based on your starting salary. Depending on the type of job you're seeking — like CEO or VP of Somethingorother — working with a recruiter is often the only way to go.

Zach Brown, a senior sourcing recruiter for David Brown International, details a few of the benefits of using a recruiter.

"A skilled recruiter can leverage their network and industry connections to get your resume and portfolio in front of employers in your field that are looking for top talent," he explains. "Going this route will get you exposure with the right companies without having to post your resume everywhere for all to see. Look for an established recruiter that specializes in your career field and has worked with the types of organizations that you are interested in working for."

7. Keep Your Search Quiet, Especially on Social Media

As a professional, you should be mindful of what you're posting to social media, in general — no more drama! – but you should particularly be conscious to keep your job search updates off Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and other sites. Even if you're not connected to your boss or coworkers online, what you post has a mysterious way of popping up in places you don't want it to be seen — security settings, be damned.

8. Don't Use Anyone at Your Current Job as a Reference

If you don't want to raise a red flag that you're looking for a new job, WHY would you use one of your coworkers as a reference? Surely you have three other people with whom you're not currently working who can vouch for you, no?

9. Search for Your New Job on Your Own Time and Equipment

And, finally, don't be sketchy and use company time to search for a position with another company. That's not only dumb, but also disloyal and rude. Use your own computer and other resources on your own time. Get caught and you're likely to get fired on the spot. The only silver lining is that it will seriously speed up your job search. You don't want it to go down like that.

Palmer says, "You should never put your work email or work phone number on your resume. Also, you should use a personal email address that sounds professional — i.e., ralph.smith@[emailservice].com, not wonderboy@[emailservice].com — and list your cell phone number so that communication with potential employers will remain private. In addition, you should use your computer at home to send emails to hiring managers. Using the computer at work is risky since many companies monitor their employees' computer use."

Do you have tips on how employees can search for a new job without raising a red flag? Let me know in the comments below.

This article is from Mikey Rox of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

3 Hobbies That Pump Up Your Resume

Brittany Lyte — Tue, 15 Sep 2015 09:00:10 +0000

Time spent away from work on hobbies is immensely valuable — it connects us with friends and family, gives us a sense of purpose and meaning, and allows us to relax, all while developing important skills. Even better, some of the skills our hobbies impart can benefit us in the workplace. Here are three hobbies that help us develop important, resume-boosting skills, without even trying.

1. Blogging

When you apply for a job, there's a good chance your would-be boss, or someone from the human resources department, is going to Google you. One of the best ways to increase your chances of landing an interview — and, eventually, the job — is to differentiate yourself from other candidates in the search results. Setting up and maintaining a professional blog and social media accounts is a great way to boost your image, show off your skills and accomplishments and communicate that you have an interesting, active life outside the office.

Plus, bloggers have a better chance of getting noticed and hired by employers because they are showcasing skills that can immediately be put into use in an office setting — from search engine optimization and social media management to writing and design. But your blog might also offer a peek into your personality. That's important, too, because, in many respects, employers are hiring as if they are choosing between candidates to be their new friend as well as their new worker.

While your blog should be professional — no party pictures or political rants — it should also offer flashes of your love for cooking or affinity for backgammon. The goal is to come across as a smart, motivated, well-rounded person — not a boring, one-dimensional robot.

2. World Travel

So you just got back from a trip around the world, or a summer spent teaching English in Nepal. Maybe you spent a month solo backpacking through South America. Wherever you were, now you're home — and you're ready to find a job. Rest assured, there's no need to try to conceal how you've been spending your time. While carving time out to travel was once considered by many employers to be frivolous, it's now more often seen as an asset. Translation: Your time spent hiking in the mountains, touring war-torn cities, and befriending the inhabitants of remote villages boosts your hireability.

Employers need experienced workers who are comfortable with other cultures, aren't afraid of stepping outside their comfort zones, and have a thirst for familiarizing themselves with the unknown. Did you plan, finance, and budget your own travels? Then you probably picked up some budgeting, finance, and organizational skills. Did you befriend a child in Vietnam using only body language? Well, then, you're skilled at overcoming communication and language barriers. People who travel are often motivated, able to speak another language, and willing to relocate — and these are highly sought qualities in the working world. No two travelers have the same stories to tell, so be sure to use your most awe inspiring ones to differentiate yourself in your cover letter.

3. Team Sports

Participating in a team sport or activity, like club soccer, gives you a deepened sense of self-worth, purpose, and meaning. And it means you know how to play well with others — both on and off the field. Sports can teach you how to work toward a team goal while also chipping away at personal ones. They're a great way to polish your time management skills and learn the importance of commitment. They teach you how to overcome setbacks and learn from your mistakes.

These are the qualities you build while dribbling up and down the court, making strategic passes to members of your team. And it's the stuff your future boss is looking for from new hires. The best place to list sports involvement on your resume is under an "activities" subhead. It's all about the keywords and phrases. Coachable. Dedicated. Accountable. Team player. Expressed properly, any job interviewer will see how your on-the-field skills will translate in the workplace.

Do you have hobbies that enhance your workplace abilities? Tell us about them in the comments below!

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This article is from Brittany Lyte of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread: