How to choose between two jobs

How to choose between two jobs About a month ago I got a stack of catalogues from Restoration Hardware in the mail. My first thought was that I had purchased so much at Restoration Hardware in the past year that I am now one of their top customers. I thought about my friend Maria, who teaches people  how to choose a  color for anything in their home. She can make you feel like a genius and I’m pretty sure that means everything she buys from Restoration Hardware tax deductible. Before I was her friend and could call her all the time to ask about every little color question in my life (should  my dark brown leather sofa be coco or espresso?) I  hired Maria to do a color consultation. Well, I didn’t really hire her. She did it for free. But it changed my life. She picked all the colors for my house in ten minutes. And then she let me stress out about it for the next 50 minutes. I loved that call because I realized that picking colors is like picking careers. There are right answers and we are scared to trust  them. I told Maria I want French farmhouse red/yellow/blue. And Maria saved me from creating circus tent red/yellow/blue. You think you can manage these things by yourself but really, you don’t know you can’t until you see what someone who is amazing at it can do. Like, I can tell you that my favorite chair in my house is the Versailles chair that no one sits in because it looks sort of like a piece of art from Restoration Hardware, of course. Before I ordered it, I checked with Maria: Is the white version okay? Because I like things fast and Restoration Hardware can ship it to me in a week if I buy what they have in stock. Maria said yes and that she likes anything from Restoration Hardware. You are thinking Restoration Hardware should sponsor this post, right? Well, they can’t, because I’m about to tell you that when I received their stack of nine catalogues, I realized pretty quickly that I was not special because my brother, who lives in commute-to-a-job-in-NYC New Jersey says  there’s a Facebook thread for his neighborhood to talk about how wasteful it is to send out all those catalogues. I did not want New Jersey snark to ruin my wide-eyed Wisconsin excitement over endless bedtime reading. I replaced the Xanax bottle on my nightstand with the stack of catalogues. That’s how much hope I had for pages of Small Spaces (Barcelona! Paris! Malibu!) and Furniture (Deconstructed! Aerospace! Swedish!). But then I got to Rugs. (Ben Soleimani! Ben Soleimani! Ben Soleimani!) Really. There are 80  pages of rugs and each page says the rug is made by him. Wait. That’s not true. There are two pages with Ben that have no rugs photos, only polo photos illustrating a biography of Ben where we find out that he’s a great polo player with inner thigh muscles any woman would kill for. I mean to have as her own. I don’t know why he thinks we want to see him playing polo. It’s like this is an aspirational magazine but not for the reader, only for him. I starting thinking about why Restoration Hardware would let this happen. All the other catalogues in my stack have a wide range of designers caring about design. Why would the rug catalogue be all Ben? I googled him. He’s famous. Well, famous for being born into the rug business, and  supplying Prince Charles with rugs and saying the best way to buy rugs is to pay a lot of money. (Suddenly, the polo makes sense.) I guess Restoration Hardware needs some outside validation for their rug business, and Ben needs to be a household name and wasn’t able to buy his own spot on  reality TV. This makes sense. It’s really what every business agreement is: each side needs something from the other. And if you keep that in mind, its much easier to decide which job to take at which point in your life: Choose the company  where you had a great interview. A good job interview is more like a consulting gig. You tell the company what you have to offer. How you will change their business. Because that’s what establishes you and the company as equals its not an interview but a partnership. They want what you can give them. The best job interviews I’ve had have come from me reaching out to the CEO and telling him I see a problem he has that I can solve. Ben did that with Restoration Hardware. He saw their carpets sucked and he knew how to fix that. Choose a company for its image itll reflect on you. The definition of a  good company to work at is one with a  good brand. Your career is only as good as your resume, and, let’s face it, a big career is really just a series of company names and titles. If the company has a great brand, then it conveys immediate and significant meaning to your career. Just because it sits on your resume.  You could do nothing at the company, but it’s pretty easy to hide that with well-written bullets on a resume. It’s impossible to hide that the company is not a respected brand. Go to a job that  makes a good  story. I see that Restoration Hardware did some deal where they had to bend over backwards to get Ben  Soleimani to work with them. Ben thinks he looks amazing in his polo outfit. I think he looks desperate. Like a woman who is really hot who had to settle for a short, middle-class guy. There’s something wrong with her. Maybe she is a whiner. Or terrible in bed. Who knows? But we know that you get what you are worth. And you can see what someone is worth on the dating market by looking at who they are with. It’s why George Clooney is marrying Amal Alamuddin. He needs credibility in the political world so he can be the next California governor. I think she is bottom feeding by marrying him. But he’s loaded. So fine, it makes sense. Be careful what you reveal by who you pair yourself with. If you hire someone as demanding as Ben you look like you don’t have self-confidence in the field. If you make a deal with your employer that puts your name on every page they print, it might feel like a win, but beware: an overly accommodating employer tells everyone you were too scared to go work for a company that has as strong a reputation as you do. Choose to work  with people who are easy for you. I like that Maria is in this post. She’s an example of someone I like being associated with. We did an online course together and it felt so natural. Ben and Restoration don’t look like a natural fit. They look forced and self-serving. Often people ask me how to choose between two jobs. It’s  almost always an obvious choice if you look at the choice in terms of Ben  Soleimani’s career. Each of us has many stories we could tell to describe our career and how we got here.  Taking a new job is like making a new ending to the story. And a new ending changes the meaning of the story. Look at what the job choice says about the rest of the story, and figure out which story you like best. Ben’s story is that he wants to be everything to everyone. A polo player and a rug dealer to royalty who is also trying to corner  the catalogue-crooning  Restoration Hardware crowd. Don’t choose a job that shows you trying to be everything to everyone. It makes you look unhinged. Even if you’re on top of a horse.

What Makes a Good Resume?

What Makes a Good Resume?If you want to get a job in the corporate world, you need to learn the basics of resume writing. It is not that hard to do as long as you are willing to put some effort into it. A resume is a representation of who you are and what skills you possess.Resume writing starts with your research of the employer. You need to know his goals and objectives before you can give a well-written resume. Once you have gathered this information, your job will be easier because you will know what you need to include on your resume.Your resume should be well-organized and focused. You need to have a checklist of skills that you will include on your resume. This is to make sure that you do not waste your time filling out the same resume for different jobs. Most employers want to hire people who do the same thing. It helps them determine how they can best utilize your talents and experience.Writing resumes does not only involve the content. You also need to make sure that you ha ve included all the necessary information about your achievements. Include any awards or certificates you may have received during the past few years.You should also provide your contact details on your resume. So, if you ever need to contact your employer, all he needs to do is check the details on your resume. Include the cell phone number and the address of the company where you will be working.If you know how to write a good cover letter, then you should use this to write your resume. As this is the first contact the employer will make with you, you need to make him happy. Any information he will be able to get from you, will definitely get you that interview.When it comes to how to write a resume, you will find that there are many resources online. Some of them are free while others require a small fee. This way, you can easily learn how to make a resume that will make you stand out from the crowd.It does not take much to learn basic skills. All you need to do is put your mind to it and you will soon have an impressive resume ready for you. So, get busy and start writing a resume today.

Resume Writing For Stocking Shelves - How to Write a Resume That Will Land You a Job

Resume Writing For Stocking Shelves - How to Write a Resume That Will Land You a JobIf you have been submitting resumes to cover letters for years, you know the amount of stress and frustration that comes with the task. What you probably don't realize is that you can find easier ways to prepare your resume and move forward with a positive outlook and result.The very first thing you need to do when you are considering how to write a resume for stocking shelves is to remove any and all emotions from the equation. The objective should be clear, and the words and the style of the resume should be easy to understand. As you apply this same technique to what you need to say about yourself, you will find yourself more confident.Let's face it, people don't want to be scammed. If you show them that you are trying to do something dishonest or deceptive, they will automatically avoid you. So don't make this mistake!Most employers want resumes to be as short and direct as possible. They will wan t to know immediately why you should be hired and what skills you have. This is the goal of all resume writing for stocking shelves. If you are given this kind of information quickly, you will be able to deliver immediately.When you are looking at resumes for stocking shelves, make sure that it has everything required that will let them know you have a college degree. Even if you don't have a degree, this is a great way to tell the employer that you have done your homework and are serious about working there. However, don't go overboard and tell them all about your career goals, just to mention a few of them.If you have recently worked on a commercial project, list this in your resume as well as your most recent work experience. Having experience can also be good, but it should be written in a complimentary manner. For example, if you worked as a janitor, listing your role as 'supervisor' will sound more professional.You can include all of your education and degrees in different num bers of classes. When you do this, it gives them the impression that you have a complete picture of who you are and that you can contribute to the company. While many people use this tactic to get a job, it can be misleading and will not necessarily be accepted by the employer.Lastly, make sure you include your cover letter and your contact information as well. Employers are not likely to call or send emails to people who do not have a resume filled out and ready to go. Make sure that you include these items to let them know you are in fact hiring and have their contact information.

Why Do Job Seekers Obsess Over Their Resumes

Why Do Job Seekers Obsess Over Their Resumes To every new job seeker, why do you obsess over your resume? How many people do you know who have actually been hired because they had a kick a** resume?   Really?   Did the new boss actually say, the reason I hired you was because your resume was excellent? The resume can be a door opener.   Can be.   But getting an invitation for a phone interview depends on so many things. Does your resume meet the personal preferences of that individual?   Everyone likes to see different styles of resumes. Has your resume demonstrated you have the exact skills, and more importantly, the background and experience the company is looking for (or that they think they are looking for)? Did your resume get enough keyword hits from their resume reading software (ATS)? Did the intern or new HR recruiter understand what you were talking about?   Will they forward it along? In many cases, a referral or personal recommendation is the reason your resume gets  read or pulled from the stack of hundreds.   This referral may actually be the only reason you were called in for an interview. Hiring Decisions Happen During the Interview No matter what your resume says, it is your performance during the interview that either moves you forward or not. So what will your strategy be to get yourself prepared for the interview?   Do you rehearse?   Do you practice in front of a mirror or video camera? Most new job seekers ask for help with their resumes. WRONG. WRONG.   WRONG. New job seekers need help in assessing their strengths and developing a marketing plan which will guide their networking activities.   Then they need to begin learning about the needs of their target companies.   Only after these things have been done is the job seeker ready to write a document that addresses the specific needs of those companies.   This is called Marketing. It is my contention that if job seekers put twice as much effort into self-assessment and market research (instead of obsessing over their resumes) they would be much more successful in landing interviews (and jobs).

I Quit My Day Job - Guest Post by Francesca Marano (Part 2) - When I Grow Up

I Quit My Day Job - Guest Post by Francesca Marano (Part 2) - When I Grow Up Since I’m a 2+year old Woman of the World (aka full-time entrepreneur) now, I thought it would be cool to turn the I Quit My Day Job spotlight on others who have quit their jobs more recently than I have. I’ll be back quarterly to share my wins/challenges of late, but ’til then, enjoy the second video from my first I Quit My Day Job guest post-er, Francesca Marano (and you can watch the first video here)! This months report is all about epiphanies and refining my product. Even if my biz is brand new, I am taking a short hiatus to better define my mission and my offer. In addition, I feel the need to work locally with less fortunate women and this summer I want to prepare a program crafted especially for them. Thank you again for watching, ciao! Francesca is a social media doula helping creative types give birth to their online presence. She loves the lightbulb moment when techno-phobes go “Aha! It’s that simple?” Originally from Italy, she lives in Israel with her husband and son. When she is not obsessing over HTML and CSS, she knits lace shawls.  Francescas a member of my Clubhouse, and you can be, too! Click here to get one of the last spots before I close the doors tomorrow til 2013!

A Career Consultant Can Help You With Your Resume

A Career Consultant Can Help You With Your ResumeAre you looking for good mid-career resume writing services? There are many professional and non-professional services out there that will help you with a little help.A resume is the first thing potential employers will see when you send in your resume. You want your resume to be professional but also professional enough to get your foot in the door of a potential job.If you know your strengths and weaknesses, you can tailor your resume to better appeal to a recruiter or employer. When you're working on a resume, make sure it is easy to read and makes sense. There are certain elements that will stand out, such as your experience and certifications, so you want to make sure it is professional but not too much so that it starts to look like a sales letter.Professionals also know how to write a resume that is professional without being too formal or boring. There are a number of templates available online that you can use to start to craf t a great resume.Professional resume writing services offer services such as formatting and hiring a ghost writer, but they also offer a lot more than that. Many services will help you research your field and give you advice on what to include in your resume.A professional service also offers samples to make sure you don't hurt your chances of getting a job by not including all of the information you need. Other services will be able to recommend employment agencies, networking groups, or local events to help you in your search for a job.When you hire a professional to help you with your resume, you will have a professional-looking resume that will help you get the interview that you deserve. There are plenty of places to find a professional to help you, from a large agency to a smaller agency, and all you have to do is make sure that you choose a service that has proven track records. Make sure they can help you achieve your career goals!

5 Things Hiring Managers Know that Job Seekers Dont, According to a Recruiter

5 Things Hiring Managers Know that Job Seekers Don't, According to a Recruiter As a headhunter since 2011 and now as owner of my own recruitment firm, DG Recruit, I have had the pleasure of placing hundreds of professionals in roles ranging from senior to executive positions nationally. Here are a few things recruiters and hiring managers know that job seekers don’t. 1. All basic qualifications having been met, likability trumps all Thomas Barwickâ€"Getty Images What this means is that the B and C students have just as good a chance at making it in life than A+ students â€" and it’s not the most talented and technically-savvy engineer who eventually becomes the CTO; in fact, it’s usually the most politically admired and personally connected candidate that wins and progresses into the C-suite. Of course, basic qualifications are important to even be considered a feasible candidate, but success is usually dictated more by one’s ability to influence, actively listen, and respond appropriately, their level of social etiquette, and their general level of acceptedness by their peers and superiors. In order to be more likable, read the book “How to Win Friends and Influence People” by Dale Carnegie. In sales roles like mine, and certainly for any enterprising professional who wants to progress into senior leadership roles, learn how to ask open questions sincerely to drive conversations with anyone. Be genuinely vested in others’ lives, sufferings, wins, and emotional state. By empathizing, remembering personal details, and creating conversation consistently, you’ll win over the hearts of anyone you endeavor to build a relationship with. 2. HR people actually are not that important in the hiring hierarchy As a headhunter, surprisingly, the HR person is the last person on my list of any importance. As a job-seeker, you should understand that the person who really controls the chessboard is the hiring manager or department head â€" the actual person in charge of the future hire. The hiring manager dictates everything! Who to interview, what price to pay them, who to hire, and which headhunters to utilize. As long as the real boss, the hiring manager, likes you, you’re about 90 percent of the way to an offer letter. No matter what role you’re in, you can find hiring managers on LinkedIn by experimenting with the search fields. You can type the company name in the filter and then type in “manager” or “director” of a certain role, like “java development.” If that doesn’t turn up anything, then delete the keyword. You can narrow the list by geographic range; similarly, you can find more relevant contacts by looking at the right-hand column called “People also viewed” and opening a new tab in your browser. Important tips: Keep track of your activities on every contact through an Excel sheet where you design the columns to display Company name, First Name, Last Name, Role/Title, and Your Actions to take notes of what you’ve done. Be careful. If you directly reach out to hiring managers, you risk being caught looking, since your manager may also know whom you’re soliciting. They may have backdoor conversations about you â€" and if you directly reach out to firms, headhunters will be unable to represent you to those companies for a period of a year. That’s why you’re best off contacting recruiters first by utilizing LinkedIn, job boards, and referral sources to find the best recruiters in your space. Once you fully map out which recruiters represent which firms and what the word on the street is, then you know which companies you should utilize recruiters for, and which firms you can get after yourself. 3. You can negotiate and leverage other offers to great effect Many candidates are so afraid of upsetting prospective employers that they feel bad for disclosing where else they’re interviewing at or how much money they actually want. For many people in high-demand labor markets where the supply of jobs outstrip candidates available, the candidate actually holds a LOT more power than employers do. Candidates should definitely negotiate and be transparent about exactly which other offers they’re juggling and when deadlines approach. If handled appropriately, this will increase employers’ desire for you, not penalize you for “looking greedy” or “not interested.” It’s simply reflective of the competitive labor landscape in which firms must fight for top talent. In today’s world, it’s all about the etiquette and manner in which you communicate. If you present an articulate, fact-of-the-matter case as to why your demands are as such, people respect you rather than dislike you. After all, it’s a given right for a worker to demand their just wages. 4. You should interview your interviewers harder Two woman discussing new strategy kate_sept2004â€"Getty Images Commonly, candidates are so scared of losing the offer or being looked at as needy or demanding that they don’t actually say what’s on their mind. This hurts their success on the job, even if they manage to obtain a great salary and offer, because they may agree to something that they did not fully understand or align with. That’s why it’s your prerogative to be a strong communicator. Get the answers you truly need during interviews by asking the tough questions that are detailed and specific. This is where you’ll be spending your next few years; you better be aggressive in how you vet it out! Even if you ask all the right questions and hear all the right answers, you still may need to rely on your intuition, gut, and backdoor referencing by asking others to verify what the truth is. Try to see beyond the “sell,” as of course everyone will be trying to secure you and win you over. Look for microaggressions, small gestures that betray their attitude and treatment of people, or red flags that indicate they’re not as supportive as marketed. Some questions you may want to ask are: What is your management philosophy? What are your biggest struggles with leading teams or your staff? What is the vision/plan/future of this team/company/department? What are your biggest frustrations or challenges in the current market environment/competitive landscape/internal dynamics? 5. Interview, even if you don’t need to Due to loyalty, fear, laziness, or arrogance, most candidates refuse to proactively learn about what opportunities are available. Even if headhunters call them with amazing and legitimate roles that could seriously impact their earning potential or career trajectory, people say no to themselves all the time, allowing others less-qualified to leapfrog them. As a headhunter, I see this happen daily. I’ll call a bunch of similarly-talented people, but some are just more open-minded to listen to others’ advice. They’re clever about their future. Others who think they know everything miss out! No matter if you need to look or not, once you hit a certain amount of experience in your role, it’s time to take your head out of the sand and start interviewing, even if just for your own education. This phenomenon disproportionately hurts women due to the majority of women being extra bought-in/loyal and super paranoid of being “found out.” Especially if you’re a woman, please go out there and interview â€" even if you don’t need to. I could go on and on about misguided resume designs and why people should stop wasting their time freaking out over cover letters, but the above points are the most important in terms of mindsets about the job-getting process and ecosystem that will really misdirect job-seekers’ actions and strategies. Keep a positive attitude, an open heart, and be smart about who you let into your life â€" and which company to work for â€" to stay in control of your life and career. Dandan Zhu is a headhunter, investor, and entrepreneur who coaches, trains, and recruits top talent in recruitment and sales positions. As an immigrant coming from humble beginnings, Dandan struggled through culture shock and difficult family dynamics until her early twenties when she realized she wanted more from life. She went from being a waitress at 22 to a millionaire by 30 through her recruitment and investment career. Now, she shares her methods through her businesses and advice on DG Recruit, Dandan Global, and her daily posts. Tune into her podcasts DG Recruit and Daily DANDAN for more insight, guidance, and coaching on anything related to careers, success, and recruitment. This article originally appeared on Business Insider.