University of Central Florida Takes Top Honors at HPVC East

University of Central Florida Takes Top Honors at HPVC East University of Central Florida Takes Top Honors at HPVC East The gruppe from the University of Central Florida and their human powered vehicle, Knightrike, were the overall winners of the ASME Human Powered Vehicle Challenge East competition, which was held in Orlando, Fla., earlier this month. In a dramatic turn of events at the ASME Human Powered Vehicle Challenge East earlier this month, the student team from the University of Central Florida unseated perennial favorites Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology and the Missouri University of Science Technology (Missouri ST) to become the overall winner of the competition.The teams from Rose-Hulman and Missouri ST, whose entries were plagued by mechanical problems, finished in second- and fifth-place overall, respectively, thus clearing the path for the host school the University of Central Florida and its entry Knightrike to cruise to victory as the overall winners of t he three-day event, which took place April 11-13 at the universitys campus in Orlando, Fla. Cheryl, Franklin W. Olin Colleges entry in this years HPVC East, placed third overall. Thirty-two teams of ASME student members took part in the competition, which consisted of three races a mens and womens drag race and an endurance event as well as konzeption and innovation evaluations. The University of Central Florida took first place in every category except design, where it came in second. Rose-Hulmans entry, Namazu, tipped over during the first HPVC East event, the womens speed event, for a 24th place finish. The team, which won the design category and was the runner-up in the innovation category, never fully recovered over the next two days, finishing fifth in the mens drag race and eighth in the endurance event. The University of Missouri-Kansas City placed second in the womens drag race event at HPVC East. Other notable teams at HPVC East included the Univers ity of Missouri-Kansas City, placing second in the womens drag race Union College, finishing second in the endurance event the University of Toronto, ranking third in both the mens speed and innovation categories and Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, placing third in the endurance event. Several teams besides Rose-Hulman also faced mechanical challenges during the competition. Franklin W. Olin Colleges Cheryl, for instance, malfunctioned during the endurance event. The team still managed a third-place finish in the race, however. With her teammates running alongside of her and cheering her on, the teams driver pushed her vehicle the remainder of the course and over the finish line. The students received the events Team Spirit award for their efforts. ASME will hold another Human Powered Vehicle Challenge, the HPVC West, in San Jose, Calif., April 25-27. Coverage of that event will appear in the next issue of ASME News.To learn mora about the ASME HPVC program, visit the competitions Facebook page at https//www.facebook.com/ASMEHPVC.

Should you fess up to your boss or HR if you lied on your resume

Should you fess up to your boss or HR if you lied on your resumeShould you fess up to your boss or HR if you lied on your resumeWhen youre in the thick of a job hunt, it can feel incredibly pressing to include fantastic details about yourself and your accomplishments. For some people that can mean including details that dont just stretch the truth, they reinvent it. And these folks prone to resume enhancement are definitely not alone.According to research from staffing firm OfficeTeam, almost half of workers (46%) know someone who included false information on a resume. The two biggest things they lie about? Job experience (76%) and duties (55%) are both frequently embellished. But they dont always get away with fibbing since 38% of senior managers said their company has removed an applicant from consideration for a position after discovering they lied.I have seen multiple people fired if they are caught after the fact, said Allison OKelly CEO and Founder of boutique staffing firm Co rps Team. The reason being that Many companies have you fill out a job application where you sign something stating that your application (which includes your resume) is truthful and that any discrepancy is grounds for terminationOn the heels of the College Admissions Scandal, now is a really dumb time to fib about your accomplishments. But what if you stretched the truth in the past should you admit to it now? Not necessarily. OKelly believes that the best time to correct inaccuracies is when you are looking for a new role. And allow yourself to start with a clean slate Make sure you change it in both your printed/electronic versions as well as in your online profiles on career sites.But what if your lie is much mora substantial and you didnt really get that degree, those grades or that license? OKelly says its time to fess up because youre potentially putting the careers and reputation of others at risk. She said, You could be putting your employer at risk and you could be legally liable. That said, you will likely need to get started on your next job search this time using an accurate resume.So, what happens if you lied on your resume and arent sure if its egregious enough to bring up? You should probably research any information about your companys hiring requirements before mentioning it to HR.Whatever you do, dont tell your work wife and expect them to help you figure it out. That could be a bad idea since depending on your company policies, you might be sharing the guilt if you share the details. And you also might eventually break up with your best friend in the amtsstube and youve just given them a valuable piece of leverage over you.A few more tipsIf your lie welchesnt actually a lie, but rather a buffing of your skills, speak to HRHeather Q., who wants to keep her information private to protect her career, didnt even realize she had lied on her resume until she was at her new job for a few months. I thought I knew how to do something, so I added th ose skills to my resume. It was only after I realized the details involved that I worried that I might have lied on my resume.Heather ended up going to HR and explaining the situation. She then confessed to her boss. While it wasnt a pleasant situation initially, her boss ended up trusting her more because she realized that instead of propagating a lie Heather chose to expose my professional vulnerabilities in the past and show my boss how much my skillset had improved.Talk to a resume proSantiago R. reveals that when he first came to the states as an exchange student, his English was good but not great. Santiago tried to craft a resume on his own but realized that he wasnt necessarily telling the entire truth on his resume. As he became more confident with his career skills, he hired a resume professional to go over his professional claims with him.I knew I was good at my job, but I figured that if I was ever up for review, I needed to be sure I told the truth in the first place, S antiago said.A resume pro was able to point out the trouble spots and eventually, Santiago confessed all to his boss. I wanted my work to speak for myself instead of the fibs on my resume.

Job Interview Questions About Your Career Goals

Job Interview Questions About Your Career GoalsJob Interview Questions About Your Career GoalsDuring a job interview, the interviewer might ask, What are your long-term career goals? Or, you might get similar interview questions such as, Where do you see yourself in five years? and What are your goals for the next five to ten years? What the Interviewer Really Wants to Know Interviewers want to know whether you plan to stay at the company for a while or if youre likely to leave at the soonest opportunity. Asking future-looking questions during interviews is very common. For employers, it helps reveal if you have any long-term visions or plans. It is expensive to hire and train an employee. The interviewer wants to make sure that you intend to stay at least a while at the company. However, the interviewer also wants to make sure you have ambition and goals for your future. How to Answer Interview Questions About Your Career Goals 109 5 Tips for Answering Questions About Caree r Goals It might be difficult to think about the future during your interview, so its good to plan for such a question. Keep in mind, there are plenty of ways to answer it successfully. Answer this question with the company in mind. Prepare an answer that focuses on your career goals as they relate to the company you are interviewing for. You can divide those goals up into short-term goals and longer-term goals. If youre not clear about what you want to achieve, review this guide onhow to set career goals. Then, spend some time setting your short- and long-term career goals. Examples of the Best Answers Here are some examples of answers you can follow when framing your own answers. In the shortterm, I hope to work as a sales representative for a company such as yours one with a mission based on excellent customer service and care. Working as a sales representative for a company I believe in will prepare me to take on expanded team leadership responsibilities in the future, as those become available. ExpandWhy It Works The applicant references the company he or she is interviewing for in his answer to the question, letting the interviewer know that he would like to be hired by the company and would like to stay there, at least for a while. My current, short-term goal is to develop and use my marketing and communications skills in a job like this one. However, I eventually want to develop into a position that allows me to continue to use unterstellung skills while also managing a marketing group. I will prepare myself for this goal by taking on leadership positions in team projects, and by developing my professional career by attending leadership conferences such as the one put on annually by your company. ExpandWhy It Works This answer works for two reasons. First, the applicant states that his or her short-term goal can be accomplished by working in a company like the one in which he or she is interviewing for. Second, the applicant relates his or her lo ng-term goal to an annual conference put on by the company. Although I have just completed my LPN certification, my long-term goal is to take my nursing career to its highest level by eventually earning my RN degree. My plan is to work full-time in a long-term care environment or hospital for the next few years, which will give me the experience Ill need in order to excel in an RN program. ExpandWhy it Works Since the applicant is obviously interviewing in a hospital or long-term care environment, he or she is relating long-term goals to the same environment. This reassures the interviewer that they may be able to retain the applicant if they hire the applicant. Tips for Giving the Best Answer abflug with short-term goals, then move to long-term goals.You probably have a good sense of your short-term goals, such as getting a job with an employer like the one you are currently interviewing for. Start by describing these goals, then move to long-term plans. Explain the actions you ll take.Listing goals is not going to make for a strong answer. You also want to (briefly) explainsteps you will take to achieve them. For example, if you want to take on a management role, describe the steps you have taken, or will take, to become a manager. Perhaps you are developing your leadership skills by running group projects, you plan to attend a series of leadership conferences, or you are pursuing a specialized management certification. Describing your plan demonstrates that you are thinking analytically about your career future and your potential growth within the company. For example, if you plan to further your education, explain it in a way that enhances your worth to the company. Focus on the employer.Even though this question is about you, you want to convey that you wont abandon the employer anytime soon. Mention that one of your goals is to work for a company like the one for which youre interviewing. Focus on how youll add value to the company through the achieve ment of your own goals. Also, convince the interviewer that working at this company will help you achieve your goals for a win-win situation. Take the Time to Practice. Practice answering questions about your career goals out loud, so you can be more comfortable during your interview. Its also a good idea to review a variety ofjob interview questions and answersso youll be fully prepared. What Not to Say Avoid discussing salary.Dont focus on goals related to earnings, raises, bonuses, or perks. You want to focus on the work you hope to achieve, rather than the money you want to make. Its fine to provide a salary sortiment if asked (although you mighttry to avoid getting pinned down too early in the process). However, you should never volunteer your target salary unasked, or tie any information to your circumstances, rather thanthe job market. Heres an example ofwhat not to saywhen youre talking about salary with a prospective employer Dont Say ThisCan you provide the salary rang e for this position? My target salary is at least $45,000. My rent just went up and I have student loans, so I cant consider a position that comes in under that. Avoid delving too deeply into specifics.While you want to present clear goals, do not get into too many details. For example, if you know you want to work for a company in a specific position (thats not the company or role youre interviewing for), dont share this informationwith an employer. Emphasize more general goals, such as taking on responsibilities. This allows you to balance clear aims with a flexible attitude. Review an example of what notto saywhen youre discussing your goals Dont Say ThisIm excited about the possibility of joining this organization. While Im applying for an administrative assistant job, my hope is to move into an editorial role as soon as possible. Can you tell me how long it would take to move into an editorial assistant position? Possible Follow-Up Questions How do you plan to achieve your career goals? - Best AnswersHow do you envision your career path? - Best AnswersWhere do you see yourself in 5 years? - Best Answers Key Takeaways Prepare your answer focusing on your career goals as they relate to the company you are interviewing for.Relate both your short-term and long-term career goals to the company you are interviewing for unless you are clearly interviewing for a short-term position.Prepare an answer that includes the steps you intend to take to achieve your career goals.Dont get into too many details.Dont discuss salary or benefits.

How to Interview like a Professional

How to Interview like a ProfessionalHow to Interview like a ProfessionalHow to Interview like a Professional FleschnerIf you want a guaranteed laugh, ask an HR professional about their vorstellungsgesprching and recruiting disasters.Tales of job seekers showing up on the wrong day, sweating profusely while failing to make eye contact throughout or walking in wearing flip flops and a tank top will flow forth.But the conversation turns more somber if you ask the same HR professional about the gaffes or improper behavior that he or she has witnessed from interviewers themselves.Hiring is No Laughing MatterWhats the reason for this difference? It has to do with the stakes. A job seeker who performs badly on a given interview can shake it off, chalk it up to experience and resolve to do better next time. No harm, no foul. But an interviewer doesnt enjoy that luxury, since a bad interview can lead to a costly hiring mistake or worse, invite legal action.As The Essential HR Handbook author Sharon Armstrong points out, inexperienced or unprofessional interviewers frequently commit many of the same off-putting errors as job seekers, including taking phone calls, checking emails or openly texting in the middle of interviews. Of greater concern, however, are interviewers who ask inappropriate interview questions.This is a big no-no, she says. I often hear about questions involving age, marriage, plans for children and child care arrangements. Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 protects individuals against employment discrimination, and even small businesses need to be careful bedrngnis to run afoul of the law.Knowing how to hire smart says Melanie Berkowtiz, Esq., is a must for any employer to avoid liability for discrimination to maintain a legal hiring process.Sharlyn Lauby, president of ITM Group and creator of the popular HR Bartender blog, emphasizes that these rules dont only apply to formal sit-down interviews.When Ive interviewed in the past for human resou rces roles, Im often scheduled for very informal interviews with department managers, she says. But even in these informal chats, Ive been asked inappropriate questions about my age, if Im married, how many kids I have, etc.The critical point, Lauby says, is that anyone who is conducting interviews, whether an HR rep, a manager or business owner, needs to be trained on what questions can and cant be asked of prospective hires.Interviewing No-Nos to AvoidCareer Directors International president Laura DeCarlo suggests the following as some of the more common interviewing mistakes she comes across1. leid reading the resume. Read the resume ahead of time to familiarize yourself with the candidate, identify potential red flags (like date gaps) youd like to explore during the interview and specific job skills you may want to know more about. A good resume review should help you formulate questions designed to get the most out of the candidate.2. Not planning questions in advance. Trying t o conduct an interview off the cuff is a bad idea. Always prepare a list of interview questions that should generate the information you want to know from a candidate. This will help you avoid the mistake of realizing after the fact that you didnt get what you needed from the interview.3. Dominating the conversation.An essential part of knowing how to interviewis to ask your questions, then sit and listen. One of the biggest mistakes unprepared interviewers make is to talk too much during the interview, whether about the job, the company or themselves, and failing to give candidates the opportunity to reveal important information.4. Not asking follow-up questions. Even good candidates are not always the best interviewees. Nerves get the best of all of us sometimes. Thats why its important for interviewers to take the initiative to draw out candidates who respond with brief or generic answers. Ask for specific examples or additional information.5. Taking small talk into dangerous ter ritory. Unskilled or nervous interviewers may try to break the ice by asking a candidate about something inappropriate, like whether he or she has children. Even when done with innocent intentions, these personal questions lead into hazardous waters. Better to stick to safer topics for small talk like performance questions, such as How did you get into this field? or What led you to our company?6. Not checking references. Always ask candidates for references before they leave. This will show whether they are prepared for the request and confident about their references. Then, if youre interested, definitely do some reference checking some great interviewees wont necessarily be great employees while other nervous seekers will make great employees. Thats why its important to check them out.As DeCarlo says, while a bad interview can be funny, a bad hire rarely is. A hiring mistakecan cost companies by lowering staff morale, customer satisfaction and loyalty, as well as bottom-line prof its. Which is why you owe it to yourself to be the most prepared, confident interviewer possible.

Here Are the Law Degrees Offering the Most Money After Graduation

Here Are the Law Degrees Offering the Most Money After Graduation Here Are the Law Degrees Offering the Most Money After Graduation The following list contains the schools with the highest salary-to-debt ratio, a necessary consideration when determining which schools provided the biggest return on a students investments. (These are median and average numbers, and variables such as scholarships can, of course, make a difference in the final costs).1. University of Texas, AustinThe median private sector starting salary of 2011 grads was $155,000, and average student debt of 2012 grads was $86,312. The UT law school is considered one of the most selective in the nation. It offers both J.D. and Master of Laws degrees, as well as dual degree programs.2. University of North Carolina, Chapel HillThe median private sector starting salary for grads of this school is $117,500, and the average student debt is $74,485. This school is one of the oldest law schools in the U.S. and is considered highly competitive, accepting only 15 percent of applicants. UNC-CH is often ranked among the top public law schools in the nation.3. Brigham Young UniversityThe median private sector starting salary coming out of the J. Reuben Clark Law School at Brigham Young is much lower than the competition at $84,500, but the average student debt is lower as well at $56,112. This law school is well known for its lower tuition and offers traditional law degrees as well as joint-degree programs.4. Stanford University The median starting salary for private sector grads is $160,000, and the average student debt is $110,275. The school often ranks comparably with Harvards and Yales law schools. Known for its small class sizes, the school is home to the nations first Supreme Court litigation clinic. It is considered extremely competitive Stanford Laws acceptance rate is one of the lowest in the nation.5. Yale UniversityMedian starting salary for private sector grads is $160,000, and the average stud ent debt is $110,741. Yale has been ranked the top law school in the nation for many years. Graduates often go on to careers in academia or politics, rather than practicing law.Of course, picking a law school depends on mora than post-graduation prospects or potential debt load. You also want to consider location, specialties, scholarships, internship opportunities, and other variables, just as you did when you were picking an undergraduate program. However, salary and debt load are highly important considerations, and knowing what your options are will help you pick the program that best fits your needs.

Nurse Practitioner Resume at a Glance

Nurse Practitioner Resume at a Glance What Is So Fascinating About Nurse Practitioner Resume? Its also advisable to decide if you would like to specialize in Pediatrics or Family Medicine. Studies have demonstrated that they often create the choice to call you or just discard your resume in only a couple of seconds. Nurses have to have a good deal of health understanding, and will need in order to carry out certain procedures (for example, giving vaccinations and drawing blood). Even if youre just a couple of minutes late for work, an important task might leid be completed punctually. Make certain that you have a minumum of one instance of a time you demonstrated every one of the top five skills listed here. Obviously, each job will call for various abilities and experiences, so make certain you read the job description with care and concentrate on the skills listed by the employer. The absolute most acceptable job for you is closer than you may imagine. The Argument About Nurse Practitioner Resume Employers report they are more inclined to contact candidates who appear friendly, so make sure to smile. There is a certain manner of resumes called Internship resume. Each individual must create a CV which works best for her or him. You have talents and you have to enable the employers know about them Nurse Practitioner Resume - the Story You might have been employed as a nursing aid. In some places, the work market for nurses can be very tough. Patients need specialized care each and every day, and your supervisors will count on you to appear on time each day that youre scheduled to do the job. Ultimately, because you will be working with a massive number of patients and coworkers, its imperative that you can steer away from conflicts and handle difficult situations should they arise. Simply take a deep breath youre on your way to writing the ideal nursing resume. See which ones which you can provide. In seriousness, its dependent on what typ e of work that youre applying for. Resist the temptation to explain everything in detail and just give them a glimpse of what youve done through the years. Experience Highlighting your experience has become the most significant part your resume. Emphasize Your Top Selling Points Once youve got their attention, you will need to then quickly emphasize your very best selling points that demonstrate why youre the proper partie for the job. Highlights the experience and skills you have which might be associated with the job that youre applying for. Skills are abilities that you have, or develop, that let you achieve goals. The Characteristics of Nurse Practitioner Resume A superb excellent summary should speak about you as an individual and professional. You should consist of certain metrics whenever possible. Savvy resumes are anchored by a comprehensive summary that permits the reader to rapidly find salient info about the applicant. A Startling Fact about Nurse Practition er Resume Uncovered Then, whenever you must update your CV, all of the info is prepared to go and simple to format. Because of sample nurse resume templates you dont have to compose your cv from scratch. 1 thing to keep in mind is that while tools like a resume template is able to help you produce a framework, you are still going to have to bring the specifics yourself. If youve got an entry level Nurse Practitioner resume, you still ought to be in line for the task as long as you have all the needed abilities and qualifications. Nursing is among the fastest growing jobs on the marketplace and registered nurses are in high demand. Licensure Nurse practitioners have to be licensed as a way to practice. Nurse practitioners, including new graduates, have the choice to work in a range of settings. Nurse practitioner job growth is anticipated to be much faster than the work market for a whole. If you arent a member of an expert nurse practitioner organization, nows a great time t o consider about joining. Dont forget that youre currently a certified nurse practitioner. Being a licensed Registered Nurse wont be enough. You should put keywords that are about the job. Locum tenens jobs provide a distinctive chance to try out a selection of settings in a brief quantity of time. Ultimately, you should rework your objective each time you make an application for a position.

Finding Personal Satisfaction in your Professional Life

Finding Personal Satisfaction in your Professional Life What are the ingredients for a successful career? Most people would say something like hard work, personal sacrifices, determination, and a dose of luck. But even after giving your all for the benefit of your career, can you still say it was all worth it? Though many people are content once they reach the pinnacle of their professions, many others answer this question with a resounding no. These people find that the careers they have been shedding blood, sweat, and tears for are, in the end, not making them happy. It is these very people who often feel trapped by their jobs rather than set free. They feel bound to their jobs thanks to the paycheck which works to kenntniserlangung the successful live theyve cultivated over many years. So they suffer silently and resentfully as they burn-out, remain constantly irritable, and lose patience with those around them. Often, people in this situation consider quitting their job as the best solution to their unhappiness, but that may not be true, and not just for financial reasons.If you are one of the unfortunates who has earned professional success, but failed to achieve the personal satisfaction that is supposed to go along with it, it is time to take a probing look at your job to determine just what is making you so unhappy. For starters, sit down during a quiet moment and jot down everything you can come up with about how your job displeases you. No matter how trivial an irritation may seem, write it down for consideration later. Once you have finished your list, think about ways you may be able to change, or even eliminate, each item from your list.The list can also help you differentiate the items that are actually part of your job instead of part of your work environment. By taking a long look at the list you can now better determine if this is really the life you want or if your dreams became waylaid at some point along your career path. If you determine a genuine life changes needs to be made, it is time to move beyond your own desires to those of your family and how changing your career may affect them in the long run.It is best to address the issue head-on with your family by explaining your need to do something else in order to lead a happier life but also your need for their support and acceptance of any financial sacrifices that may be needed. Develop a time line with your family so that everyone is clear on what you are going to do and when you are going to do it. If you find that you are uncertain of what you want, try to limit the scope of your investigation to two or three vermgen careers at a time to keep the process manageable.Use technology to your advantage and get on the Internet to research careers, companies, educational opportunities, and more to help you find what you need to work in your chosen field. Network, participate in que stion-and-answer interviews with employers, talk to employees at companies that interest you, and investigate a variety of related fields that you may have never considered before. When you realize you are more invested in researching your next career than working at your current job, you can be assured that it is time to put your faith in the future and use your time and energy to achieve the job of your dreams.

Study finds Fear of Being Replaced, Poor Communication Prevents Taking Time Off

Study finds Fear of Being Replaced, Poor Communication Prevents Taking Time Off Study finds Fear of Being Replaced, Poor Communication Prevents Taking Time Off Workers cite returning to an excessive workload (40 percent) and the feeling that nobody else can do their work (35 percent) as the top reasons they leave PTO unused. One-third (33 percent) of respondents said they cannot afford to use their PTO, and about a fifth (22 percent) of workers were concerned with being viewed as replaceable.This work martyr complex is reinforced by company culture mainly poor communication around time off. Even though senior business leaders overwhelmingly recognize the importance of using time off (95 percent), two-thirds (67 percent) of American employees say their company says nothing, sends mixed messages about or discourages using their PTO. Further, one-third of senior business leaders state they never (19 percent) or rarely (14 percent) talk with employees about the benefits of taking time off.Management may be unintentionally sending employees mixed messages when they take their time off. Nearly half (46 percent) keep responding to emails, while 29 percent return calls from work during their PTO, sending the signal that it is not acceptable to be away from the job.

Answers to 15 of the Most Common Job Search Questions

Answers to 15 of the Most Common Job Search QuestionsAnswers to 15 of the Most Common Job Search Questions Looking for a job is complex. At each step you take - writing a resume, drafting a cover letter, networking, bewerberinterviewing , negotiating your salary and more - there are a 1000000 different questions you could ask.While we cant answer all of the questions in a single blog post (believe me, that wouldnt be fun for you or me) we can attempt to address some of the more frequent questions that come up. After poring over Reddit, Quora, Google and other sites, we drafted a list of some of the most commonly asked job search questions and reached out to career experts to find the answers - here are the results.1. Ive submitted tons of applications, but I havent heard back from anyone. What am I doing wrong?When it comes to submitting job applications, its about quality, not quantity. If youre not hearing back at all, you may want to think about whether youre applying to the right jobs. Theres nothing wrong with aiming high, but if you dont have the direct experience needed for the job you want, you may want to start thinking about applying to stepping-stone positions.Another common culprit for getting the silent treatment? The applicant probably hasnt tailored their resume to the position and the key requirements posted for the position, says John Singer, CEO of Professional Development Strategies .For each application, you should carefully read the job description and include and/or highlight specific skills and experiences you have that match what the company is looking for. Use the same language as the job description, adds Aurora Meneghello, career coach and founder of Repurpose Your Purpose .Other strategies to get your resume past the screening leiter include finding somebody at the company to refer you , and making aya your resume is Applicant Tracking System, or ATS, compliant (more on that later).2. Will applying to a job in a different state hurt my aussichts of getting hired?Its probably not what you want to hear, but the answer is, It depends. If a company doesnt have the budget to accommodate relocation costs, or there are already plenty of qualified locals, they probably wont be as open to interviewing out-of-state candidates . However, if you have a unique or hard-to-find set of skills and the company has a track record of hiring out-of-state applicants, yourlocation may be no deterrent at all. Just make it clear that youre willing to move.The best places to do this are in the cover letter and the summary/overview statement at the top of your resume, says Adam Goulston, Certified Professional Resume Writer . And in all of your application materials, make it clear that youre the best person for the job regardless of location.3. I need experience to get a job, but I need a job to get experience. What can I do?It may be a bit of extra work, but you can definitely gain experience without being em ployed full-time in a particular field.Consider volunteering with nonprofits sometime volunteer gigs turn into paid jobs, and they are a good way to start your resume, says Robyn L. Coburn, author and resume coach . You can also bulk up your resume through freelance work.People are often willing to take a chance on a less experienced freelancer for a one-time project, especially if it costs them less than hiring a bigger firm to complete the work, says Jessie West of West Coaching and Consulting . Then, you can use work completed for freelance clients to show your experience on your resume.Finally, theres nothing wrong with a little good old-fashioned networking.Ask your family and friends, or community connections if they can help you find an entry-level job in their companies, Goulston adds. Always express willingness to start at the bottom, work hard and learn.4. How do I go from having a good resume to having a great resume?One difference between the two a good resume shows wh at you did at your previous jobs, while a great resume shows the impact you had.Make sure the resume is filled with specific accomplishments and results youve delivered, quantified with numbers whenever possible, says Kelly Donovan, principal of Kelly Donovan & Associates . One tried-and-true tactic is the STAR method, in which each bullet point lists the S ituation you found yourself in, T ask you were assigned, A ction you took and R esults of your initiatives. However, be sure that the accomplishments and results are relevant to the job youre going for - otherwise, your reader might be unimpressed by your examples, Donovan cautions.This speaks to a larger theme present in great resumes customization.For each application, you should carefully read the job description and include and/or highlight specific skills and experiences you have that match what the company is looking for, Meneghello says. This is especially important if the company uses an ATS. Speaking of which, yo u might be wondering5. How can I make sure my resume gets past an ATS?Every resume should be customized to the job by carefully examining the keywords in the listing, and adjusting your resume to reflect those, Coburn says. Always use the exact phrase they use, because many ATSs filter out resumes that dont contain enough relevant keywords.It also helps to follow a few formatting guidelines so that the ATS can easily scan your resume. Try keeping the font at 11 points or more using one of the standard, highly readable fonts and making sure the employment dates are justified to the right-hand margin on the page, Coburn adds. Bells and whistles like columns, shading, boxes, underlining and multiple fonts only confuse the ATS.6. What skills are impressive to have on a resume?The skills recruiters are impressed by will largely vary based on the job youre applying to. To identify the most in-demand skills in your field, look at a wide cross-section of job postings that youre interested in and take notes on which ones appear most frequently. Recruiters may also like to see certain role-specific certifications .There are a handful of skills, though, that are applicable to many different careers, and are worth including no matter what. A few examples fluency in a foreign language, data analysis (especially in common platforms like Excel or Google Sheets), project management and leadership (with concrete examples to back it up).7. When reading a resume, what red flags do recruiters look out for? One of the easiest ways to get your application out of the running? Typos.There are so many people applying for the same job, a recruiter needs to be diligent, says business writer Mary Walton. Often, that means theyll throw away any resume thats not correctly proofread without even looking at the content. So check, ersatzdarsteller check and even triple check your resume to make sure its free of errors .Youll also want to be careful about including long gaps on your resu me with no explanation.Some companies have stringent hiring practices that would clearly frown on gaps, says Susan Ruhl, a managing partner at OI Partners-Innovative Career Consulting in Denver. If there is a gap, recruiters/hiring managers tend to become a little suspicious and so they must be explained.Finally, many inconsistencies, exaggerations or straight-up lies on your resume can easily be found by cross-checking with former employers, so dont even think about it. If a recruiter cant trust your resume, how are they supposed to trust you as an employee?8. What questions should I ask in an interview?Theres no limit to questions you can ask in an interview , but as a rule of thumb, you should make sure that the questions you ask either demonstrate that youre thoughtful and well-researched, help you understand the company/role on a deeper level or both.A few examples Meneghello suggests Try to avoid questions that demonstrate a lack of research on your part (e.g. Whos the C EO?) or hint that you may be in it for the wrong reasons (Can I expect a six-figure salary?).9. What are some red flags you should look out for in a job interview?It pays to be vigilant during the interview process - after all, no one wants to take a job theyll end up hating a few months (or even weeks) in. It wont always be easy to identify a toxic workplace, but if an interviewer bad-mouths other employees (past or present), wont say why the position opened up, reveals that they work nearly 24/7 or lets slip that theres a high turnover rate, you may want to think twice before moving forward.Another red flag to watch out for is an unclear job description. If you dont know what youre supposed to be doing or how you can be successful at it, you may find yourself juggling multiple roles, being held to arbitrary and unfair performance standards or failing to find meaning in what you do.10. What are some common interview mistakes?Besides the obvious - showing up late, using unprofes sional language, appearing sloppy or unhygienic - one of the biggest mistakes you can make is being poorly prepared. Dont forget to arrive with all of the necessary materials, like your resume, portfolio and a notepad research basic facts about the company such as their industry, competitors and CEO or practice your responses beforehand. While you probably wont be able to anticipate every question that comes your way, you can use Glassdoors interview reviews to find out which questions the company youre interviewing with asks candidates. It never hurts to brush up on some of the most common interview questions , either.Another big no-no is coming across as too vague. If someone asks you an anecdotal question , such as How have you dealt with difficult colleagues? you should give a specific example. Again, practicing your responses (yes, that means out loud) should help prepare you for this.11. How should I respond to, Whats your biggest weakness?This question is notoriously one of the trickiest ones out there - you dont want to answer with an eye-roll-worthy clich, but you dont want to make yourself look bad, either. The trick, experts say, is being honest without being honest to a fault.Dig deep and be honest, but of course dont share something which will lead them to question your ability to do the job, says Nicole Wood of Ama la Vida . Then, make sure you immediately follow-up with the action steps you have taken to overcome these weaknesses The interviewer just wants to know that these arent blind spots, that you are well aware of them and that you are working to overcome them.12. How should I respond when someone asks what my salary expectations are?Answering this question by disclosing numbers can make it very difficult to negotiate effectively later on because it can box the candidate in, says Josh Doody, author of Fearless Salary Negotiation . Once the candidate discloses current or desired salary, the offers they get are very likely to be ti ed to those numbers. That can be very expensive if the company might have offered them a much higher salary than they disclosed.Instead, Doody suggests responding with something along the lines ofI dont have a specific number in mind for a desired salary, and you know better than I do what value my skill set and experience could bring to your company. I want this move to be a big step forward for me in terms of both responsibility and compensation.13. Whats the best way to negotiate your salary?Salary negotiations can play out any number of ways, but the basic strategy you should stick to is knowing what youre worth and making a business case for why you deserve it. abflug by defining a concrete range of what you want to make - you can use Glassdoors Know Your Worth personalized salary estimator to help inform that number.Let the employer throw out a number first, then ask for more. Its always worth negotiating - employers are extremely unlikely to fire somebody, or not hire the m in the first place, just for negotiating their salary (as long as the request isnt totally outlandish). But dont just say you want that extra money. Prove that you deserve it by bringing up concrete accomplishments, results and metrics. Worst case scenario, theyll say no - best case scenario, youll walk away with a much heftier paycheck.14. What should you do if you get fired?This is another question that really depends on your personal circumstances. Some people may want to take time off to travel, focus on their families or just take it easy while they search for a new job. Others may not be in a financial position where thats feasible. If you need employment ASAP, one of your best options is to go to a temp agency , where recruiters proactively pitch you to different employers. Best of all, theyll often do this at no cost to you. This not only helps you pay the bills while you look for a permanent position - it helps you add experience to your resume, which in turn makes you more marketable to employers.Whether you take time off in between or not, though, youll likely be asked why you left your former position. While it may be tempting to cover up the truth, you absolutely need to be honest, says Heather Huhman. You dont have to go into elaborate details. Keep your answer brief and move the conversation towards what youve learned from the experience. And most of all, stay positive and forward-thinking. Dont talk about why you hated your last job - focus on how excited you are for this new opportunity.15. How do you stay motivated/optimistic in the midst of the job hunt?We wont lie - the job hunt can be exhausting and disheartening, especially if it stretches on for a long time. But its important to not give up. If youre doing everything right, its only a matter of time before you find the right opportunity. In the meantime, though, its worth pampering yourself a little bit. A few ways you can beat the job search blues stay active, limit the a mount of time you spend on social media, go to the spa whatever you think will help you unwind. And rest assured - you will find a job eventually.Have a job search question that youd like answered? Let us know in the comments section below

Reputation (not skill) more likely to get a crowdsourcing idea funded

Reputation (not skill) more likely to get a crowdsourcing idea fundedReputation (not skill) more likely to get a crowdsourcing idea fundedWhen youre buying an unschliffed product from someone crowdfunding their idea on the internet, trust matters - even more than actual skill.According to new research from Binghamton University, your reputation as an entrepreneur matters even more than your capability of actually seeing the idea through to a schliffed product on crowdfunding sites like Kickstarter and Indiegogo.We care more if someone will finish their idea than whether they can execute itIn the absence of using product reviews to weigh their decision, potential funders become much more interested in the ethics of a person. To test this, researchers recruited 300 participants to judge mock crowdfunding campaigns of varying complexity. They ranged from easy ideas like new types of photo albums to ideas requiring higher levels of expertise like a new kind of 3D printer.As the complexi ty of a product increased, the researchers found that concern about the sellers reputation increased, even as concern for the sellers capabilities decreased. Even with highly complex products, people were more concerned about a sellers reputation and opportunistic behaviors than their competence.In other words, people are more concerned whether or not someone will finish their innovative 3D printer idea than whether they can actually build a 3D printer.We found that people worry more about the sellers honesty than whether the seller actually has the ability and knowledge to finish and deliver on the product, Ali Alper Yayla, one of the studys researchers, said. People dont want sellers to just take their money and run.Crowdfunders face the uncertainty of putting money into a project that may never be realizedAs the study notes, The project initiator can be faithful and ethical at the beginning of the project, but later due to the limitation of his/her capability, fails to meet the e xpectation, resulting in lower quality products, delivery delay, or even project cancellation.Potential funders want to know that their money is going to an idea that will not just stay an idea. They want to know youre working in good faith.If you want to get your idea crowdfunded, build a reputation as someone who does not let plans fall through.