Are You Guilty of these 5 Common Interview Mistakes

Are You Guilty of these 5 Common Interview Mistakes Interviewing for a new job is stressful, to say the least, and that goes for everyone involved. Prospective employees come in with their game face on, dressed and ready to impress potential employers. Interviewing employers, on the other hand, are tasked with selecting an employee who may or may not actually live up to the personality that they interviewed â€" after all, some people interview well but aren’t actually good hires, and some people interview poorly even though they would actually end up being the best person for the job. However there are some tell-tale things job-seekers do that turn off employers and could end up costing them the job before they even finish the interview. 1) Not making eye contact: No matter how nervous you are, you have to look your interviewer in the eye, otherwise you’ll come across as someone who lacks confidence in yourself. Conveying confidence in yourself shows that you believe in what you’re saying and what you have to offer to the company, something that’s attractive to most if not all employers. After all, if you don’t believe in yourself and your abilities why should your potential employer? 2) Overuse of filler words: Pausing to gather your thoughts and deliver a well-crafted answer to an interview question is one thing. Repeatedly using filler words such as “like”, “uh” or “um”, on the other hand, just makes you look unprofessional and unprepared. Most of us user filler words without even thinking about it, so you need to make a conscious effort to keep them out of your vocabulary while you’re communicating with the interviewer. READ MORE:  Do You Know How To Sell Yourself in a Job Interview? 3) Personal hygiene and appearance: It should go without saying that having good personal hygiene is of the utmost importance during an interview (and during the work day!), however where some people unknowingly make a mistake is by wearing perfume or cologne too heavily â€" you don’t want to smell overpoweringly strong in either direction, whether it’s a good smell or a bad smell. This is also the time to wear more neutral, business appropriate attire in place of any flashy clothing items, and to keep makeup more natural looking. READ MORE: How To Dress for Your Interview. 4) Crossing your arms: Crossing your arms across your chest is a defense mechanism that we use to protect ourselves and, like the overuse of filler words, we often times don’t even realize that we’re doing it until after the fact. But crossing your arms also makes you look closed off and unapproachable â€" you want to make sure you come across as open and receptive during a job interview to give off a good impression. It’s important to sit with your hands open on the table or in your lap, which gives the appearance of being open and inviting to conversation. 5) Being too stoic: While interviews are a serious meeting, you have to be able to show some personality as well. Coming across as someone with a bland personality often gives a negative impression, and an interview is a chance for them to get to know who you are and what characteristics you bring to the table. You need to make sure to be yourself and be as relaxed as possible in the interview. The majority of employers can tell almost right away if someone is going to be a good fit for a job or not through body language and their overall approachability. After all, if you’ve made it to the interview then they’ve already read your resume and know your technical background; the interview is your chance to upsell yourself and all of your best qualities for the position. RELATED:  Interview Questions and Answer Time Author: Nancy Parker was a professional nanny and she loves to write about wide range of subjects like health,  parenting, childcare and babysitting.

5 Best Resume Writing Services in Richmond, VA

5 Best Resume Writing Services in Richmond, VA Living in River City is nice and all, but when you’re on the hunt for a new job, life can feel a lot like you’re paddling upstream.However, you should be relieved to know that it doesn’t have to feel that way. There are ways in which you can “hack” the job search and better set yourself up to score those coveted interviews. (And when all is said and done, score the job.)In today’s market, job seekers need to take any and every advantage they can to stand out from the crowd.Hiring managers look over resumes for less than 30 seconds before deciding whether you go straight to the top of the pile â€"â€" or straight to the top of the garbage bin.Each of those seconds count, which is why you should consider working with a Richmond professional resume writer.Our top 5 list of the best resume writers in Richmond will help you find a River City resume writing service that will allow you to better market yourself to employers. Each of these resume writers has their pros and cons, b ut the consistent theme is that they all have built reputations for writing resumes that get folks hired.Check out our list of the top professional resume writing services Richmond, VA has to offer and be well on your way to smoother seas â€"â€" and least when it comes to job hunting.Best Resume Services in RichmondIf you are in a hurry and don't want to read our detailed reviews below, here is a list of the Best Resume Services in Richmond:Find My Profession (that's us!) RVA Resumes Recruiting Great Resume D. Boyer Consulting The BrownMiller GroupAnd now for the detailed reviews...1. Find My ProfessionFind My Profession is not just a top-notch resume service available in Richmond. We are a global company headquartered in the US on a mission to master effective, ATS compatible resumes that convert into offers.A major perk of Find My Profession is that we are not a one-person shop.Collectively, our team of elite resume writers has experience in 85+ unique industries/professions. Thi s allows us to assign you a professional writer (in the United States) based on your unique background and experience.We are also not a resume factory. We will never use “ghostwriters”. You will have your resume writer’s name, email, and phone number for direct communication.With 100+ 5-star reviews and a 60-day interview guarantee thatspeaks for itself, you can sleep easy knowing that your satisfaction is our #1 priority.Pros:Find My Profession commits to working with each client until they are completely satisfied. Don’t worry about having a limited number of edits, or a set amount of time with your writer.Cons:Find My Profession is a virtual/online company. While we provide services in your city, we don’t have a physical office.Also, with a focus on more senior positions, our entry-level resume service may be a bit pricey for recent graduates.Turnaround: 3-5 business days. Can expedite to 2 business days.Cost: $395-$895Phone: (831) 888-0967Don't take our word for it, ch eck out some of our 5-star reviews.Trustpilot2. RVA Resumes RecruitingRVA Resumes Recruiting has a name that says it all. They are a Richmond-based firm that handles both resumes and recruiting. Simple, right? With 5-star reviews across the board and reasonably priced services, RVA Resumes Recruiting has scored a well-deserved spot on our list of the top 5 resume writers in Richmond.Pros: RVA Resumes Recruiting is an affordable service, making them accessible even for recent graduates and entry-level professionals. They also have a graphic designer on staff, meaning they can really make your resume stand out from the rest of the pack. This is definitely a perk if you’re applying for a job within a creative industry, where unique resumes are not acceptable, but encouraged.Cons: As their name implies, RVA Resumes Recruiting is also focused on recruiting services. This is something to take into account when looking for a Richmond resume writing service, since you may want to opt for a service focused exclusively on resumes.Turnaround: 3 business days.Cost: $125Phone: (804) 638-40943. Great ResumeGreat Resume may not have a great name, but at least they have great reviews. This Richmond resume writing service is both reasonable with turnaround time as well as with pricing. Since their services start at just $70, recent college graduates or professionals who are down on their luck can benefit from and take full advantage of Great Resume’s accessibility.Pros: Great Resume offers a 100% satisfaction guarantee or you get your money back. Therefore, when working with this service you can rest-assured that you’ll be pleased with the end result.Additionally, Great Resume was established in 2001. They have almost 20 years of valuable experience that allows them to create effective resumes for clients.Cons: Great Resume is an older company and their website design is not… well, great. If you are looking for an innovative company that “wows” you from the ge t go, then this might not be the best Richmond resume writer for your needs.Turnaround: 3 business days.Cost: $70 - $170Phone number: (804) 683-60064. D. Boyer ConsultingD. Boyer Consulting snags the number four spot on our list, and with so many glowing reviews published online it’s no wonder. This Richmond resume writing service has a lightning fast turnaround time; so fast that resumes are delivered in less than 2 days. This is one of the many reasons while Richmond job seekers may want to consider this D. Boyer Consulting for custom resume writing.Pros: D. Boyer Consulting has written over 12,000 resumes since they have been in business. If this sounds like an impressively staggering number, it’s because it is. The Richmond resume writer behind D. Boyer Consulting, named Dawn Boyer, has her PhD â€"â€"AKA you can rest assured that a serious intellectual is working hard on your brand new resume. If you value a high level of academic accomplishment, this fun fact may be yet ano ther reason to consider using D.Boyer Consulting.Cons: D. Boyer Consulting services many types of clients across a broad range of services (besides resume writing). Therefore, Dawn may not have time to take on your resume if you catch the business at a busy time.Turnaround: 24-48 hoursCost: $199Phone number: (757) 404-83005. The BrownMiller GroupThe BrownMiller Group rounds out our list of the top Richmond resume writers. Thanks to solid industry experience and an all-hands-on-deck approach to clients’ career development, The BrownMiller Group secured a well-deserved spot amongst these top resume writing services.Pros: The BrownMiller Group has over 25 years of experience that they bring to the table when writing resumes. Decades of expertise ensures that your resume is written well and in a way that presents you and your career goals professionally.Cons: The BrownMiller Group concentrates on career counseling and job search coaching. Resume writing is not their main focus, which is something always to consider when choosing a resume service.The BrownMiller Group also has a negative review posted online, but let’s be honest: every business has unhappy customers every now and then.Turnaround: Not stated.Cost: $200Phone number: (804) 288-2157This List Serves The Following Areas Near Richmond, Virginia:Petersburg, Charlottesville, Lynchburg, Roanoke, Danville, Harrisonburg, Winchester, Staunton, Waynesboro, Lexington, Galax, Martinsville, South Boston, Petersburg, Hopewell, FredericksburgBest Executive Resume Services In AmericaNot worried about finding a local company? Want to work with the best of the best? Check out the Best Executive Resume Services.Best Resume Writing ServicesBy Major CityBelow you will find a handful of lists on all of the top rated resume writing services we could find.Whether you are looking for a local resume writer to meet in person or you just want to work with a resume writer in a particular location, this list should help you fin d what you are looking for.Allentown Hartford Portland Atlanta Houston Providence Austin Indianapolis Richmond Boston Jacksonville Sacramento Bridgeport Kansas City Salt Lake City Buffalo Las Vegas San Antonio Charleston Los Angeles San Diego Charlotte Memphis San Francisco Chicago Miami San Jose Colorado Springs Milwaukee Seattle Columbus Minneapolis Silicon Valley Dallas Nashville St. Louis Denver New Orleans Tampa Detroit New York Tucson El Paso Orlando Ventura Fort Worth Philadelphia Virginia Beach Grand Rapids Phoenix Washington D.C.

Expanding Your Business to Another Country Learn About 4 International Business Customs

Expanding Your Business to Another Country Learn About 4 International Business Customs If you are like most female entrepreneurs, expanding your business into new territories and countries is something you have always dreamed of. Due to the technology at the hands of global citizens, expanding into new countries is now easier than ever. Going on international business trips is a great way to figure out whether or not there is a market for your products and services in other countries. Filling out an ESTA form and traveling abroad may be a bit time-consuming, but it is well worth the effort considering the increase to your bottom line expansion can offer. If you are unfamiliar with the practice of doing business abroad, there are a number of things you will need to learn. Read below to find out more about common international business customs. Getting Close is a Sign of Respect In the United States, people are very mindful of each other’s personal space. If a person gets too close to you during conversation, it may freak you out a bit. While this is acceptable in America, many other countries view getting close during a conversation as a sign of respect. Countries, like Brazil, make common practice of speaking in close proximity as a sign of trust. This means that when you are meeting with business owners in other countries, you will need to prepare yourself for getting a bit closer than you are used to. If you act freaked out or offended by this practice, it may lead to you losing some business abroad. Learn How to Use Business Cards Properly Another important thing you need to consider when trying to do business abroad is that there is a right way and a wrong way to give out your business cards. Chinese business men will want you to give them your business card with both hands. They will then receive the card with both of their hands as a sign of respect. If you are doing business in Japan, you will need to bow to a person once you have handed them your business card. Generally, a business card is treated like a gift in most countries, which is why they are so reverent and respectful when receiving them. Before traveling to a new country, you will need to get business cards printed in their native language. This can help to minimize confusion and will allow you to get your message across. Taking a Softer Approach The American way of doing business is usually straightforward and a bit harsh. If you are doing business internationally, you will need to learn how to soften your approach a bit. When people in other countries feel like they have lost face in a conversation, they will usually become very offended and may get angry as a result. If there is a snag in the dealings you have with an international business person, then you need to use tact to solve it. Being calm and collected about these problems will serve you well and allow you to keep a good working relationship with your foreign business partners. Always Be On Time In countries, like Russia and Finland, punctuality is very important. Even if you are a few minutes late, your foreign business partners may take this as a sign of disrespect. Instead of creating problems due to a lack of hustle, you will need to do all you can to be on time for each and every meeting you have while abroad. Setting alarms on your phone and getting a wake-up call from the hotel you are staying in is a great way to ensure you are up and ready for the day. The time and effort that you spend learning the customs of the country you traveling to for business will be well worth it. Having success abroad hinges on the respect that you show to these countries.

Female Entrepreneurs - The Women Who Scratch Their Bugbites

Female Entrepreneurs - The Women Who Scratch Their Bugbites Wanting to start your own business feels a lot like a bug bite. It itches and you scratch at it all day long. When it bites â€" some bite back. Others simply spread ointment over it and call it a day. I tip my hat to women in business â€" the ones that say, “screw the ointment, I’ve got to scratch this thing.” Last night I had the chance to sit through a Junior League of Dallas speaking engagement, “How to start a business?” featuring several local female entrepreneur who shared some interesting stories.  Here are several insights that I learned while listening to women that apparently said no to the ointment. On Discovery Discovering your talent is rarely a choice. Discovery is often born out of the shadows. Many of the female entrepreneurs that spoke last night   (and that I’ve read about) had no idea that they were onto something or how valuable their talents were. Their entrepreneurial talents were simply disguised as “things that they do”.   As one panelist put it “ You kind of figure out along the way what works best for you.” The birthplace of entrepreneurial talents can reveal itself within one of several categories. Some of the ones we heard about last night were: ? Crafts and hobbies Interior designers, florists and bestsellers tell us time and time again that they’re simply doing something they love. I know it’s corny â€" but I’m actually starting to believe it. Many of the women out there pursuing their dreams and profiting from it are doing it well because they love it. ? Survival techniques One woman spoke of her desperate need to flip her house once she’d divorced. She’d done it so well that she realized she could actually make a living off of it. I’m constantly amazed by the amount of women who didn’t have an opportunity fall out of the sky and into their laps â€" but instead were hit over the head with a challenge. The skills that these women needed to survive then morph into profit bearing tactics â€"   and they never look back. Brilliant. ? Obsessions Healthy eaters, fashionistas, bloggers and filmmakers. They’ve all got one thing in common. They can’t escape their passion. These women are normally not only outstanding female entrepreneurs â€" but they’re often on a roll with a huge niche following, plenty to share with their communities and endless personal fulfillment. ? Lifelong Skills This could apply to just about anyone â€" but I point it out for women in particular because it’s often the precursor to entrepreneurial efforts in male dominated fields. Whether this further supports the idea that current the lack of women in these fields can be attributed to the educational system is another post entirely â€" regardless, a lot of the reading and listening that I’ve done reveals that women excelling (and starting women owned businesses) in male dominated fields were raised with an early introduction to it. On Execution- What pushes the female entrepreneur to act? Each of the female speakers last night that had started their own businesses had heavy external influences. It isn’t just about the desire to make money (although indeed it’s one of the end goals)â€" but they’re also seeking a certain lifestyle, trying to survive, or looking for more fulfillment. Three incentives I pulled from the panel last night? ? Financial Hardship The female entrepreneur is often born out of necessity. ? Unfulfilling work environment She is also born out of frustration. ? Perfect Partnerships Whether it be the spouse, best friend or a perfect strangerâ€" finding another talent that complements their own is a big incentive for women. On  Achievement â€" When do women say to themselves, job well done!? How these women gauge their own success is probably the most valuable takeaway. Because the fear of failure is the greatest barrier to any sort of entrepreneurship, benchmarks   â€" whether too high, low or just right â€" are pivotal to any businesses survival. The majority of last night’s panel was pretty clear about what they considered success â€" positive publicity. Whether it was news story coverage, winning a competition, magazine cover spots, or a radio station shout-out, recognition from the community as an established brand and business was a key indicator of having reached a certain level of success. What I’ll leave you with. Many of us will avoid scratching bug bites. It hurts, it may leave scars and half the time the pain heavily outweighs the relief. But what many of us have to realize (despite what we may have been taught) â€"  is that the relief is more than worth it, the scars will heal, and your skin grows tougher. Theres nothing unpretty about it. So â€" to the women who scratch their bug bites, let’s rejoice in your relief and celebrate your accomplishments so that more of us will follow your lead! Do you feel the entrepreneurial bug bite?  Are you scratching it or sticking it out in corporate america?   WHY do you think you feel the entrepreneurial itch?

Why Use Executive Resume Samples When Writing Your Own Cover Letter?

Why Use Executive Resume Samples When Writing Your Own Cover Letter?You may wonder why you need to buy an executive resume samples when you could just write a cover letter and throw it in the trash? Sometimes this is true, but it is definitely not always. Let me tell you why you should be writing your own cover letters as opposed to buying one.As you know, when you write a cover letter, you really don't put much thought into it. You might be familiar with this idea, but what you have to understand is that even though it may be your first time, you will be learning over time. So, when you start out, take a little bit of time to be aware of things that you can do to make your letters better.First of all, the executive resume samples you find online or in the mall are not necessarily going to be the ones that are going to be right for you. You want to make sure that the cover letter that you are using is the one that really expresses who you are. One thing you can do is look at a sample of a cover letter.Your best bet is to put together your own, so that you can be sure that it is exactly what you want to say. Don't worry about what it looks like. Just focus on the key things that you want to convey to the hiring manager.Your resume should also include any other job experience that you have had. You might think that all the experience on your resume is enough, but you need to make sure that it is presented in a way that really gets the reader to stop and think. A summary of your most recent job, for example, can make a great deal of difference in the decisions that you make as a candidate.There are some essential elements that you will find on the cover letter as well. The main one is to make sure that you emphasize your accomplishments, whatever they may be. Your achievements should be highlighted, along with your skills, such as, if you were an outstanding manager, or if you were a good communicator. But when you make these things clear, make sure that you aren' t trying to impress someone, but let them know exactly what you bring to the table.Executive resume samples aren't the only thing that you will need to consider when writing your own cover letter. Think about what the interviewer wants to hear about you. Do you come across as confident and reliable?Even if you do everything perfectly and give him the best cover letter you can possibly write, he might just say that it was perfect, but that you couldn't wait to read it and weren't ready. When you follow these steps, you will be ready to sell yourself and your skills when you have the opportunity to present yourself to the employer.

Interview with Neal Stephenson - The Chief Happiness Officer Blog

Interview with Neal Stephenson - The Chief Happiness Officer Blog Some of the best books Ive read recently have been The Baroque Cycle by Neal Stephenson, a trilogy set in the 1600s and 1700s. In this interview on reasononline, Neal talks about many things, including some of his reasons for writing novels set in that period when he normally writes Science Fiction: Reason: In the last decade or two, there?s been a surge of fiction set in the 17th century: Tremain?s Restoration, Pears? An Instance of the Fingerpost, Chevalier?s Girl with a Pearl Earring. Is there something about the era that speaks with particular significance to the 21st century? Stephenson: The glib answer would be that this is such a broad question that I could only answer it by writing a big fat trilogy set during this era. And if I try to answer this question discursively, that?s what it?s going to turn into. So I?ll fall back on saying that it just feels interesting to me. Here are a few specifics. The medieval is still very much alive and well during this period. People are carrying swords around. Military units have archers. Saracens snatch people from European beaches and carry them off to slavery. There are Alchemists and Cabalists. Great countries are ruled by kings who ride into battle wearing armor. Much of the human landscape?the cities and architecture?are medieval. And yet the modern world is present right next to all of this in the form of calculus, joint-stock companies, international financial systems, etc. This can?t but be fascinating to a novelist. Incidentally: The Baroque Cycle rocks! Read it, read it, read it! Thanks for visiting my blog. If you're new here, you should check out this list of my 10 most popular articles. And if you want more great tips and ideas you should check out our newsletter about happiness at work. It's great and it's free :-)Share this:LinkedInFacebookTwitterRedditPinterest Related

Careers in Business Do You Need a Degree - CareerAlley

Careers in Business Do You Need a Degree - CareerAlley We may receive compensation when you click on links to products from our partners. In an increasingly capitalistic world, there are no longer any shortcuts into business. Time was, you could be a young buck with a head full of aspiration and a work ethic and youd be able to wheel and deal your way up the ladder. The Del Boys of this world could strive to the top with their natural instincts. But nowadays, the Alan Sugars are being side-lined even crow-barring your way into the business world requires a comprehensive education. Partly this is because universities have created such a competitive workforce. Every area of business has been filled with people who understand their role long before theyre hired in theory, at least. A degree (among other factors) has become the great signifier to employers that youve got the skills you need to join a workforce and make yourself useful from the get-go. While self-starters can still forge their own path, theyll gain far more success with a qualification in their field. Corporate education To help facilitate more effective education in students, many universities have adopted a corporate structure that mimics the wider business world. But is this helping or hindering your job prospects? According to professor of higher education Peter Scott, the enforcement of these corporate structures means losing the autonomy of university life. Activist groups, societies and resources could all be compromised in favour of giving students an experience instead of an education. Universities are meant to be places for exploration and experimentation, claims Scott. The whole point is that students do it by, to and for themselves. The danger with universities new enthusiasm for managing the student experience is that it may restrict the potential for exploration and experimentation. Top-down student services have to be planned. New professional staff need to be hired. The autonomy, spontaneity and even anarchy that are or were the hallmark of student life could be compromised. Student unions could end up as the co-deliverers of services defined by university authorities. Online learning For many wannabe business pros, such restrictions could feel stifling but other options are available for those searching for both freedom and career prospects. Studying for an online Bachelors in Business Administration degree has become popular for busy professionals looking to work and study at the same time. Incorporating the net with standard distant learning tools, online courses could give you a similar experience to uni campuses and still provide you with a bona-fide degree at the end of your studies. While the modern university relies on a consumerist vision, you can still enjoy autonomy at the start of your career path you simply need to know how you want to study. We are always eager to hear from our readers. Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions or suggestions regarding CareerAlley content. Good luck in your search,Joey Google+