Volunteering: Helping a Cause and Your Career

As we move closer to the holidays many of us will consider volunteering for various organizations.  If you have never volunteered before, you should.  Not only does volunteering make everyone involved feel good, but while you help a good cause, you also have an opportunity to add to your resume or enhance your current position.

When volunteering you can choose to donate your time in an area related to your current position, where your skills and expertise can be useful, or you may choose an entirely different area where you can develop new skills, abilities, knowledge, and work experience.  Volunteering is an opportunity not just to serve the greater good, but to explore other interests.  It can also be a way to learn and develop leadership skills.

You also have an opportunity to expand your network.  Volunteering exposes you to other organizations, businesses and employment fields.  You never know who you may meet while volunteering.  The people you meet during your volunteer experiences will come from all walks of life.  Networking with these people can be an added bonus to your service.  Building professional contacts as well as social relationships with other volunteers can lead to employment leads and opportunities.

In the Forbes article, “Proof That Volunteering Pays Off For Job Hunters”, Nancy Collamer stated, “...when you volunteer, you gain access to people you might not otherwise meet, creating opportunities to develop positive relationships outside a traditional work environment.”

In a study published last year by the Corporation for National and Community Service, it was reported that volunteering was associated with a 27% greater odds of employment.  Volunteerism can be used as a strategy to obtain new job opportunities, especially for recent graduates and others who are re-entering the workforce.

The reason is suggested by another study conducted by the Center for Economic and Policy Research, “Does It Pay to Volunteer? The Relationship Between Volunteer Work and Paid Work” which concluded that “The volunteer experience conveys information to potential employers about the job applicant’s abilities, such as motivation, initiative, creativity, and reliability. This makes volunteering particularly relevant for job applicants with limited prior employment experiences, such as recent graduates entering the job market, and individuals who are re-entering the labor market after a longer break.”

So as the holidays near, look for the opportunity not only to help in your community, but to help in your career.  It is a win-win.

Find volunteer opportunities here:

https://www.volunteermatch.org/

http://www.idealist.org/

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Job Hopping, A Strategic Career Move?

Job hopping.  It may seem like something you do when you are in your twenties.  I mean, aren’t we expected to settle into a career by our thirties?  Think about our future, put down roots in a company that has all we need for security, such as: decent pay, health benefits, a retirement plan, and a solid foundation for future growth within our field. 

Job hopping was once a sign of instability.  However, today it just may make you more marketable.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, in the U.S. the average number of years that workers have been with their current employer is 4.6.  Younger workers aged 20-34 had a tenure average of only 2.3 years.  The reasons people leave their jobs vary, but job hopping does not have to be seen as a negative.

Job hopping gives you a diverse background.  When you work in different jobs you gain experience and knowledge in each.  You are exposed to different people and ways of doing things.  It also allows you to build a network of friends and colleagues that can be beneficial in your next position.

Another added benefit of job hopping is that it allows you the opportunity to find a job that fits you just right.  When you experience different jobs, you learn what you enjoy.  When you find one that is a good fit, you have the choice to make it your career.  Finding something you love to do is a great reason for job hopping.

There are potential downsides, such as: potential employers may be hesitant to hire you because you lack staying power.  Employers do not want to have to keep replacing employees. This means you have to prove yourself time and time again as you move from job to job.

In an article by CPGJobs, Is Job Hopping a Good Career Strategy? job hopping can be used as a means to obtain a promotion, increase your salary and expand your skillset.

The key to job hopping is to do it correctly.  Do not just randomly move from job to job; have a plan and try not to burn any bridges.

Although the idea of having a stable career that will last all your adult years is sound advice, sometimes job hopping can be an asset if used correctly.

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The Future of Training: Moving from Learner Centric to Business Centric Model

The future of Learning and Development is moving away from Learner Centric, or employee needs model, and moving more towards Business Centric, or business needs model.  The reason behind this trend is that the business needs of the company should be considered when developing a training program.  To have a measureable effect on productivity moving to a Business Centric model is a must.

According to David Grebow, in his article The Future of L&D: Business-Centric Learning, “Before the learners ever see the content, it needs to pass the test of alignment with the business needs.”  

As an example: If one of the goals of the business is to increase and measure customer service; in the Business Centric model, the Learning and Development team would design training to address this goal of the business.  Courses might include: Customer Service Essentials, Retaining Customers, Improving your Customer Service Skills.

In a recent article in Training Industry Magazine, Key Trends 2014; Shifting to Business Centric Learning, Doug Haward stated that the Learner Centric model “missed the mark on the most fundamental principle for success: ensuring that training is aligned to the needs of the business first.”

Learning and Development has been focusing on the skills gaps for some time now.  The trend is to continue to evaluate what your staff knows and what they need to know to align with the business needs of the company.  An important trend to this model is consistency. 

In a rapidly changing industry, training is in fast forward: mobile devices, video integration, digital content, open source and flipped classroom.  Sometimes it’s hard to decipher what content can be used or applied to a specific training program.

Many businesses seeking to maximize performance are using the Business Centric model with a virtual component.  Moving to E-Learning allows companies to create a training program that is across the board for all employees and yet can give that element of Learner Centric while still meeting the Business Centric model.

Training is made more efficient and effective by online education companies like KnowledgeCity.com, that can create custom training paths designed to choose courses for each employee’s skill level and job responsibilities—courses that are most relevant to the work they do or need to be able to do to reach the business goals set by the company.

KnowledgeCity uses a proprietary algorithm and training advisors to choose the best courses, and the employee’s own manager approves or modifies the user’s final course list. By enrolling in the KnowledgeCity Training Need Analysis program, a company ensures that their employees receive the best training for their position in line with the company goals.

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How well is your training transferring to the workplace?

As companies rely more and more on their team’s knowledge, skills and abilities; we have to ask: How well is your training transferring to the workplace?

Here is the scenario:  You have just spent $1200 per employee for learning and development training.  Your company spent time to develop the course, somewhere between 40-80 hours, for one hour of instructor-led training.  

Your team spent time away from their jobs to obtain the training; factoring in employee wages and productivity losses. You send them off into the workplace hoping they learned something they can use in their day to day activities as part of your team.  Was it worth it?

How do you measure the success of the training?  Your employees have a certificate proving they attended the training, a nice addition to their employee file, but did they walk away with new knowledge that they can use?  Did they retain anything that was covered in the training?

The time it takes to develop a training program is often an overlooked factor in training budgets.  However, developing a course and training structure that will enable employees to utilize what they learned in the workplace to increase their productivity, is profoundly important.

With the advent of E-Learning, Social Learning, and MOOCs, training seems to have gone mobile and organizations are using this method at an increasing rate.  According to a report by the Association for Talent Development, technology-based training methods accounted for 39 percent of the training methods employed for learning and development.

The great feature of E-Learning, and a well-developed training program, is the ability to deliver the training anywhere, anytime, and in smaller bite-sized chunks.  The key to retention is delivering engaging training, in smaller segments that can be accessed anytime allowing for repeatability and reference.

When your team is able to go back and repeat a difficult segment of the training or reference that section at a later date during the workday, the retention and utilization of the training is transferred to the workplace.

KnowledgeCity.com is an online education company that specializes in helping businesses stay ahead of the curve by offering online training courses. Our courses are designed with training retention in mind. Take a look at our Business, Computer Software, and Safety courses.  Try the first lesson in any course for free.

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Avoiding Training Tune Out

You have never heard of “Training Tune Out”? It’s a real thing.  At least, we think it is.  We have all been there.  Sitting in a training meeting, the instructor is lecturing on some topic that could be important to your career, but you’re not quite sure because the voice in your head is going over your important laundry list of life—and there you have it—Training Tune Out.

Or perhaps you are the instructor, you look out in the audience and see blank stares, yawns and maybe even a brave soul napping in the very back.  Yup, that’s Training Tune Out; and yes, you may be the one to blame.  Do not get discouraged.  If you want to keep your audience from tuning out, keep them engaged.

Involve your team in the training.  Ask them what challenges they are facing, and what expectations they have.  Tailor your training to answer their questions, and brainstorm with them on how the training they are receiving can facilitate their challenges and meet their expectations.  Show them how the training is relevant to their current situation.

Get creative.  Tell a joke, offer a funny scenario, break the ice and the tension with something creative and relevant.  Make a competition out of the training.  Nothing engages people more than a little friendly competition.  Plan activities that help facilitate team building.  Give them something to compete for, anything can be a prize from a company logo t-shirt to a day off with pay.

Visual, Auditory, and Kinesthetic are different ways that people learn and feel more engaged.  Use or develop a variety of training tools that meet each of these needs and you will be able to reach the majority of your audience.  Here is where getting creative will benefit your training.  Have team members act out a scenario, develop a cheer for an important point to remember, your motto is: Keep them active in the learning process.  These simple tips may help avoid losing groups of your audience to training tune out and the enthusiasm and engagement created may carry over into their productivity.

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E-Learning: A Solution to the Skills Gap Dilemma

Results from ManpowerGroup's Talent Shortage Survey, conducted last year among 40,000 employers worldwide, revealed that employers find that a lack of available skilled talent and the persistent need to fill vacancies has a negative impact on the performance of their businesses.

Employers cited lack of essential job skills, the technical or hard skills and workplace or soft skills, as reasons for vacancies.  These are skill deficits that have increased since the last survey.  A hard skills deficit increased by eight percent since 2012, to 48 percent in 2013.  The soft skills deficit increased by seven percent since 2012, to 33 percent in 2013.

More than half of employers surveyed reported that skills gaps impact their ability to serve clients to a medium (35 percent) or high (19 percent) degree. Employers also believe these shortages reduce the company’s competitiveness and productivity.  With 39 percent of employers citing a reduced ability to serve client’s needs and 34 percent reporting a reduction in competitiveness and productivity, what are employers doing about it?

According to the survey, 23 percent of employers are developing their existing team by providing training and development.  It makes sense that with the lack of a skilled work force, employers are turning to training, and e-learning is quickly becoming the way to go.

In a recent report, The Value of E-Learning, IBM estimated that 40 percent of traditional training costs were spent on travel and lodging.  Other considerations include: employee salary and business losses from downtime.  The report cites some important benefits of e-learning which are: reduced training costs and impact on business, the ability to provide training to multiple students in multiple locations, exposure to expert knowledge and top instructors, and the accountability provided through e-learning tracking.

If you are facing these challenges, perhaps it is time to consider the e-learning solution.  KnowledgeCity has training courses in Business, Computer Software and Safety Compliance.

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5 Appealing Reasons to Try Distance Learning

Distance Learning has revolutionized the way we train and educate.  According to a report by Global Industry Analysts, Inc., Global E-Learning is expected to reach $107 billion by 2015.  The reasons for this are advancements in technology, as well as, corporations recognizing the need to expand employee training opportunities.  But what makes this method so appealing?

1.  Convenience: E-Learning offers students the flexibility and convenience of training at any time, location and on almost any device.  Students no longer have to try to fit a course into their already burdened schedules. Education is now mobile with 24/7 access.
2. Relevant: Adult learners have already experienced a variety of education.  They want training and education that is relevant to their personal or professional development.  In a report published by the Johns Hopkins School of Education, 83 percent of adult learners cited the need to transition successfully from change as a reason for seeking education.  Whether a job change or a life change, distance learning provides relevant training and education opportunities.
3. Higher retention rates: According to ­­­the report: Corporate E-Learning: exploring a new frontier by W.R. Hambrecht and Co., e-learning has a 60% faster learning curve, compared to instructor-led training.  The reason for this is that e-learning allows more room for individual learning styles.  Students learn at their own pace and can review course material as often as needed, giving students more control over their learning process. This helps students better understand the material, thereby enhancing the retention rate.
4. Cost Effective: Not only does distance learning make life-long learning possible, but it removes barriers that would normally prevent some students from seeking education or training.  Technology has made distance learning more convenient and more accessible.  The higher retention of the course material alone puts a higher value on every dollar spent.
5. Environmentally friendly: Key findings in a study conducted by Britain’s Open University found that distance learning courses consumed 90 percent less energy than conventional courses taught in a classroom setting. The study also showed a decrease of 85 percent in CO2 emissions. If you are looking to reduce your carbon footprint, try distance learning.

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How Video Training Helps Students Learn

Online courses and video training have steadily increased over the last ten years.  Recent research suggests that 77 percent of academic leaders now consider learning outcomes in online education the same or superior to that of courses taught face-to-face.

KnowledgeCity’s online video training courses are taught with an innovative approach to learning.  We offer courses not in traditional lecture format, but in micro-learning sessions of: chapters and lessons broken down into minutes—not hours.  Video training in this method is more engaging; enabling students to understand and memorize the course material.

According to the Association for Talent Development (ATD), training sessions should be 20 minutes or less with short breaks in between.  The ATD calls these “brain breaks.” KnowledgeCity structures its courses in a similar manner allowing students to absorb and comprehend the information they have just learned before moving on to the next lesson.

Why is this important? According to a study on the Primacy-Recency Theory published by the US National Library of Medicine, part of the National Institutes of Health; during sessions of learning, recall of information is better at the beginning and end of a presentation.  This means that students in a traditional learning setting would listen to a lecture for an hour or more but the only retention they would have of the discussion would be information contained in the beginning (primacy) and the end (recency) of the lecture.

KnowledgeCity is helping students learn better and retain what they learn, by using this research to develop a fresh, modern course structure.  Another difficulty for students attending a tradition lecture type class is the inability to rewind and review.  If you have not taken notes or brought a recorder to the session you may be at a loss.

At KnowledgeCity, not only can you rewind and review as often as needed to grasp concepts, but student also have access to course files containing examples and outlines to help retain the knowledge they learned long after the course is completed.

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KnowledgeCity: A Training Solution

The way we do business changes rapidly.  With these ever changing needs, employee training is imperative.  KnowledgeCity has recognized the need for businesses to train their employees in a manner that does not interfere with, but rather enhances productivity.  We cannot train employees in the usual way.  According to a report by the Association for Talent Development, outside training cost U.S. businesses an estimated $46.9 billion in 2012.

Read the full report:  ASTD 2012 State of the Industry Report

If you are looking for the solution, you have come to the right place.  KnowledgeCity is a leader in online education with over 7000 tutorials in our video library.  Start training the smart way.

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Overcoming Challenges to Training and Education

One of the biggest challenges to training and education is: Time.  Our lives are increasingly busy and finding the time to add learning a new skill, taking a course or attending college can seem daunting.  According to a report published by the University of Missouri at St. Louis, 12 percent of adult learners in computer based program courses reported that it was too time-consuming and another 12 percent reported that the technology was difficult to use.

So what is the answer?  KnowledgeCity offers online video training courses in a simple to use format that break the barriers to online learning.  Our courses are broken into short lessons that can be accessed anytime, anywhere.  Students are able to learn at their own pace without the added pressure to make time for attending class and completing course-work.  Just watch and learn.

All courses are taught by university professors, certified instructors, and experts from across the United States.  You don’t need to be tech-savvy to learn at KnowledgeCity, all you need is: a computer, headphones or speakers, and the free Adobe Flash Player to train and learn in a variety of courses offered in: Business, Computer Software, and Safety.

You’re in good company, according to the Online Learning Consortium, the number of students taking courses online has surpassed 6.7 million.  The survey also showed 32 percent of college and university students take courses online.  Education has had to recognize the time constraints of students and adapt new technologies to serve their needs.  In a recent Forbes interview, MIT revealed plans to educate a billion people by 2021 using an online course format.  To date over 170 million people have accessed courses from MIT.

KnowledgeCity is a leader in online education with a goal to provide you with the high-quality training you need to succeed in any aspect of your life or career. Train with us today.

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Getting the Job you Want!

Searching for employment can be an intimidating process.  In today's economy, when unemployment rates often seem daunting, it is important to focus on standing out among the competition.  In order to shine throughout your job search, you must understand each part of the process—from writing an enticing and informative cover letter, to knowing what types of questions  to ask in an interview and how to follow up appropriately.

In Working to Get Hired, instructor Michele Jones explains the ins and outs of finding and getting your dream job.  She will give you the tools you need in order to: pinpoint your skills, discover your ideal career path, utilize the many different job search methods available to you, write an effective cover letter and resume, pick the proper interview attire, and prepare for your future interviews. 

In Chapter 1: Discover Your Skills, Jones will lead you through several exercises that will help shape your job search.  She will help you identify skills you didn’t know you had and as a result, discover career paths you have yet to consider.  In Chapter 4: Job Interview Process, you will learn how to effectively plan for your interviews.  Jones will advise you on the different interview techniques and how to approach them appropriately.

If you are looking to improve your chances in this competitive job market, then Working to Get Hired is the perfect course for you!  Taking this course will give you the knowledge and confidence necessary to be successful in your job search.

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Succeeding in the Business World

Have you ever considered starting your own business? Or thought about going back to school for your MBA? Or perhaps you are already employed, but want to better understand the principles that drive the economy and how to navigate changing market trends.

Regardless of your industry, job title or the state of the economy, there are certain principles that remain true for businesses of all kinds. KnowledgeCity’s Introduction to Business illustrates the fundamentals of any thriving business. This dynamic course gives you a comprehensive, behind-the-scenes look at the various types of businesses, what drives economies and global markets, how to analyze the competition, marketing strategies, business ethics, and more. Instructor Lisa Sharpiro explains key terms and concepts, teaching you essential strategies for avoiding common pitfalls.

For example, one of the tools covered in the course is something called a SWOT analysis.

A what?

A SWOT analysis is way to evaluate the Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats facing your business. Here is a small sampling of the types of questions that can help you reflect on how you can improve your business: 

• Strengths
• What does your business do well?
• What resources are available?
• Weaknesses
• What can you improve?
• What should you avoid?
• Strategize to overcome weaknesses
• Hire talent
• Get training
• Outsource
• Opportunities
• Be aware of:
• Positive trends
• Favorable technology
• Changes in regulations
• Threats
• What is the competition doing?
• Does the business have cash flow problems?
• Are regulations becoming stricter?
• What dangers can threaten the business?
• Environmental
• Social/Political
• Economic
• Consumer behavior

By better understanding these principles, you can enter the business world with more confidence and a firm foundation.  Check it out at KnowledgeCity.com.

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Managing Your Crises with Ease

I'm sure many of you have, at one point or another, had to deal with a crisis. Crises are inevitable; whether a small fire that gets put out quickly or an all consuming blaze that requires days to handle, crises always seem to crop up, often at the most inconvenient times. It is important to plan ahead and know how to manage crises so that when they occur, you are prepared and can resolve the issue quickly and effectively.

Crisis management is different from time management. It requires a different mindset. The danger with crisis management is that it can become so time consuming that you never get to anything else. The crisis management immediately jumps to the top of the priority list. You don't want to be doing crisis management all the time, so if you find that you are spending all of your time managing crises, it's time to get a manager to step in and start problem solving. You don't want to manage in crisis mode.

One way to help avoid spending all your time managing crises is to realize that not everything is a crisis. Think like a manager and assess whether or not a situation is really a crisis, or just poor planning. If you have strong planning and communication, you can eliminate and prevent crises.

How to determine if it's a crisis:

Are people and property in danger?

Will not acting immediately cause harm and money loss down the road?

If you answered no to both questions, then it is not a crisis. If no one is in danger, take the time to assess the situation fairly. Remember, problem solving usually involves research, and one reason people get stuck in crisis management is because they don't sit down to do the research in the first place. The more planning you do upfront, the less likely you are to be hit with a crisis that derails you. Here are ten great steps for a successful crisis management plan.

The best use of time is spent doing problem solving, rather than reacting in the moment to a different situation. Sometimes in a situation, people may look to you for direction and ask a lot of questions. Remember, it's okay to take a step back when people are being demanding and say "I want to take a moment and think this through."

Managing crisis is an essential skill for being successful in your career. For additional information on crisis management and for more tips on building a successful career, check out our new course on Career Success Strategies and take advantage of the first three FREE previews.

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Start Your Journey by Learning Another Language

Are you travelling somewhere this holiday season? Planning on a more exotic Thanksgiving dinner, say in Italy or Spain? Well, now is a great time to start learning a foreign language! As the days get shorter and colder, curl up at home and practice your pronunciation. Give yourself an exciting goal to work towards to get through the long winter months.



Building in Old Prague

Maybe you are having Christmas in Paris. Or maybe you're planning for that summer backpacking trip through Asia. Whatever the occasion, now is the perfect time to learn the basics.

Visit our courses on Spanish, French, Portuguese, Italian, Chinese, Russian, and English to begin your discovery of a new place and culture. Our courses are broken up into easy-to-understand lessons, beginning with all the basics you'll need to get around smoothly in a foreign country.

Whether learning for the first time or brushing up on vocabulary, these courses will take you on the first step of your exciting journey.

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What's Your Learning Style?

In our jobs, we are constantly bombarded with all types of information in the form of reports, presentations, emails, memos, verbal exchanges, and more. In order to absorb all of this information in a quick and comprehensive way, and be more productive and efficient, you must know your learning style.

Start by identifying your primary mode of learning. Are you a visual, auditory, or tactile learner?

• Visual learners process information first by what they see. These learners like to watch demonstrations, and then usually try it out for themselves.
• Auditory learners prefer to listen first and have information explained to them in a step-by-step process.
• Tactile learners have to try it out themselves, and learn best by doing.

There are many advantages to knowing your learning style. Being aware of your learning style will allow you to comprehend information faster, and will give you more opportunities to participate as you understand material more easily. You will have better overall communication when you know how you best receive information. Most schools and businesses now use a number of different media to communicate information, including video, PowerPoint, and written and verbal presentations. Be proactive. Actively seek out information presented in the style that works best for you.

Keep in mind that it's a good idea to be aware of the learning styles of the people around you. What style is your boss? How do your team members learn? Try to present information in a way that helps more people understand your message. This can mean including different modes of communication when you make a report or presentation. At the very least, provide a written copy of your report. If possible, include a PowerPoint and verbal explanation.

Our new course on Career Success Strategies has additional helpful tips on various career-related topics, such as business ethics, conflict in the workplace, how to read reports and compare data, how to find your career strengths, additional insight into learning styles, and much more. Make sure to check out the first 3 FREE previews of this essential, in-depth course!
In addition, be sure to watch the free previews of our courses on PowerPoint and Business Writing for helpful tips on preparing presentations and reports.

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Online Learning: Is it for YOU?

Just type "online education" or "online learning" into your Internet search browser and you'll see the same conclusion pop up everywhere: the number of people taking online courses is increasing.

This makes sense, considering our current economy where universities and colleges are cutting back on staff and increasing tuition costs. Why pay all that money to get expertise you can find elsewhere (and for lower cost)? (Granted, many people are enrolling in online programs through their universities, so costs are still high, although students are able to enjoy the benefits of learning online).

If you aren't looking to obtain a degree, or you're thinking of taking a few courses to supplement your degree, or even just want to enjoy learning about a specific topic that you've always been interested in, then learning online outside of the university structure may just be the perfect fit for you.

Besides low cost, one of the great benefits of taking a course online is the ability to learn individually and at your own pace. This is difficult to achieve in a classroom setting, where teachers instruct 30, 60, or even 100 students or more in some university courses, all with varying levels of proficiency.

How many times have you been frustrated by a teacher who is moving through the material way too fast? Or bored by an instructor who stays on the same concept for hours, one that you are already familiar with?

Plus, online courses outside of the university allow you to leave a course and come back to it, days, weeks, or even months later (and you can retake sections as well—that's right, rewind, pause, and fast forward your learning). No time constraints! You are accountable only to yourself.

So keeping all that in mind: What do you think of learning online? Is online education right for you?

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The Do's and Don'ts of Resume Writing

Don't do this: Have one generic resume that you give to all prospective employers.
The thinking here: I can show the employer all of my experience, ensuring that I don't leave anything out.

Do this instead: Target each resume toward the job description and company you are applying for. A marketing position doesn't need to hear about your experience as, say, a cashier (unless you can find a way to relate cashiering to marketing. For example, cashiering provided you with a first hand knowledge of what customers buy). Look at each piece of information in your resume and ask yourself: Does this relate to the job I'm applying for?

Don't do this: Cram a ton of information into your resume.
The thinking here: The more information they know about me, the better.

Do this instead: Emphasize only the most relevant experience and skills on your resume. This frees up more space to develop the skills that are important to selling yourself to the employer. From a design standpoint, having some white space on the page is a good idea as well, to avoid that cluttered, squished look.

Don't do this: Use vague, generic language. For example: I used strong communication skills.

The thinking here: I can list the skills I know are important to employers, showing them I have the skills they need for the job.

Do this instead: Be direct and to the point. Tell facts. Describe what you did, how you did it, and how that benefitted your previous employer. Example: I used strong communication skills to negotiate a contract between the company and our customers, resulting in increased sales for the company over X amount of time. Get specific! Prove that you used your skills by backing up your assertions with concrete evidence.

Don't do this: Use a resume template.

The thinking here: The template-makers know what they're doing—I can just plug in my information and have a professional-looking resume.

Do this instead: Create your own unique look to your resume! Think of it this way—everyone has access to the same templates in word processing programs. What if someone else shows up with a resume formatted the same as yours? Now your resume is no longer original, and will not stand out as much from other candidates.

Note: If you don't feel comfortable designing your own template, do something to change a pre-formatted template. Maybe change the font on the headings, or align your name to the left instead of the center. Play around with the look and feel of your resume, and have fun with it! Remember, your resume is supposed to represent you.

Don't do this: Print your resume on colorful paper.

The thinking here: This will make me stand out from the other, plain, resumes.

Do this instead: Keep it professional. Print your resume on nice white paper. That way, the focus remains on your experience and skills.

For more tips on how to write your resume, check out our course on Building Your Resume, where we offer three FREE tutorials to get you started. We also have courses on Employment Search, Working to Get Hired, and Job Interview Success, all to get you on your way toward finding and landing your dream job!

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How to Resign from your Job: The Wrong Way

When changing careers, you never want to leave your current position in a compromising situation that leaves negative feelings between you and your boss. You want to build your own social network, not burn them. When quitting, make sure not to resign:

In the worst way: If you can help it, try not to leave under strenuous circumstances.

When the timing is bad: Do not leave your current position without another job lined up or if you are under a lot of financial obligations.

When you don’t have negotiating power: As mentioned before, do not leave your current position if you do not have another lined up. You have some negotiation powers during your departure. You may have the opportunity to work out better terms with your potential employer or may even consider counter offers.

[Learn How to Resign from Your Job Gracefully]

By ways of email, fax, phone or post-it note: No matter how much you hate your job, you still need to be polite. Do not notify your employer that you are quitting via email, fax, phone or post-it note because that is the fastest way you burn your bridges. Your boss definitely will not appreciate it and your chances for good references become non-existent.

In a dramatic exit: Quitting a job in a dramatic flair should be avoided. Not only is it unprofessional, but it’s an easy way to get blacklisted in an industry as a “challenging employee.”

Suddenly and without warning: Be respectful and courteous by offering a two week notice for your employer to find a replacement who can take over your responsibilities. Do not ditch your job without fair warning.

Taking company’s clients and workers: Although not uncommon in competitive industries, it is though, unethical. Choosing a new career is your decision, but don’t bring others into it.

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How to Resign from your Job

Terminating your employment takes ingenuity. Just saying “I quit” isn’t the end of your resignation. There are steps to be taken to ensure that your soon-to-be former colleagues, supervisors and managers are still part of your own social network—references for future endeavors. Resign professionally and gracefully following these simple rules:

Avoid being a job hopper: Carefully evaluate your reasons for your departure. Invest some time in self-reflection to determine what keeps you at a particular job or what keeps you from staying. Be advised though when creating a resume, most companies frown upon too many employment changes in your work history.

Have another job lined up first: When changing careers, make sure to have a written offer somewhere else before turning in your resignation. Cover all the bases before making any moves.

[Learn How Not to Resign the Wrong Way from Your Job]


Resign in person: Provide both oral and written resignation when you are quitting a job. Your resignation letter should incorporate the following information: intentions, the date you are resigning, the date you wish to leave, and your signature. Basic resignation letter would look as follow…

Today’s date

Company Address
HR Department

Dear (Hr Manager),

I am writing to inform you of my resignation from (position/company name). As per my contract, I am providing xxx weeks notice and my last day will be xxx.

Sincerely,

(Signature)

Your Name

Be honest and tactful: For social networking solutions, you want to leave with a good relationship intact. Be truthful to the reason behind your leave, but do not go into details. Do not bad mouth your former superiors; it could come back to you later on in your career. You’ll be also losing important references as well. Basically, don’t burn your bridges.

Offer two weeks notice: When quitting job, make sure to offer two weeks notice—time for your company/boss/team to find a replacement for you. Offering transition time ensures proper knowledge transfer, tie up loose ends, and your work responsibilities to others. Don’t stay longer than the standard length of time (two weeks) to protect yourself from unexpected changes in both your old and new company.

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5 Reasons to Quit a Job and Start Choosing a New Career

Yes, the U.S. economy is in an economic crisis and jobs are hard to come by, but is it enough reason to stay at your current job position that is making you dread the weekdays? Start considering a mid career change when you start to feel these five factors…

Dreading work: If you can’t stand the people you are working with or the job itself is causing you chronic headaches, loss of sleep, constantly feel stressed, than it’s time for a new career exploration. Your mental/physical health, overall well-being is more important than any one position. Do not compromise your health. Quit before the job burns you out.

Find yourself marginalized: Marginalization is another good reason to quit a job when your responsibilities are slowing taken away or downsized by the upper management. Career exploration is needed when supervisors are excluding you from important discussions, meetings etc.

You outgrew your job: It’s time for a new job search when there are no more advancement opportunities within an organization or field. You may have started your current position as a novice, but now you have a lot of experience—more than your current position requires. To move up in your career, you must at times, quit.

A better offer is on the table: Money is another big factor when it comes to staying or going. If you’ve been stuck at the same salary level for a while with no hope of a pay raise, then it’s time for you to leave your current job position. When changing careers, if there’s an offer you are find difficult to refuse with all other prospective being a good fit, give the offer serious consideration.

There is a breach of trust: Do not get caught constantly waiting on the promise of “next time.” Voice your displeasure if you find yourself in a situation where your supervisor shows a lack of good faith toward you by failing to follow through on his promises. Trust is an unspoken contract and a violation of such should include reparations of some sort. If you find yourself in a situation similar to this, it is time for you to start packing your bags and looking elsewhere.

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