2017 Resume Tips INFOGRAPHIC -

2017 Resume Tips INFOGRAPHIC -2017 Resume Tips Infographic2017 Resume Tips Infographic2017 is going to be a great year if youre job searching or just open to new opportunities (passively looking). A recent survey reported as many as 74% of us are open to new opportunities should they arise this year. Job seeker optimism is the highest it has been in years (50%), unemployment is the lowest it has been in years (5%) as of the publication of this article and recruiters are predicting a talent shortage and expecting to have to compete for YOU. In fact, theyre so convinced theyre going to have to be more competitive to attract top talent that 51% of recruiters said their biggest investment this year was going to be working on their employer branding to attract top candidates. With all this in mind whether youre actively job searching or just passively open to new opportunities you want to make sure your resume is ready when the right opportunity presents itself. Below is an infographic o n my top ten 2017 resume tips. You can find the full article here. Save

4 Myths About Therapy I Ignoredand Why Im Stronger Because I Did

4 Myths About Therbeiapy I Ignoredand Why Im Stronger Because I Did In January of 2010, I welches 21. I had recently finished college. Since I graduated mid-year, fruchtwein of my friends were still in school. I had no job yet and welches living in my childhood bedroom in Providence. I did have a rocky relationship with a soon-to-be-ex boyfriend, which ended on a cold Tuesday night outside my parents house, when he kicked me out of his car and said some things I cant repeat here.I wanted to die. I thought this was it I would be alone, jobless, unloved, and unwanted for the rest of my life.In the next month, I left my house only to see my therapist, a warm, middle-aged woman who gave me meditation tapes, books, and heaps and heaps of advice. I spent my first session sobbing, and she planted the tissue box next to my seat and told me to take my time. She encouraged me as I wrote literally hundreds of cold cover letters to employers and reminded me that graduating during the worst reces sion of both of our lifetimes wasnt my fault. When I got an internship at a small education publisher in Westchester, New York, I called my therapist to tell her I would be moving. She was genuinely happy for meand genuinely proud of me.My mother is a psychologist, so I grew up in a therapy-positive household. Still, Im aware of the stereotypes many people have about therapy. And while I may (lovingly) call my mom a shrink and (occasionally) complain about her psychologist mode, having a psychologist mother has helped me cope for 29 years (minus a few years in middle and high school when I was embarrassed to have parents). Imagine literally having a partal therapist on call for you 24/7.If you dont have a mother whos a therapist, dont worry. Ive been in therapy with people who arent my mom, too, and I can tell you that if you find the right fit, it can work out well. I saw my last therapist for several years and stopped around a year ago, when it came to somewhat of a natural end. A fter, I spent far less time crying in the bathroom at work and am able to engage in mora self-soothing practices.Here are four myths about therapyand why you should ignore them1. Therapy is just for crazy people.Some people who go to therapy do have a serious mental illness that manifests in A Beautiful Mind-style hallucinations. Most do bedrngnis. (Actually, even if you have schizophrenia, youre not going to have hallucinations with a structured storyline and recurring characters.) Many want help coping with anxiety or flaute. Thats not to say these disorders arent seriousthey are. But when people think crazy, theyre usually thinking about people who have schizophrenia or other illnesses associated with delusions and hallucinations. Approximately 18.2 percent of adults in the United States have some form of a mental illness, while only 1.2% of the population suffers from schizophrenia. Mental illness encompasses disorders like major depression and along with other illnesses like sc hizophrenia and bipolar disorder.No matter what you have or why youre suffering, the most important thing is that you get help. Some people are required to see therapists, particularly when they commit crimes thats part of where the people in therapy are crazy stigma comes from. But many people choose to seek treatment on their ownoften because they want help coping with the problems in their life. People who have mental illnesses that cause dangerous behavior or delusions of course need treatment, too, often in conjunction with carefully controlled and regimented psychotropic medications. But these types of illnesses often have more visible symptoms, which means others are more likely to notice and suggest or require that they seek treatment. People who have more common illnesses like depression and anxiety, on the other hand, may be more likely to believe they dont need treatment or that their problems are mild compared with other types of mental disorders.According to the America n Psychological Association (APA), approximately one fourth of primary care patients suffers from depression, while primary care doctors (GP) are identifying less than a third of them. That means you need to take control of your mental health and seek out help on your own. Whether you are anxious or depressed or suspect another mental health problemor even if youre just curious about therapy and want some supporttheres no wrong reason to see a mental health professional.By the way, shout-out to the APA. I attended the APAs annual meeting twice with my mother when I was growing up. When I was 10, she persuaded me to walk through the exhibit hall with her with the promise that I could take the free candy. And there aya was a lot of candy At my previous job, I manned many a booth in the exhibit hall and continued the practice of stealing candy from neighboring booths. (They encouraged me to, so it wasnt really stealing.) I also attended the opening ceremony when I was visiting colleges as an entering high school senior. That year, Arlo Guthrie opened for some reason. On the one hand, it was cool to hear Alices Restaurant live. On the other, it was kind of random.In some ways, attending those conferences as a child and young adult sparked my interest in psychology. I saw Mary Pipher, the author of Reviving Ophelia, speakand some 15 years later, when I worked at her publisher, I smiled when I saw the book in the office. I briefly considered a psychology major in college, until I discovered that I would have to take Calculus. I still have nightmares about my AP Calculus class in high school, so I decided against it.2. Therapists are just there to give you pills.Therapists are not there to give you pills at all. Psychologists, social workers, and other counselors may not prescribe medication, and psychiatrists, who have medical licenses, may prescribe medication but arent really there to give you therapy. So, while people often confuse psychiatrists with psychologist ssee Hollywood 101theyre actually very different professions.Some people, of course, have illnesses and disorders that cannot be treated with psychotherapy alone and do need meds. In cases in which someone has bipolar disorder, for instance, she should see both a therapist and a psychiatrist the psychiatrist will prescribe her meds and make sure the dosages are consistently right for the individual, and the therapist will help her develop other coping strategies3. Therapists wont help you solve your problems theyll just nod and ask you how you feel.Some people go to therapy because they want someone to listen. If youre one of those people, you should find a therapist who practices psychodynamic therapy or a similar type. This involves a lot of talking on your part and a lot of listening on her part. I have a friend who began his first session with his last therapist by telling him that he didnt want him to do any talking he just wanted a listener. This was the approach that worked b est for him. I tried therapy with a psychologist who practiced psychodynamic therapy once and decided it wasnt for me I didnt really want someone to listen to me (or rather, just listen to me)I wanted to develop skills for coping with my problems.If you anliegen into that camp, too, you should look for a therapist who practices cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). CBT focuses on developing coping strategies and eliminating negative thought patterns. My last therapist practiced CBT and gave me assignments such as practicing meditation techniques, identifying negative thought patterns, so I could recognize when my thoughts were unhealthy and unhelpful, and reading articles and books on mindfulness practices.There are many other types of therapy, too. For instance, family therapy and couples therapy involve working on relationships. If youre not sure which type of therapy is right for you, its fine to explore different kinds to find the right fit.4. Therapists are playing mind games wit h you.Your therapist is not reading your mind. Shes also not diagnosing you on the spot without getting to know you first. (Insurance companies often require a diagnosis for billing purposes down the line, so your therapist may give you a diagnosis since people often dont fall into neat DSM boxes, it may not be comprehensive, and you may not check all the boxes. Dont stress too much about it its really just for your insurance company.)Does that mean my family wouldnt play name that issue at restaurants, in which my mom would pick a nearby table and describe their life stories and histories in great detail? No, we absolutely would. (Oh, like your familys not weird.) In fact, every year, we would take a family trip to New Hampshire around winter break and see the same father-daughter pair at the inn where we stayed. My mom gave them extensive backstories (the father was a divorced alcoholic), and we even gave them names Sydney and Sydneys dad.But seriously, your therapist is not readi ng your mind. Is she intuitive? Probably, if shes good at her job. In fact, thats part of what makes her good at her job. Understanding your issues based on what youre saying and what youre not saying will help her help you.On a similar note, dont lie to your therapist. Not only will you be wasting your money, but shell probably know. Its counterintuitive to lie to the person whos there to help you with your problemswhom youre paying to help you with your problems. (Have I lied to my mother in my life? Um, yes. I was a teenager, after all.)The bottom lineDoes everybody need to be in therapy? No. But if youre feeling stressed, anxious, overwhelmed, or depressedor even just want someone to listen to youtherapy can be enormously helpful. It can improve your mindset, personal life, and professional life.Its also important to understand that not every therapist-patient relationship is a good fit, so dont be discouraged if you dont click with the first therapist you see. If you dont feel comfortable with her after a couple sessions, look for someone else. If youd prefer a different approach, you could even ask your therapist for a referraljust say that youre looking for a different style. You can also ask your GP for a referral or network with friends.The stigma surrounding therapy has lessened in recent years, but theres still some negativity associated with the idea of seeking mental healthcare. Dont let that discourage you. You shouldnt be embarrassed to seek help most people need help, and it takes courage to admit it. Therapy can help you cope with personal and professional challenges. Its certainly helped me cope with my own.

Elizabeth OConnor-Cowley - Director, eeni meeni miini moh

Elizabeth OConnor-Cowley - Director, eeni meeni miini moh Elizabeth OConnor-Cowley Director, eeni meeni miini mohPosted October 13, 2011, by Sue Stevens Its good fun but hard work You need clear vision, passion and sheer determination. If running a business were easy, everyone would be doing itSince the year 2000, eeni meeni miini moh has been making its mark in childrens fashion on the world stage The company was short-listed for the Premier of Queenslands Award for Emerging Exporter and also won two categories (Kids and Innovation) in the 2006 Australian Fashion plan Awards. Cate Blanchetts son, Ignatius, and Naomi Watts baby, Alexander, have also been seen in the eeni meeni miini moh signature beanie. Made from all-natural fibres, the eeni meeni miini moh range is unique and is in great demand from mums and dads the world over.What is eeni meeni miini moh?eeni meeni miini moh is a childrens lifestyle brand. Primarily we create seasonal collections for newborn babies to 12-year- olds. Within the next six to 12 months, however, we will also be expanding the brand to include soft toys, accessories and a bed linen range to complement ur childrens fashion collections.How did you come up with the idea?Initially, I studied visual arts at the Queensland University of Technology (QUT) majoring in painting and realised that I would need to do something else to feed myself. Shortly after graduating, I fell into the commercial furniture industry where I worked for a German brand and stayed for 10 years. I have a real passion for contemporary furniture and loved working with interior konzepters and architects. Ive always been ambitious and entrepreneurial and had a great desire to design a product, produce it and market it to the world. The only problem was that I had no idea what that product was going to be For years it tormented me and I searched high and low for that big idea. It wasnt until my husband and I were on a holiday in Europe and looking for gifts to bri ng back for a friends children. We found urselves in many gorgeous childrens boutiques and suddenly we thought thats it We could develop our own contemporary, innovative childrens fashion and lifestyle brandHow long did it take to get started?From the initial idea to our first container arriving was 18 months. Both my husband, Philip, and I had demanding careers and it was 18 months of much planning and long, long hours working late into the night most nights and every weekend. During the product development/planning stage, I fell pregnant and gave birth to our first son but somehow we got there in the endWere you ready to go into shops when that first container arrived?Yes and no While we had product to sell, we didnt have a single confirmed order to dispatch ur freight forwarder said to us right, when the container arrives, bring all your orders over and well get them picked and packed and out to store. Philip and I looked at each other, laughed nervously and said we dont have any orders. He was horrifiedWe had plans to present our product at a Lifestyle/Gift trade fair in Sydney that month so there was a plan It was imperative that we came across as being professional and having product in stock so we took the risk of ordering a container that was a massive risk. We were determined to work hard to make it happen. We both have vision, passion and drive, so failure was notlage in our vocabulary.Do you have children of your own?We didnt when we first planned eeni meeni miini moh but we do now. We have two beautiful boys Emrys who recently turned seven and Anselm who is almost four.How is your work-life balance? Do you work harder now youre running your own business?Absolutely I read your interview with Anita Gleeson in Be Your Own Boss who works her own hours and ramps her time up or down depending on whats happening in her life. I wish We dont have that luxury, Im afraid. Its all just full-on for us and has been from the start. The seasons just keep ticking around so theres no down time unfortunately.Whats your point of difference from other childrens fashions on the market?Id say our colour palettes and styling. Our design language is unique and we only use natural fibres. We often receive feedback from our customers expressing their satisfaction for our high quality and the fact that our product washes well.Do you manufacture in Australia?We design our collections here in Australia and manufacture offshore to enable us to compete in the global market. Another reason that we have our garments made overseas is that we cant source some things locally, like the trims and accessories that we want to use. We also design and specify the fabrics and have them milled to our specifications to ensure our products are unique.What about the growth of your business in terms of staff?Initially it was mainly me in the planning stages. Once that first container arrived, Philip came on board and it was just the two of us for the first six months. Th en we were approached by a production coordinator who used to work for another company. To be honest, we didnt even know what a production coordinators responsibilities were at that stage. We thought theres no way wed be able to afford to hire people but we decided to meet with her nevertheless. We immediately realised that wed be mad not to bring her on board in some capacity After two weeks part time, she became full time because there was no way we could manage without her Shortly after that, we hired someone part time to help us with picking and packing. That person is still with us but not in a picking and packing role. Today we have a kollektiv of 15 so weve definitely grown over the past six and a half years.How important are publicity and marketing and what do you focus on?Marketing is vital. We advertise each season in leading childrens fashion magazines and, in addition, we receive a lot of editorial in Australia and overseas. Each season we also produce catalogues which a re very expensive, but in our opinion theyre a very worthwhile form of marketing. Another avenue is our website which is going to be updated soon.Trade fairs are another great way of building brand awareness. Each season we present our collections at the very prestigious Pitti Immagine Bimbo in Florence, Italy alongside the worlds leading boutique brands including Armani Junior, Baby Dior, Kenzo, DKNY and Burberry. Participation is by invitation only and we were honoured to be the first Australian brand to be invited to showcase our collections in a stand-alone space.Whats the hardest part of running your own business?Ultimately, as a director and business owner, we take on 100 per cent of the risk. At the end of the day, if something goes wrong, its all on our shoulders.The hours are also hard particularly with a young family. Philip and I do a lot of hours in the office but we also do a great deal at home. So our children do suffer from the long hours we put in.The business never leaves us. We take it into the shower, we take it to the grocery store, we take it to bedWhats the best part?You get to choose the people you work with, for a start. You get to choose your team and we have a fantastic team. Also, youre definitely in control of your own destiny so if things arent going in the direction that youd like them to go, you can change course and steer things in a different direction to arrive at the goal that youre striving for.What advice would you give to others thinking of starting their own business?Definitely employ people who have a great attitude. We think its imperative to get the right type of people. We hire first on attitude and secondly on skills. You can teach someone skills but you cant teach someone with a bad attitude how to get a good one. Unfortunately, we didnt employ people to assist us in the planning/start-up stage, which meant our initial growth was slower than it might have been. Its all a juggling act and its difficult when you dont have a lot of funds.In summary its good fun but hard work You need clear vision, passion and sheer determination. If running a business were easy, everyone would be doing itHas Elizabeths story has motivated you to share your business idea with the world? Get the tanzfest rolling with a course in Small Business. Designing ResourcesAssistant fashion designer cover letterGraphic design graduate resumeInterested in becoming a?Web DesignerIT ManagerInterior DesignerJunior Graphic DesignerInterior DecoratorPopular Career Searchescostume design coursestextiles design courses distance educationresidential drafting courses onlinecertificate in elearning design and developmenthow to become a fashion designer in adelaideDesigning CoursesBachelor of DesignEnquire Online Enquire OnlineMixed Reality Design CourseEnquire Online Enquire OnlineUser Experience Design Accelerated Course (1 Week)Enquire Online Enquire OnlineUser Experience Design Transform Course (Full-Time)Enquire Online Enquire On lineSue StevensRelated ArticlesBrowse moreDesignDesigningWhat graphic designers wantA recent survey by designer marketplace, 99designs, reveals some of the ins and outs of the graphic design industry. Check out their infographic for everything you need to know about how to woo a graphic designerCreative careersCreativityGet your creative juices flowing and unleash your inner artistIf youve always dreamt of becoming a writer or wish you could take your drawing skills further than just doodles on office memos, now is the perfect time to realise your dreams and your potential.Creative careersDesignCareers in ArtThere is a plethora of careers available in the art world whether you are interested in creating, buying, selling, teaching, analysing or organising the masterpieces of tomorrow.

Benefits of Hiring a Career Coach

Benefits of Hiring a Career CoachBenefits of Hiring a Career CoachAre you feeling stuck in your career? Do you wake up each day and dread work? Or are you unemployed and uncertain what career step to take next? If this sounds familiar, then consider hiring a career coach. When you do, you can benefit in a variety of ways. For instance, a career coach can help youSee yourself more objectively.Its hard for fruchtwein people to objectively evaluate themselves as professionals. But when youre in a career rut, its important for you to binnensee things as they are which is where a career coach can help. They can work with you to understand your background, experience, skills, and where you want to take them all. They can also look at the big picture, so you gain valuable insight on areas you need to improve upon and those you should promote more, all so you can achieve your ultimate career goals.Identify the right career path.If youve been working in a field youre no longer happy in or sa tisfied by, it can be tough to know what step to take next. Thats where a career coach can help. Theyll take the time to get to know you as an individual first, including your passions, personality, and objectives. Rather than just looking at what fields or jobs would be most lucrative, they can guide you to the opportunities and career path that would be the best fit for you.Give you a confidence boost.Trying to figure out where to go with your career is never a fun process. Its filled with uncertainty and a lot of soul-searching. As a result, your confidence level might be taking a hit. But a career coach can help you see the value you can offer to a potential employer. They can also offer you encouragement, so you stay motivated and positive as you go through a potential career change.Make wise decisions.If youre trying to make an important career decision on your own, it can often feel like youre spinning your wheels. But when you talk to a career coach about it, they can help you see the situation from a different perspective. They can also bring to light issues, or potential benefits or consequences you might not have considered. As a result, you can make a more confident decision about your career.Interested in learning more about how a professional career coach can help your career? Contact ResumeSpice today. We can work with you on whatever career issues or challenges youre facing, and put together a plan to help you get to where you want to go. Call us today at 832.930.7378 to learn more or get started.

Develop your Teams Emotional Intelligence at Work

Develop your Teams Emotional Intelligence at WorkDevelop your Teams Emotional Intelligence at WorkDevelop your Teams Emotional Intelligence at Work Fernndez-Aroz, author of Its Not the How or the What but the Who Succeed by Surrounding Yourself with the Best (Harvard Business Review Press, 2014)When training the people around you to do bigger and better things, which competencies matter most? Depending on your circumstances, youll want to place more weight on some of the eight specific hallmarks of great leaders.But, in my experience, it also pays to concentrate more generally on emotional intelligence (EI) either self-management (such as flexibility and adaptability, or emotional self-control) or relationship management (such as influencing others, dealing with conflict, or promoting change).You might think that ansicht soft skills would be harder to teach than hard ones such as calculus or coding. But research from another of my big heroes, Richard Boyatzis, at the Weatherhead Sch ool of Management (WSOM), Case Western Reserve University, shows otherwise.Dismayed by studies of MBA programs indicating that students had increased their EI competencies by only 2 percent in the one to two years they were enrolled (compared with an average increase of 4050 percent for all the competencies assessed), Boyatzis set out to change the status quo.In the fall of 1990, Weatherhead implemented a revised MBA course that included1)A course on leadership assessment and development2)A focus on specific EI competencies in selected subjects, such as presentation skills in a marketing course or collaboration in an operations management course3)A dramatic increase in the number of courses requiring field work in companies and group projects and (4) more opportunities to participate in volunteer activities and clubs.The results have been extraordinary full-time MBAs saw their self-management skills improve by 47 percent, and their relationship-management ones by as much as 75 perce nt. Part-time MBAs, who take three to five years to complete their programs, meanwhile saw increases of 67 percent and 40 percent.This last group was assessed two years after graduating, and their level of emotional competence had remained at the new high level, confirming that the positive change was not only impressive but also lasting.How to Cultivate Emotional IntelligenceTo develop the people around you without a formal MBA course, I suggest the following steps1)Make sure they really want to improve and have a strong vision of their desired future. When there is a will, there is a way, but without it, nothing will be achieved.Research on the neuroscience of behavioral change shows that positive emotional attractors focused on ones individual strengths and hopes arouse the parasympathetic nervous system, making us more calm, compassionate, and open to learning.2)Help your people objectively assess their strengths and weaknesses and find the gaps between their real selves and the ir ideal selves. Some form of 360-degree feedback becomes invaluable here.3)Develop a learning agenda or action plan to close those gaps. This must be highly focused and practical. Dont try to change too much at once. Encourage people to work on specific behaviors and set incremental goals.4)Encourage your learners to relentlessly practice their new behaviors so their brains develop a new nerven betreffend circuitry that makes these better habits feel natural and automatic. This may take three to six months they shouldnt get frustrated.As a leader who wants to be surrounded by the best, you need to get your people inspired about improving themselves, especially when it comes to emotional competencies to understand where they stand and where they fall short of ideal to develop a clever change plan and to persevere in practice.Reprinted by permission of Harvard Business Review Press. Excerpted and Adapted from Its Not the How or the What but the Who Succeed by Surrounding Yourself wi th the Best. Copyright 2014 Claudio Fernndez-Aroz. All rights reserved.Author BioClaudio Fernndez-Aroz is a senior adviser at leading exe3cutive search firm Egon Zehnder and a former member of its global executive committee. He holds an MBA from Stanford and has previously worked for McKinsey Company. He is a global expert on hiring and promotion decisions and leadership development, and a frequent speaker at major business gatherings. His advice has been sought by the CEOs of several if the worlds largest companies and many governments. Fernndez-Aroz is a regular lecturer at Harvard Business School, a frequent contributor to HBR.org, and the author of Great People Decision Why They Matter So Much, Why They are So Hard, and How You can Master Them (2007).

4 Important Things to Do Before Your First Day at Your New Job

4 Important Things to Do Before Your First Day at Your New Job 4 Important Things to Do Before Your First Day at Your New Job I probably wouldnt advise any of these actions, as they are generally negative and self-defeating, and they dont move you towards your new goals. Instead, I would recommend that you focus on positive actions to maximize the potential future value of your relationships with your old employer and colleagues and toincrease your ability to hit the ground running and excel in your new role.Tothis end, I have outlined four important things to do before your first day at your new job1. Preserve, Consolidate, and Use Your Existing RelationshipsYour current colleagues atyour soon-to-be former employer will make up your future network, and theycould help you get jobs in the future, or even make new business contracts. Its also likely that some of the people in your network may know people at your new employer, to whom they can refer you. These people may also know a l ittle bit about how that business works, and they may be able to give you some useful pointers to help you acclimate yourself quickly and succeed. Otherwise, they may simply have some tips and advice to help you make a great start in your new role.The point is that you shouldnt take your existing organization for granted it may still be able to serve you well in the final weeks before you leave. Network to the maximum during this period make timewith your existing colleagues in order to bury the hatchet where necessary, exchange contacts, tap them for knowledge and connections, thank them for their help, and offer to reciprocate in the future. Actively preserving and priming your existing network is one of the key positive actions to take before you beginyour new job.2. Ask to Join a Social or Team Meeting at Your New Employer Prior to Day OneIts much easier to prepare for day one if you know what to expect in terms of culture, personalities, and go-to people. Youll feel much less l ike a deerin the headlights. In fact,research shows that new hires who build effective information relationships actually onboard faster and get up to speed more quickly.Contact your new manager and ask whether you would be able to tag along to an after-work happy hour or attend a weekly team meeting to help you meet your new teammates and get into the rhythm of the business.3. departure Building Your Relationship With Your Future BossResearch from Dale Carnegie Training(and others) suggests that yourrelationship with your boss can be one of the most important factors driving your engagement level and future success within a business.abflug trying to cultivate your relationship with your boss before day one. Contact your future boss and demonstrate your enthusiasm by asking them to recommend any reading material that might help prime you for your new role. Of course, you should consider that your new boss might be pressed for time if so, you cansuggest several pieces of reading mate rial and ask them to recommend the most pertinent one.Alternatively, you could perhaps start sending your new boss a fewlinks to relevant stories ornews pieces that may be beneficial to them as a way to show your value. You could also comment on a tweet or blog post that they have written in order to start building bridges and fostering familiarity.4. Ask for Your Orientation Program in the Week Before You StartIfyou are joining a highly disciplined blue chip, odds are that the company will have a highly orchestrated induction and orientation process, and it may be able to send you some prereading material to help you prep and address your first-day nerves.If you are joining a smaller company, theres a good chance your new employer may not have a very tightly run program. In this case, your advanced contactcan serve as an important reminder that you are coming, triggering the company to start getting your orientation program together and reducing the possibility that your first day will be a chaotic one.Remember, when reaching out and connecting with colleagues at your new business, you are not just trying to build relationships. You are also trying to pinpoint what your key priorities might be and whats currently exciting your boss or keeping them up at night. Identifying these things before you begin a new jobcan help youmake the biggest possible impact on your bosss life in the shortest possible time after joining.

Important Writing and Editing Skills That Employers Value

Important Writing and Editing Skills That Employers ValueImportant Writing and Editing Skills That Employers ValueWritten language skills are an integral part of many positions in almost every industry. Even staff positions and freelance opportunities that center around writing or editing skills can occur in multiple fields that dont overlap. From textbook proofreading to creative writing for websites, a writers profession exists comfortably within every industry imaginable. Most people in the United States can write, but few can write well. That is, not all professionals understand the nuance of words, syntax, and style to properly hand out complex ideas in digestible ways for readers from various walks of life. What Are Writing and Editing Skills? The article you are reading right now was composed, edited, and redrafted before publication online. Sometimes writing and editing is done by a team (some writing and some editing) or by one person. Because written communication can b e challenging, great care inayas that the content is accurate and read-worthy. Yet, there are certain core skills that all writers and editors share. It is one thing to write for fun or privately in a diary. It is another thing entirely to write professionally.Even those that are natural writers may not do well professionally unless they practice and improve their abilities. On the other hand, many professional writers were at one time terrible writers. That being said, writing is an acquired skill that can be developed with practice. Most writers have at least a bachelors degree. However, most employers want to see samples of your writing before they take a look at your education and work history. Types of Writing and Editing Skills Strong Grammar Skills Even if you are writing with the assistance of an editor, you must make your points clear. As such, you cannot write well if you do not have a good grasp of spelling, sentence structure, punctuation, and all that good gramm ar entails. Automatic spell-checkers and similar software aids are useful, but they arent fully reliable. Excellent writing and editing still requires an analytical, detail-oriented human eye. If you are familiar with a specific usage style, such as TheChicago ManualofStyle or Associated Press, putthatdown. And if youre trained in other style guides such as medical or legal, mention those as well. ProofreadingRevisingDraftingSpellingStructureStylePunctuationStrong VocabularyUsing the Rhetorical TriangleDevise StructureEstablish ToneForming a ThesisPlanningBuilding Outlines Research As a professional writer, you could be called upon to write on topics you dont know much about. This requires research, sometimes online. If you are good at finding and assimilating large amounts of information quickly, say so and provide examples from your history to prove it. AnalysisReportingProper Use of Search EnginesData AnalysisInterpreting StatisticsReport WritingOnline SearchesIdentifying Aud ienceContent ReviewContent Management Word Processing Software Some clients require the use of certain word processing programs, file sharing services, collaboration apps, blogging platforms, or website templates. Projects may also require other types of software, such as spreadsheets or video editing. The more of these you already know how to use, the better. Be sure to list software programs relevant to the job description on your resume, especially if description specifically states that they are a requirement. If you can advise your client on which programs, apps, and platforms to use, that is evenbetter. Content Management Systems (CMS)Microsoft OfficeMS WordDocument SharingGoogle DocsWordPressWord ProcessingDropBox ProPrinting LayoutDocument LayoutFinal Manuscript ProductionMark-upsMarking Color BreaksMarking Head LevelsTypesettingWorking Sketches Collaboration and Communication Writing is often collaborative, while editing isalwayscollaborative. The reality is that ma ny people hire writers and editors because their owncommunication skillsare poor. To succeed, you must be able to work effectively with others, even when they are difficult to get along with or understand.Active listeningand assessment skills will go a long way toward building a positive rapport with your clients, no matter what their personality or background. Conducting InterviewsNote TakingCoordinatingProject ManagementEmotional IntelligenceTeamworkAuthor MeetingsConsultingContractsProject CoordinationVerbal CommunicationWritten CommunicationWorking with Reviewers Technical Writer Skills A technical writer prepares instructional and supporting documents to communicate complex technical information in a user-friendly manner. They develop and gather feedback from customers, designers, and manufacturers to help identify areas of confusion, and present solutions to the design and development teams. A technical writer is responsible for creating FAQs, charts, images, and training documents that can beeasily understood by peopleina wide range of backgrounds. A technical writer must have strong communication skills, along with exceptional writing and grammar skills. A bachelors degree in Journalism, English, or Communications is often required. However, some companies require a degree and/or knowledge in a specialized field, like computer science, engineering, or finance. Ability to Work AutonomouslyAnalyze Information and Draw ConclusionsCreate Diagrams, Drawings, and Charts to Explain Product UsageDevelop and Maintain Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)Develop Style GuideEnsure ConsistencyExcellent Grammar and PunctuationExcellent Planning and Organizational SkillsGather User FeedbackGenerate Help Files and FAQsHelp Users Understand Intricate and Technical InformationKnowledgeable of Industry RegulationsLimit Product ComplexityMaintain and Update Document Library Manage Documentation ProcessMultitask AssignmentsPrepare Internal and External Technical Docume ntsProvide Solutions to Product IssuesReview Documents for Completeness and AccuracyStandardize Product ContentStrong Attention to DetailStrong Understanding of Product Features and User NeedsProduct KnowledgeUnderstand Information Design and ArchitectureWork Closely with Technical and Non-Technical Team MembersWork Well Under Pressure to Meet DeadlinesWrite and Edit Product PublicationsWrite and Organize Instructional Documents More Writing and Editing Skills Identifying ThemeEthicsOmni MediaMulti-lingualNewslettersBusiness StorytellingBlog WritingJournalismNews WritingOrganizingPrint WritingProposal WritingSocial MediaWeb WritingPresentation WritingCreative WritingFeature WritingMagazine WritingInfographicsInductive ReasoningDeductive ReasoningLogicDeadlinesStress ToleranceLie DetectionEstablishing RapportGauging What Will Interest ReadersHandling Criticism from Editors and ReadersIncorporating the Right Data to Support StorylinesInterviewing Experts NetworkingProtecting the Confidentiality of SourcesReading Comprehension Key Takeaways Prepare a PortfolioBesides a traditional resume, you will likely have to provide aportfolio of successfully completed projectsand acollection of writing sampleswhen you apply for work as a writer or editor.Be Ready to Provide SamplesFor some positions, you may be asked tosubmit writing samplesin place of or in addition to a cover letter. Choose those projects and writing samples that are most relevant to the clients project.Use Skill Words During Job InterviewsIn many cases, educational or work history or subject matter are not directly related to writing or editing might be relevant to a particular job or project. Always be on the lookout for the possibility that your special expertise may be relevant.