PrimeCB » 2010 » October

October 2010

Monthly Archive

Stock traders are in the business of making money, both for themselves and their clients. But the best brokers know more than simple stock prices – they know how to work with people.

Traders have to earn their clients’ trust by learning their financial goals and their tolerance for risk. Clients may want to retire early, pay their children’s college tuition, buy a new house, or enjoy their financial security.

When John Latshaw entered the banking business in the 1940s, he simply wanted to find a secure job and to help his family recover from the wreckage of the Great Depression, according to the Kansas City Star. But by the time he retired, Latshaw had risen to become managing director of the E.F. Hutton investment firm, a member of the boards of many nonprofit groups, an entrepreneur and even a sports league owner. He died this year at the age of 88.

Latshaw’s gift for trading stocks emerged at an early age. During his school years, he delivered telegraph messages for Western Union on foot because he couldn’t afford a bicycle, and swept the floor of the Kansas City Board of Trade. One day he was working as a cashier for a local securities firm when his boss asked him to fill in for a sick stock broker. Latshaw showed he was a natural trader, and never returned to the back office, the newspaper said.

Latshaw used his business success to help bring cable television to the city, and to introduce a new sport to the United States by forming the North American Soccer League and owning the Kansas City Spurs soccer team.

But friends said he always kept a sharp eye on the bottom line. “He made a lot of money for people, including himself, and helped grow the wealth of Kansas City,” Pete Levi, a former president of the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce, told the newspaper.

People entering the stock trading field today usually need more training than Latshaw had, but with hard work they can still mirror the quick rise of his career path. The typical education for a securities, commodities and financial services sales agent is a bachelor’s degree in business, finance, accounting or economics, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Brokers must also pass a six-hour licensing test called the Series 7 Exam, administered by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority.

Traders invest in securities for their clients, whether large institutional investors, mutual funds, pension plans, or the general public.

Stock brokers are the traders who offer advice to individual investors, guiding their investment choices in exchange for a commission on every trade. Traders who work with corporate customers are called investment bankers, and they are responsible for helping client companies raise money for business needs by borrowing money (called debt or bonds) or selling ownership (called equity or stocks). In turn, investors profit from stocks by reselling that partial ownership of a company, and they profit from bonds by collecting repayment of their loan plus interest.

In 2008, the country’s 317,200 securities, commodities, and financial services sales agents made a median annual wage of $68,680, BLS records show. But many brokers earn much higher salaries through sales commissions (usually for stock brokers) and bonuses (usually for
investment bankers).

Despite the mergers and consolidations caused by the recent economic turmoil, the number of agents employed in the industry is forecast to grow 9 percent during the 2008-18 decade, keeping pace with other professions, the BLS says.

Healthcare

Why a Healthcare Job is Good for Bilingual Worker

Wherever a non-English speaking patient is receiving medical care, in an emergency room or in their doctor’s office, there is a need for a bilingual health care worker. Job applicants who have language skills beyond English, in addition to the right medical training, will have an extra skill to give them an edge in securing an opportunity within a growing field like health care.

HealthcareJobsite.com, a job-hunting resource for the medical industry, reports that bilingual workers are particularly needed as paramedics, physician’s assistants, nurses and home health care aides. But the ability to translate for patients and their medical teams is a valuable skill applicable throughout the industry. “Foreign-speaking people in need of medical attention will need your assistance in communicating,” the website states. “English-only speaking medical professionals also need your help so they can provide the proper medical treatment and services to non-English speaking patients.”

Those who already work in the health care industry and have some knowledge of a language but may not be fluent also can benefit from bilingual skills. Some health organizations offer internal language training and certification in order to help their workers upgrade their foreign language skills. Being bilingual also may upgrade their earning power if an employer is willing to pay a bonus to workers who have additional language skills.

Bilingual ability is sought by large and small health care providers

Of the 14 million people who are employed in the health care industry nationwide, the vast majority of them work in the offices of doctors, dentists and other practitioners, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. At the same time, while only one percent of the country’s health facilities are hospitals, they employ about one-third of the health care workforce in the U.S.

Someone trying to develop a career in health care will find significantly more jobs available at practitioners’ offices and small clinics, but the diversity of careers they offer may be limited by the scope of the medical services they provide. On the other hand, large hospitals and medical centers have a seemingly endless number of career possibilities, but jobs are more competitive in the more specialized areas of the health profession.

Bilingual jobseekers should note their language skills in online profiles, cover letters and resumes, listing each language spoken including English. For example, list these language skills as “fluent in English and Spanish.” Those who have some knowledge of a language should list it as “knowledge of…” so as not to mislead a company about the level of the language ability.

People who are bilingual meaning they can speak at least two languages fluently and may also be able to read and write in both languages should make it known to employers at the start of the hiring process. Even if there is no opening at the time of the application, they are apt to remember someone with such a skill. “If you are bilingual, you already have a leg-up on the competition,” writes Lynn Mattoon on HealthcareJobsite.com. “With your bilingual abilities, your resume is sure to make it to the employer’s consideration pile.”

http://www.healthcarejobsite.com/articles/are-you-bilingual-consider-a-career-in-health-4164-article.html

http://www.bls.gov/oco/cg/cgs035.htm

Information Technology

Working as a Computer Systems Analyst

Workers in the 21st Century office rely on computers for nearly every task they do. When a company’s computer systems or other electronic devices malfunction, one professional could hold the keys to the entire group’s productivity – the computer systems analyst.

Computer systems analysts use information technology (IT) tools to help businesses achieve their goals. They design networks of computers, troubleshoot the office WiFi system, back up the data, and always make sure they’re ready with fresh batteries for mobile devices.

Galen Crivello does all these jobs and more for the pathology department at the Stanford School of Medicine in California.

His office is stuffed with crippled iMac notebooks, ailing PC towers and overheated laptops, according to the Stanford University News. Every day, he cares for the computers that support the department’s 200 faculty, staff and students.

Crivello joined the school in 2002 as an assistant trainer in the technology services department, and within months he was named a computer systems analyst. A year later, he took his skills to the medical school, where he rose to become computer systems manager. He hasn’t slowed down since.

“Galen comes in the mornings to help set everything up for the Pathology morning teaching conferences PowerPoint, LCD projector, audience response system, WebEx, link to the VA Hospital and sometimes things aren’t working,” associate professor of pathology Dr. Christina Kong told the news site.

“Since Galen is so successful at fixing all of our various information technology problems, it has come to the point that just having him show up makes everyone relax and feel confident that everything will be taken care of expeditiously,” Kong said.

When the pathology department is running smoothly, its researchers do crucial medical work, helping to improve the diagnosis and treatment of human disease. They perform clinical research, provide diagnostic services and blood products, and teach the next generation of medical and graduate students.

“That’s what information technology is about someone who will be a voice for [the doctors] so they don’t have to do that on their busy schedule,” Crivello told the site. Inspired by the school’s mission, he strives to keep the systems working and even saves a little money by keeping spare parts in his office, waiting for a chance to install a used hard drive or video card.

Students hoping for a job as a computer systems analyst can prepare by studying for a degree like the bachelor’s of science in management information systems (MIS) or master of science in information technology and management, according to the University of Texas at
Dallas.

Graduates from these programs work at IT positions in almost every industry, such as financial services, retail, manufacturing, consulting, telecommunication and government, the university says.

Despite the recent outsourcing of basic programming jobs to overseas workers, demand is still strong for more complex IT jobs such as business process management, enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems, information security, and business intelligence, the school
says.

Government statistics back up this claim, forecasting a rapid, 20 percent growth in the number of computer systems analyst jobs over the coming decade, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

Businesses will boost demand for these workers as they continue to adopt sophisticated technologies, pushing the number of analysts from 532,200 workers in 2008 to an estimated 640,300 workers in 2018.

Healthcare

Becoming a Clinical Nurse Specialist

Clinical nurse specialists add an additional level of expertise to health-care facilities. According to the National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists, research shows that clinical nurse specialists result in improved pain management practices, improved patient satisfaction with nursing care and reduced medical complications in hospitalized patients.

These advanced practice nurses typically specialize in specific patient population such as a disease or a procedure such as surgical or clinical. They are experts in the diagnosis and treatment of illness and provide direct patient care and expert consultations in many nursing specialties, such as psychiatric-mental health. They also do case management work, organizing and coordinating services and resources, and working to control patient costs.

Clinical nurse specialists are found in hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, private offices and community-based settings. They also work in consultation, research, education and administration positions, advising on curriculum, research and efficiencies.

Clinical nurse specialists must obtain at least a master’s degree in nursing and then pass a certification exam. They must also spend time and money on continuing education to keep up their certification for as long as they are practicing.

Clinical nurse specialists are well-paid for the education and expertise. According to CBSalary.com, the median salary for this position is more than $88,000 annually, but may go as high as $155,000.

Working as a clinical nurse specialist can be stressful, especially when hospitals and other facilities are understaffed, a problem that could only become worse in the next few years. According to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, the United States is on the brink of a nursing shortage as older professionals begin to retire.

This, however, makes the prospects for those interested in becoming a clinical nurse specialist or any other type of nurse quite good. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, nursing is the largest health-care occupation, and is growing at a faster rate than almost all other professions.

More Baby Boomer Articles

Does Persistence Really Pay?

While we can all recite quotes about how persistence is the key to success –”If at first you don’t succeed …”, “Nothing good comes easy” — they’re easier said than acted upon when we feel instead like we’re “banging our head against a wall” or “beating a dead horse.” (more…)

Boomer Workers Tips

5 Tips for Confidently Speaking Up at Meetings

The way you present yourself in company meetings can have a big impact on your career.

If you take the role of passive onlooker, for example, and never offer an opinion or comment, you may be giving off the impression that you’re not sure what’s going on — or that you just don’t care.

At the same time, if you speak up every chance you get, dominating everything to from the department budget meeting to the planning session for the holiday party, your colleagues may end up thinking that you’re overbearing — or that you just like to hear yourself talk.

Whether you’re the shy type who usually opts not to speak up — or you’re just the opposite — here are a five expert tips on making your point effectively in front of a crowd.

1. Practice: Like anything, practice makes perfect when it comes to speaking up — especially if you’re shy.

“One way shy people can gain confidence to speak in meetings is to practice outside of meetings,” says Susan Newman, co-founder of School2Life, an organization that helps students transition to the workforce. “Share your point of view and participate in conversations in and out of the workplace. Doing this helps you recognize where the discomfort sets in. In time, it will get easier or more manageable because you’ll know what to expect from your nerves. So speak up and speak often.”

One of the best ways to get practice outside of the workplace is to join your local chapter of ToastMasters, a group specifically designed for helping people to improve their public speaking skills. The organization currently has more than 12,500 chapters globally, so chances are there’s one in your area.

2. Get to the point: When you speak at meetings, concentrate on making your point as succinctly as possible. This will help your message come across clearly and will help you avoid the title of “company blowhard.”

For those that tend to be on the verbose side, try thinking about your message in Twitter terms, says Joey Price, founder of career consulting firm Push Consultant Group, LLC. “[Ask yourself]: is your message potent and concise enough to fit into 140 characters or less? If not, you may be rambling on. Trim and enhance.”

That said; If you must make a longer point, set yourself up to keep the floor until you finish, advises Dianna Booher, author of “Communicate with Confidence” and “Speak with Confidence.” This will let your peers know that you’re making a multi-faceted point, and not just going on and on.

“If you fear that someone will interrupt you before you finish, preface your ideas with something like, ‘I have four observations to make about the situation. First …, ‘and then keep enumerating as you go along so that people understand you’re not finished when you take a breath,” Booher says.

3. Belly breathe: Public speaking can be nerve-wracking, but you don’t have to let it show. Abdominal breathing will make you sound confident by giving strength to your voice.

To use this technique: “Inhale deeply and then project your voice by speaking from the diaphragm,” says Jean Palmer Heck, president of Real Impact, Inc. “This is essential for those who are shy, because it gives more power to your words and persona and can eliminate any shakiness in your voice.”

4. Pay attention to your body language: “I know it sounds obvious, but if you’re hunched over, or speaking softly, it’s unlikely people are going to take what you say seriously,” says Frances Cole Jones, author of “The Wow Factor: the 33 Things You Must (and Must Not) Do to Guarantee Your Edge in Today’s Business World.”

Her top tips for in-meeting body language:

Sit up and forward
Keep your hands on the table (We trust people when we can see their hands)
Lean in
Smile
Make eye contact with everyone around the table

5. Learn from others: A great way to figure out how to become an effective speaker is by watching those who do it well. Pay attention to colleagues who seem to captivate their audience, and what it is that makes them so poignant.

“There are always colleagues that I’ve worked with from my current or past business interactions whom I have admired for their ability to confidently share their opinions, and listen and accept the viewpoints of others, without monopolizing the conversation or sounding like wind bags,” says Dianne Shaddock, principal of EasySmallBusinessHR.com.

“I study their presentation, the tone and volume levels of their voice, as well as the reactions of others in the room to what the individual has to say. I then incorporate their best qualities and make them my own. I’ve found that this works quite well and has helped with my confidence level at meetings,” she says.

Kaitlin Madden is a writer and blogger for CareerBuilder.com and its job blog, The Work Buzz. She researches and writes about job search strategy, career management, hiring trends and workplace issues. Follow @CBForJobSeekers on Twitter.

Boomer Workers Tips

Twitter Job Search 101

You can gain a wealth of advantages when turning to Twitter for help in the job search. You can research companies and organizations, uncover little-known job leads, connect with recruiters and employers and learn up-to-the-minute news about the industries and employers that interest you. (more…)

Information Technology

Working as a Computer Support Specialist

Many people think that working in a computer technology job would confine them to a solitary cubicle or laboratory. But countless information technology (IT) professionals have found a way to combine their love of circuits with a social workplace. Computer support specialists are those indispensable experts who spend their days solving computer problems for the rest of us.

Travis Rekowski began his job as an IT support specialist just a few months after graduating from Mid-State Technical College in Wisconsin. Rekowski had originally planned to earn his college degree in education, but switched to network support when he discovered he could use the degree to help other students, according to the Wausau Daily Herald.

In his job for the Stevens Point Area Catholic Schools, Rekowski makes sure that Pacelli High School’s network is working properly and maintains the district’s 425 laptops. “It’s going great,” Rekowski told the newspaper. “I get to work with kids and adults, and I’m always learning something new. At 21 years old, I couldn’t expect more from a job.”

Many computer support specialists who specialize in education say that working with students is the most rewarding part of their jobs.

For 10 years, Susan Wind has been the “campus tech” at Texas’ Taylor High School. She loves the job for giving her a chance to help the students. “I take care of all of the computers, printers, projectors; anything from refilling ink and replacing mice to downloading software on computers,” Wind told the Taylor Daily Press. “I’ve always been somebody who works with their hands.”

In nearly every industry, demand is rising for skilled computer support specialists, as
businesses use computers to streamline their operations, and consumers buy thousands of laptops, iPods, iPads and smart phones.

The rapid spread of new technology is also making it easy for college graduates to find jobs as computer support specialists. At the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, graduates from the computer science department have one of the highest job placement rates on campus 76 percent Web and media development professor Anthony Ellertson told the newspaper.

That rate will only continue to rise, Ellertson said, as people need more help with the information security programs on their wireless devices, and as Internet-enabled devices grow beyond smart phones to include televisions, wristwatches and even clothing.

Nationwide, computer support specialists held some 565,700 jobs in 2008, and that number could rise 14 percent in coming years, adding 78,000 new jobs by 2018, according to a forecast by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

Computer support specialists usually fall into two camps, technical support specialists (also called tech support) and help-desk technicians.

Tech support workers solve problems for their organizations’ fellow computer users, sometimes writing training manuals or teaching office workers to use their new equipment. They may also maintain their company’s computer systems and networks.

Other help-desk technicians deal directly with consumers, responding to telephone calls and e-mail messages from customers with computer problems. They must listen carefully to each customer complaint, ask just the right questions to find the cause, and then guide the caller to a repair.

Healthcare

Working as a Pediatric Nurse

For any child, staying in a large hospital away from their family or waiting for a dreaded vaccination shot at the doctor’s office is a time when they need someone who can give them the care they need and take the fear away at the same time.

Usually, pediatric nurses are the first people children encounter in these settings. “Pediatric nurses often get to watch families as they grow. They develop relationships as they see children mature and grow from infancy through teen years,” according to the National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners. “It can be a very rewarding profession, and the more training, certifications and experience a nurse has, the more demand there will be for his or her skill set.”

Pediatric nursing is one of the earliest specialties in nursing, and through the years has helped medical care for children evolve into dozens of advanced care practices for nurses.

“Pediatric nursing has a proud heritage. Children’s hospitals have existed in the U.S. for more than 200 years. In many cases, we’ve led the way to improved patient care. Nurses caring for children were among the first to conduct research related to alleviating pain in neonates and children – their findings led to pain-management initiatives in U.S. health care,” wrote Barbara Woodring, a former president of the Society of Pediatric Nurses, in the “Nursing Spectrum/NurseWeek Pediatric Specialty Guide.” “Pediatric nurse practitioners broke the ground for the advanced practice movement. Pediatric staff nurses staunchly support patient/family education and are at the forefront of issues related to literacy surrounding health care.”

Pediatric nursing is a major specialty within the nursing field

Pediatric nurses represent a large specialty within nursing, and those who want to focus on children’s health must first earn a degree as a registered nurse, then receive training specific to pediatric care. According to PediatricNursing.com, many hospitals offer both classroom and clinical training to nursing graduates who have chosen to work in pediatrics. Once they are established in pediatrics, some nurses become certified so they can focus on areas such as emergency services.

Those who earn their master’s degree to become nurse practitioners are able to provide many of the healthcare services that previously doctors alone were allowed to do. For nurses who choose to continue their education and become advanced practice nurses, there are nearly as many specialties for pediatric nurses, from oncology to dermatology, as there are for doctors.

The median annual salary of all registered nurses as of 2008 was $62,450, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). But that pay can rise significantly for pediatric nurses, based on their educational and experience levels, and the specialty area in which they have chosen to work.

Overall, BLS figures show job growth in nursing is expected to be 22 percent over the next decade, as the perennial shortage in the field continues and nurses retire or move into other types of work. Those with pediatric experience can also work for medical publishers, employment services who assign nurses to medical facilities or school-based health programs. Or, they can go into teaching and can find opportunities keeping up with the demand of training a new generation of nurses to care for children.

http://www.pediatricnursing.com/faq.html#2

http://www.allnursingschools.com/faqs/pediatric-nursing

http://www.bls.gov/oco/pdf/ocos083.pdf

http://www.napnap.org/aboutUs.aspx

http://news.nurse.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2004409270306

Sales & Marketing

Working as a Sales Manager

Most businesses rely on a cadre of salespeople to generate their revenue. But who supervises the sales staff? A sales manager hires and trains those professionals, assigns each person to a territory, and sets goals and quotas to measure their performance.

The title covers a wide range of responsibilities. In small firms, a sales manager can be a one-man-band, running the entire sales department from a single desk.

But in large corporations, a national sales manager may oversee regional and local sales managers, negotiate contracts with dealers and distributors, and even help the company launch new products by analyzing sales patterns and learning what customers want.

Because sales managers generate so much revenue for their organizations and are such visible leaders, the job is often a launching pad for top sales professionals to advance to the executive ranks of the company.

Salesman Michael Lewis got a job in 2003 as regional sales manager for Kramer Electronics, an audio and video equipment supplier in New Jersey, according to InfoComm magazine. He earned a promotion to national accounts manager after four years, and in 2010 stepped up to the position of vice president of national accounts.

Lewis attributed much of his success to his deep experience in the industry, spending 21 years in electronics sales before joining the company. But his supervisor said that Lewis has a skill even more important than experience – a great touch in dealing with other people.

“Mike is the perfect choice with his many years of cable knowledge and experience. He is one of the purest salesmen I have ever had the pleasure of working with. At Kramer, much of our success is the result of relationship selling…and Mike is the master at that,” Kramer president Dave Bright told the magazine.

Many experts say the best way to become a sales manager is through experience. A college degree is always valuable, but recruiters usually hire – and promote – professionals with extensive sales experience.

At Ithaca College in New York, students are eager to gain work experience before they jump into the job market on graduation day. To help students start building their careers early, the school offers on-campus employment in areas from biochemistry to the computer help desk.

Allyson Hotchkin, in the class of 2011, grabbed the opportunity to polish her sales skills, according to Fuse magazine, a campus publication. Hotchkin works as a sales manager for the school’s student-run newspaper, the Ithacan. She sees her campus job as a great way to add real-world experience to her academic major in marketing and communications.

One of the first things she learned was that the job pays better than her friends’ jobs because she earns a commission on advertising sales. “It is rumored to be the best-paid job on campus,” Hotchkin told the magazine.

The number of jobs available for sales managers is forecast to grow at a quick 15 percent over the coming decade, reaching 398,700 jobs by 2018, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Boomer Workers Tips

9 Interview Questions You Should Be Asking

When interviewing, many candidates don’t realize that the questions they ask are just as important as how they present themselves and the answers they give. Failing to ask questions shows a lack of genuine interest in the job. Asking foolish questions indicates the candidate didn’t do enough research prior to the interview. Making either mistake can cost a candidate the job offer.

Heather Krasna, author of “Jobs That Matter: Find a Stable, Fulfilling Career in Public Service,” advises job seekers to prepare a list of questions before the interview, much like they’d create a list of talking points that address the value they offer the employer.

“Every interview is different. Some interviewers will only give you the chance to ask two or three questions. Others will ask again and again if you have any questions, so prepare more questions than you think you will need in case this happens,” she says.

Developing a list of questions to ask is problematic for many job seekers. In her book, Krasna offers the following suggestions and explains why such questions can give candidates a much-needed edge:

1. “What are you seeking in the ideal candidate for this position?”

This question allows you to counter by adding any particular skills or qualities you have left out in the interview, but which the employer thinks are important.

2. “How would you describe your management style?”

When you are being interviewed by a hiring manager to whom you would report, this is a great question for gathering insight into whether you might get along.

3. “Can you give me some examples of the types of projects I may be working on?”

If the job description was a bit vague on the types of assignments you would be doing or if you are otherwise unclear on this point, this question is essential to ask.

4. “What do you like best about working for this organization?”

This question not only gives great insight into the culture of the organization, it also makes the person answering the question feel good. In addition, if the person answering can’t come up with something good to say, this is a red flag about the place you might be working!

5. “How did this position become available?”

This question is a bit pushy, but it is quite important if you do not know how the position opened. Is the organization expanding? Or did the last person leave, and can you subtly find out why?

6. “What would you like to see happen six-to-12 months after you hire a new person for this position?”

This question is akin to “How will I be evaluated?” or “How do you measure success in this role?” It can also clue you in on whether the expectations for the job are realistic.

7. “What resources are available for this position?”

This question addresses the technology, staff or budget resources you will have and gives many insights into whether the organization is being realistic about what you can accomplish given the resources available.

8. “Is there anything you are still wondering about my candidacy that might keep you from offering me the position? Is there anything further I should clarify?”

This question shows you are open to feedback or critique and also tells the employer you want every opportunity to reassure him or her that you would be a great employee.

9. “What is the next step in the process? May I have your business card?”

The final question can help relieve your anxiety after the interview because you at least have some clue about how long it will be before the employer gets back to you. Ask for business cards from each person interviewing you so you can send thank-you notes.

Krasna adds that there are also questions candidates should steer clear of asking during the interview. According to her, questions not to ask include inquiries about salary, scandals and office politics, and personal questions about the interviewer.

*Excerpted from “Jobs That Matter: Find a Stable, Fulfilling Career in Public Service” by Heather Krasna.

Selena Dehne is a career writer for JIST Publishing who shares the latest occupational, career and job search information available with job seekers and career changers. She is also the author of JIST’s Job Search and Career Blog (http://jistjobsearchandcareer.blogspot.com/). Follow her on Twitter at http://twitter.com/SelenaDehne.

Featured Article

How Working for a Small Business Can Pay Off Big

It’s common knowledge that Apple started in a garage and Facebook began in a dorm room. Not all beginnings are as humble, but they prove that you don’t need to start working at a big-name corporation to find success. Joining an organization that’s not a household name might not have some of the cushy perks a large business can provide, but it can offer opportunities you can’t find elsewhere. (more…)

Boomer Workers Tips

Do You Know the Most Important Part of a Résumé?

It’s All about the Summary

A tough job market means piles of applications for open positions, so it is no surprise that hiring managers are looking for ways to screen candidates quickly.

“Recruiters typically devote only 10-15 seconds to read any résumé,” says Wil Lemire, director of career services at Western New England College in Springfield, Mass. To make that precious time count, job seekers need to create concise, attention-grabbing profiles that make employers want to know more.

Things to include

“Some people refer to the professional summary as the résumé equivalent of a 30-second sales pitch or an elevator speech,” says Carolyn Yencharis Corcoran, assistant director of the Insalaco Center for Career Development at Misericordia University in Dallas, Pa. “We recommend that our students take great care in writing this area, as it is yet another way for them to demonstrate their ability to communicate pointedly and efficiently and to exude professionalism by using industry-specific keywords in the proper context.”

Experts generally favor the profile being placed right under contact information at the top of a résumé. (This well-crafted skills summary also can prove useful as a networking intro or as part of an online profile.) Among the items candidates may wish to include are:

Keywords that match those of the job description
Hard skills (professional and technical experience)
Soft skills (personal attributes)
Advanced degrees
Years of experience
Interesting achievements
Anything that sets one apart from other candidates

“Like any other section of your résumé, the professional summary requires some self-reflection, time and attention,” Corcoran says. To get the creative juices flowing, she suggests:

Asking co-workers, family members, professors and friends what qualities they like most about you.
Thinking about positive comments you’ve received from employers or teachers.
Reflecting on awards received.
Remembering instances where you handled an emergency, presented or taught something, made something more efficient or contributed to a change.

Things to avoid

Cynthia Favre, director of career management at Gustavus Adolphus College in Saint Peter, Minn., offers this precaution when creating a summary: “Don’t include things that most everyone can do (such as use the Internet or Word). It actually makes the candidate look like he doesn’t have useful skills.”

Favre also cautions against using vague adjectives, such as “excellent” and “great.” “Such words encourage the reader to compare the candidate with others. Take the phrase ‘an excellent communicator.’ Compared to whom? Barack Obama? Your college roommate? It is better to state the skills as factually as possible and let the reader determine if they are excellent and of value to him.”

Putting your best self forward

While seasoned workers can use their skills summary to describe past job accomplishments, novice job seekers often worry that they will appear lacking. While it is inevitable that different candidates will bring different attributes to the table, the main thing is to focus on what you can contribute.

“It’s important that the job seeker know what the job requirements are in order to properly sort and rank his own knowledge, skills and abilities,” Lemire says. “Recent graduates should use skills and knowledge gained from part-time and summer jobs, internships, classroom projects and activities on and off campus.”

Corcoran agrees that it is up to each individual to identify and present her own strengths. “While a seasoned worker will have more hands-on experience to include in a professional summary, new grads will want to highlight the things that set them apart — such as possessing skills in the newest and latest technology, energy and drive, openness to multiple areas and an eagerness to learn.”

Remember that whether this is your first job or your tenth, you only have a bit of space to get yourself noticed. Choose your words carefully, and chances are an employer will want to hear more.

Beth Braccio Hering researches and writes about job search strategy, career management, hiring trends and workplace issues for CareerBuilder.com. Follow @CBForJobSeekers on Twitter.

Boomer Workers Tips

A Field Guide to Co-workers

Love them or hate them, you still have to work with them. Here are some common types of co-workers and suggestions on how to make the most of your time together.

The relic

He’s been around longer than the office furniture and is a walking encyclopedia of company history. His idea of a modern convenience is an electric typewriter, so don’t bother leaving messages in the voice mailbox he never activated.

Keys to dealing with this co-worker include respect and patience. “Consider that your ‘relic’ has managed to survive layoffs and downturns and may have a leg up on the rest of us in terms of understanding life on the job,” says Elizabeth Freedman, author of “Work 101: Learning the Ropes of the Workplace without Hanging Yourself” and “The MBA Student’s Job-Seeking Bible.”

Also realize that behind the grumblings may be someone who just doesn’t understand the latest technology. While he may be slow to accept help from a “young whippersnapper,” kindly offering assistance without being condescending may do the trick.

The soap opera star

His car breaks down before big presentations, and he’s sure his wife is having an affair. He laments about his daughter’s new boyfriend, and he wants to know if you think the mole on his neck is getting bigger.

Although this scenario might sound humorous, Kathi Elster, co-author of “Working for You Isn’t Working for Me” and “Working with You Is Killing Me,” notes that these co-workers can be frustrating. “They solicit your help, but they never take your advice because underneath it all they don’t want to get better, they only want to take.” She suggests sticking to facts when dealing with them and not getting caught up in the drama. Likewise, Freedman recommends redirecting the conversation with a diplomatic phrase such as, “Jean, I’m sure you have friends who are more qualified than me to talk about stuff like that” — and then quickly moving on to another topic.

The wallflower

She eats lunch at her desk and arrives and leaves each day with barely a hello or good-bye. She diligently attends every meeting, but you can’t recall her ever saying anything.

Elster notes that wallflowers “tend to be excellent workers because they do their jobs, but they never move ahead because they do not advocate for themselves.” To get along with one, be considerate and pull your weight. A sincere compliment, especially around others, may help draw the person out of her shell.

The victim

He complains that he always gets stuck with the difficult clients and that someone keeps stealing his stapler. Every decision, from installing a new computer system to switching coffee brands in the lounge, is a sign that management or a fellow employee is trying to make his life miserable.

“The victim feels everyone is out to get him,” says Roberta Chinsky Matuson, president of Human Resource Solutions in Northampton, Mass. To deal with one, she suggests letting him spout off to get things off his mind, “then quickly changing the subject so you can get back on track.”

The hot head and the brooder

He’s ready to “kill the messenger” when a meeting is bumped up an hour. She rolls her eyes when asked to correct a report. He’ll tell anyone (usually quite loudly) exactly what is on his mind. She, on the other hand, prefers playing passive-aggressive games and could still be brooding about that time you accidentally ate her yogurt from the fridge. The bottom line for both — you don’t want to cross paths.

“Both of these reactions prevent healthy dialogue, which cripples an organization,” says Kerry Patterson, co-author of the New York Times bestseller “Crucial Conversations.” “Our research shows that for every crucial conversation an employee avoids, an average of $1,500 and an eight-hour workday is wasted.”

To ease tensions, Patterson suggests trying to create a “safe” environment where the person knows your positive intentions. “When others feel respected and trust your motives, they let their guard down and begin to listen — even if the topic is unpleasant. If you are open to hearing others’ points of view, they’ll be more open to yours instead of reacting with silence or violence.”

The social director

She organizes the annual holiday gift exchange and makes sure everybody knows the date of the company picnic. Depending on your mood, her energy and team spirit can be charming or grating.

Enjoy the benefits of having this person on staff — you’ll never have to worry about forgetting Boss’s Day. If too much hoopla is draining your time (or wallet), politely suggest ways to reign it in, such as holding a single party each month for employees celebrating birthdays instead of buying individual cakes. And for goodness sake, make sure her birthday is in your BlackBerry so you can wish her well!

Beth Braccio Hering researches and writes about job search strategy, career management, hiring trends and workplace issues for CareerBuilder.com. Follow @CBForJobSeekers on Twitter.

Boomer Workers Tips

What to do if You’re Cursed Out at Work

Being humiliated or cursed out can feel especially demeaning in a work environment. Unfortunately, human resources experts say that today’s high stress work environments make these types of unprofessional altercations more likely.

“There are plenty of reasons why people curse in the workplace — among them [are] anger, frustration, stress, ego, lack of a better vocabulary — and all of them are bad,” explains Chris Posti, president of human resources consulting firm Posti & Associates.

And even if you don’t initiate the confrontation, a heated reaction can have grave consequences. “If you are the unfortunate recipient of such treatment, your options for recourse depend on who is cursing you out, but no matter what, your first step should always be to remain cool, and never respond in kind,” Posti says.

Here, conflict experts give advice on how to deal with a customer, co-worker or boss when cursed out at work:

When it’s a customer

If a customer tells you off while you’re helping him or her with a service, it can be tough to know how to react. Here’s what to do:

Listen closely to what the customer is trying to say, as the person may have a legitimate problem with your product or company, Posti says. Try to understand the situation from the customer’s viewpoint, no matter how horribly you’ve been treated — it can help you keep a level of professionalism. “If the situation is a one-time customer, your best bet is to keep quiet and just listen,” Posti says.

Snapping back is an absolute no-no says Jonar Nader, author of “How to Lose Friends and Infuriate Your Boss.” “A furious customer is not likely to hear your defense, so it is best to let them vent and leave,” he says. Losing your temper can make the customer even angrier. Instead, try to stay as calm as possible and explain to the customer what you can do to solve the problem. If the customer is still upset, it may be time to get your supervisor involved.

When it’s a co-worker

An altercation with a co-worker can have long-term consequences. Here’s what to consider:

Getting cursed out by someone you’re obliged to see everyday can be tough to swallow. Instead of reacting to the situation the moment it happens, let your co-worker calm down before responding, says Matt Angello, principal and executive coach at Bright Tree Consulting Group. “Meet with them later, after the situation has cooled off,” he says.

That said; don’t be too quick to let your co-worker off the hook for what occurred. While staying professional, reiterate the fact that you’re looking to work in a respectful environment and won’t stand for this sort of behavior. “The most common problem people make in this situation is to let it slide,” says Alexander Kjerulf, author of “Happy Hour is 9-to-5.” After you’ve voiced your thoughts try to build back the relationship with your co-worker. While it can take time, getting past the conflict will help you feel happier at work.

When it’s your boss

If your boss curses you out after a project, your reaction can cost you a job. Here’s how to handle the confrontation:

When your superior snaps at you it can be especially difficult to deal with in a rational manner. Consider multiple solutions before making a decision, Posti suggests. “Your response will depend on your relationship with the boss,” he says.

Most likely it will also take some introspection on your part. “You might think that your boss is shouting at you for something simple, but it might be a straw that broke the camel’s back,” Nader says. While there are plenty of less-than-professional bosses it’s also important to understand why the particular event occurred.

Cool off and consider the reasons before sparking up a conversation. During the talk be sure to suggest an alternative approach to the embarrassing encounter and convey how unmotivated it’s made you feel. If it’s a one-time incident, it’s best to give you boss the benefit of the doubt. If you feel constantly berated, however, it may be time for a job change or visit to human resources.

More importantly, use this as a learning experience, Nader suggests. “Everyone has something to teach us. A rude boss can teach you how not to treat people.”

Alina Dizik researches and writes about job search strategy, career management, hiring trends and workplace issues for CareerBuilder.com. Follow @CBForJobSeekers on Twitter.

Career Resources and Advice for Experienced Workers

October 2010

Baby Boomer Job Search