Does Certification Help You Get a Better Job

Does Certification Help You Get a Better Job As a new professional looking for your first job experience straight after graduation, you’ve probably heard that earning certain certifications can help you get a job. However, these tests are costly and time-consuming, and some people report that the certification did nothing to help them land the job of their dreams. Is it worth it for you? Necessary vs. unnecessary certifications In answering that question, you must first define whether or not the certification is necessary. For example, if you’re applying to be a truck driver and will be driving a semi-truck, you must have your Commercial Driver’s License (CDL). There’s no way you can get the job without this license. Likewise, an entry-level nurse must pass the NCLEX exam, an accountant must get a CPA certification, and realtors must pass an exam to get their license in order to practice. However, other certifications are more of recommendations than necessities for certain jobs. For instance, if you’re a web designer applying for a senior position at a design firm, you may consider getting your HTML Developer Certificate from the World Wide Web Consortium (WC3). It’s not absolutely necessary for the job, but you may prove yourself a more viable candidate with this certification under your belt. Other times, employers won’t care what certifications you have, and they’ll only be interested in your portfolio. When it comes to unnecessary, but recommended certifications, you have to weigh the time and financial costs of getting them and decide if it’s worthwhile. Certifications aren’t created equally You should also understand that certifications carry different weight. Obviously, any necessary certifications will be most important. Other certifications should be weighed according to their value. In most cases, you can tell that a certification will mean more to an employer based on the credibility of the institution. Certifications from a well-respected university will be far more valuable than those from unknown community colleges, and the cost and time it takes to complete them will reflect that. Typically, the most valued certifications are the higher-level, industry/position specific.  In the IT field, for example, Project Management Professional (PMP) and Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) certifications rank much higher than A+ certifications. That’s not to say that the lower tests should be dismissed, as they can be valuable in entry-level positions. Just know that employers will always be more impressed with advanced work. Also, consider the value of the certification to you. When you’re required to study up on new tools, learn a hard skill, and demonstrate the knowledge you learned in order to pass, you’ll get more out of the experience than from those where you simply study and take a test. Even if this certification is not necessary, you may find that what you learned makes it entirely worth it, despite the cost and time commitment. Consider the desired position The need for certifications will largely depend on the position you’re applying for. Research the industry in-depth, looking at the available certifications and how to earn them. Oftentimes, you can see what industry leaders expect from their applicants by simply reading through the job posting. They’ll say if they want you to be certified in Excel, general contracting, automotive service, or whatever your job calls for. They’ll also specify whether the certification is necessary or simply recommended. You might also talk with industry professionals who can give you first-hand advice on the usefulness of such qualifications. They work in this market daily and will know better than anyone if it’s worth the time and money. Certifications evolve rapidly One vital consideration to make is the rapidity in which software and tech evolves. Oftentimes, certifications are only good for about five years because the fundamentals of the industry change as software advances. By the time you get the job, the knowledge gained from your certification may have already become outdated. In some cases, you may simply retake a certification every five years to learn the new tech and ideas. Nurses, for example, have no choice but to get re-certified every five years to brush up on the latest in medical practices. In others, the entire focus of the exam will be old hat within 10 years. In IT, for example, almost every skill has an expiration date. At one point, IT professionals were required to be certified in Thicknet and Thinnet Ethernet, something entry-level IT pros today have likely never heard of. Such a certification wouldn’t be worthwhile in the end. Conclusion: Certifications can help if you’re wise The bottom line is that certifications can help you get a job. They showcase a certain skill level that can beat out the biggest competition. They also help you build valuable skills that will prove the claims stated on your resume. However, be smart about it. Don’t take a test just for the sake of an official piece of paper. Make sure it will actually advance your career, and it will be worth the time and money paid at the time. Consider your job carefully, and take industry recommendations as you decide. About the author:  Larry Alton is an independent business consultant specializing in social media trends, business, and entrepreneurship. Follow him on  Twitter  and  LinkedIn.

Can a Resume Be Two Pages?

Can a Resume Be Two Pages?If you have gone through a complete and thorough job search over the past few months and have finally received your first offer, you will want to know if a resume can be two pages or more long. In the IT field, it is becoming more common for IT managers to demand two pages of information in the employment request, along with additional requirements from both sides to ensure a good match.In the previous decade, the typical computer user would never have been able to make use of the various features that are currently found in many recent high-tech products. However, as a computer person you will need to know how to use them in order to do your job. This means that you will need to get some experience.To date, the computer industry has shown that many people have come out of the various forms of computer usage successfully. If you are not skilled, then there are many IT professionals in your position who could be just what you are looking for. They could provi de you with plenty of tips on how to get the most out of your skills and work.Although two pages is the maximum when it comes to resumes, this does not mean that you should not be happy with just one page at all. A job seeker should always be happy with just having a resume that contains the basic information about their career path. Once they receive an interview call, they should be prepared to present the best version of themselves.There are plenty of opportunities available for you and this means that there are several options for you to make the most of it. You should not shy away from them as many of them could actually help you further your career. On the other hand, if you choose to look into internships in the IT field, this will help you to apply for more positions.Unfortunately, there are quite a few job seekers who do not really understand that these internships will still have to be at least a week long. As such, your resume needs to be as short as possible, as this is the minimum that is required by most employers. To make sure that you do not miss out on any opportunities, you should go online and read through job boards daily.The best way to find a job board is to take advantage of the free service that many of them offer. While this might not be the most cost effective option, it will help you to discover a list of job boards that are operating in your particular area. By reading through these lists, you will have a better idea of which job boards to contact for jobs in your own local area.Once you have found a job board that you like, you should contact them and fill out the application form online. You should also be prepared to provide your contact details. These details include your e-mail address, your home address and your phone number. While these details are more personal than they might sound, it is important to make sure that you provide them so that you do not miss out on a good opportunity.

Leverage the Relationship Between a Brand and Logo - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career

Leverage the Relationship Between a Brand and Logo - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career The following answers are provided by members of  Young Entrepreneur Council (YEC), an invite-only organization comprised of the world’s most promising young entrepreneurs. In partnership with Citi, YEC recently launched  BusinessCollective, a free virtual mentorship program that helps millions of entrepreneurs start and grow businesses. 1. Your Logo Is Not Your Brand The goal of branding is to own the one feeling that motivates your prospects to act. If youve created a feeling that propels action, the logo is simply a visual cue prompting that feeling. Your logo is not your brand, but should be associated with the feelings you want. Show your logo at the moments of truth where youve delivered your wow experiences to create that positive association.   â€"  Chris Goward,  WiderFunnel 2. Both Influence How People Feel About Your Product or Service The best-selling author of  Start with Why  Simon Sinek puts it this way: People dont buy what you do. They buy why you do it. In other words, people buy based on emotion. How does your brand and logo make the buyer feel? Your brand and logo are critical elements of your product and must elicit an emotion that exudes trust and makes them want to buy your products.   â€"  Kristopher Jones,  LSEO.com 3. The Logo Points Back to the Company If a brand is the “relationship” that signifies a bond between a company and consumer, then the logo would be the idea of how that relationship functions. The logo is a simple way of pointing the customer back to the original company. It is the visual face of your business, which is used to show a preexistingrelationship between a company and audience member.   â€"Stanley Meytin,  True Film Production 4. A Brand Is a Value Message Branding is a process of defining, shaping and influencing â€" visually and verbally â€" the story, emotion and meaning you want people to experience. A brand is a value message to the world. A logo is the defining mark of a brands essence. Take a holistic approach. Invest in a solid strategy to define your brand and positioning. Use that to inform and inspire your visual system.   â€"  Ashleigh Hansberger,  Motto 5. The Logo Represents the Brand Its important for your logo to communicate and represent your brand in a succinct, easily consumable way. A great example of this is Twitter. A realistic image of a bird wouldve communicated the idea well enough, but choosing the more simplified, more cartoon-like approach sent a different message. It didnt just communicate the idea of tweeting, it gave  the platform a  young and light feel.   â€"  Blair Thomas,  First American Merchant 6. The Logo Needs Not Be Prioritized Companies spend a lot of resources  on creating or updating logos but often  forget about explicitly developing and nurturing their brands. If you have an easily definable  brand, the logo should be a relatively quick and easy next step. When a company has no discernible brand qualities and the logo projects qualities  that arent reinforced elsewhere, then the logo is useless, or worse, confusing.   â€"  Roger Lee,  Captain401 7. A Logo Tells a Story Every good logo is easily recognizable and preferably tells a story. Somebody should be able to take a quick peek at a logo and understand your brands core value proposition. For instance, Slack  includes a hashtag that relates to the fact that the service allows company people to follow an internal conversation topic.   â€"  Andy Karuza,  FenSens 8. The Logo Creates the Feeling of the Brand A brand is how someone feels about your company; your logo should reflect this feeling and embody everything that your company does. It is the first visual representation of your brand that anyone sees. Is it clean and crisp or chaotic and loud? You have to think about how you want your brand to be represented through your logo.     â€"  Jayna Cooke,  EVENTup 9. The Logo Is Just the Beginning Branding is more than just a pretty logo; it’s the message, personality and whole image of a company. The logo is one part of a brand identity. When a company creates a logo and wants to build a brand, the logo is just the beginning. It’s then how one uses the mark with other aesthetics and marketing efforts that build brand awareness.   â€"  Peter Boyd,  PaperStreet Web Design 10. Your Logo Should Encompass the Future of Your Brand Your logo must be timeless. Anything outdated will make customers think the same about your company, as to them the logo and the brand are one in the same. When designing a logo, remember to think about the bigger picture and plan for the future. Your logo needs to represent your brand not just today, but years from now.   â€"  Chuck Cohn,  Varsity Tutors

Invest in Yourself - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career

Invest in Yourself - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career This week a new client came into my office and wrote me a check for several thousand dollars. They could have taken the money and gone on vacation, paid it down on a new car, or bought a new piece of furniture. Instead, they chose to invest in themselves to develop a clear career roadmap and move forward to a better job. Lets take a closer look at their other possible expenditures: A vacation might have been very enjoyable. This would have provided them the immediate gratification that many people desire. But, it would not have improved their future. A new car might also have provided some immediate gratification, too. But it would also result in them continuing to spend money on a depreciating asset. A new piece of furniture would be nice to have. They could enjoy it for a while, until it blended into the others. And it was sure to depreciate. Yes, the difference in investing in yourself is that you are investing to increase the value to cause appreciation of your greatest asset: yourself. Yet far too few people ever do this. What about you? When was the last time you invested an amount of money in yourself that was in any way comparable to what you have spent on a vacation or a variety of depreciating assets cars, furniture, clothes, electronics, etc.? For most people, they are their  greatest asset. You can invest in yourself and make yourself more valuable. Such an investment can pay for itself many times over. Decades ago, workers assumed that their employers would invest in them in order to make them more valuable to the organization. Today, employers invest much in developing their employees. If you are not  willing to invest in yourself, you may find that no one else is either. So, whats it going to be? the vacation, car, furniture or YOU? PS: For most readers, I am not talking about going back to school and investing in formal education. This tends to not be an effective investment any longer.

Why a Resume Writing Service in Hobart Is Such a Good Idea

Why a Resume Writing Service in Hobart Is Such a Good IdeaIf you want to hire a resume writing service, then Hobart is the perfect location. It is a small town on the west coast of Tasmania, that is also the second largest city in the state. Hobart is also a hub for cruise ships, which has led to many creative industries including music, food and film to thrive here. As such, it is a thriving location for the kind of company you would like to work for.There are a number of reasons why hiring a resume writing service in Hobart is such a good idea. The first and most obvious is the quality of service they provide to their clients. In a time when employers are looking for ways to cut costs, this is one way to get quality work done at a low cost.Another reason for using a resume writers in Hobart is because they can offer you a more personalised service. They will be able to understand what you are looking for in your job search, so that they can write your resume in such a way that it w ill be very relevant to your needs. This is particularly important if you are aiming to land a job in a particular industry.Hiring a service to help you out with your job searches will help you make more use of the free jobs in the local area which often go unnoticed by many companies. Many people tend to focus on jobs in their local area, but often overlook many of the opportunities available for them locally. The resume writing service in Hobart will help you get the best opportunities that are available here which you may not have known existed.If you are to be looking for a job in Australia then it is imperative that you leave a good impression on your future employer. You can achieve this by making sure that your resume is as good as possible. You need to be able to create a highly relevant resume that will give you an advantage over your competition. You will be able to do this by having a resume writing service in Hobart do the legwork for you.Instead of having to do all the legwork yourself, the service will take care of it for you. The professionals at resume writing service in Hobart will make sure that your resume will stand out from the rest and draw the attention of potential employers who might be looking for resumes for particular jobs. Of course, you will still need to do the legwork yourself.You should ensure that you include in your resume all of the skills you have which could be applicable to a particular job. The professionals at resume writing service in Hobart will ensure that your resume includes any additional skills which may be relevant to the job that you are seeking. This way, you can come across as more qualified than you actually are.When you are looking for a resume writing service in Hobart, take a look at what has worked for previous clients of theirs. Hobart is a vibrant place to live and work so it is no surprise that the people that live and work here are always looking for other opportunities.

What to Do If You Suspect a Colleague Suffers From Substance Abuse

What to Do If You Suspect a Colleague Suffers From Substance Abuse Photo Credit â€" Pexels.comYou’ve suspected it for a while â€" you’ve been analyzing the proof behind your suspicions and coming to grips with the reality of the situation. You’re afraid your colleague is suffering from substance abuse.According to a recent study by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration Unfortunately, no matter how tempting it may be to stay quiet, you can’t do nothing. You have a responsibility to this person, your employer and other colleagues to help ensure a safe environment. Here are some things you can do to help your colleague get the assistance they need.1. Decide on the Best Course of ActionevalWe tend to spend a significant amount of time with coworkers, which means we often develop relationships that go beyond simply “coworker.” This tends to make it even more difficult when we suspect someone has a substance abuse problem. Depending on the actions we take, feelings of betrayal can creep in.It may feel dishonest or even cowardly, but not approaching your colleague about your suspicion could make sense depending on the situation.Think about a person suffering with an addiction problem outside the workplace â€" they could do absolutely anything to postpone facing their demons and avoid the embarrassment of someone finding out their secret.If you prefer to approach your manager instead of directly approaching your colleague, book a meeting with them to professionally and politely explain all of your concerns. Ensure you have accurate proof and tangible evidence before doing so.2. Be Non-ConfrontationalHowever, there is also nothing wrong with talking directly to the person about their drug use and how it affects work. A flexible and caring approach as opposed to a harsh one is imperative.The idea is to remain non-confrontational and persuasive and to manage your expectations. Expecting your colleague to be defensive will help you keep your cool when and if this happens.evalPresenting the facts instead of making moral judgments will be best received. Be specific about their behavior. For example, instead of saying, “You drink far too much”, you could say, “You were slurring your words last night and you were very aggressive to the taxi driver. You left your house keys somewhere in the bar and it was very worrying.”3. Consider How You or the Company Can HelpJust like professional health workers advise someone’s friends and families, tough love for people suffering from substance abuse is sometimes the best way to help them.Do not enable your colleague by covering up for them, lending money or allocating your colleague’s work to others.You should reiterate that it is not a moral weakness they are suffering from, but rather an illness â€" and one that could have a fatal outcome. Tell them they need to seek help but that you can support them Many employers prefer for their employees to seek help for addiction as opposed to hiring and training a new replacement. Therefore, it’s likely your company can help or even offer drug and alcohol treatment programs in-house.Policies should then be implemented at your workplace to make clear what is and what is not tolerated regarding alcohol and drug addictions at work.To ensure employees with substance abuse problems have access to the help they require, employers are encouraged to offer comprehensive health plans that cover treatment for such disorders.These plans should cover all steps of the treatment program, including counseling, outpatient care, education and initial treatment.4. What About Outside Help?Alternatively, why not suggest an AA 5. What to Do If You’re WrongIf you are mistaken, you may feel some embarrassment, but it will not be the end of the world. As long as you handled it correctly, with professionalism and discretion, and it came from a genuine motive, there is no reason why it cannot be forgotten and moved on from. There likely won’t be any significant consequences from the event. Why It’s Important to Speak Upeval10 to 20 percent of American workers who die at work test positive for the presence of alcohol or drugs. If you suspect a colleague has developed an addiction for either alcohol or drugs, it is your responsibility to speak to your coworker or your manager.Saying or doing nothing will allow the problem to worsen. It will affect your relationship with them and your productivity, too.Furthermore, it could endanger lives. While it can be awkward to step forward and express your concerns, if your suspicions were correct, it benefits everyone in the end.

Interview Questions for Recent College Grads

Interview Questions for Recent College Grads According to a recent NACE survey profiled on JobWeb employers predict a 14.5% increase In new college grad hiring for 2006 and many are offering higher starting salaries than were offered to last years graduating class. Are you prepared for your first interview out of college? Below are four interview questions geared towards recent college graduates.Why did you choose your college/major?This question gives you the opportunity to show the hiring manager how you set goals and monitor success. For example, if you chose your university because it has one of the best academic programs in a particular field of study, you probably became interested in this program during high school and made a conscious decision at that time to build a portfolio of academic successes and extracurricular activities that made you a desirable candidate for that college. This shows your commitment to project completion as well as a high tolerance for challenging, competitive situations.How does your degree pr epare you for a career in (industry) or to excel as a (job title)?The hiring manager is asking you to link your academic major with your targeted positions right after college. Draw on your college experiences including specific curriculum examples, a senior thesis, contributions to class projects, relevant internships, and extracurricular activities to demonstrate parallels between academic success and that expected of you in the world of work.What qualifications do you have beyond academics that qualify you to make a successful transition into business?There are two types of extracurricular activities that you can discuss…(1) school-related and community-based activities and (2) working arrangements to finance your education.Participation in the same school-related activities for all four years validates that a candidate knows their strengths and is choosing to actively pursue them. It also shows a high level of discipline and commitment.Students who financed their education thr ough part-time and summer jobs can show how these jobs contributed to a strong sense of self-determination and self-reliance. They can make direct correlations between the skills learned on the job and their relevance to the position they are applying for. These students can also show employers how they successfully manage multiple tasks, prioritize responsibilities, and manage their time effectively.Do you think your grades are a good indicator of your ability to succeed in business?Grades may reflect an individual’s potential performance, but it is not guaranteed. Never apologize for less than stellar grades or blame others for poor performance; this could lead the hiring manager to believe you don’t feel confident in your abilities or don’t take responsibility for your actions. Instead, try to present a complete picture of your candidacy by discussing your grades within the context of your other accomplishments in college. For example, if you were a B student, but also hel d a leadership role in your fraternity or worked 30 hours a week to finance your education, let the hiring manager know about these successes.

5 Critical Questions to Ask Yourself and Your Hiring Manager Before Taking the Job - Hallie Crawford

5 Critical Questions to Ask Yourself and Your Hiring Manager Before Taking the Job You’ve landed a job interview. That’s great news! Surely you will want to prepare well for the interview. You will want to prepare your STAR stories, know which strengths to talk about, and the general questions the hiring manager will most likely ask. However, sometimes in the preparation process, we forget about things to ask the hiring manager and factors to ask ourselves before accepting the job. During the interview, here are five important questions to ask the hiring manager: What programs are available for professional development for their employees? How do they implement those? What metrics do they use for evaluating performance and how often does that occur? What are their corporate values and how do they honor those? What is a typical day like, who will I be interacting with on a regular basis, and can I meet them? What type of person best succeeds in this position? Asking these thoughtful questions will show that you are truly interested in the position, in your career, and how you would perform as an employee. It’s also important to think through these five factors on a personal level: Will this job make use of my strengthsâ€"those I would like to continue using? Is the work environment, culture, and management style suited to my personality type? Before I accept, do I know exactly what will be expected of me, down to the specific goals I am expected to achieve and milestones in the first 3â€"6 months? Will this job move me towards my long-term career goals? How often will I be challenged in this position? Before the interview, decide what the ideal responses to these questions would be. Then be alert during your interview for the answers to these questions. Jot down small notes, if needed, and see how the answers match up to your ideal responses. Of course, depending on the industry, you may want to consider additional factors. Keep in mind that in order for a job to be rewarding, you must find fulfillment from using your strengths.