Bilingual? You're Valuable

Bilingual? You're Valuable by CareerBuilder.com<br /><br />Spanish has become the country's unofficial second language, and corporate America has responded with diversity initiatives that seek to recruit, understand and attract a Hispanic/Latino workforce, writes Graciela Kenig in her book Best Careers for Bilingual Latinos.<br /><br />With more than 40 million Hispanics in the US today and an estimated annual growth rate of 4.65, the Latino community will add 1.7 million people to its population every year. This trend is creating a tremendous demand for bilingual job seekers fluent in Spanish and English.<br /><br />According to Kenig and other experts, the top industries for bilingual candidates include healthcare, financial services, sales and marketing, social services and public service. The Bureau of Labor Statistics, reports that there are a number of emerging occupations in social services such as cross-cultural counselors, bilingual teachers and consumer credit counselors.<br /><br />"Being fluent in Spanish is a big plus in social services," says Evie Engler, vice president for Metropolitan Family Services in Chicago, Ill. "In many of the communities we serve, our licensed clinical social workers, case workers and counselors must be bilingual to serve families in need of our counseling, mental health and financial management services."<br /><br />Banks and mortgage companies seek tellers and loan officers who can converse with their Latino clients. Insurance companies need claims adjustors and administrative staff to assist in processing claims for their diverse client base. One major insurance company that pays referral fees to employees for candidates who are hired offered an additional $500 incentive if the new hire was bilingual.<br /><br />Hospitals and pharmaceutical companies are experiencing some of the greatest demand for bilingual employees to better serve patients. "Being able to speak and understand our patients? native language ensures proper treatment. Patients must be able to understand medical instructions and prescription dosages and physicians need to understand symptoms and circumstances related to a patient?s condition," noted Kathy, a nurse at a suburban hospital in Chicago.<br /><br />To sell goods and services to a multicultural market, corporations must hire people who understand the language and culture of their clients and their vendors. Karen, an inside sales manager in Columbia, Md., needed call center associates to process orders for paint testing equipment from business clients in Latin America. "Finding candidates who were fluent in Spanish and also had strong sales ability were two key criteria in reviewing resumes and deciding who I would interview."<br /><br />In nearly every field and profession, from financial services to sales, there is a growing need to multi-lingual candidates. In addition to Spanish, companies that have offices and clients throughout the world seek employees who can speak languages from Russian to German, French and Mandarin. "Job seekers who speak Japanese, Chinese and Mandarin are becoming a hot commodity among employers, particularly on the West Coast," says one recruiter from California.<br /><br />Not only are bilingual skills helpful for seasoned professionals in the job market, graduates who are fluent in a second language are finding that they have an extra edge during job interviews. While bilingual skills aren't always required to land good jobs, many companies prefer to hire candidates with this added dimension.<br /><br />If you are truly bilingual, that is you can speak two or more languages with equal or near equal fluency and are able to speak and perhaps also read and write more than one language very well, tell employers up-front that you have this ability. Even if your prospective employer may not have an immediate need for your multiple language capabilities, they are likely to see your fluency as an added benefit and asset in the hiring process.<br /><br />Consider including this information in your cover letter and in your resume?s career or skills summary. Refer to your skills as "bilingual," or "multilingual" if you speak three or more languages. Then, list each language, including English. Be honest though. If you just had a couple of semesters of a language in high school or college, use the phrase "knowledge of..." Never overstate or understate your expertise.<br /><br />It doesn't hurt to look! <a href="http://www.mygvbiz.com/getrich">www.mygvbiz.com/getrich</a> Become an Independent Distributor Today!You can learn more by calling: 712-432-0211 Enter Pin 429281# Hear a recorded message or...Call in to a LIVE CONFERENCE CALL: 212-796-1700 Enter Pin 2120# (11AM or 3PM or 9:30PM Central Time 7 DAYS A WEEK!)

Bilingual? You're Valuable

Bilingual? You're Valuable by CareerBuilder.comSpanish has become the country's unofficial second language, and corporate America has responded with diversity initiatives that seek to recruit, understand and attract a Hispanic/Latino workforce, write…

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Is Empathy Helping or Hurting Your Career?

<a href="http://emj.icbdr.com/artieimages/bt/ar5d65k69x7632w7n6bt.gif"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://emj.icbdr.com/artieimages/bt/ar5d65k69x7632w7n6bt.gif" style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" /></a><br /><div>Is Empathy Helping or Hurting Your Career? by Judith Orloff, M.D., adapted from "Emotional Freedom"<br /><br />When President Barack Obama announced he was looking for a Supreme Court nominee who demonstrated empathy, it triggered a national conversation about empathy -- and whether it's a pro or con for a justice of the highest U.S. court.<br /><br />How about in the workplace? Is empathy an asset -- or does it make you appear weak, indecisive and vulnerable?<br /><br />In the workplace, empathy has both an upside and a downside. People who are extremely empathetic and sensitive need to be aware of both.<br /><br />Am I an empath?<br /><br />Take this self-assessment test from "Emotional Freedom" to see if you are a super-empathetic person. Answer yes or no to each question:<br /><br />1. Have I been labeled by co-workers as "too emotional" or overly sensitive?<br /><br />2. If a co-worker is distraught, does it affect my mood at work?<br /><br />3. Are my feelings easily hurt when a supervisor or peer delivers negative feedback?<br /><br />4. Am I emotionally drained when I have to work closely with others, and do I require time alone to revive?<br /><br />5. Do my nerves get frayed by office noise, machine noise, smells or excessive talking?<br /><br />6. Do I prefer working quietly and off by myself?<br /><br />7. Do I overeat or need a happy-hour cocktail to deal with work-related stress?<br /><br />If you answered "yes" to any of these questions, you're at least part empath. Responding "yes" to more than three indicates that you're quite sensitive and empathetic.<br /><br />The empath's upside at work<br /><br />You are big-hearted, and big-hearted people are gifted helpers and mentors. Empaths are patient, kind and compassionate -- just what you need as a manager, trainer or team leader.<br /><br />You are passionate, and passionate people put their all into projects. Empathetic people are passionate about their beliefs and ideas. In creative roles, or as sales or marketing people, passion is a plus.<br /><br />You are intuitive, and intuitive people can read between the lines. Empaths often perceive gray areas in a discussion or sense unspoken tension in meetings. Their ability to read others' feelings is a critical skill in negotiating and personnel management.<br /><br />You are an emotionally responsive person, and that means you are a great communicator. Listening is an essential business skill, and those who are best at it are emotional empaths who have a well-developed ability to relate to others, and then interpret or build on what they see and hear.<br /><br />You are "in touch" with your emotions, which means others can connect well with you. We most admire and best relate to people who are authentic. In other words, they show their emotions. In the business world, being "real" helps you build networks, earn the loyalty of others, win clients and forge alliances.<br /><br />The empath's downside at work<br /><br />You're an emotional sponge. Super-empathetic people tend to pick up on others' emotions. This can be detrimental when a cool-headed leader is needed, or when an objective perspective would yield a clearer decision.<br /><br />You're prone to anxiety, depression and fatigue. If you're always tuned in to co-workers' feelings, it's difficult to keep your nerves from getting frazzled. You need to be able to process emotions coming at you from all directions.<br /><br />You may find it hard to work well with others. Empaths often need to work alone, and they seek solitude in order to regain their calm. Others may see you as anti-social.<br /><br />You may be a victim of emotional vampires. Emotional vampires are people who suck the energy right out of you and leave you feeling drained and depleted. They may do this by being needy, talkative or cruel or by running right over you. There are lots of different types of emotional vampires -- and they're naturally drawn to empaths like you.<br /><br />If you are a super-sensitive and empathetic person, be aware of the ways this wonderful trait serves you in the workplace. But be extra careful to protect your emotional and physical health, because empathetic people are, by definition, more vulnerable and open than their peers.<br /><br />Judith Orloff, M.D., is an assistant clinical professor of psychiatry at UCLA. This article was adapted from her new book, "Emotional Freedom: Liberate Yourself from Negative Emotions and Transform Your Life." </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>It doesn't hurt to look! <a href="http://www.mygvbiz.com/getrich">www.mygvbiz.com/getrich</a> Become an Independent Distributor Today!You can learn more by calling: 712-432-0211 Enter Pin 429281# Hear a recorded message or...Call in to a LIVE CONFERENCE CALL: 212-796-1700 Enter Pin 2120# (11AM or 3PM or 9:30PM Central Time 7 DAYS A WEEK!) </div>

Is Empathy Helping or Hurting Your Career?

Is Empathy Helping or Hurting Your Career? by Judith Orloff, M.D., adapted from "Emotional Freedom"When President Barack Obama announced he was looking for a Supreme Court nominee who demonstrated empathy, it triggered a national conversation about e…

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25 Ways to Sabotage Your Job Search

25 Ways to Sabotage Your Job Search by Anthony Balderrama, CareerBuilder.com writer<br /><br />You know the friend who constantly dates the wrong kind of person? The one who's endlessly frustrated that he or she is going to die alone because all the good ones are taken?<br /><br />After enough venting sessions, you realize something your friend doesn't: He or she is the common thread tying together all of these -- let's just say it together -- losers. Someone needs to speak up and say, "You're doing this to yourself."<br /><br />You'll find this same pattern can be true in a job hunt. Granted, we're in tough times and plenty of reasons out of your control can keep you from getting hired. But that's just one more reason to do everything within your power to be the best job seeker you can.<br /><br />With that in mind, look over these 25 ways you might be unknowingly sabotaging your job search:<br /><br />1. Assuming you'll never need to look for another job<br />You love your current job and that's great. If you're happy there and see a promising future, I hope you never have to leave. Nevertheless, you should always be prepared for the day you have to move on. Even if the boss loves you, things can change. Buyouts, economic disasters or changes in leadership can affect your employment. Continue to update your résumé while you're employed so that you have an accurate record of your accomplishments.<br /><br />2. Burning bridges<br />We love the scenes in movies where the disgruntled employee finally tells off the boss and storms out of the office, only to live a happy, fulfilling life. In real life, these idols are probably unemployed because they don't have good references, and no employer wants to hire someone with a tarnished reputation.<br /><br />3. Keeping mum on your job search<br />Most people aren't keen on being unemployed, and if you were laid off it's understandable that you don't want to spend all your time talking about it. But you need to network; it's one of the most effective ways to find a job. A friend of a friend of a friend often gets you the interview that lands you the job -- but that won't happen if no one knows you're looking for new career opportunities.<br /><br />4. Looking for "The One"<br />Although you want to conduct a focused job search, you need to keep an open mind. With any luck, you'll land the perfect gig, but sometimes you have to take a job that possesses most of the qualities you want -- not all of them. If the pay is right, the requirements are in line with your experience and the opportunities for promotion are good, then you might have to overlook the fact that you have to wake up 30 minutes earlier than you'd like.<br /><br />5. Not searching at all<br />This mistake probably seems obvious, but as anyone who's been on a lengthy job hunt can tell you, discouragement is easy to come by. A few weeks or months without a job and enough news segments on layoffs are enough to convince you that no one is hiring. Without question the market's competitive, but if you're not actively looking for work, don't expect it to fall in your lap.<br /><br />6. No cover letter<br />Including a cover letter is an easy way to play it safe during a job hunt. Although not every employer wants one, surveys continually find employers who automatically remove job seekers from consideration if they don't include a cover letter. Why would you give any employer a reason not to hire you?<br /><br />7. A generic cover letter<br />The only thing worse than no cover letter is one that could be sent to any anonymous employer. Starting with "To Whom It May Concern" and filling the page with phrases like "hard working" will signal the reader that you're blindly sending out applications to every job opening you see. Hiring managers are looking for someone who fits their needs, and their needs are different than another employer's. Don't treat them the same.<br /><br />8. Typos<br />If you received a wedding invitation full of misspelled words and poor punctuation, you'd probably wonder why these two people didn't take the time to proofread the page. After all, it's an important event and a lot of people will be reading it. Employers will wonder the same thing about a résumé or cover letter filled with errors.<br /><br />9. All "I" and not enough "you"<br />Your cover letter and résumé are definitely about you, but they're not for you. Employers are interested in you only in the context of what you can do for them. Whenever you reveal information about yourself, use it as proof that you offer something to the company that no one else can.<br /><br />10. Giving bad contact information<br />When hiring managers like what they see on your résumé and cover letter, they're going to look for your contact information. If they see that your e-mail address is BeerFreak80@email.com or that your current work number is the best way to contact you, they're going to think twice before reaching out. The only thing worse is forgetting to include your contact information at all.<br /><br />11. Running late<br />Every boss wants an employee who is dependable and a good representative of the company. Someone who's tardy to an interview is neither.<br /><br />12. Dressing for the wrong job<br />Appearances matter in an interview, and you should dress for what's appropriate in your field. Find out what the dress code is before you show up so you fit in with the company culture. Wearing a suit when you're told jeans are the norm can make you seem stuffy; wearing shorts and sandals when everyone else is wearing suits makes you look oblivious. You're better off erring on the side of too professional than too casual.<br /><br />13. Griping about past employers<br />Keep in mind that you're not guaranteed to be with any company forever. When you talk trash about your last company, your interviewer's thinking, "What are you going to say about me once you leave?"<br /><br />14. Not asking questions<br />One quintessential interview question is, "Do you have any questions for me?" Sitting there silently suggests you're not invested in the job. When you go to a restaurant, you probably have a few questions for the waiter. Shouldn't you be just as curious about a new job?<br /><br />15. Not doing your research<br />Research for a new job involves two important subjects: the position and the company. Find out as much about the position as you can so you can decide if you even want it and so you can position yourself as the best fit for the job.<br /><br />Knowing all you can about the company will help you decide if you like its direction and share its ideals. Plus, when it comes to the all-important "Do you have any questions for us?" portion of the interview (see above), you have plenty of material to cover.<br /><br />16. Thinking the interview starts and ends in a meeting room<br />The formal interview occurs when you shake hands with the interviewer and ends when you leave the room. The full process begins when you're called or e-mailed to come in for an interview and it continues every time you converse with someone at the company. Were you rude to the recruiter or the receptionist? You never know what gets reported to the hiring manager.<br /><br />17. Talking about money too soon<br />As eager as you are to land the job and cash your first paycheck, let the employer mention salary first. Broaching the subject first implies you're more eager about money than about doing a good job.<br /><br />18. Acting cocky<br />You never want to beg for a job, but you should act as if you care about it. If your confidence level spills over into arrogance, you'll guarantee no employer will want to work with you.<br /><br />19. Being so honest you're rude<br />Not every job will turn into a lifelong career, and you might have no intention of staying at the company more than a year or two when you interview. Still, hiring managers don't want to hear that you're taking this job just to pass time until you find a real job that you care about. You don't need to commit yourself to the company for a decade, but don't make yourself sound like a flight risk, either.<br /><br />20. Forgetting your manners<br />Common courtesy can get you far, and in a job hunt you'd like to get as far as possible. After an interview, send a thank-you note (via e-mail or regular mail) to show your gratitude to the interviewer for taking the time to meet with you. This will leave him or her with a good impression of you.<br /><br />21. Stalking the hiring manager<br />If the interviewer gives you a deadline for hearing back from him or her, go ahead and call to see if a decision has been made. Do not call, e-mail and visit every day until you finally get a response -- which will probably be, "You definitely did not get the job."<br /><br />22. Not keeping track of your applications<br />Because a job hunt can be lengthy, you should have a running list of where you've applied and whether or not you've heard back. Although you don't think you'll forget where you applied, after a dozen applications your memory can get fuzzy. Sending multiple applications to the same employer says, "I'm either disorganized or I'm just sending out bulk applications."<br /><br />23. Not learning from mistakes<br />You're bound to make a mistake here and there during an interview. If a question trips you up, think about what went wrong and prepare for it the next time. Don't forget mistakes from your past, either. Look back at jobs you hated and try to avoid landing one of those jobs again.<br /><br />24. Assuming you got the job<br />Don't ever assume you have the job until you actually hear the hiring manager say, "You got the job." Several factors can complicate whether or not you get hired, so don't halt your job search until you receive an offer. Keep searching for work because the deal might fall through at the last minute or you might find an even better job.<br /><br />25. Forgetting the lessons you learned during a job search<br />When your hard work pays off and you do land a job, don't forget all the trials and trouble you went through to get it. Just because you have a paycheck doesn't mean you've looked for your last job. Remember how important it is to maintain a network, keep track of your achievements and have good references. If you do find yourself looking for work again, you'll have a much easier time.<br /><br />Anthony Balderrama is a writer and blogger for CareerBuilder.com and its job blog, The Work Buzz. He researches and writes about job search strategy, career management, hiring trends and workplace issues.<br /><br />It doesn't hurt to look! <a href="http://www.mygvbiz.com/getrich">www.mygvbiz.com/getrich</a> Become an Independent Distributor Today!You can learn more by calling: 712-432-0211 Enter Pin 429281# Hear a recorded message or...Call in to a LIVE CONFERENCE CALL: 212-796-1700 Enter Pin 2120# (11AM or 3PM or 9:30PM Central Time 7 DAYS A WEEK!)

25 Ways to Sabotage Your Job Search

25 Ways to Sabotage Your Job Search by Anthony Balderrama, CareerBuilder.com writerYou know the friend who constantly dates the wrong kind of person? The one who's endlessly frustrated that he or she is going to die alone because all the good ones ar…

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Do You Have What It Takes to Change Industries?

Do You Have What It Takes to Change Industries? by Rachel Zupek, CareerBuilder.com writer<br /><br />As everyone knows, finding a job is no easy feat, especially in today's business climate. Consequently, many job seekers are finding themselves looking for work outside of their comfort zones in different cities, levels and industries.<br /><br />While making a change across industries can be difficult and sometimes daunting, job seekers are forced to look for work elsewhere as more and more sectors lose jobs each month.<br /><br />"Industries are going away, jobs are going away. I think people are looking at changing industries out of necessity, not choice," says Deborah Brown-Volkman, president of Surpass Your Dreams, a career-coaching company.<br /><br />The trick to changing trades successfully is finding what the marketplace is looking for. Once you know what employers want, then you can look at your own skills to see if it's a match, Brown-Volkman says.<br /><br />"It's your job to tell people why you are a match for a position," she says. "Show them that you not only understand the responsibilities of the position, but how your skills are transferrable. In addition, your background has given you insight that will help you perform that role exceptionally well. They may or may not accept your background, but at least you tried."<br /><br />Want to know how you can identify your transferable skills and change industries successfully? Here are four easy steps to follow:<br /><br />Step one: Do some research<br />Start with an online search for your current or most recent job title and see what comes up. It doesn't matter where they are located (yet), you just want to see what the job market is looking for, Brown-Volkman says.<br /><br />Step two: Make a list<br />Take out a sheet of paper and make a list: On the left hand side, list the requirements for the jobs you want. On the right side, Brown-Volkman suggests you do the following:<br /><br />· If you have done the same tasks in a different industry, write down what you did.<br />If a new job requires project management or sales, for example, and you've managed a project or sold something in the past, write it down. The terminology might be different, but how you went about doing these assignments is the same, regardless of the industry, Brown-Volkman says.<br /><br />· If you've done something similar, write down how it was similar or close to what the employer is looking for.<br />Let's say a prospective employer wants you to run reports, which you've done before, but they want you to use a software program you're unfamiliar with. Research the type of reports the software produces, Brown-Volkman suggests. The software might be different, but the output of the report is probably similar. Write down how.<br /><br />· If you've never done a task, write down in detail how you've overcome not knowing how to do something in the past. This will be how you'll show you can acquire new skills.<br />Maybe a potential job includes selling a product you've never sold before. Write down how you've sold something in the past that you didn't how to initially, Brown-Volkman suggests. Detail how you got up to speed -- it will show your initiative, drive and ability to learn new skills.<br /><br />Step three: Work isn't the only thing that counts<br />Many job seekers are under the impression that because they haven't worked in a specific area, they don't have experience. Brown-Volkman reminds that experience comes from different places like work, hobbies and volunteer efforts. Make another list of your skills, talents and abilities; compare them to the job descriptions you've been looking at. Can something from your life outside of work help you get a job you want?<br /><br />"Everything you have done up to this point in your life is relevant," Brown-Volkman says. "I helped a woman who was in corporate communications get a job in the nonprofit art world because her hobby and passion was art."<br /><br />Step four: Re-write your résumé<br />If you want a job outside of your industry and your résumé is filled with words and initials that only the people in your sector understand, take them off, Brown-Volkman says. Create a new version of your résumé that details what you did, rather than the industry you worked in.<br /><br />Brown-Volkman gives these examples:<br /><br />· "16 years experience in marketing financial services" becomes "16 years marketing experience"<br /><br />· "Worked closely in team approach with department heads in programming, research, marketing, business development and finance," becomes "worked closely in team approach with department heads"<br /><br />· "Conducted market/competitive analysis for the financial analysts and prepared business plans for venture capitalists" becomes "conducted market/competitive analysis and prepared business plans"<br /><br />Get the picture?<br /><br />Finally, Brown-Volkman says that it's true people look to what you've done in the past as an indicator of what you can do in the future; people can write you off quickly if they see that you have not worked in their industry or held the same title before.<br /><br />But, she says, "I would rather have someone wonder what industry you worked for and have to ask you, rather than write you off because they believe that for the three seconds they spent reading your résumé that you are not right for the job."<br /><br />Rachel Zupek 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.<br /><br />It doesn't hurt to look! <a href="http://www.mygvbiz.com/getrich">www.mygvbiz.com/getrich</a> Become an Independent Distributor Today!You can learn more by calling: 712-432-0211 Enter Pin 429281# Hear a recorded message or...Call in to a LIVE CONFERENCE CALL: 212-796-1700 Enter Pin 2120# (11AM or 3PM or 9:30PM Central Time 7 DAYS A WEEK!)

Do You Have What It Takes to Change Industries?

Do You Have What It Takes to Change Industries? by Rachel Zupek, CareerBuilder.com writerAs everyone knows, finding a job is no easy feat, especially in today's business climate. Consequently, many job seekers are finding themselves looking for work …

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7 Sticky Résumé Situations -- and How to Overcome Them

7 Sticky Résumé Situations -- and How to Overcome Them by Robert Half International<br /><br />Searching for a job? If so, you have something in common with nearly every other professional in the job market: You've had to put together a résumé. But despite the fact that everyone writes one, preparing this document can be tricky. What's the best way to address an employment gap? If you've held temporary positions in the past, can you list them on your résumé? Should you still include your college GPA, even if you graduated years ago?<br /><br />Following are some tips for addressing these and other sticky résumé situations:<br /><br />1. You have a gap in your work history.<br />If you have a few employment gaps, consider using a résumé format that focuses on your functional skills. Begin with a short summary of your experience at the top of your document. If you're an accountant seeking a management position in the food services industry, your summary might read: "CPA with nine years of financial management reporting experience with an emphasis on the food services industry. Possess five years of supervisory experience managing team of 15 accountants." Follow the summary with a section detailing relevant skills, grouping related ones together into categories such as "software skills" or "supervisory experience." Then briefly list your work history in reverse chronological order.<br /><br />2. You've held a lot of jobs in a short amount of time.<br />Very short, frequent job stints can raise eyebrows. While it may be tempting to omit a few positions, it's better to go with full disclosure. If you have a "legitimate" reason for job hopping -- you've worked for several startups and all have gone bust or are taking temporary work during a shaky economy -- explain it in your cover letter. If not -- you've job hopped looking for higher pay, for instance -- be prepared to endure a little more scrutiny and to explain yourself in the interview.<br /><br />3. You've only worked for one firm.<br />While your long tenure at a company demonstrates loyalty, you also want to make sure you emphasize career growth. List each position you've held at the firm to show forward momentum. You also might have a section highlighting ongoing education and professional development activities.<br /><br />4. You've held several temporary positions but few full-time roles.<br />Fifty-six percent of executives polled by Robert Half said they view a long period of consistent temporary work as comparable to full-time work. You can list temporary positions in reverse chronological order, just as you would full-time ones. If you worked with a staffing service, use the name of the company you worked through as your employer, grouping all of your assignments from that company together. Also, make sure you indicate that the jobs were temporary assignments so hiring managers are clear about the nature of your positions.<br /><br />5. You're a recent college graduate with little experience.<br />Keep in mind that the work history section of your résumé isn't exclusively for paid, full-time work. As long as you're candid about the sort of positions they are, it's perfectly acceptable to list any internships, part-time jobs, volunteer work or other applicable experience you've gained. You might be surprised to find you have more experience than you think.<br /><br />6. You're not sure how to list your GPA.<br />As your work history develops, academic accomplishments carry less weight, so if you've been in the job market for more than a few years, you don't need to include your GPA. Simply list your alma mater and degree earned at the end of your résumé. For recent graduates, however, a high grade point average or degree from a prestigious university should be listed near the top of your résumé.<br /><br />7. Your former employer changed its name.<br />You worked for years for Boxes-R-Us before it was acquired by BoxMania. How do you address the name change on your résumé? The simplest solution is to list the current company name, followed by firm's former name in parenthesis. Putting both names on your résumé ensures that potential employers can locate the appropriate information when verifying your work history and conducting reference checks. If your former employer has gone out of business -- unfortunately, not uncommon in today's economy -- also note that in parenthesis. Just be sure to keep in contact with anyone from the firm whom you hope to use as a professional reference.<br /><br />A thoughtfully constructed résumé that addresses any potential red flags will give you the best chance of reaching the next step in the process -- the interview.<br /><br />Robert Half International is the world's first and largest specialized staffing firm with a global network of more than 360 offices worldwide. For more information about our professional services, please visit www.rhi.com.<br /><br />It doesn't hurt to look! <a href="http://www.mygvbiz.com/getrich">www.mygvbiz.com/getrich</a> Become an Independent Distributor Today!You can learn more by calling: 712-432-0211 Enter Pin 429281# Hear a recorded message or...Call in to a LIVE CONFERENCE CALL: 212-796-1700 Enter Pin 2120# (11AM or 3PM or 9:30PM Central Time 7 DAYS A WEEK!)

7 Sticky Résumé Situations -- and How to Overcome Them

7 Sticky Résumé Situations -- and How to Overcome Them by Robert Half InternationalSearching for a job? If so, you have something in common with nearly every other professional in the job market: You've had to put together a résumé. But despite the f…

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Why Should I Hire You? How to give the right answer to doubtful employers

<a href="http://emj.icbdr.com/artieimages/t6/ar5c61168gblnhys25t6.gif"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://emj.icbdr.com/artieimages/t6/ar5c61168gblnhys25t6.gif" style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" /></a><br /><div>Why Should I Hire You? How to give the right answer to doubtful employers by Anthony Balderrama, CareerBuilder.com writer<br /><br />Recently, Stephanie Somogyi Miller was interviewing candidates for an entry-level public relations position at her company, Spread PR, a Miller/Hamilton company. Over the course of 20 candidates, Miller quickly realized -- much to her shock -- that many job seekers were unprepared when she asked them, "Why should I hire you?"<br /><br />"I thought it gave people the opportunity to tell me what they wanted to tell me, versus me asking a million questions," Miller says. Only one candidate was able to give an answer without stumbling. What's worse, Miller couldn't envision any of these applicants having a coherent conversation with a reporter if her one question was causing so much distress.<br /><br />"It is so hard to get a job these days, and I really expected people to be on their game," she says. "I guess it made my job easier though, because when I finally met someone who knew what was up, I hired her on the spot."<br /><br />In today's job market, where many seasoned workers have found themselves out of a job and plenty of young but inexperienced graduates are entering the work force, do you have the right answer to beat out the competition?<br /><br />Here are three common scenarios job seekers find themselves in and how they might handle each one:<br /><br />The employer thinks ... you're not qualified enough.<br /><br />So you ... prove you have other qualifications that will help you in this position.<br /><br />Interior designer and author Jeanette Simpson recommends job seekers draw upon what experience they do have to bolster their case.<br /><br />"Give examples of how you have been a 'second miler' by going above and beyond what was expected by previous employers," she says. "Employers are looking for someone to solve problems and help with their workload. This can often be done by extra effort on [the] part of an employee. Also, point out how quickly you learn and apply knowledge to situations."<br /><br />The employer thinks ... you're overqualified.<br /><br />So you ... prove you're ready for a change.<br /><br />Lisa Mininni, author of "Me, Myself, and Why? The Secrets to Navigating Change," says workers who are classified as overqualified need to explain why they're perfectly happy taking on new roles.<br /><br />"Consider focusing on where you are in your career. If you've historically had supervisory or management responsibilities, you may be in a career cycle where you are more interested in contributing at a different level," Mininni explains. Part of that process is about explaining your professional game plan.<br /><br />"Outline the career cycles and how where you are in your career cycle can add value to the position. Be an interested listener. Observe how the position fits in to the company and watch for signs of confusion, strong interest and agreement. Ask the interviewer what is most important to [him or her] about what needs to be accomplished by the person in that position and align your experiences with their needs," she says.<br /><br />You obviously want the position, otherwise you wouldn't be interviewing for it. You can try to tell the hiring manager that you don't intend to leave the moment a better position comes along, but nothing you can say can prove it. Instead, address any potential issue he or she may have with your experience to build your case.<br /><br />The employer thinks ... you don't have relevant experience.<br /><br />So you ... explain how all experience is relevant.<br /><br />Simpson's tips for workers whose experience is seemingly irrelevant are similar to her advice for seeming unqualified workers: Make your past an asset, not a drawback.<br /><br />"Give specific examples of how your experience is relevant to the job," Simpson explains. "Customer service experience gained while waiting tables is often negated. Waiters deal with all kinds of people and situations while multitasking, working under pressure of short-term deadlines while keeping customers happy."<br /><br />Don't expect employers to connect the dots -- they're busy and have a wealth of candidates from which to choose. Do the work for them. In this economy, plenty of laid-off workers are looking for jobs in new industries, which means you're not the only one experiencing this dilemma. Get an edge over other job seekers by turning your varied experience into proof that you're the right candidate.<br /><br />Of course, if you think your explanations are falling on deaf ears, you can try a succinct approach. Thirty years ago, Sherry Gavanditti was applying at an ad agency and the owner asked her why he should hire her. She didn't fulfill every requirement listed on the job description, but she knew she was a perfect fit.<br /><br />She simply told him, "If you don't hire me, your competition will."<br /><br />She got the job.<br /><br />Anthony Balderrama is a writer and blogger for CareerBuilder.com and its job blog, The Work Buzz. He researches and writes about job search strategy, career management, hiring trends and workplace issues. Follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/abalderrama. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>It doesn't hurt to look! <a href="http://www.mygvbiz.com/getrich">www.mygvbiz.com/getrich</a> Become an Independent Distributor Today!You can learn more by calling: 712-432-0211 Enter Pin 429281# Hear a recorded message or...Call in to a LIVE CONFERENCE CALL: 212-796-1700 Enter Pin 2120# (11AM or 3PM or 9:30PM Central Time 7 DAYS A WEEK!) </div>

Why Should I Hire You? How to give the right answer to doubtful employers

Why Should I Hire You? How to give the right answer to doubtful employers by Anthony Balderrama, CareerBuilder.com writerRecently, Stephanie Somogyi Miller was interviewing candidates for an entry-level public relations position at her company, Sprea…

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Yikes! 168 pounds!

I weighed myself at the gym this morning. I was 168! I almost died. I haven't seen that number in several months. I was wearing my gym shoes, had drank three cups of coffee and some water, but still, that's absolutely horrible.<br /><br />If you read my post earlier this morning you know what happened. It's too much of a good thing. Eating out.<br /><br />That weight on the scale shocked me into reality. I can't eat out every day or if I do, I have to really gain control. Eat half or less, don't take leftovers back to the room (I have a fridge and microwave), and work out harder.<br /><br />After my little weigh-in freakout I decided I had to go to a spinning class for maximum burn. It was a killer class. In 45 minutes I burned 487 calories. I did weights for 40 minutes for another 200 calories. Total burned this morning was 687 calories.<br /><br />I also haven't been drinking water this week because where I'm working has the women's bathroom on the other side of the security door which means I need an escort to get back in. The men's bathroom is inside security. Totally sexist and annoys the heck out of me. Today I'm going to drink a ton of water and they'll just have to escort me every hour or so.<br /><br />Well, the fight is on. I feel pretty confident now that I know the damage I've done. I can get back on that horse. This time I'll be holding on for dear life.

Yikes! 168 pounds!

I weighed myself at the gym this morning. I was 168! I almost died. I haven't seen that number in several months. I was wearing my gym shoes, had drank three cups of coffee and some water, but still, that's absolutely horrible.If you read my post ear…

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Too much of a good thing

I've eaten out five times in the last two days. The food in Tulsa is amazing. According to the guys we're working with, Tulsa is known for it's fine dining. Tulsa? Really? Yes, really.<br /><br />We went to the best Chinese buffet I've ever seen in my life. Baked salmon, huge prawns, in addition to every yummy Chinese dish you can imagine. It was truly incredible. Then there was the Mexican restaurant with Cerviche to die for in a huge martini glass, then the actual dinner of Mahi Mahi with some corn muffin thing from heaven. A sandwich shop with made to order sandwiches that had an out-of-this-world chicken and pesto sandwich (with non-fat mayo of course). Joe's Crab Shack with melt in your mouth crab cakes. The portions at every restaurant were HUGE.<br /><br />Last night I just couldn't do it anymore. I've been eating as healthy as I can, baked or grilled, no sauces if possible, fish and veggies whenever I can, but I'm eating too much. Although we hit the gym Monday and Tuesday, and I'm ready to go again today, I know I'm eating more calories than I'm burning. My coworker and I both agreed to skip dinner last night. We were both tired and still full from our late lunch. One of the guy we're working with tried to get us to go to some incredibly steakhouse last night but we both said thanks, but no.<br /><br />I hope to get through the rest of the week with less eating and more gym time. It's too hot out for any outdoor activity. At 1opm yesterday it was 103 degrees and extremely muggy. Basically unbearable for man or beast.<br /><br />It's 4:30am, time to get ready for the gym then another stressed filled day trying to get our software certified. The fun is wearing off, and I want to go home.<br /><br /><em>Credit Card Fraud Warning: I received a phone call from my husband last night that Bank of America said there was fraud on my credit card. A $1,000 charge at Amigos in Costa Rica.</em><br /><em></em><br /><em>This card has <strong>only</strong> been used for Weight Watchers' monthly pass, automatic withdrawal for the last 17 months. We don't use if for anything else. The Costa Rica charge was made online. Bank of America can't explain how it happened, unless someone hacked into the Weight Watcher database and obtained my card information. </em><br /><em></em><br /><em>Just a warning to double check the charges on the card you're using for Weight Watchers online charges. I'm not saying that's what happened, only that it's a possibility. B of A rejected the charge since I never use that card except for WW and have now canceled my card.</em>

Too much of a good thing

I've eaten out five times in the last two days. The food in Tulsa is amazing. According to the guys we're working with, Tulsa is known for it's fine dining. Tulsa? Really? Yes, really.We went to the best Chinese buffet I've ever seen in my life. Bake…

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