Your Chicken List CALL THEM!

Your Chicken List CALL THEM! A powerful post I wrote in 2007: Get Out Your Chicken List and Make a Call! This was a new concept to me (not to sales professionals).  Here is the content of the post: I was at a presentation last week where the presenter (a CEO in transition) talked about his chicken list. I may have heard the term before but didn’t remember when. A chicken list is the list of names  that you are scared to call  â€" for whatever reason. Its funny to hear such a high-level executive talk about his own chicken list but it was a good reminder for me. Why? Because  someone at his level may have been on my chicken list, and to hear that he has his own chicken list (aka, insecurities) helps me bring things into perspective. Why do people end up on the chicken list? Perhaps… They are veterans in the industry or community, and everyone knows them and talks about how incredible they are You have tried to contact them a number of times but they have never responded Everyone else is so hot to contact them that you don’t want to be just another person trying to get in their schedule They are the hiring manager, or the hiring manager’s boss They have a ‘gatekeeper’ that seems nice but never lets you get past I’m sure there are many more reasons. And I’m sure you can think of at least one person on your chicken list! Its easier to find other things to do (like apply to one more job on Monster.com)… but here’s my challenge to you: Call someone from your chicken list today. If you aren’t going to do this once a day, at least do it once a week. One thing that helped me go through my chicken list was to remember that most everyone on it was  one day away from being terminated… that would quickly eliminate them from the list and make them much more human! I know you have a chicken list. Make a phone call  today. Your Chicken List CALL THEM! A powerful post I wrote in 2007: Get Out Your Chicken List and Make a Call! This was a new concept to me (not to sales professionals).  Here is the content of the post: I was at a presentation last week where the presenter (a CEO in transition) talked about his chicken list. I may have heard the term before but didn’t remember when. A chicken list is the list of names  that you are scared to call  â€" for whatever reason. Its funny to hear such a high-level executive talk about his own chicken list but it was a good reminder for me. Why? Because  someone at his level may have been on my chicken list, and to hear that he has his own chicken list (aka, insecurities) helps me bring things into perspective. Why do people end up on the chicken list? Perhaps… They are veterans in the industry or community, and everyone knows them and talks about how incredible they are You have tried to contact them a number of times but they have never responded Everyone else is so hot to contact them that you don’t want to be just another person trying to get in their schedule They are the hiring manager, or the hiring manager’s boss They have a ‘gatekeeper’ that seems nice but never lets you get past I’m sure there are many more reasons. And I’m sure you can think of at least one person on your chicken list! Its easier to find other things to do (like apply to one more job on Monster.com)… but here’s my challenge to you: Call someone from your chicken list today. If you aren’t going to do this once a day, at least do it once a week. One thing that helped me go through my chicken list was to remember that most everyone on it was  one day away from being terminated… that would quickly eliminate them from the list and make them much more human! I know you have a chicken list. Make a phone call  today. Your Chicken List CALL THEM! A powerful post I wrote in 2007: Get Out Your Chicken List and Make a Call! This was a new concept to me (not to sales professionals).  Here is the content of the post: I was at a presentation last week where the presenter (a CEO in transition) talked about his chicken list. I may have heard the term before but didn’t remember when. A chicken list is the list of names  that you are scared to call  â€" for whatever reason. Its funny to hear such a high-level executive talk about his own chicken list but it was a good reminder for me. Why? Because  someone at his level may have been on my chicken list, and to hear that he has his own chicken list (aka, insecurities) helps me bring things into perspective. Why do people end up on the chicken list? Perhaps… They are veterans in the industry or community, and everyone knows them and talks about how incredible they are You have tried to contact them a number of times but they have never responded Everyone else is so hot to contact them that you don’t want to be just another person trying to get in their schedule They are the hiring manager, or the hiring manager’s boss They have a ‘gatekeeper’ that seems nice but never lets you get past I’m sure there are many more reasons. And I’m sure you can think of at least one person on your chicken list! Its easier to find other things to do (like apply to one more job on Monster.com)… but here’s my challenge to you: Call someone from your chicken list today. If you aren’t going to do this once a day, at least do it once a week. One thing that helped me go through my chicken list was to remember that most everyone on it was  one day away from being terminated… that would quickly eliminate them from the list and make them much more human! I know you have a chicken list. Make a phone call  today.

How to Choose the Right University for You

How to Choose the Right University for You Although choosing between universities can be challenging, you can find some key differences between them can help you make the big choice. The most essential thing is to decide what kind of character and emphasis the university has and make sure it matches your own personality, desires and goals.   We have identified seven key factors that can you concentrate your research on the universities that are most likely to suit you. Research the Course Content It probably goes without saying, but in your overall decision, the courses offered should be the biggest factor. Youre going to spend at least three years studying, and chances are youre going to go on to start a career in the very same field, too. So, youre going to want to make sure you make the right choice, both in aspects of subject matter and degree type. Try to match the content of the course to your own desires and understand that your future career goals will be affected. Consider the Faculty’s Reputation No university is a world leader in everything, with the debatable exception of Harvard and Oxbridge. It is therefore fair that different schools have different qualities. For example, if you want to study politics, its not necessarily good to choose a college that has an excellent medicine reputation. Do your research online. There are various ranking tables divided into agencies that can give you an idea, as well as websites for individual schools. Make a shortlist and go from there of the top ones in your subject. Consider the Impact on Your CV As described above, where you study can sometimes be just as relevant as what; how much inventory can be put in the alma mater of a candidate is an ongoing discussion within HR and recruiting circles. It is undoubtedly true, however, that if a candidate has Oxbridge or Harvard on their curriculum vitae, it will make them stand out from the crowd. This is worth noting when making your decision. Campus community The distinctive feature is the sense of belonging of a school, so you should make sure you want to be part of it. Many groups at the university are large and some are small. Some are small, while others are spread over several campuses. Whatever the size and scope of the culture of your school, you can make sure it is integrated, with plenty of chances to meet other students through conferences, activities and shared facilities across the faculties. Visit the Campus First As described above, it is important to see the school and the area first hand. Visiting open days and university fairs is a good chance to meet with current students and staff and ask any questions you have. You can also see first-hand facilities that will inform your judgments better. Be sure to ask comprehensive questions about multiple subjects, including school-specific college code of conduct violation standards. Ranking and Cost When selecting a university, the last thing you should look at is how much it will cost you. You are more likely to spend less if you end up staying in your home city than if you choose to study overseas. Other than that, university rankings are a valuable source of insight into the performance of a university. You can assess different information about an institution based on which rating you are addressing.

4 Ways Amazon Visibility will Build Your Personal Brand - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career

4 Ways Amazon Visibility will Build Your Personal Brand - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career Amazon is the premier place for eBook publishers and brands. Publishing an ebook on your area of expertise is a great brand positioning tool. Digital publishing is just the start to building a fanbase for your personal brand. It takes the right marketing strategy and research to make this successful in a very competitive environment.   Are you struggling with books sales online? There are literally millions of published works on just Amazon alone. By focusing on the right target market and staying diligent in your branding efforts you can attract readers to your name or company. Ebooks are just one visibility tool that and can also be a sales generator for your personal brand. With a professional website that captures leads your audience can become more familiar with what you have to offer them as you showcase your knowledge and expertise. How to make the most out of Amazon for eBook publishing There are several ways you can use Amazon to build your personal brand and make a name for yourself. • Go beyond tweets and posts Get involved with your social media community where your brand’s audience is most active. Share helpful quotes, tips, infographics, videos, ect. to attract new followers and build a message toward your next eBook. If you already have a book on Amazon, send out tweets and posts right from your listing to drive traffic directly there. • Create a Teaser Video Book trailers are easy to create with many online resources available for brands and authors. Well before you publish you can present your audience with a preview of what is to come, and build a level of expectation. Include the link to your Amazon author page with a publishing date. Preorders are now available for authors there, which helps provide sales before your actual launch. • Post frequently on your blog Create at least three articles per week that pertain to your eBook topic, and include any links relevant to Amazon. This can be a mix of text posts, infographics, and videos to keep your audience interested. A series of posts can be very effective as well as your brand gets ready to release the full eBook. • Host a giveaway If you are using Createspace on Amazon their service makes it easy to create a sale or giveaway event that can be announced on your blog and social networks. By connecting with influencers in your market and building a relationship with them you can share your eBook news and create even more visibility. Amazon is the place to be when it comes to publishing and increasing the visibility of   your personal brand. As you build your marketing and professional relationships ahead of time you can make this platform work for your next eBook in the midst of the competition.

Making Your Mark In A Mans World

Making Your Mark In A Mans World The advancement of women in the workplace has been phenomenal in recent decades. As recently as the 1990s, many people felt that women had moved far beyond the traditional jobs of nurse and teacher, and that they were holding their own with their male counterparts in every significant career field. But in the last 20 years and even more recently, its become clear that even those limits have been exceeded. Women are taking on even more jobs that were once male-dominated. And while its been an amazing transformation, it has further underscored the persistent areas of work life that remain largely populated by men. Thousands of determined women are working hard to prove their worth in these fields, and heres how theyre doing it: Food Service Its ironic that the provision of food, once considered womens work, remains an area where females are largely excluded from the most importantand lucrativepositions. Forget hostesses and waitresses. Women in the food service are looking to fill every role, from general manager to chef and everything in between. They are developing recipes, designing restaurants, starting a food truck, ordering from restaurant supply companies, and managing staff. Theyre getting the qualifications to do it, too. Enrollment of women in culinary schools is up, way up, and its clear this momentum wont be slowing down anytime soon. Qualified women coming out of cooking school are quickly filling restaurant roles and establishing their importance and power in food service. Tech For such an innovative and new field, tech remains surprisingly male-dominated. For every female CEO like Yahoos Marissa Mayer, there are still countless firms staffed almost exclusively by men. And it goes right down to the project development level, which is where the situation will first turn around. Getting qualified to write code, develop apps, and build technology is a necessity for women wanting to break into the field. Just as the chefs of tomorrow are slugging away in culinary school today, the next great tech breakthrough may be forming in the mind of a young IT student somewhere in college right now. For those who cite Gates and Jobs as non-degreed tech innovators who made it big despite their lack of formal education, it should be noted that they were developing the technology, not using it. And while there probably are new things on the horizon that will be developed outside the existing college curriculum, the fact is that Microsoft and Apple are the exception, and that most successful people in tech need a degree. Construction Is there anything considered a more manlier pursuit than construction? Long hours in the blazing sun, powerful tools, heavy materials, and a locker-room atmosphere replete with wolf whistles and nonstop ogling. For decades, it was anything but the place women wanted to be. But now a new generation of women is growing up, often alongside dads who engineered or built things, and theyre making no apologies for joining in on construction trades. Our grandfathers largely estimated things. They couldnt calculate the load requirements needed to build a barn or a house, so they built them so heavily that they knew it would work. They trained builders the same way, so it took only apprenticeship to qualify someone. Engineering and STEM Todays roads, buildings, bridges, and cars are more heavily engineered than any in history, so the edge a woman needs will once again come from education. In this particular case, it must start even earlier than college, though, because its clear that students in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) fields must be ahead of the curve even in elementary school in those categories. Theres nowhere left for men to hide. Every occupation is ever-more heavily staffed with women than ever before. It remains true that they must often prove themselves more qualified and more capable than men in the same roles, but equality grows each time they prove their mettle. The next trailblazer could be you.

Building your Target List - The Targeted Job Search (Updated) - Career Pivot

Building your Target List - The Targeted Job Search (Updated) - Career Pivot Your Target List Your target list should contain companies that could hire you. You should be looking for companies that are looking for your skill set. We are not looking for companies that are hiring, but those that are capable of hiring you at some point in the future. This is step one of the Targeted Job Search. Let’s cover six sources to find these companies. 1 â€" Your Friends This might seem obvious, but you should talk to your friends about where they work and whether they know of companies that hire people like yourself. This may seem obvious but you will be surprised at how few people actually approach their friends for their opinions. You should ask friends who have different kinds of jobs than you and/or are in different industries. Your friends are also referred to asstrong ties. 2 â€" Weak Ties The concept of weak ties comes from Johns Hopkins sociologist Mark Granovetter’s paper called, “The Strength of Weak Ties” which came to much of the world’s attention when it was referenced in Malcolm Gladwell’sThe Tipping Point. The idea was that most of us have a network of people with whom we are weakly tiedâ€"we know each other, we are familiar with each other’s reputations, but we are not close. Granovetter’s point was that we might actually be more influenced by people with whom we have weak ties than by those with whom we have strong ties. Your weak ties are more valuable to you than your strong ties. Why may you ask? They know people you do not know. Your strong ties know the same people you know. Listen to the most recent episode Here are some good examples: People you worked with 5, 10 or 15 years ago You service providers like chiropractors, hairdressers, accountants or repair people You children’s friend’s parents â€" Think about this one For more on weak ties read these posts: Discover the Power of Weak Ties After 50 #1 Method to Find Companies â€" Weak Ties Weak Ties versus Strong Ties in your Job Search Weak ties can be invaluable in building your target list. 3 â€" Business Journal Just about every major metropolitan area has a business journal. Here is Austin, it is the Austin Business Journal. Each week, they have a new list of companies. At the end of the year, they publish the Book of Lists. You can usually get the Book of Lists in most public libraries. Look at the best places to workand fastest growing lists. Beware that, even if a company made thebest places to work list last year, that does not mean it is a great place to work. Just like with investments, past performance does not necessarily predict future results! You may find other resources similar to the Business Journal that lists companies. 4 â€" LinkedIn Advanced Search Search using LinkedIn Advanced Search for people with similar titles and certifications. For example, if you are a project manager and have a PMP certification. You would perform a search where you place “PMP” in the last name field and enter your zip code in the Postal Code field. The results would list people in your network who have PMP list in their last name field and are located near you. Make a list of companies where the people in your list work. Perform searches using the title field. Enter variations of the title you currently have or would like to have in your next job. Another way to look at this is to find people like you. Check out my post â€" Finding People Who Look, Taste and Smell Like You. Add the companies that employthe people you find to your target list. 5 â€" LinkedIn Company Page LinkedIn company pages are a great place to find companies that are similar to your current employer. In the LinkedIn browser interface, you will find thePeople also viewedsection in the right-hand column near the bottom of the page. It will display logos of companies that users also looked at before or after they viewed the current company page. The image to the right is thepeople also viewed sectionfor the company, Spredfast, a social media company headquartered in Austin, TX. You will probably want to follow the bread crumbs to find other companies. You could click on “Sprinklr” and view thepeople also viewed section on the “Sprinklr” company page. Investigate those companies, and then select a company and keep moving along the chain. You never know what you might find. With the exception of really large companies, you will likely find direct competitors or companies that are similar in adjacent industries. You can learn more about finding companies using LinkedIn company pages in the post #3 Method to Find Companies â€" LinkedIn Company Pages 6 â€" Public Databases I use a resource provided by the Austin Public Library called The A to Z Databases. This is a great resource for locating small and medium-size businesses. Check your library to see if it is available. Another possibility is Dub and Bradstreet’s Hoovers’ website. If you have access to an outplacement service, you will likely be able to access via the service provider. You might want to start a free trial. Your list is a working list and should contain 15-25 companies. You will never stop working on this list. This list should be updated monthly, even when you are happily employed. The next step in the Target the Company and Quit Chasing the Job or the Targeted Job Search will be to research the companies on your list. I will be discussing researching these companies next week! Are you ready to start building your target list? To read the rest of the Targeted Job Search series click here. Marc Miller Like what you just read? Share it with your friends using the buttons above. Like What You Read? Get Career Pivot Insights! Check out the Repurpose Your Career Podcast Do You Need Help With ...

Top 6 Dos Donts When Creating Your CV - CareerAlley

Top 6 Do’s Don’ts When Creating Your CV - CareerAlley We may receive compensation when you click on links to products from our partners. Spending a lot of time on getting your CV right will ultimately make a major difference to your employability. From Charity Jobs through to new positions after University, or even a short-term contract, a poorly designed and written CV will not improve your chances of getting work. A CV shouldnt be overly complicated, but should accurately demonstrate your achievements and emphasize key items that you feel will be ideal for a specific role. At the same time, you need to be able to construct a sense of your professional identity and career plan. Some things to focus on in a CV, and things to avoid, include: Dos 1 Keep Things Simple A well-designed CV should be simple enough to make an instant impact on a reader. Fonts and general design should be simple and focused on not overloading a page with text. In the same way, try to avoid using images or any details that might show up badly on a PDF or a printout. You should also be ruthless in terms of cutting out any information that is not essential to the job that you are applying for. Photo by Alex on Unsplash This information might include everything from old jobs that were part-time or temporary and have no impact on your current career plans, through to work experience and other experiences. 2 Explain Skills Gained From Particular Jobs Every job and training course that you list should ideally include a few notes on the skills and the experiences gained during their completion. You should also explain what your responsibilities were in these roles and whether you gained experience of using a particular form of software or received any in-job training. 3 Tailor to Specific Jobs If you are going for a particular kind of job, you need to be able to know what your CV should emphasize. For example, a charity job application will benefit by expanding on voluntary experience and skills that you can adapt into a professional position. You should also be able to adapt experiences in a particular job to demonstrate how they would be transferred to a new position. Photo by Fancycrave on Unsplash Donts 4 Avoid Spelling and Grammar Errors A few errors in presentation and style will ultimately lead to someone dropping your CV in favor of another, despite your qualifications. This problem can be avoided through proofreading, and by making sure that you always have enough time before a submission date to get someone else to read through your work. Paying attention to your periods and commas could mean the difference between a call back and never hearing anything. Proofread it one more time before you send it off. A perfectly written resume could even be your competitive edge, says Keith Wolf, managing director of Murray Resources. As simple as they may be to avoid, spelling errors and typos are the most common mistakes we see in resumes. Theyre particularly damaging because they convey to potential employers that an applicant lacks attention to detail. Monster.com Use spellcheck and tool such as Grammarly to ensure all errors are captured and corrected. Leverage your friends and family to check your CV and give suggestions. 5 Distort Jobs Dont make it out that you had more responsibilities, or gained more skills, in certain jobs. The truth will eventually catch up with you and will lead to problems with employers. In the same way, dont distort your qualifications, even if its only by a grade or so. Again, the punishment by an employer can be severe. source If you want to get noticed, you are going to have to step up your game and create an outstanding resume that will grab the attention of recruiters and hiring managers. Tweet This 6 Skip Important Information Make sure that you include any information that you feel is relevant, particularly if your CV is a little thin. As long as you can make a note explaining how the experience or achievement was important, and how it impacts on a new job, it can help to create an impressive CV. What's next? Ready to take action? Choose the right tools to help you build your career. Looking for related topics? Find out how to make a resume and cover letter that gets you hired. Subscribe and make meaningful progress on your career. It’s about time you focused on your career. Get Educated Contact Us Advertise Copyright 2020 CareerAlley. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy + Disclosure home popular resources subscribe search

Executive Resume Writing Service - How to Get a Job Through a Resume

Executive Resume Writing Service - How to Get a Job Through a ResumeIn today's competitive job market, your resume has become an important factor in the recruitment process. In fact, a lot of individuals often times do not have the time to research prospective employers on their own, as hiring managers are highly selective and have lots of requirements. Fortunately, one company can help you get a job by providing you with a stellar executive resume.First, consider the importance of an excellent executive resume in today's market. Many job seekers realize that the required document to get ahead of the competition is the executive resume. Even though there are many companies that are willing to pay for a document, there are some companies who are willing to provide it free of charge. If you want to get a job through a resume, you must be sure to provide a very well-prepared document.With this in mind, think about the possibility of getting an excellent executive resume for free. There are lots of free online resume writing services available online. You can simply submit your resume for them to review and offer feedback. These types of services can also customize your resume according to your exact job requirements.An executive resume writing service that offers free resume writing services in Kansas City is vital to your goal. This means that you will have the opportunity to learn how to write an excellent executive resume without having to spend money to hire a professional.First, when you decide to go with a Kansas City executive resume writing service, you will find that they will work closely with you and will submit your resume for you to read. Additionally, they will go over your resume and give you suggestions that you may not have considered.Your resume writing service will also offer coaching and assistance in order to make your resume more concise and professional. A well structured resume is an asset to every business. Your resume should highlight you r strengths and skills so as to impress your prospective employer. Make sure that your experience, education, and accomplishments are included in your resume in order to make you stand out from the crowd.A Kansas City executive resume writing service can help you develop an outstanding resume that can assist you in getting a job interview. Just remember that the most important document that you can give your potential employer is a well written, attractive, and appealing executive resume.