21
May

Advice For Making A Career Change

Sad 3d guy sitting on question mark.If you wake up in the morning dreading going to work every day, feel like your job is sucking the life out of you or feel the work you do is not worth the pay you’re getting, it may be time to consider a career change. Although you may want to quit your current job immediately in search of a more fulfilling or higher paid field, the process takes time and should be considered carefully. Follow these helpful tips when considering a career change.

Take your time:
Changing careers generally doesn’t happen overnight. There is a lot of preparation needed before you up and quit your current job and expect to find another one in a completely different industry. Once you make the decision that you’d like to change careers, be patient and take the time to make contacts, do your research and get the basic qualifications you’ll need in order to make the switch.

Do your research:
Unfortunately if you’re a nurse and wake up one day and decide your true calling is to be a lawyer, you won’t get anywhere without first doing some research to figure out what you actually need to pursue that profession. Before you make any definite decisions, conduct extensive research on the field you’re interested in. Talk to any contacts you know in the field or contact professionals in the industry to get more information, review industry websites, related news and learn about the qualifications needed for entry level positions as well as the industry outlook.

Be willing to make some sacrifices:
Unfortunately when you switch careers, you’ll usually have to make sacrifices in order to do it. You’ll need to start closer to the bottom again and work your way up. This may mean taking a cut in pay, losing seniority privileges or having fewer benefits. You may also need to consider volunteering for a few hours each week in the field that interests you to make sure that you actually know what you’re getting into, gain some relevant experience and make sure that this is the right path for you.

Have a plan:
When you decide to make a career change it’s important to have a solid plan in place. Depending on what career you’re changing to, you may need to go back to school for further education, enroll in a training program or gain basic experience through part time or voluntary work. You’ll also need to start networking with other industry professionals in order to gain valuable insights and increase your chances of successfully making the transition.

© RedStarResume Publications: 

Specialist in Achievement Based Resume Writing, Cover Letter Writing & LinkedIn Profile Development & Optimization

The journey to finding your dream job starts with a brand new resume

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12
Mar

Finding A Specialist Job Recruitment Agent

Job_300x299An Executive Recruiter can be relied on to find you a job via tried and trusted methods that will benefit your career. Respected headhunters or job recruiters will be hired directly by specific firms to fill their vacancies. This can be invaluable in helping you to land your dream job. If your dream job is to work for a particular firm, the first step is to find out who does their recruiting or staffing solutions. If you don’t have a desire to be employed with a particular firm then you can start by finding a reputable recruiting firm. Ensure that the firm you use has a solid reputation for recruiting within your type of industry.

When you begin your job search and start looking for that dream job that meets both your financial and job satisfaction requirements, it’s important to work with a recruiter that you trust. Choosing a recruiter who is knowledgeable about the types of positions you require and the types of jobs that are available is crucial. Finding a recruiter who you can develop a relationship with will further be beneficial to you throughout your entire career. My most important tip is finding a recruiter with an excellent understanding of your particular job market. Recruiters who have personal arrangements and contacts with certain companies will also be an advantage.

No matter if you’re looking for a job with a multinational corporation or a part-time position with a small family owned business, many companies will use a job recruiter who has proven to be trusted when it comes to finding quality staff to fill positions. This is beneficial to experienced and qualified professionals who are seeking jobs, as it means that your recruiter understands the market and understands what both parties are looking for. This is the ideal situation for both the job seeker and employers.

Can I trust my Recruiter?

Recruiters don’t get paid until they find you a job. (The employer pays the recruiter not the job seeker!) As such, it is in everyone’s best interest that you are honest and upfront with your recruiter. Remember that they are on your side and working for you. If your specialist recruiter is properly informed of your skills, workplace experience and career goals, then they are in a position to recommend you for jobs that match your preferences.

Don’t forget that your recruiter will also be familiar with the interview techniques and help with resume writing as well as other requirements that a particular company is looking for in the perfect job candidate.

© RedStarResume Publications – http://www.bestresponseresume.com

Stand Out From The Crowd With A Brand New Professional Resume, Cover Letter and LinkedIn Profile From RedStarResume:

Specializing In Over 35 Industries! – Turn your resume into an achievement based marketing documents in just 48-72 hours

Find A Recruiter: Speak to the experts at RedStarResume and find out how we can put you in touch with a specialist Recruitment Agent

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16
Jan

Benefits of Using a Job Recruiter To Help With Your Job Searching

CAREERIf you are reading this article then you are probably looking for more information regarding the benefits of using a recruiter to help you find a job. In this article, you will find some useful information on how a good recruiter can help you with your job search.

It is important to point out that an expert recruiter can give you a major advantage over your competition. You should be aware that there is a “hidden job market” and a recruiter has inside knowledge that can enable you to find and access jobs that you would otherwise never get to know about.

It is important that you are aware of the roles of a recruiter and these are to find jobs that need to be filled and then to find the right individual to fill that particular role. Therefore, the recruiter will firstly find positions which are open and then they will try to find suitable candidates to help that particular company fill that role.

Another benefit of using a recruiter is the fact that they can help you to prepare for the interview process. If you are using a recruiter then you will have a big advantage over other people, as the recruiter will be able to tell you specific information which will enable you to stand out from the crowd and therefore increase your chances of getting the job. It is important to point out that those people who have applied independently will not have access to this information. Understanding the culture of the organisation you are applying for is vital for success. It is highly likely that an experienced recruiter will have a long lasting relationship with their client and therefore be able to pass on key tips and information to help you stand out during the interview process. The more inside information you can attain about the company or hiring manager, the greater your chances are of securing that new job.

In addition to helping you prepare for the job interview, the recruiter can help you with the actual interview process through role-play exercises. The more prepared you can be for the job interview the greater you will be able to answer those tough interview questions. Nothing is worse than stuttering your way through an interview because you are unprepared. Utilise the expertise of recruiters and their knowledge of probable interview questions that will be asked.

Using a recruiter to help you find a job has many advantages and benefits. With knowledge of the job market, a skilled recruiter can help guide you towards success and give you a big advantage over your competition who are applying for the same jobs.

© RedStarResume Publications – http://www.bestresponseresume.com

Find A Recruiter: Speak to the experts at RedStarResume and find out how we can put you in touch with a specialist Recruitment Agent

Are you a Job Seeker? Do you want to be introduced directly to a recruiter who specialises in your industry? The RedStarResume recruiter directory can help you find the perfect match.

Contact us today and have your business listed (FREE) in the RedStarResume Recruitment Directory

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04
Dec

First Steps Of Networking

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If you have recently started your job search or looked at career resources, you’re probably hearing this word a lot—Networking. You may be thinking you don’t know any professionals in the career that interests you, or find the task daunting. In reality, each of us already has networks that can help us in our career path and job search.

The first step to networking is to think about the people closest to you—your family and friends. These individuals are people you already talk to regularly and who can vouch for your character and work ethic. They’re also the people that are most willing to put themselves out there for you by providing a reference for a position and contacts. Start brainstorming the people in your life that you talk to regularly, as well as their current employment positions. Then start talking to these people about the career that interests you, jobs that you’re applying for, and ask for any advice or contacts they may have in the field that interests you. Even if no one you know personally works in the field, it may be that your close contacts have friends, colleagues, parents, etc. that are in the field you want to be in. Think outside the box when networking. You may know people in your field that you don’t even realize. They could be neighbors, family friends or someone you volunteered or went to school with in the past. The more people you talk to about the field you’re interested in, the more opportunities you’ll have to talk to professionals and gain insight into the career field, which may eventually lead to internship or job opportunities. Most people are happy to at least offer information and advice to students and recent grads about their field, so don’t be afraid to ask questions.

Remember that landing a job is not the real goal of networking. Networking is about building professional relationships. These relationships can provide you with contacts and show you the skills, education and knowledge you’ll need for success in the field. Over time your networks can help you build friendships, gain knowledge and experience and alert you to potential job opportunities. Keep in mind that networking is not a one-way-street. Just as you hope to network with people having more experience than you do, you should also be ready to network or serve as a mentor to younger students and colleagues. Professional networks, like personal ones are built on reciprocity. Remember to show gratitude if someone refers you to a contact, job or internship opening, or simply takes the time out of their busy schedule to talk to you about their career. In return, you should be ready to share your knowledge and appropriate contacts with others.

Being a student or recent grad is the most difficult time to network. As you start working in your career, you’ll meet colleagues in your own company as well as others in the field. Soon you won’t even need to worry about networking; you’ll be doing it without even thinking!

© RedStarResume Publications – http://www.bestresponseresume.com

Amanda Ryan is a Program Development Associate & Senior Resume Writer at RedStarResume. Amanda is a highly skilled resume writing expert and career expert who also specialises in creating, writing and developing career content, working alongside student and graduate job seekers and developing career content for newsletters, partners and career websites.

Do you have a career related question? You can contact Amanda directly via the RedStarResume website!

14
Nov

Tips On Selecting The Best Job Recruitment Agent

Every job market is unique and in order to gain the most out of your job search, working alongside a specialised recruiter can be your ticket to success. Just as you may use a mechanic to help you with your car or a plumber to help stop your leaking tap, an expert recruiter can help you find a new job that matches your requirements. Best of all, it’s completely free for you to use. Even if they find you a job, you will never have to pay a cent. The employer fits this bill.

In order to find the best recruiters, the first thing you need to do is spend some time researching recruiters in your industry. For example, if you are a senior accountant, you need to align yourself with accounting recruiters who specialise in senior management accounting positions. There is no point in wasting time speaking to accounting recruiters who only specialise in graduate recruitment. To further maximise your research, do some investigating into the recruiter company’s clients. Many times, recruiters will work with the same set of clients. If you wish to work for a large multinational company, you will need to find recruiters who have these contacts. A small boutique recruitment firm is more likely to work with smaller clients as they don’t have the size to be able to recruit for larger organisations.

How can I begin to find a job recruiter who can help me?

Creating a LinkedIn profile and networking would be my number one piece of advice to job seekers. Once you have a professional LinkedIn profile that highlights your experience, achievements, skills and expertise, you can begin to network and research recruiters in your field. Typically, most recruitment firms are listed on LinkedIn and you can search within their company profiles to find individual recruiters.

How do I know if a certain recruitment agent is right for me?

Building up trust and rapport with your recruiter is vital to finding success. Many people send their resume blindly to a recruitment company and wonder why no one calls them back. In order to have the recruiter searching for jobs on your behalf (remember recruiters don’t get paid until they place you) they need to know that you’re serious about the job search. Go and meet your recruiter face to face. Be upfront with your recruiter and tell them the types of roles you require and the companies you wish to work for. If you can provide a recruiter with all the information that they require they will be able to work as best as they can on your behalf.

Final thought:

Finding the right recruiter can certainly help you in your job search. Having someone with inside knowledge will increase your odds of finding a new job. However, just because you have a recruiter working on your behalf don’t think that you can just sit back and relax. Finding the right recruiter is only one aspect of job seeking. In the competitive job environment, you need to be constantly networking to ensure that you are ready when the opportunity presents itself.

© RedStarResume Publications – http://www.bestresponseresume.com

Stand Out From The Crowd With A Brand New Professional Resume, Cover Letter and LinkedIn Profile From RedStarResume:

Specializing In Over 35 Industries! – Turn your resume into an achievement based marketing documents in just 48-72 hours

Find A Recruiter: Speak to the experts at RedStarResume and find out how we can put you in touch with a specialist Recruitment Agent

07
Nov

Should I Use A Specialist Recruitment Agent to Help Me Find A Job

These days, landing a regular job can be quite an arduous task. The world economy is in turmoil and job seekers are experiencing uncertainty and distress. Even though jobs are hard to find that does not mean that there are none available, you just need some help in tracking them; and this is where a recruiter comes in handy. If you are still unsure about using a specialist recruiter to help with your job hunt, then maybe these benefits will be able to change your mind about job recruiters.

Three Benefits to Using a Specialist Recruitment Agent

Job Recruitment Agencies Know Where the Jobs Are:

As mentioned previously, due to the financial crisis, many companies have started downsizing their workforce in order to cope, but not all of them are doing that. There are still quite a lot of companies that are looking for skilled workers to help them with day-to-day operations, and these companies often hire recruitment agencies to help them find the best employees. If you go to a recruitment office and they believe that you may be a perfect fit for a job opening that they have, then they will send you to the company with their recommendation.

Recruiters Know What Kind of Person the Company is Looking For:

Companies do not just hire any person to fill in the vacancies; they need people who have certain skills, experience and qualities that will make them perfect for the job at hand. If you consult with a recruiter about a job opening at a certain company, they will usually tell you what kind of people that company is looking for and type of culture of that company. When the time comes for you to interview, you can use this inside information to stand out against your competitors.

Recruiters Know What Kind of Job is Perfect for You:

If you have recently been laid off from your job, you may be in a situation where you need to think about changing your career. A professional recruiter can provide you with advice on alternate career paths where you can transfer your current skills into a new role. Just because you have experience in one particular industry or one particular position, this does not mean that your skills are not required within different industries.

What Else Can I Do?

Using a recruiter to help you find a new job is only one strategy you should employ. Ensure you network with as many people as possible to find out different opportunities that may exist. Also, don’t forget to keep your resume up to date and keep practicing your interview techniques.

© RedStarResume Publications – http://www.bestresponseresume.com

Stand Out From The Crowd With A Brand New Professional Resume, Cover Letter and LinkedIn Profile From RedStarResume:

Specializing In Over 35 Industries! – Turn your resume into an achievement based marketing documents in just 48-72 hours

Find A Recruiter: Speak to the experts at RedStarResume and find out how we can put you in touch with a specialist Recruitment Agent

11
Sep

Finding The Right Recruitment Agent

Every job market is unique and in order to gain the most out of your job search working alongside a specialised recruiter can be your ticket to success. Just as you may use a mechanic to help you with your car or a plumber to help stop your leaking tap, an expert recruiter can help you find a new job that matches your requirements. Best of all it’s completely free for you to use. Even if they find you a job, you will never have to pay a cent. The employer fits this bill.

In order to find the best recruiters, the first thing you need to do is spend some time researching recruiters in your industry. For example, if you are a senior accountant, you need to align yourself with accounting recruiters who specialise in senior management accounting positions. There is no point in wasting time speaking to accounting recruiters who only specialise in graduate recruitment. To further maximise your research, do some investigating into the recruiter company’s clients. Many times, recruiters will work with the same set of clients. If you wish to work for a large multinational company, you will need to find recruiters who have these contacts. A small boutique recruitment firm is more likely to work with smaller clients as they don’t have the size to be able to recruit for larger organisations.

How can I begin to find a recruiter who can help me?

Creating a LinkedIn profile and networking would be my number one piece of advice to job seekers. Once you have a professional LinkedIn profile that highlights your experience, achievements, skills and expertise, you can begin to network and research recruiters in your field. Typically, most recruitment firms are listed on LinkedIn and you can search within their company profiles to find individual recruiters.

How do I know if a certain recruiter is right for me?

Building up trust and rapport with your recruiter is vital to finding success. Many people send their resume blindly to a recruitment company and wonder why no one calls them back. In order to have the recruiter searching for jobs on your behalf (remember recruiters don’t get paid until they place you) they need to know that you’re serious about the job search. Go and meet your recruiter face to face. Be upfront with your recruiter and tell them the types of roles you require and the companies you wish to work for. If you can provide a recruiter with all the information that they require they will be able to work as best as they can on your behalf.

Final thought:

Finding the right recruiter can certainly help you in your job search. Having someone with inside knowledge will increase your odds of finding a new job. However, just because you have a recruiter working on your behalf don’t think that you can just sit back and relax. Finding the right recruiter is only one aspect of job seeking. In the competitive job environment, you need to be constantly networking to ensure that you are ready when the opportunity presents itself.

© RedStarResume Publications – http://www.bestresponseresume.com

Stand Out From The Crowd With A Brand New Professional Resume, Cover Letter and LinkedIn Profile From RedStarResume:

Specializing In Over 35 Industries! – Turn your resume into an achievement based marketing documents in just 48-72 hours

Did you know: The RedStarResume resume layout and design presentation has been highly praised by recruiters, hiring managers and career experts from across globe!

20
Aug

Applying For Jobs But No One Calls Me Back

Do you currently find yourself in a position of applying for multiple jobs every single day yet never seem to get a call back or interview request? Why does this happen? If you have the right skills and experience surely you should have hiring managers calling you to arrange an interview?

Unfortunately job seeking is not as simple as just applying for jobs and waiting for the phone to ring. Demand for new jobs is more competitive than ever and with more and more people applying for jobs via online websites it is now much easier to send off your resume in a much shorter time period. I recently worked with a job seeker who had been laid off after 10 years of loyal service with the same company. This person told me that she was applying for up to 20 jobs a day. When I asked her if there were 20 new jobs being advertised every day that suited her skills she said she didn’t care. “The more jobs I apply for the greater my chance of getting an interview.”

In my experience, if you are applying for jobs and never hearing back it is typically down to two main factors. Reason number one, is your resume is not good enough to attract the hiring manager and therefore your resume is most probably being deleted before the reader even has a chance to recognise the skills that you can bring to the role. The second reason you may be getting overlooked is simply that you are not qualified, skilled or experienced enough for the types of roles you are applying for.

Your resume is just not good enough: 

Before you apply for another job take a long hard look at your resume. If you were the hiring manager would you hire yourself based on your resume? Your resume is your marketing document and as such needs to be written to highlight your value added skills that you can bring to your next job. If you are applying for a management position you need to emphasise your management experience. Don’t assume that the hiring manager will know this information unless you provide evidence. For example, rather than just stating “5 years of management experience” which does not tell the reader much information apart from the obvious, you need to include further explanation to highlight this experience “5 years of management experience leading expert teams, capable of analysing all areas of operations and implementing dynamic improvements, cost savings and overall growth and profit” – From a hiring managers perspective it is obvious which statement stands out.

Are you qualified for the job you are applying for?

Although you may think you could perform a certain job and maybe if given the chance you would prove to be the perfect person, unfortunately if the employer needs certain requirements they then expect that those applying for the role have these requirements.  If the job requires an accountant with minimum 2 years of experience with specific skills in auditing, it is not reasonable to think that they will hire a graduate accountant with less than 1 year of work experience. My advice is don’t waste your own time by applying for roles where you don’t meet certain expected requirements.

Final thought:

If you are not receiving interview requests and feel that you are being ignored every time you apply for a job, you’re not alone. Job seeking is a tough business, but in order to give yourself the greatest opportunity of finding success you need to ensure that your resume is written, structured and presented correctly. Every time you apply for a new job you may need to adjust or tweak your resume. Remember that the best resumes are those that are achievement based and written to target that specific job you are applying towards.

© RedStarResume Publications – http://www.bestresponseresume.com

Stand Out From The Crowd With A Brand New Professional Resume, Cover Letter and LinkedIn Profile From RedStarResume:

Specializing In Over 35 Industries! – Turn your resume into an achievement based marketing documents in just 48-72 hours

Did you know: The RedStarResume resume layout and design presentation has been highly praised by recruiters, hiring managers and career experts from across globe!

12
Jun

How to find an Australian Recruiter

Are you currently seeking a new job but don’t know where to start? A good idea is to prepare a list of Australian recruiters who specialise in your area of expertise and begin to develop relationships with individual recruiters. A common mistake job seekers make is signing up to every agency in town and expecting to sit back and wait for the interviews to start rolling in. Unfortunately, this is not how things work. Before you waste the recruiter’s time, (and more importantly your time), spend a few hours researching the recruitment company and what they can do for you. If your objective is to secure a new job in a large firm there is no point in meeting with recruiters who can only work with smaller boutique companies. Alternatively if you wish to work at a smaller company you need to focus your search on a finding an Australian recruiter who can help you in this area.

Can An Australian Recruiter really help me find a job in the Australian job market?

The simple answer is yes! Australian recruiters have an in depth knowledge of the Australian job market and often have key contacts within organisations. What’s more, they also have knowledge of current market salary expectations and often intimate knowledge of what certain employers are looking for in the “ideal” candidate. However, don’t forget that a recruitment agent relies upon placing candidates in jobs to receive their commission. There can often be a conflict between what is best for the job seeker and what is best for the recruiter.

Develop a relationship with your recruiters:

As per any relationship, building a close connection is a two way process. If you think that sending your resume to a recruiter is enough to get you noticed you are wrong. Recruiters can receive hundreds of resumes on a daily basis. In most cases recruiters have many different jobs on the go at one time and don’t have time to read through every resume with a fine-tooth comb. Although you may be a fantastic job candidate with experience, skills and qualifications it means nothing if the right person is not reading your resume.

A professional candidate needs a professional resume:

Reports indicate that a recruiter will spend less than 30 seconds first reading through your resume. With this very limited amount of time you need to ensure that your professional resume is error free, modern, formatted correctly and most importantly highlights your skills and achievements. First impressions are key to job seeking and the first impression a recruiter will make about a job candidate is through their resume.

© RedStarResume Publications – http://www.bestresponseresume.com

Stand Out From The Crowd With A Brand New Resume From RedStarResume:

Specializing In Over 35 Industries! – Turn your resume into an achievement based marketing documents in just 48-72 hours

What you get with RedStarResume:

Strategically written resume and/or cover letter designed to target hiring managers and recruiters.

Keyword Rich Resume – Strategic selection of Keywords and phrases designed to highlight your resume and make you stand out over your competition.

Targeted keywords based on your selected industry

Maximise impact with improved wording, presentation and design

Correct formatting and layout to ensure your resume is readable by computer software.

24/7 access to your own personal writer.

Did you know?

The RedStarResume resume layout and design presentation has been highly praised by recruiters, hiring managers and career experts from across the world!

The journey to finding your dream job starts with a brand new resume

28
Apr

LinkedIn Profile Writing

LinkedIn was created with the sole objective of promoting talents, skills, and products to millions of people around the globe. When you sign up for a LinkedIn profile, you become an exclusive part of a community that includes companies, recruiters, vendors, customers, and competitors. What makes LinkedIn unique and attractive to people is the fact that it fulfills their professional objectives, unlike other social networking sites where entertainment is the key focus. Here are some of those unique benefits that make LinkedIn worth every effort.

Gain Visibility for Unique Professional & Business Opportunities:

LinkedIn offers a search engine. When recruiters or companies are searching for specific talent to fill their vacant positions or when people are searching for specific products and services, LinkedIn search engine permits your profile to be populated. You can gain and enhance your profile’s visibility, making it readily accessible to the targeted audiences by optimizing it with appropriate usage of keywords. It is recommended that you examine the keywords before constructing your profile.

Build Professional & Business Relationships:

The chief objective of marketing platforms like LinkedIn is to make connections. Through such podiums you gain the opportunity to meet the right companies or individuals that aptly fit with your set of business or professional requirements. Connecting with significant people in your industry strengthens your credibility and consolidates the position of your business.

Furthermore, recommendations play a vital role in improving your profile and its visibility. The more recommendations you’re able to gather, the more appealing and credible your profile appears. It works like an endorsement for your skills, products, services or company and increases your trustworthiness. Recruiters or customers always prefer candidates, services or products that have been approved by others. So, always request your clients or colleagues to leave reviews on your profile.

Identify Business and Job Trends:

LinkedIn tools are highly effective in identifying new business trends and job opportunities in your industry. By knowing the current trends you will be able to formulate appropriate strategies that will carve your path to success. Job seekers and businesses that remain abreast with emerging trends stay coordinated with the professional and business requirements.

Generate Job and Business Opportunities:

Marketing is a method designed to promote and sell skills, products and services, and the LinkedIn interface as a marketing tool just does that. By creating an impressive LinkedIn profile you effortlessly launch your skills and services into the market. However, leaving it unattended for months at a stretch will lead you to nowhere. In order to derive the optimum levels of benefits from this incredible marketing platform, you need to explore what it has to offer you – things like search tools, forums and direct ads.

If other social networking sites are able to facilitate emerging professionals and businesses to a large extent, then LinkedIn ought to be ahead in the competition as it is specially oriented to marketing professional skills and business products/services. The core advantage is that you build up a relevant network of professionals without wasting your precious time.

© RedStarResume Publications – http://www.bestresponseresume.com

#1 for LinkedIn Profile Writing, Resume Writing and Career Services

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