I am she, she is me. Career Coach JobJenny

I am she, she is me. Career Coach JobJenny When I launched JobJenny.com earlier this year, I did so with the express goal of helping the frustrated job seekers I hear from each week.Those of you who are dying to find some career bliss, yet don't know quite how to go about it. Things. They just aren't the way they used to be. And that makes finding an awesome next move along your career path prettyfreaking challenging if you aren't up-to-the-minute on how the game has changed. And the game has changed, plenty. I launched JobJenny.com because, as the main cheese at Ladder Recruiting Group, LLC, I'm simply unable to sit on the phone and/or at coffee shops all day listening to your challenges, giving you a much-needed hug, and getting you armed and ready to get to the business of finding a new job. I'd love to. I rather dig people. However, as a recruiter, I have to keep a large chunk of time available each week to help my clients (companies that are hiring) fill their specific job openings. This is my profession and what allows me to do such things as feed my family, fund college savings accounts ,and enjoy an occasional margarita night out with my honey. But back to you, the job seeker. I launched JobJenny.com to help you, and I launched it so that I may better understand (and leverage) the power of social media. (Which, I hope, will translate into even MORE help for you.) And once I got things up and rolling, I got to thinking about it. And I realized, I may be able to help you even further by introducing you to Ladder Recruiting Group, LLC. Maybe, just maybe, some of you viewing this will have specific expertise in the areas in which we recruit. And if so? We may have the perfect job for you over there! So, please, become a regular at both sites. Check out the Opportunities on LadderRecruiting.com regularly if you'd like. And if you see something that seems to be a fit? Please don't hesitate to give me a shout. I am she, and she is me.

How Work Stress is Wreaking Havoc on Your Health CareerMetis.com

How Work Stress is Wreaking Havoc on Your Health Stress at work can seem unavoidable â€" especially when you rely on that work’s paycheck to get by. It can also cause more than just a tension headache and bad mood â€" work stresscould actually be shortening your lifespan.How the Body Reacts?When the body is stressed, a cascade of biological activity is set into motion. The central nervous system signals the creation of adrenaline and cortisol muscles tense up, breathing is labored as oxygenation becomes the priority, the stomach shuts down, and the heart works overtime.evalIn a 2018 survey, 50% of the 1,000 US workers reported work-related stress as having negatively impacted their health. And, according to a Mayo Clinic Healthy Lifestyle publication, “The long-term activation of the stress-response system and the overexposure to cortisol and other stress hormones that follow can disrupt almost all your body’s processes.”In addition, individuals who experience chronic stress are at a higher risk of anxiety, depression, dige stive issues, sleep problems, headaches, weight gain, heart disease as well as concentration and memory impairment. Furthermore, a 2018 study conducted by the University of Minnesotasuggested that chronic social stress leads to a shortened lifespan.Work Stress TriggersAvoiding stress can be difficult when you’re forced to spend the majority of your time at the very place causing it â€" but not all hope is lost.Here’s a look at a few stress triggers that just might be affecting you at your workplace.1) Long Inactive HoursevalThe average American spends 90,000 hours at work in their lifetime, and when 80% of jobsare categorized as sedentary it’s no surprise that inactivity at work is a major physical stressor.Research has found that sitting too much during the day can actually cause anxiety and sitting or standing too much can double your risk of cardiovascular disease among other health issues.What you can do:Taking five-minute breaks every 30 minutes to move your body is recom mended. Kinesiology research has found the ideal sit to stand ratioto be somewhere between 1:1 and 1:3. Alternating your position with the use of an adjustable desk or surfaces of different heights can achieve this. If this is not possible, using an exercise ball in place of a chair can help increase blood flow throughout the day and decrease cardiovascular risks.2) Depressing EnvironmentevalA significant correlation between depression and the efficiency of individuals’ environment were found in a study looking at the effects of indoor environmental factors. The research found that an improved physical environment can enhance physical and mental health and is expected to increase worker productivity.What you can do:Personalizing your space with something that triggers something pleasant can help as well as adding natural light. Adding a plant or two can make a big difference too.According to the Department of Horticulture Sciencesin Korea, research suggests indoor plants can suppr ess the sympathetic nervous system’s stress response, lower diastolic blood pressure and effectively reduce physiological and psychological stress.3) Tight DeadlinesThe term ‘Deadline’ has an interesting origin â€" “a line is drawn within or around a prison that a prisoner passes at the risk of being shot.”evalStill invoking stress and anxiety today, honoring deadlines is an essential aspect of many careers. The pressure one can get from over commitment or under-delivery can be a major stressor that stays with you even when the workday is done.What you can do:Never commit to a deadline you know you can’t meet. This is hard for the people-pleasers out there, but it will save you in the end.Break down tasks into less overwhelming bundles and manage your time. Using a time management app can work wonders for this. You can also make more accurate estimates of the time a project will take you by comparing it to similar jobs you’ve had in the past. If you’ve never worked t hat job before, always ask coworkers or friends who have.4) Toxic Work RelationshipsDealing with bad coworkers isn’t a new affair. There have been bad employees since the beginning of business life. But, being stuck with a toxic person day to day can be destructive to your happiness and productivity.Toxic team members can create unnecessary drama, erode team culture, and undermine values set forth by leadership â€" adding to the cumulative work stress you experience.What you can do:The internet is showered with advice on how to deal with toxic relationships. There does seem to be a few common themes shared among all the information though.First of all, try not to take it personally. People who are toxic are usually toxic to others and it’s more about them than you. Setting boundaries is important. If they’re doing something you aren’t ok with â€" let them know.Finally, don’t waste too much of your time. Spend your social energy on people who deserve it. Work relationshipsc an be difficult but if there is one worth salvaging it’s never too late to fix it.5) Poor Eating HabitsevalAt times it can feel like your workplace is conspiring against you with their food options. Between cramped deadlines and limited vending machines, finding ways to eat healthy throughout the workday can be a struggle for many.evalAccording to research, poor nutrition contributes to “stress, tiredness and our capacity to work” among a long list of other health risks. Combined with a sedentary lifestyle, this is a recipe for disaster, and it comes at the cost of our health and longevity.What you can do:Taking a few steps can make a huge difference in your health. Some ideas to consider are not skipping breakfast, having a variety of healthy food options available and preparing healthy meals ahead of time.Having a nutritious snack every three to five hours can keep yourself from getting too hungry.Adjusting break-time habits can be helpful as well. Instead of a sugary coffee or energy drink, fill a water bottle. According to research, staying properly hydrated actually improves productivity.6) Job InsecurityAccording to University of Michigan Sociologist, Sarah Burgard, “Based on how participants rated their own physical and mental health, we found that people who were persistently concerned about losing their jobs reported significantly worse overall health in both studies and were more depressed in one of the studies than those who had actually lost and regained their jobs recently,” evalChronic Job insecurity was even a stronger predictor of health problems than individuals studied who smoked and had hypertension.What you can do:There are a few things you can do with this one. Update your resume. Knowing how you can market yourself can make you feel a lot better. Setting up a professional network is important as many employers hire from referrals in their contacts and it can give you a better idea of the current climate.Next, you can focus on Fi tness. It might seem out of topic but boosting confidence in one area has a way of trickling into others and the natural effects of exercise ease stress and anxiety symptoms â€" making everything easier.Lastly, make time to grow your skills. Taking an online course can be a great boost to your confidence and value as an employee.Fortunately, there are many ways to help manage work-related stress.Relaxation techniques, nutrition management, exercise, time management, and other training are all successfully used to treat stress.Speaking with a qualified professional can help you identify the root of your stress so you can get on your way to a healthier work environment.

Change your career by focusing on the being and the doing

Change your career by focusing on the being and the doing As humans, we constantly strive to balance our two states â€" the being and doing. The Being is who you are and includes self-reflection and developing awareness of yourself, your thought patterns, behaviors, etc. The Doing is what you do and includes the actions you take and the plans you put in place, etc. Personal and professional development requires engaging both the being and the doing. Self-reflection and self-awareness are key before an individual can take intentional actions toward their goals. They are intertwined. Taking action without awareness can potentially take you down the wrong paths. Self-awareness without action will not push you forward towards the goals you want to achieve. Many career counseling clients come to us seeking a change in their careers or lives. Most are predisposed to want to take action. What can I do differently? What should I be doing? Here is what I’m doing; what am I missing? They want to “do”. Doing is important. However, it cannot be done without considering the being side. Who are you? Who do you want to be? How do you want to feel? What are your values? How is your life and career in alignment or out of alignment with those? This self-reflection is necessary so that the actions you take are intentional and in alignment with who you are. Jumping to the doing side typically feels good. We can cross things off our list. It feels like we are making progress. Oftentimes it is easier. These are tangible steps we can easily wrap our mind around. They make sense to us. Oftentimes, the being side is not as easy. It brings up emotions and thoughts in us that have been set for a very long time. It can take a lot of internal work to uncover these old stories, old patterns, and old beliefs. It can take even longer to rewire our brains to create the new stories to reshape our old patterns. It can feel overwhelming and difficult. It can take a long time without feeling as though you are making visible progress. That’s what makes it so easy to then shift back to the doing. That feels better. It feels like we are making progress. In many cases we are getting external validation that we are making progress, i.e. a job interview, a promotion, etc. However, the being side doesn’t go away. The work that needs to be done is still there. Remember that two sides need addressing when you are looking to make a change in your life. There needs to be a balance to both of them. If you are feeling drawn to the doing, doing, doing; stop and ask yourself what inner work needs to be addressed. If you find yourself stuck in the being side; you may need to engage a friend, family member or professional to help you move out of that stuck place into some doing work. Engaging both the being and doing sides will help you make your career change.

Staying Productive While Working From Home

Staying Productive While Working From Home A 2013 Millennial Branding Report showed that young workers prefer a flexible workplace over higher pay by 45 percent. With that in mind, more and more companies are turning to telecommuting as a solution to keep their brightest employees on the payroll. In fact, Global Workplace Analytics (GWA) found that telework grew by almost 80 percent between 2005 and 2012. GWA projects that number will grow an addition 63 percent in the next five years. Whether working for self or for a company, many at-home workers struggle to stay productive and focused. At home, there are many competing distractions for one’s time. Fortunately, being aware of these distractions and learning how to counteract them allows  you to be more productive while working from home. Start the Day off Right According to the Brookings Institute, physical activity stimulates the development of new mitochondria. This simply means that your cells can generate more energy throughout the day, helping you stay focused and alert. Before you begin work, take a minute to take a short walk, do some jumping jacks or take just get outside and putter around in your yard. Break Big Tasks into Parts Janet Polivy did some research around diet and came to an interesting conclusion about big projects. She found that the human brain is afraid of big projects and will find other things to do to avoid those big projects. This is one of the reasons many people abandon their weight loss efforts before reaching goals. One way to combat this tendency is to break a big project into more manageable pieces. Make To Do Lists While studying which violin players were best, K. Anders Ericcson found something interesting. The best players weren’t necessarily those who practiced the most but those who practiced with focus and a goal in mind. They had a plan for how they would use their practice time, and they got right to it. To-do lists can help you plan ahead and make the most of your work day. In addition, if you start to lose focus, you can refer back to your to-do list and see what you need to finish next. This may be all it takes to help regain focus. Prioritize Tasks In addition to the to-do list, it’s smart to prioritize tasks by order of importance. Otherwise, your brain is going to shy away from those big project tasks, as found by Polivy’s research. There are many theories about how to prioritize projects. One that works well for most people is the Pareto principle or the 80/20 Rule. The principle simply states that only 20 percent of your day is typically spent on tasks that make a difference to your business or work. With that in mind, you can start to look at which tasks are truly crucial and hopefully turn the 80/20 principle upside down. Go Ahead and Procrastinate Research conducted by Hiroshima University showed that people who stopped and looked at cute animal pictures online or took a long vacation were simply resetting cognitive energy. Apparently, the human brain functions better after viewing the images by 15.7 percent. Researchers hypothesized that the positive emotions triggered by looking at cute, fluffy animals triggered approach motivation and gave workers a tendency to better systematically process information. Besides, everyone needs an occasional break, just keep it short and fuzzy. Nap at Lunch Sleep researcher Sara C. Mednick of the University of California, Riverside, conducted a study that found an hour to an hour-and-a-half nap improved memory as much as a full eight hours of sleep. If you would typically take a 30-minute lunch break and spend 20 of those minutes cleaning house, try taking a short nap instead and see if it improves productivity for the afternoon. Set a Start and End Time One of the biggest challenges of working from home is separating work and home. Setting a start time and an end time is vital to keep from burning out. If you’re completely exhausted, you’re not going to be as productive. ?? If you like cute animals, youll like my next post on instant mood lifters! Be sure to check back for it! Reply Leave a Reply Cancel replyYour email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *Comment *Name* Email * Website Notify me via e-mail if anyone answers my comment. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Meet Sarah Sarah Landrum is a leading millennial career expert and the founder of Punched Clocks. Find Out More! 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What You Should Know About Resume Writing Services in Harford County, MD

What You Should Know About Resume Writing Services in Harford County, MDWith the proliferation of internet technology, you can hire resume writing services for all your job related needs. Resume writing services in Harford County, Maryland provide you with a variety of resume writing and cover letter templates to help you produce the perfect work experience resume. How does this help you?Your past job may have provided more than one employer, and it is likely that your present employer would like to interview someone with the same job title and position. Resume writing services in Harford County, Maryland provides the best cover letter template. They have several well-known employers like the American Cancer Society, The Association of Children's Hospitals, and the American Heart Association among others that can benefit from these highly professional resumes.Being one of the largest counties in Maryland, there are resume writing services in Harford County, Maryland that can help you with a wide range of personal and professional needs. Since the vast majority of residents of Harford County, Maryland are employed full time by either employers or the government, there is no shortage of job opportunities.With the economy on the upswing, it is even more important to know where you stand with the current job market. Since the top employers in the United States pay some of the highest salaries, if you want to be a part of the most elite professions, being a member of this elite group is essential.Most people tend to go after jobs that pay the highest salaries, and not necessarily the ones that provide the most benefits. In Harford County, Maryland, there are numerous employers that provide both benefits and high wages. This helps those who want to raise their standard of living with the minimum sacrifice.On top of this, the top employers in the nation also pay the highest salaries to get employees. If you are in Maryland, why would you not want to work for a place l ike Harford County, Maryland. There are many people who have been promoted in the past because they were able to land jobs in areas like this.Resume writing services in Harford County, Maryland will take your resume and fill it with everything that you desire in the letter to give you the best chance at getting hired. With this amazing list of employers, you would be guaranteed to be hired. The first step is to find a skilled professional who will fill your resume with the perfect content.

The Difference Between a Headhunter, Recruiter, and Hiring Manager - ZipJob

The Difference Between a Headhunter, Recruiter, and Hiring Manager Spread the loveHave you ever found it difficult to know who you’re talking to when you’re trying to  get hired? If so, youre not alone. Most people assume that a call for an interview means that they’re meeting a hiring manager. Even when meeting recruiters, candidates often approach the interview just as they would with a typical hiring manager. And when you throw headhunters into the mix, it just adds to the general level of confusion. You need  to know the difference between a headhunter, recruiter, and hiring manager. Thats the best way to ensure that you approach your job-search and interviews with the right level of preparation.The Role of the HeadhunterMost people don’t really understand what headhunters do or how they do it. Headhunters are typically hired by agencies that have been tasked to find great candidates for their client companies. Those client firms generally need to fill open positions in a hurry. To do that, they rely on these professionals to identify qu alified candidates for them. In some instances, the client companies’ own hiring processes have failed to attract the right applicants. At other times, companies use headhunters when they dont want to openly advertise the job openings.One key difference between a headhunter, recruiter, and hiring manager is that the headhunter is less likely to have detailed knowledge about the position. He or she will be able to talk about the basic job role, of course. However, dont  expect a detailed explanation of the positions duties from these folks. Moreover, the headhunter is likely to  have only a general level of familiarity with the company. His job is not to ensure that you’re the best fit for that position, after all. His job is to present the agency with a short-list of qualified potential hires.It’s possible that a headhunter could directly contact you even when you’re already employed. Typically, this option is reserved for high-level key positions in larger companies. You co uld also receive contact based on the headhunter’s review of your LinkedIn profile â€" if you’ve properly leveraged that platform. Finally, you can use the internet to search for headhunters in your area or industry, and contact them directly.(We wrote a good post here on how to find and contact headhunters)The Role of the RecruiterYou also need to understand the role of a recruiter to better grasp the difference between a headhunter, recruiter, and hiring manager. Youll generally find recruiters in the employ of the companies for which they recruit. They work in concert with hiring personnel and have greater access to information about their companies. As a result, your interaction with a recruiter is likely to be more insightful than any contact with a headhunter.Another difference between the headhunter and the recruiter is found in the way that they approach applicants. When you meet with a recruiter, his or her job is not just to assess your suitability for the role. Instea d, that recruiter will typically work to convince you that his company is a great option for your career success. Youll generally find recruiters have the  details you need to evaluate any job offer. Make no mistake; the recruiter’s first loyalty is to his company â€" but he’s a matchmaker at heart! His goal is to put together a perfect match between you and the firm.We put together a post on how to find and email recruiters here.  .The Role of the Hiring ManagerFinally, we need to look at the role of the hiring manager. These are usually the managers who have the final say on whether a candidate gets hired. In many medium-sized or larger companies, the hiring manager doesn’t actively pursue job applications. Instead, these professionals rely on recruiters or headhunters to handle those efforts. They reserve their efforts for the most important decisions. Naturally, those decisions include making a final determination about whether your resume and interview get you hired.You s hould view hiring managers as  a critical link in the hiring chain. The fact is that you need their approval if you want to get  hired. You can often identify them  through LinkedIn. In some instances, it can even be beneficial to reach out to hiring managers directly. Most of the time, however, you may only meet  these key players at a  final interview.Closing ThoughtsAs you examine these different hiring personalities, the difference between a headhunter, recruiter, and hiring manager should become clear. The type of job you’re seeking can determine  which of these professionals you encounter during any hiring process. Many times, you may interact directly or indirectly with two or even all three of them as you audition for a new position. By understanding how their roles differ, you can more effectively interact with each of them to  maximize job-search success. The Difference Between a Headhunter, Recruiter, and Hiring Manager Spread the loveHave you ever found it difficult to know who you’re talking to when you’re trying to  get hired? If so, youre not alone. Most people assume that a call for an interview means that they’re meeting a hiring manager. Even when meeting recruiters, candidates often approach the interview just as they would with a typical hiring manager. And when you throw headhunters into the mix, it just adds to the general level of confusion. You need  to know the difference between a headhunter, recruiter, and hiring manager. Thats the best way to ensure that you approach your job-search and interviews with the right level of preparation.The Role of the HeadhunterMost people don’t really understand what headhunters do or how they do it. Headhunters are typically hired by agencies that have been tasked to find great candidates for their client companies. Those client firms generally need to fill open positions in a hurry. To do that, they rely on these professionals to identify qu alified candidates for them. In some instances, the client companies’ own hiring processes have failed to attract the right applicants. At other times, companies use headhunters when they dont want to openly advertise the job openings.One key difference between a headhunter, recruiter, and hiring manager is that the headhunter is less likely to have detailed knowledge about the position. He or she will be able to talk about the basic job role, of course. However, dont  expect a detailed explanation of the positions duties from these folks. Moreover, the headhunter is likely to  have only a general level of familiarity with the company. His job is not to ensure that you’re the best fit for that position, after all. His job is to present the agency with a short-list of qualified potential hires.It’s possible that a headhunter could directly contact you even when you’re already employed. Typically, this option is reserved for high-level key positions in larger companies. You co uld also receive contact based on the headhunter’s review of your LinkedIn profile â€" if you’ve properly leveraged that platform. Finally, you can use the internet to search for headhunters in your area or industry, and contact them directly.(We wrote a good post here on how to find and contact headhunters)The Role of the RecruiterYou also need to understand the role of a recruiter to better grasp the difference between a headhunter, recruiter, and hiring manager. Youll generally find recruiters in the employ of the companies for which they recruit. They work in concert with hiring personnel and have greater access to information about their companies. As a result, your interaction with a recruiter is likely to be more insightful than any contact with a headhunter.Another difference between the headhunter and the recruiter is found in the way that they approach applicants. When you meet with a recruiter, his or her job is not just to assess your suitability for the role. Instea d, that recruiter will typically work to convince you that his company is a great option for your career success. Youll generally find recruiters have the  details you need to evaluate any job offer. Make no mistake; the recruiter’s first loyalty is to his company â€" but he’s a matchmaker at heart! His goal is to put together a perfect match between you and the firm.We put together a post on how to find and email recruiters here.  .The Role of the Hiring ManagerFinally, we need to look at the role of the hiring manager. These are usually the managers who have the final say on whether a candidate gets hired. In many medium-sized or larger companies, the hiring manager doesn’t actively pursue job applications. Instead, these professionals rely on recruiters or headhunters to handle those efforts. They reserve their efforts for the most important decisions. Naturally, those decisions include making a final determination about whether your resume and interview get you hired.You s hould view hiring managers as  a critical link in the hiring chain. The fact is that you need their approval if you want to get  hired. You can often identify them  through LinkedIn. In some instances, it can even be beneficial to reach out to hiring managers directly. Most of the time, however, you may only meet  these key players at a  final interview.Closing ThoughtsAs you examine these different hiring personalities, the difference between a headhunter, recruiter, and hiring manager should become clear. The type of job you’re seeking can determine  which of these professionals you encounter during any hiring process. Many times, you may interact directly or indirectly with two or even all three of them as you audition for a new position. By understanding how their roles differ, you can more effectively interact with each of them to  maximize job-search success.

Top 7 Resume Trends For 2015 - Work It Daily

Top 7 Resume Trends For 2015 - Work It Daily First impressions are the lifeblood of a successful job search, so making a memorable one is a must. I hear from job seekers every single day who are overwhelmed with the resume-writing process and concerned that the resume they’ve written lacks impact and that ever-elusive WOW factor we all seem to be after. Related: 3 Steps To An Outstanding Personal Branding Statement So this year, my top seven list of resume trends for 2015 is going to focus on ideas and strategies for creating a memorable first impression instead of a forgettable one. So, let’s get started. Trend #1: Call-out boxes and breakaway text Creating a visually engaging resume helps to maintain the reader’s interest and keeps them reading. It also gives them short snippets of impactful information that’s easy to remember. Using call-out boxes and breakaway text will draw the reader’s eye to the most important information on your resume. For an example of what I mean, think about when you’re reading a magazine or book page and there’s a caption or type style that is different from the rest of the documentâ€"it stands out, and your eye is immediately drawn to it. Use this visual element to your advantage. Create a call-out box or breakaway text that captures the reader’s attention. Put the most valuable piece of information about you thereâ€"the deal clincherâ€"the one thing that you know if they knew it about you they’d HAVE TO INTERVIEW YOU. Trend #2: The value proposition Piggybacking off my last point, I’m going to run a little further. Your resume needs to communicate your value proposition to the reader/decision maker/recruiter/fill in the blank of who you’re trying to reach here. Your value proposition is namely the most persuasive reason WHY the person should interview you. Ultimately, you want them to see why they should interview/hire you over another candidateâ€"and they should do that because you can offer them XYZ value that no other candidate can. What’s the most persuasive selling point about your experience and career history? Use it to your advantage and communicate that within your resume. Trend #3: The fade away from ATS, keyword stuffing, and job boards If you’ve followed my articles at all this year, you probably saw a common thread running through them. I’ve endeavored to tackle the job search myth that job boards are the ONLY way to find jobs and the ONLY place where the jobs are located. EEEEH (annoying buzzer sound). WRONG. In fact, utilizing job boards should constitute only 20% of your job search efforts. The other 80% should be invested in other methods such as informational interview, networking, cold calling, direct mail campaigns, and so on. The frustration and hopelessness job seekers feel stems primarily from a lack of knowledge about other ways to job search. They hop onto the job boards, start applying awayâ€"and never hear anything back. At first, it doesn’t bother themâ€"but days and days of no responses turn into weeks, and then after some months they spiral down into an abyss of hopelessness and depression as their job search lingers on. They end up thinking their expertise isn’t valued, or that there are no jobs out thereâ€"when the truth of the matter is… There are lots of jobs out there. They’re just not all on job boards. Phew, now that we got that secret out in the open… Take the time to educate yourself on alternative job search methods and then start utilizing them. It will take far less time than you think and yield far better response rates than anything you’ll get from a job board. Sure, this probably isn’t a “trend” related to writing your resume, but it’s a quickly changing shift in how job seekers are using their resumes. I foresee a swift decline in the number of job seekers using job boards this coming year. The employers have already jumped off that bandwagon and found more cost-effective means to find new employees. It’s about time you jumped ship, too. And while I’m on that topic, let me just say this about that. I am not against job boards. I am against the misconception that job boards are the exclusive way to find a job and that a job seeker’s efforts should be focused exclusively online. This creates frustration and despair for far too many people. Trend #4: The networking resume Have you thought about putting together a quick snapshot of your accomplishments and value proposition that you can pass out to your network? Something short, visually engaging, and benefit loaded? A quick snapshot of what you do and the value you offer gives your network a fuller picture of what you do and can actually help them spread the word about your expertise to interested employersâ€"or even think of contacting you if they hear about a great opportunity that aligns with your skill set. Think about a quick, one-page bio-type of document that doesn’t necessarily cull through your entire career history but instead offers a glimpse into the value and expertise you can offer a future employer and highlights your achievements and successes most relevant to your career target now. Sure, it may not be the ideal piece to put in the hands of a prospective employerâ€"BUT if you’re networking with family, friends, or connections, some people are more visually inclined. So being able to *see* what you do can help them to help you even more! Trend #5: Visual engagement Notice a recurring theme with my top resume trends for 2015? I believe a picture is worth a thousand wordsâ€"and if a picture is worth a thousand words… Well, then a graph or chart is worth thousands of dollars. Have you ever wondered why magazines are so popular? The color, the graphics, and the layout. I’m not proposing that your resume be a magazine by any means, but maybe there’s something there about the appeal. I mean, there has to be a reason whyâ€"that on averageâ€"each household has eight magazine subscriptions. Yes, you read that rightâ€"eight per household. By leveraging the use of visually engaging elements within your resume such as charts, graphs, graphic design pieces, borders, shading, call-out boxes, breakaway text, and so on, you’re maximizing the impact of the most persuasive content, engaging your reader so they continue readingâ€"and most importantly, you’re making a memorable first impression. Trend #6: Inclusion of video I’m fairly certain that video resumes will never actually replace written ones. But that doesn’t mean that they won’t become a powerful complement to them. More and more job seekers are starting to create 30-second intro videos so employers can get a better feel for the person’s personality, presence, and cultural fit within the organization. Including a link on your resume to your video resume or 30-second video introduction could prove to be an effective competitive advantage over your competition. It will all come down to your script and how you present yourself on the video. I encourage you to consider creating one and including a link to it on your resume and your LinkedIn profile. It helps to create a connection with a potential employer and gives them a glimpse into who you are and why you would be an asset to their organization. Trend #7: Writing to the audience Job seekers are starting to become very savvy about being focused in their job searches. It doesn’t take long to figure out that what a recruiter is looking for in a resume and cover letter and what a potential employer/target company is looking for can be quite different. The thing with recruiters is that they each have a different opinion of what they want to see in a resume. We always advise our clients to customize their resumes to the specifications of the recruiter with whom they’re working because that recruiter knows his/her clients and knows what they like to see. What that recruiter will want to see will be different from how you would position yourself if you were applying directly to a targeted company, and if you were sending it straight to your contact or the decision maker at the organization. Your resume will be customized to the specific opening and show how you can address any needs and pain points that company currently has. Just know this… there is no one-size-fits-all resume. People who pick up on this and create specific resumes to match targeted positions or situations will see much better resume response rates. I’d love to hear what you think the top resume trends will be in 2015. Feel free to leave a comment below letting me know your thoughts. And in the meantime, let’s connect on LinkedIn. Want to work with us? If you would like us to personally work on your resumeâ€"and dramatically improve its response rateâ€"then check out our professional and executive resume writing services at www.greatresumesfast.com or contact us for more information if you have any questions. Related Posts Boring Old Resume Objective Vs. Branding Statement How To Craft The Opening Statement Of Your Resume Creating A Personal Branding Statement For An IT Resume About the author Jessica Holbrook Hernandez, CEO of Great Resumes Fast is an expert resume writer, career and personal branding strategist, author, and presenter. Want to work with the best resume writer? If you would like us to personally work on your resume, cover letter, or LinkedIn profileâ€"and dramatically improve their response ratesâ€"then check out our professional and executive resume writing services at GreatResumesFast.com or contact us for more information if you have any questions.   Disclosure: This post is sponsored by a CAREEREALISM-approved expert. You can learn more about expert posts here. Photo Credit: Shutterstock Have you joined our career growth club?Join For Free!