Wednesday, November 27, 2019

The 5 Undeniable Limitations of Using Online Resume Builders

The 5 Undeniable Limitations of Using Online Resume BuildersThe 5 Undeniable Limitations of Using Online Resume BuildersThe 5 Undeniable Limitations of Using Online Resume BuildersIn todays age of cut-throat competition, a professionally-crafted, error-free resume is your sole weapon to beat your rivals into getting that coveted job you always desired. However, professional resume writing can be a tedious task. If you have just finished college, and are looking to launch your career, you must be at a loss to say mora than just listing your qualification. And if you have been working for a long time now, you must be facing the dilemma of compressing your entire career in a single page or two. Now, that is exactly where an erreichbar resume builder can help. However, everything is not hunky dory with these programs, as they come with their own share of flaws.Here we shall explore the 5 main limitations of online resume builders.1 Limited FlexibilityThe major limitation of online resume builders is that is they work purely online, and lack the functionality to enable the user to save a copy of their resume in other word processing software like Microsoft Word. Often, you have limited options of modifying the resume most of the time you can just print out whatever you have updated online. This makes it a tad difficult for people who wish to apply for several different positions at the same time, or if they intend to alter their resume to fit the requirements of different positions that theyre applying for. Some resume builders provide your resume in a portable document format format, which again limits you from updating it further.2 Restricted Choice of Spelling GrammarYour resume doesnt just reflect your passion for the job, but also speaks oodles about your professional capabilities. Speaking of professional capabilities, the one skill that appeals to every employer is perfectionism. Needless to say, perfectionism, like efficiency is a desirable skill in every p rospective employee, and nothing proves perfectionism more than a next to perfect resume. In addition to highlighting your credentials elaborately, you also need to make sure to use proper spelling and grammar. Not just that, whenever you are applying for a position in America, you need to use American spelling plus grammar. Likewise, if you are applying to a company based in New Zealand, you will have to use Australian English while writing your resume. This flexibility of language choice is not available with an online resume builder. Often, you are restricted to using U.S/U.K English, and in case you end up applying for a company based outside of U.S, this would come across as a poor attempt to your befhigung employer.3 Restricted Choice of FormatsAnother limitation with resume builders is that they mostly offer a limited choice of formats. Predesigned statements and boring, cookie-cutter templates lower the authenticity of your resume considerably. Most online resume builders te nd to stick to the basics, such as providing templates and a place for online resume editing and display, and allowing employers to contact you via a personal resume address. Ideally, this is good enough for people who are hard-pressed for time, and applying for a number of positions simultaneously. But suppose you are a graphic designer or a TV newscaster with an impeccable portfolio. Obviously, you would need to represent your resume in a visual manner. And for this purpose, you may need to use your online resume information for a different purpose, like professional networking, rather than routine job searching.Your prospective employers schmelzglas/ desk will be stacked with piles of curriculum vitae from interested candidates, and thus, your resume will get no more than 20 seconds of evaluation time. Within that limited time frame, you will have to capture your potential employers attention and entice them into reading the entire resume. That is exactly why it is mandatory to s how personality and creativity while carving out a resume, because these are what you need to fit into any profession, and any company. Now, the problem with online resume builders is that they mete out canned statements, and artificial templates that come across as too generalized and dull. And, if you are aspiring to build you career in a company or profession that practically thrives on creativity, say fashion, or event management, a resume builder is probably the last thing you would want to bank on.4 Restricted UsageSometimes, the license for using an online resume builder is only valid for a single person, and sometimes, a single resume, meaning if you have shelled out a decent sum of money to use the builder, you may not be permitted to use it for another family member or friend, or more than once for yourself. Moreover, free usage is not always free, and sometimes you may be required to pay a free before printing or saving your resume. Many a time, free usage is limited to a 21 or 30-day trial. This limitation of use is a big disadvantage for people who are applying for jobs on a tight budget.5 Limited ProtectionThere are various security concerns of updating your personal details online. There is a huge chance of being bombarded with spam upon providing your personal email address in resume builders. Statistics show that online resumes are easy bait for identity thieves and those who are seeking to do all kinds of harm. While many resume builders do give you the option to create an exclusive email account for further use with your online resumes, the security risk is still very much present.Ending NoteWhile there are a few limitations of online resume builders, they are not all that bad- in fact, they are a boon ti newbie graduates and job-seekers who are completely stalled in their attempts to create an error-free, professionally-crafted resume. However, the truth is that they must be used in moderation. An online resume is a good place to start, tho ugh it should never be your end product. Instead, its always better to take a template and modify it with a personal touch to craft a final product that is creative, interesting, and a true reflection of your personality. Needless to say, a resume like this is sure to capture the attention of any employer, and play a pivotal role in shaping your career in the long run.

Friday, November 22, 2019

How to Ask for Help When You Actually Really Need It

How to Ask for Help When You Actually Really Need ItHow to Ask for Help When You Actually Really Need It In todays work world, being a self-starter who can handle anything with minimal intervention from your superiors is a highly-prized personality trait. The ability to problem solve independently is one of the marks of a creative, intelligent employee, which is essentially what employers are looking for. That being said, there are absolutely times in your career when you wont be able to complete a task or project on your own, and in those cases, you really do need to ask for help . While it might bedrngnis feel like your best moment, part of being a professional is being able to recognize when you cant do something on your own and then effectively recruit others to lend a hand. Heres how to do it efficiently and with grace.Im not koranvers its easy for anyone to ask for help at work, says Jada Willis, Founder and Chief HR Advisor at Willis HR Advisory Group . For some reason, we all believe we are professional superheros that shouldnt make mistakes or have questions, she adds. The truth is, we all need help every now and then, and thats totally fine. So when you realize you really cant do something by yourself, dont try to sweep it under the rug. The good news is that the majority of the human population will give help when asked appropriately, Willis says. 2. If possible, dont go straight to your boss. Your manager is probably busy, and though they should be willing to help you when you need it, experts say you should look to your peers first, when feasible. Your c oworkers and colleagues all have a unique skill set . Whatever the problem is that you are having, go to the individual that has had the most success in the past with the skill set needed to fix the problem, recommends Willis. When approaching this individual, be sure to share your understanding of their expertise and be clear that you are seeking their help , she says. T hat way, youre acknowledging youre coming to them because you respect their mastery of this skill set, not because youre lazy. Your supervisor should be the last resort, Willis continues. Thats because as your supervisor, your boss wants to know that you did everything possible on your own before coming to them. Of course, if your boss is the only person in your company with the skills or knowledge to help you, then you should go to them first.3. Understand your boss priorities before you ask them for help. If you do end up having to go to your boss, make sure you have taken their perspective into account first. You must identify your boss values, says Maelisa Hall , psychologist and career coach. Basically, you dont want to bother them with tasks that dont fit with whats really important to them. Ask yourself if what youre working on lines up with their priorities before you walk into their office for assistance. The way you go about asking counts, too. Some bosses hate emaille be cause they get too many emails. Others may hate random phone calls because it interrupts them for non-urgent issues. If you know the best way to reach your boss, youre more likely to get a positive response, Hall adds. Before reaching out to anyone else, determine whether you need an answer or an approach, suggests Leila Bulling Towne, executive coach and founder of the Bulling Towne Group . When you ask your manager for an answer, you ask for a decision- an explicit judgment. Its a closed-door discussion. When you ask your manager for an approach, you ask for suggestions or a direction on how to accomplish a task. Its a dialogue, a conversation, she explains. Knowing exactly what youre looking for will make it easier to phrase your questions clearly and efficiently. This strategy also cuts down on the need for follow-ups, since youve already determined exactly what you need.The best way to make sure youll be able to get help when you need it? By being available to help others wh en they need it. Be kind to your coworkers and always offer assistance to others, knowing that may be you in their shoes one day, advises Hall. People unconsciously want to repay you when you offer them help so building up that karma savings account can have a huge payoff when you need a favor yourself.

Thursday, November 21, 2019

What to Look For in Contract Administrator Jobs

What to Look For in Contract Administrator JobsWhat to Look For in Contract Administrator JobsIf youre interested in contract administrator jobs, your timing couldnt be better.Contract administrators manage a crucial function in law firms and corporate legal departments. They draft and negotiate new contracts, solve conflicts that arise from existing contracts and oversee the closeout process when a contract has been fulfilled.They also put strong technical skills to work while managing the contract database and using other programs to create contract boilerplates, track progress toward contractual obligations, and ensure contractor payments are accurate and on time.So its no wonder that demand for these professionals in the legal field is growing. If youre one of them, this strong demand might have you leaning toward looking for a job with a new company. But how will you know if its the right opportunity? Here are a few things to consider as youre interviewing and searching for new contract administrator jobsSalary and benefitsBefore you head into interviews, visit the Robert Half Legal Salary Center to find out what other contract administrator jobs in your raum are paying. That way, if you get an offer, youll immediately know if its competitive.Dont look only at the annual salary, though. Factor in the medical, dental and retirement benefits, along with any other perks you might be getting, such as free food or telecommuting. The benefits might be good enough to justify taking a slightly lower salary than you expected.Opportunities for career growthWith enough years of experience and expertise, employees in contract administrator jobs can become contract managers. If career advancement is important to you, make sure the contract department is large enough to allow you to move up and that the company is open to promoting from within.Also ensure that the firm is willing to invest in training. New technological tools for managing databases and creating contract s are constantly being developed, and you want to make sure you can keep up with any changes that will make you more efficient and better at your job.Read the Future Law Office report Technology Reshapes the Legal Support Profession.The firms mission and cultureAs you evaluate contract administrator jobs, set aside time to learn about the organizations mission. If you believe in the firms principles and goals, youre more likely to work hard and enjoy your job.Also find out what you can about the company culture. If you prefer a more casual, easygoing workplace, youll likely find it difficult to thrive in an arbeitszimmer where suits are required and the hierarchy is so strict that partners rarely leave their top floor offices to consult with associates and legal support professionals.The structure of the contracts and procurement departmentFinally, try to learn about the staffing structure and technical capabilities of the specific department youd be joining. You want to be sure tha t theres a well-equipped support staff in place to help you create and track contracts, as well as the IT tools necessary to do your job effectively.Searching for contract administrator jobs can be exciting, but it can also be nerve-wracking when youre worried about whether youre doing the right thing. If you keep these things in mind throughout the job search and hiring process, youll be more likely to choose the opportunity that fits your abilities, ambitions and working style.Subscribe to the Robert Half newsletter and youll get articles and resources to help you land a new job and succeed in your career - all sent directly to your inbox.