Saturday, May 30, 2020

Association Executive Looking for Work Anywhere How to Find a Job in an Association

Association Executive Looking for Work Anywhere How to Find a Job in an Association Charlotte Weeks is the expert on the March 5th Ask the Expert call about working in the association industry.  This is a monthly no-cost webinar register here right now and youll get email reminders so you dont miss the call. I got an email from Ted Pierce, association executive in the San Francisco Bay Area, who says: Im an association executive looking for work in the San Francisco Bay Area and elsewhere. I find there arent enough jobs in the Bay Area serving my profession. There are very few people in my expanding Bay Area network who can help me find this kind of work. Most trade associations and professional societies are located in Sacramento or Washington, D.C. The people I network with in Sacramento are not very open or helpful. Washington, D.C. employers dont seem to take me seriously because I live in Walnut Creek, CA even though Im willing to relocate with my family if given an offer. What should I do? Next week (March 5) at 9am Mountain Time we are jumping on an Ask the Expert webinar with Charlotte Weeks, who wrote I Want to Work in an Association Now What??? Here is Charlottes response to Ted: I’m a big supporter of anyone who wants to work in the association industry. Associations are known as great employers, lead the pack when it comes to benefits, and provide pay that is often comparable to  corporations. Plus, as associations focus on serving a group of individuals united by a common cause, (often a trade or industry) these nonprofits emphasize adding value to their members over the bottom line. I have heard many association employees say that it’s the best of both worlds an opportunity to make a difference, while still making a good living. Now back to Ted’s dilemma. He’s right getting a job in a different part of the country can be challenging. Even for locals, organizations usually prefer referrals. Still, there are ways to build your relationships with decision makers in the association industry, whether they are in your hometown or in another city. First, remember to JOIN associations. Many association employees start to think of them solely as employers and forget that there are organizations that support them â€" associations for associations. The main one is ASAE, which is headquartered in Washington D.C. As a member, you’ll have access to 21,000 association professionals located throughout the country. In addition, almost every state has an individual association. Ted, for example, could join the California Society of Association Executives, where he can get to know association professionals in different parts of the state. Second, Ted mentions that many of the people he has been networking with haven’t been very open or helpful. I have noticed that a lot of people WANT to help, but don’t feel they have anything to give. Of course, they probably realize you’re looking for work and if they don’t have a job lead â€" the conversation ends. Fortunately, there’s a solution! You can still establish a connection with someone and gain valuable information by following the REAP acronym. This stands for Read, Events, Activities, and People. As an example, you can ask a new connection, “Are there any other association professionals in Sacramento that you recommend I speak with?” or “What industry events do you regularly attend?” This also takes the pressure off of your contact which in turn could lead them to feel more comfortable networking with you in the future. Finally, be sure to provide value to your networking contacts. You can follow the REAP format in reverse (i.e. pass on interesting articles or let them know if any activities they may want to attend). The key is to do this consistently â€" while it won’t open overnight, taking the time to build high-quality relationships will lead to more connections and job leads! There are thousands and thousands of associations. I went to an AESE conference once and was amazed at how many associations were represented. In my job search I never thought of an association as a target company, but maybe you should? Sign up to join us next week as Charlotte and I talk more about getting a job in associations. Association Executive Looking for Work Anywhere How to Find a Job in an Association Charlotte Weeks is the expert on the March 5th Ask the Expert call about working in the association industry.  This is a monthly no-cost webinar register here right now and youll get email reminders so you dont miss the call. I got an email from Ted Pierce, association executive in the San Francisco Bay Area, who says: Im an association executive looking for work in the San Francisco Bay Area and elsewhere. I find there arent enough jobs in the Bay Area serving my profession. There are very few people in my expanding Bay Area network who can help me find this kind of work. Most trade associations and professional societies are located in Sacramento or Washington, D.C. The people I network with in Sacramento are not very open or helpful. Washington, D.C. employers dont seem to take me seriously because I live in Walnut Creek, CA even though Im willing to relocate with my family if given an offer. What should I do? Next week (March 5) at 9am Mountain Time we are jumping on an Ask the Expert webinar with Charlotte Weeks, who wrote I Want to Work in an Association Now What??? Here is Charlottes response to Ted: I’m a big supporter of anyone who wants to work in the association industry. Associations are known as great employers, lead the pack when it comes to benefits, and provide pay that is often comparable to  corporations. Plus, as associations focus on serving a group of individuals united by a common cause, (often a trade or industry) these nonprofits emphasize adding value to their members over the bottom line. I have heard many association employees say that it’s the best of both worlds an opportunity to make a difference, while still making a good living. Now back to Ted’s dilemma. He’s right getting a job in a different part of the country can be challenging. Even for locals, organizations usually prefer referrals. Still, there are ways to build your relationships with decision makers in the association industry, whether they are in your hometown or in another city. First, remember to JOIN associations. Many association employees start to think of them solely as employers and forget that there are organizations that support them â€" associations for associations. The main one is ASAE, which is headquartered in Washington D.C. As a member, you’ll have access to 21,000 association professionals located throughout the country. In addition, almost every state has an individual association. Ted, for example, could join the California Society of Association Executives, where he can get to know association professionals in different parts of the state. Second, Ted mentions that many of the people he has been networking with haven’t been very open or helpful. I have noticed that a lot of people WANT to help, but don’t feel they have anything to give. Of course, they probably realize you’re looking for work and if they don’t have a job lead â€" the conversation ends. Fortunately, there’s a solution! You can still establish a connection with someone and gain valuable information by following the REAP acronym. This stands for Read, Events, Activities, and People. As an example, you can ask a new connection, “Are there any other association professionals in Sacramento that you recommend I speak with?” or “What industry events do you regularly attend?” This also takes the pressure off of your contact which in turn could lead them to feel more comfortable networking with you in the future. Finally, be sure to provide value to your networking contacts. You can follow the REAP format in reverse (i.e. pass on interesting articles or let them know if any activities they may want to attend). The key is to do this consistently â€" while it won’t open overnight, taking the time to build high-quality relationships will lead to more connections and job leads! There are thousands and thousands of associations. I went to an AESE conference once and was amazed at how many associations were represented. In my job search I never thought of an association as a target company, but maybe you should? Sign up to join us next week as Charlotte and I talk more about getting a job in associations.

Tuesday, May 26, 2020

New Attorneys How to Steal the Show at Your Law Firm Interview

New Attorneys How to Steal the Show at Your Law Firm Interview As a new attorney, the process of obtaining your first job can be exhilarating when your hard work pays off and you receive a call for an interview; at the same time, the process can be intimidating when you consider the numerous other new attorneys also answering those calls. From the day you took the LSAT to the moment you sat for the bar your focus has been on presenting yourself well on paper. Even the resume and cover letter that have led to your sought-after interview presented your skills and talents as just written words. But now you have an interview, and the telling of your story goes live. Are you ready? Todd Tenge, founder of a personal injury firm in Colorado, was once a new attorney, too. These days, he sits in the interviewer’s chair. As a welcome to the profession, Todd has put together a guide for you, the new lawyer in town. With step-by-step advice, compiled from experts, this guide will help you make the leap from new attorney to a member of the firm. Prepare for the spotlight First, you should know that your interview starts well before you sit down across a desk from an interviewer and answer questions. Often, the selection of a new attorney is a multi-step process that begins with a review of your resume and a little online research about you by the firm. To present yourself well in this phase, ensure that your resume is focused on your skills and expertise, concise, professional, and formatted in an easy-to-read fashion. Additionally, if you have not already done so, now is the time to clean up your online presence. Once you join a law firm, your behavior on and off the job become a part of that firm’s reputation. Your chances of being hired may suffer if a search of your name brings up embarrassing or controversial information. If you can’t eliminate troubling online facts, be prepared to address them if asked during the interview. Take the stage After you’ve made it through the preliminary review phase, it’s time to take the stage. This is the point at which visuals become critical. The experts agree: you must dress well. In fact, your appearance goes beyond just the suit or jacket you choose. Your clothes, accessories, and grooming are all forms of non-verbal communication that reveal clues about your personality. Make sure that your briefcase or bag is well cared for and that your accessories are limited and not distracting. You want the interview to be about you, not your flashy tie or dangling earrings. Know your lines You can expect questions about your resume at some point during your interview. This document should be memorized. You should not need to refer to your resume to answer questions about dates or grades. By answering without hesitation, you will demonstrate your ability to arrive well prepared for a particular occasion. Be prepared to answer off-resume questions adeptly and without faltering, too. Attorneys regularly need to be able to make quick decisions and offer solid advice based on multiple factors. You will demonstrate that you possess these skills by answering questions in a way that conveys your knowledge of not only your goals, but also how they fit into the overall structure of the interviewing firm. Don’t forget the encore The show isn’t over when the interview is finished. Thank your audience. A handwritten thank-you note is still expected following a formal interview. Don’t rely on an email for this important step. The day after the interview, write a personal note to each person with whom you met. Only after you’ve sent a handwritten note is it acceptable to email a follow-up to inquire about your candidacy. Enjoy your new role Settling into a new  role can be difficult. But as a new attorney you’ve moved off the page and onto the stage. May you have a long and successful run. About the author: Todd Tenge is the founder and managing partner of Tenge Law Firm, LLC.

Saturday, May 23, 2020

Postgraduate study made clearer University of Manchester Careers Blog

Postgraduate study made clearer University of Manchester Careers Blog Thinking about postgraduate study but got a few questions? Here are the answers to the top 5 postgraduate related questions the information team are getting asked about at the moment. How do I apply? For the majority of   postgraduate course you submit you application directly to the universities you are interested in attending.     You will usually be asked to complete an application form including a personal statement. When do I need to apply by? If you are interested in Dentistry, Medicine, Law or teacher training there are set deadlines for applications. See the GTTR, Law Central Application Board and UCAS for the relevant deadlines. However for the majority of courses there is no official deadline. Applications will be accepted until all places are full.  As with job vacancies we would recommend that you get you applications in as soon as possible to avoid dissapointment as many popular courses do fill up quickly. If you are applying for a funded place you will need to get your application in as early as possible to give yourself the best chance. Check with individual institutions for more information and for deadlines. Where can I find funding? Postgraduate study can be very expensive and the majority of people will look for help with financing their studies. If you are thinking of studying for Masters finding funding may be tricky. However some universities may offer sponsorship. Contact the admissions tutors to discuss this and any other possible help the university may be able to provide. If you are considering studying for a PhD more funding opportunities exist. Funding can be gained through studentships offered by individual institutions as well as relevant research councils. For more information on funding a postgraduate qualification either at Masters or PhD level see our guide ‘Postgraduate study and funding UK and Overseas’.  Also search for opportunities using Careerslink and Prospects postgraduate funding database. What if I want to study abroad? The idea of studying abroad appeals many people and opportunities exist around the world to do this.   The most popular destinations   include European destinations and the USA. Start you research with these useful resources: Prospects have a range of country profiles with information on studying in specific countries. Our country pages will also give you advice on studying   in specific locations For information on studying in European countries see these useful AGCAS country profiles For information about study in the USA see our country page, Prospects profile and the Fulbright Commission website who can offer funding and support to students who need to get a study visa. Is it right for me? This is the most important question of them all. To help you make the decision consider these questions carefully: Is the course required for the profession or career you are interested in e.g. teaching, librarianship or allied medical professions? Do employers value the course, is it mentioned as desirable is job descriptions? Are you interested in a career in academia? If so a PhD is likely to be required. Can you realistically afford it? All Graduate

Monday, May 18, 2020

Review Your CV With These 5 Easy Steps

Review Your CV With These 5 Easy Steps You have a CV well, hopefully you have a CV, and if you havent got it reviewed yet, why not use the steps below to do an initial review of your CV? These are the first steps to creating a professionally-looking CV. Dont worry if you dont have a CV just download our CV templates. Anyway, here are 5 points to help you review your CV: 1. Get Rid of Any Tables â€" If you have any tables in your CV, get rid of them. There are two reasons for this. Firstly, a recruiter initially reviews your CV (for further reading) in about 10 seconds max. Tables mean that the flow of reading changes between vertical and horizontal mode. Not ideal. Secondly, if your CV is going into an automated system, then these ‘robots’ can’t parse tables correctly. Not your mistake, but you need to adapt to the technology. 2. Keep Content in Chronological Order â€" This is generally true of a lot of things but its particularly important to keep things in chronological order on your CV. From the latest to the oldest whether that be experience, qualifications, or education. The reasons for that are the following: a.              It shows poor organisation if you jumble things up and bad organisation isnt a skill any employer would want from their employees. b.        Presenting things in order on a CV makes for a smooth and logical flow of the text. Recruiters look at tens of CVs every day, so make their job easier by providing information clearly. 3. Spelling Mistakes and Grammar â€" Wuold you like it if I worte like this? Do I eeven show any credebelity with what I have just written? No. But it is still easy to read. That is just how easy it is to make spelling mistakes. I still get CVs for review with spelling mistakes. And these CVs have been sent to employers. Have a look at your CV now and get rid of any mistakes you find. Now youve done the hard work, have a look at some generally funny resume mistakes. 4. Stick to Keywords and Bullet Points â€" Your CV  is like a sales script or an ad about you. You’ve got to tell in as few words as possible how awesome you are and what skills you have. Keywords is what recruiters or even automated systems look for. It makes their job easier. Bullet points help you stick to the key points, be concise and have maximum impact. 5. It’s Your CV, Not Art â€" Unless you are a direct descendant of Michaelangelo, Vincent Van Gogh or the other big guys in the art world, please do not draw, add images or clip art to your CV. Get rid of those smileys and border lines. And no, Im not joking I’ve seen people do this. Thats it, folks! Remember its these small steps that increase your chances overall. These points are a few of the criteria that we review CVs against. Head over to www.careergeekpro.com and have a look at our amazing  CV Diet Package  which can help you get your CV reviewed and improved right away.  photo credit: Zach Klein via photopin cc 56

Friday, May 15, 2020

How to Get Started on Writing a Resume

How to Get Started on Writing a ResumeToday there are many web resources that offer assistance in writing a resume. With the explosion of the internet the number of opportunities to learn online has never been greater. Individuals that don't want to spend the time or invest the money to get a college degree are able to improve their skills at home.You may not have had a lot of work experience, but you can take advantage of these free websites to help you learn how to write a resume. They will provide information about writing a resume, how to develop a cover letter and how to get into the job market. All of these will prove to be very helpful when you try to create a resume that shows you have the necessary skill to get a job quickly.One of the web resources that offer assistance in writing a resume is called Resume Wisp. This website will let you take advantage of their free virtual resume maker. These people are professionals and will be able to help you write a resume that is prof essional and reflects your interests and abilities.You will be able to explore a free online resume generator and see the wonderful work that has been done. You will be able to input your desired dates of employment, educational experiences and skill sets. The creator will produce a neat looking resume that will showcase all of your talents and experience.You will then be asked to make a few minor changes in the way you present yourself and you will need to select a format for your resume to get a presentable layout. This is a great way to get started. This resume is also good if you want to go back and forth with a prospective employer as they can simply print out your resume and return it to you.Thisis a great resource for individuals that are in the beginning stages of their job search. It is not a time consuming process, so you can learn by doing. You won't get lost in the large number of resumes that are submitted to numerous employers, which is a nice luxury.You can still use a free resume maker to create a resume, but you will have to take some precautions. The resume you create should be a reflection of yourself, your skills and your accomplishments. You should make sure that your resume looks good on paper and on the computer screen.If you are unsure of what you want to put on your resume, then you can also use a template. Many web resources that offer assistance in writing a resume will provide free templates. Don't be afraid to use a template, they are easy to use and they will help you create a professional resume.

Tuesday, May 12, 2020

The New LinkedIn Profile Improvement Tool - CareerEnlightenment.com

Certifications and PublicationsAs a job seeker, you should always look for ways to differentiate yourself from the crowd. Most of your competition will overlook these sections (unless they are reading this blog post too!).If your job requires you to have a certification then clearly you should include it here. But also being able to show that you’ve published content will really accelerate you in the eyes of a recruiter or hiring manager.A publication could be just an article in a local magazine, an ebook, or a published interview. Publications can be dragged up to the top of your profile to highlight featured items.Projects and Work SamplesIf you have ever worked on a project in your work history, then I would strongly advise you to include it here. A résumé is great for showing what you’ve done in the past. But talking about and demonstrating your actual work can show a hiring manager what you could do for them in the future.If you can’t think of a project right away, just enter in a sample project so that later you can edit it directly without having to go through the Improve Your Profile Tool all over again.

Friday, May 8, 2020

When Should You Seek Legal Action Against Your Employer - CareerAlley

When Should You Seek Legal Action Against Your Employer - CareerAlley We may receive compensation when you click on links to products from our partners. For many employees, their relationships with their employer will never be cause for concern or an issue, however, some employees may have reason to pursue legal action. If your employer has stopped you from exercising your legal rights or their conduct towards you has been wrongful then you may need to consider taking legal action. Employees in most countries have significant rights and legal protection against unfair treatment, and this gives you good grounding when making a claim. But when should you seek legal action against your employer? Discrimination is one of the most common reasons that employees take out legal action against their employer. Discrimination is when your employer treats you unfairly or differently because of personal characteristics or who you are as a person. Tweet This Taking legal action is a serious step, and before you decide to take legal action against your employer its best to sit down and have a level headed conversation with them first to see if you can come to an agreement. Many workplace grievances can be solved through communication and this could avoid a misunderstanding being turned into something more serious. When sitting down with your employer here are a few things to try and remember: Know your rights do some research on the issue you are raising so that you can point out any wrongdoing against you. Knowing your rights gives you the power to argue your case and shows your employer that you know what you are talking about and mean to take this seriously. Be discreet all workplace issues should be discussed in private to avoid affecting the atmosphere of the rest of the workplace. Ask for a private meeting and conduct the conversation in a professional, private setting, not the hallway, local cafe, or in the elevator. Have a plan before you go into your meeting write a brief plan of the conversation you want to have, write down any key points you want to make to ensure you dont miss out on any important information. Dont be afraid to take your plan into the meeting with you and also present any evidence you may have that supports your claim, such as any emails or proof of wrongdoing. Try to stay level headed workplace issues can be emotional but try to leave your emotions at the door in order to have a civilised conversation. You may be angry or upset but this wont help you get what you want. Stay composed even if your employer doesnt. Follow up once you have had your meeting follow up with your employer in writing and document any important notes. If you left the meeting with next steps then be sure to check in on any actions they have promised you as failure to do so could be grounds for filing a lawsuit. If you have spoken with your employer and the issue cannot be resolved or talking with your employer isnt an option at all, then it may be time to peruse legal action. There are many reasons why you may wish to take legal action out against your employer, but the most common are outlined below. Unfair or unlawful dismissal Dismissal is when your employer ends your employment. It is not illegal for an employer to fire an employee but is unlawful if they do it without good reason or without following the proper protocol. Being dismissed for the following would be seen as an example of unfair or unlawful dismissal: Joining a trade union Taking part in industrial action that lasted 12 weeks or less Needing time off for jury service Being on paternity or maternity leave when you were dismissed Being denied a break Exposing wrongdoing in your workplace Discrimination Discrimination is one of the most common reasons that employees take out legal action against their employer. Discrimination is when your employer treats you unfairly or differently because of personal characteristics or who you are as a person. In the UK, The Equality Act 2010 highlights 9 protected characteristics, these are: Age Gender Race Disability Religion Pregnancy and maternity Sexual orientation Gender reassignment Marriage and civil partnership These characteristics are protected at every phase of employment, including at the recruitment stage which means if you feel you were discriminated against because of one of these characteristics whilst at an interview then you may have reason to seek legal action against the company, even if they are not your employer. There are a few instances where you may be denied employment for one of the 9 protected reasons and it is not a case of discrimination. Such as if you were applying for a role which required significant physical tests this would put older candidates at a disadvantage. Image by mohamed Hassan from Pixabay Harassment Harassment in the workplace can be of a sexual nature, such as touching or inappropriate comments but can also include workplace violence and bullying. Taking legal action against harassment is important to not only stop the current harassment from continuing but for preventing future occurrences of harassment against others. Your employer is required by law to investigate harassment claims and their failure to do so is also grounds to pursue legal action against them. Workplace injury As an employee, you have the right to a safe working environment and its your employers responsibility to put measures in place to keep you safe while on the job. If youve been injured while at work then you could be owed compensation and its worth researching workers compensation lawyers who can ensure you get the compensation owed to you for the severity of your claim. Most employers take out Employee Liability and Employee Compensation Insurance to cover any injury claims and most workplace injury lawsuits stem around challenges to the amount of compensation awarded or suing the employer for gross negligence should they fail to provide the basic measures to keep you safe. Some examples of workplace injuries you can claim for include: Slipping or falling due to inadequate signage Defective equipment or dangerous equipment Your employer not adhering to Health and Safety regulations Insufficient training or lack of training An assault at work Exposure to toxic substances Industrial injuries such as operating excessive vibration machinery Dangerous practices or procedures As an employee, it is your right to work in a safe and non-discriminatory environment. If you feel you have been affected by any of the above issues then speak to your employer and consider looking into legal action against them if you cannot resolve your disagreement. 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 find the opportunities that help you grow your best career. 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