5 Resume Mistakes to Avoid

Your resume is the first impression a potential employer has about you.  Don't make a bad impression by falling victim to these top 5 mistakes listed in the following article link. http://www.careerealism.com/resume-mistakes-worst-sins/#!

Stand Out! Tips to Get Your Resume Noticed

Today's market has become very competitive and in order to land that interview your resume needs to "shout!"  

The key to getting noticed by potential employers is differentiating your resume from the hundreds of thousands of other resumes they are looking at.  How do you do that?  The link from the University of Phoenix gives some great tips to help pull your resume and get you that interview!

http://www.phoenix.edu/forward/careers/2012/11/5-ways-to-get-your-resume-noticed.html?channel=socm&provider=linkedin&pvp_campaign=16397_8267_9_95&creative_desc=organic&keyword=li_o_status_getresumenoticed&mktg_prog=social#!

Tips for Giving a Speech

Audience falling asleep as you are presenting? Want to give a speech like a professional? Want to WOW your audience? You can, if you follow the tips in the article link. 

Practice, practice is what everyone says, but that's not the only essential part of giving a memorable speech.  Try to remember the tips these experts have listed, and you will have your audience walk away with something to remember.

http://www.linkedin.com/today/post/article/20131108024038-21564708-captivate-you-listeners-with-these-speaking-tips?trk=tod-home-art-list-large_0

Workplace Communication at your Fingertips

This blog includes all the information that we cover in class.  Links are provided to topics that you want to read about in depth and each gives you a great synopsis of workplace communication.  Read about adapting to your audience, how to deliver a negative message and formatting business letters and much more!

http://workplacecommunicationdoneright.blogspot.com/2011/01/indirect-or-direct-approach-for.html

Behavior Based Interviews

If you are currently interviewing, you need to prepare yourself for all sorts of interviewing techniques employers may utilize.  Traditional interview questions that include short answers of "yes," or "no" are less popular.  Employers are looking for more in-depth answers to better understand their candidate. 

Employers are using techniques such as behavior based questions when interviewing candidates.  This technique allows employers to determine what kind of person you are through specific examples you give and questions that place you in a situation and how you would resolve it.  A question may be, "Have you gone above and beyond the call of duty? If so, how?"  Depending on how you answered this question, employers are able to get a feel for the type of person you are and your work ethic. 

The following article describes what is behavior based interviewing and is specific to persons in sales.  How would you answer the questions? What is behavior based interviewing?  The article also touches upon your traditional interviewing scenario, but the focus is behavior based interviews.

Take a look at the article and gain some insight on this interviewing technique.  So, when you are faced with questions related to this, you are prepared.

http://www.careerealism.com/interviewing-sales-jobs/

Cover Letter Guidelines

One of the hardest parts of the job search process is writing a cover letter that helps pull you out of the crowd of other applicants.  Too often we reiterate what is written in the accompanying resume giving the employer no new information. 

The cover letter is about you and what sets you apart from everyone else.  The resume, like everyone else's, points out our work experience, skills and qualifications.  So how can you be unique?

Along with the guidelines in the link below, follow these tips:

• Use examples from your experiences that accentuate the position that you are applying for.  For example, if you are applying for a position of English as a Second Language, what makes you different from everyone else?  Briefly explain that you are an ESL speaker and you have a real world connection with those that are ESL.
• Use numbers.  Statistics and data are powerful.  Don't just write "increased profit."  Explain by what margin and how.  What techniques did you use, how were different strategies implemented.
• Real life connections.  Incorporate real life experiences and connections that other applicants may not have.

Remember not to repeat what you have in your resume, but to sell yourself in the cover letter.  Follow these tips and the guidelines from Careerealism and you'll have a greater chance of getting that interview.

http://www.careerealism.com/cover-letter-guidelines/

Profile on LinkedIn? The Do's and Don'ts

Social media, the way of the future.  Networking and social media have gained popularity over the last few years and one of those sites is LinkedIn.  A popular social networking  for professional occupations, LinkedIn, is becoming the way to help people connect with others in the same industry or to network.

As the trend becomes more and more technologically based, employers are turning to the Internet to research their prospective employees or if they are looking for employees, they are turning to websites like LinkedIn to find them.  But does your LinkedIn profile make the "I am the one" statement?  Is your profile working for you and employers want to contact you?

Not sure?  Read this article that highlights the important components that help sell YOU and how you can revamp your profile to help get you noticed.  Social media networking is the way to the future, make it happen for you!

http://www.phoenixfocus.com/2013-05/about-linkedin-profiles/#!

Tips to Writing Thank You Notes

Your resume got you the interview.  Your interview went without a problem and then you are asking yourself, "should I sent a thank you note?"

The answer is, YES!

Although this may seem old fashioned, it is good business etiquette to send a "thank you" note to your interviewers.  Not only does this give a positive impression, but it sets you apart from the competition.

So what will you include in the "thank you" note?  This article from the University of Phoenix outlines 5 tips to consider as you complete your "thank you."  Once you have read the tips and you write your note, ALWAYS make sure that you have spelled names correctly and that your grammar, spelling and punctuation is PERFECT!  You don't want to lose your chance of getting the job offer by mechanical errors.


http://www.phoenix.edu/forward/careers/2012/09/5-tips-for-handling-the-post-interview-thank-you-note.html#!

Performance Feedback. No News: Is it Good News?

We just finished discussing negative, positive feedback and how to properly give constructive criticism and this article outlines some of those points.  Job performance reviews or evaluations are an important practicum not only for the employer, but for the employee as well.  How will the employer know that their employees are doing a good job and performing well? How will the employee know they are doing a good job and that they are not in risk of losing their job based on their performance?

These are important questions that can be answered through feedback by managers and supervisors. Frequent two way feedback is an essential part of a company's overall success.  The ability to know where things lack and being able to resolve job performance, tasks, morale, efficiency helps to ensure all around success at every level.

Ultimately, it is up to you as the employer to be able to accept that feedback as a way to improve in your job. On the other hand, it is also the responsibility of the employer to give that feedback in a positive constructive manner so that employees understand that the feedback, although negative, is given to help improve.

https://www.linkedin.com/today/post/article/20130724133625-7668018-when-to-accept-or-reject-critical-feedback?trk=mp-reader-card#!

It's Your Time to Ask Questions to the Interviewer

So, you have been sitting for the last half hour answering the infamous "what are your strengths," "where do you see yourself in five years," and "why should we hire you?" questions from your potential employers. Then all of a sudden, the tables have turned and they ask you if you have any questions for THEM!

Do you just sit there and say no?

Of course NOT!

Nothing says you don't care about the company or that you came unprepared than not having at least three questions ready for the interviewer.  You may have more questions to ask, but these three are great starter questions for the employer and a chance to scaffold your questions as they answer.

Next time you are at an interview, remember these three questions in this article and you are sure to have made a positive impression at the interview! http://www.careerealism.com/top-interview-questions-you-should-ask/#!

Presentation? What Not To Say!

At one point or another we all have to make a presentation.  For some of us it is one of the most difficult things to do!  Although experts say practice, practice, practice (yes, that's one of the keys) you still need to be prepared to stay focused and not something that you'll later regret.

Under pressure we tend to blurt things out of nervousness, "I wasn't prepared for that," or "I forgot my notecards."  This signals to the audience many things and credibility isn't one of them.  To avoid such pitfalls and other "foot in mouth" scenarios take a look at this article that points out 10 things you shouldn't say during your presentation no matter how nervous you are!

The next time you make a presentation you will know what to say, how to say it and when to say it! Success! http://www.content-loop.com/10-things-you-should-never-say-during-presentations/#!

Five Things To Do and Not To Do In An Interview

So, your fine tuned resume got you that interview! Congrats!

Now it's time to prepare yourself for the interviewing process. You spend countless minutes, hours, days prepping the Q and A and finally you are ready to woe your potential employer over. During that preparation, did you consider the five things the following article explains?

Sometimes we go into an interview feeling confident and think we know how to answer "what's your weakness?" question and then when it is time to answer, everything is a mental disarray.  Your answers become long mumbled, unorganized thoughts, you forget what to say and when you respond, you immediately regret what you said! 

Avoid all that by reading this article and being better prepared for future interviews!  http://www.linkedin.com/today/post/article/20130930000841-15454-five-things-you-must-not-do-in-an-interview-and-five-things-you-must?trk=tod-home-art-list-large_0

Does your Resume tell the story about YOU?

Quite frankly, resumes can be boring and in a pile of hundreds, they all look the same.  The human resource person reads the same action verbs: "motivated," "collaborated," "implemented" and so forth.  In that pile, does your resume have a chance of "standing out" from the crowd?

Probably not, if you used the same cookie cutter descriptive words as the other candidates.  Set yourself apart by telling a "story" about you that's unique, memorable and includes a summary about who you are and your accomplishments.

The following link is a short story about a human resource manager who encountered the daily pile of boring resumes, and then one day she came across a resume and with one sentence changed her perspective on resumes.  Read the article and see how to set yourself apart from other candidates while conforming to the general guidelines of resume writing.  Who knows, that "one" unique sentence can land you that interview and ultimately that job! http://www.linkedin.com/today/post/article/20130927180803-52594-does-your-resume-tell-your-story

Working As A Team

As you finish your first assignment of working as a team, you may have encountered some setbacks along the way.  Like in the real world, setbacks and unforeseen circumstances arise and how you handle them as a team helps determine your success in reaching the final outcome.  Being prepared and knowing how to handle situations that you have never been in, allow you to learn from that experience and are better prepared in the future when working in a group.

The University of Phoenix identified 5 ways to work collaboratively in a team and some of the challenges that are faced.  You probably will come up with more, but these 5 are a starter and if you came across one of these in your group, did you handle it the way The University of Phoenix suggested, or did you handle in another way and it was a success?  Post a comment on how your group resolved issues with team members.

http://www.phoenix.edu/forward/careers/2013/09/5-ways-to-work-well-in-a-team.html#!

Impact of Texting Social Communication in the Corporate World

This article focuses on many of the topics that are discussed in our class such as proper email messages, using correct grammar, spelling, punctuation and oral and written communication.

Corporate America is seeing the impact that texting has on business communication; emoticons, acronyms and improper sentence structure.  This article is a small snapshot on what the business world is experiencing, and to help you recognize the importance of knowing how to write proper email and business messages whether they are oral or written. 

Hopefully, by reading this article and the impact that texting has on social communication you will take the suggestions and comments and become a better communicator.  By doing so, you will become even more successful in your career! http://artofeloquence.com/articles/texting/

Cross Cultural Barriers: How Do We Deal With Diversity?

Today, the world has become a diverse place.  In the workplace it is more evident than ever before that you will be working with persons from a different cultural background.  How do we overcome those cultural barriers that impact our business communications?

As discussed in class, identifying, respecting and accepting diversity will ensure productivity and a positive work environment.  Borders are coming down, the Internet has made it possible to communicate with people from around the world and doing business with different countries is becoming the new norm.  As you begin your career, this article is a great stepping stone to introduce you to those cross cultural barriers and how to deal with diversity so that your work environment is positive. http://www.mindtools.com/CommSkll/Cross-Cultural-communication.htm#!

LinkedIn. The New Place to Post Your Resume?

Is the traditional, paper resume the thing of the past?  Are social sites such as LinkedIn the new place employees will be posting resumes and recruiters?  Take a look at this article and see what the pros are saying about the future of job searching and social media. http://www.careerealism.com/resume-future/#chitika_close_button

Social Networking? Here's One Mistake You Need to Avoid

Do you have a Facebook, Twitter or any other kind of social networking account?  You're not the only that Googles other people; your potential employer will too. Here's the number social networking mistake you can avoid, so that you can get that job! http://www.careerealism.com/social-networking-mistake/#!

Your Body Language and What it Says

Body language is such a strong nonverbal cue that can give off the wrong message. Although there are many nonverbal cues, this article touches on five to avoid.  http://www.careerealism.com/job-body-language/#chitika_close_button

Dress for Success

Professionalism in the workplace has been facets:  communicating, listening, collaborating, work ethics, and appearance.  Much too often we overlook the way we dress for work; sometimes too casual, sometimes too formal.  Your appearance not only in your clothing but your overall grooming play an important role in the impression you want to make as a professional. 

The way you dress gives off nonverbal cues that can either be a positive or negative impact on your way to climbing the corporate ladder.  Be aware of what you are wearing when you step out the door; what kind of statement are you making?

http://www.careerealism.com/work-dress-success/

How to Get Your Email Message Noticed

We are bombarded by emails everyday.  In your inbox you have 256 emails waiting to be read, waiting for a response or waiting to be deleted.  How do you know which ones are worth the time? 

You don't know unless you have taken the task of doing what the following article suggests.  Most importantly, this article should apply to you as the sender, not only as the receiver.  So the next time you are creating a message, take a look at the article and you will have a better chance of having your message noticed.

http://www.linkedin.com/today/post/article/20130826201745-130311-how-to-get-busy-people-to-take-action-when-you-send-an-email

Handling Difficult Coworkers and/or Team Members

This article closely ties in with our book discussion of working together in groups and being able to collaborate effectively.  As we work in various jobs, we may encounter individuals who are difficult to work with and when it comes to decision making prove to be uncooperative. 

In college you are placed in teams for group projects.  Just like you will be working with colleagues in your career choice, you are working with classmates that are representative of these colleagues.  Being able to know how to handle everyone's personality and habits will make the outcome of your project and goals easier.

So how do you handle these people?  This article gives a glimpse of handling difficulty coworkers and some options to overcome the obstacles.  http://www.linkedin.com/today/post/article/20130822022815-75054000-how-to-handle-difficult-people?trk=tod-home-art-large_0

"What is your greatest weakness?"

You sent in your resume, received the phone call for an interview, scheduled your interview and now it's time for the interview.  Nervously, you have gone through potential questions your interviewer will ask and have a relative idea how to answer basic questions about your job and roles you have held at work.  Then, the dreaded "what is your greatest weakness" question is asked.  Do you answer by telling your potential employer a weakness, any weakness?  How DO you answer this question without sounding incompetent?

This article gives you a look at how to answer this question and how to make your weakness sound positive.  Take a look and hopefully the next time you are asked the question, you will answer with confidence and land that job!

http://www.careerealism.com/interview-question-ruins/#chitika_close_button

Creating your LinkedIn Profile: What to Include

Millions and millions of job seekers and professionals are turning to social media.  Just like your resume, cover letter, and interview your profile on social media websites needs to perfect and professional. 

As you develop your profile on sites such as www.linkedin.com, it is important to include information that is relevant to your goal of branching out meeting other professionals in your industry.  Many employers are looking at these sites to get background on their candidate, therefore it vital that what you include on profile is concise, error proof and outlines your objective.

Unfortunately, sometimes we are unsure of what to include and how to write our experience to make us stand out from the crowd.  The following site  http://linkhumans.com/blog/perfect-linkedin-profile outlines and specifies what a job seeker and professional should include on their LinkedIn profile to help them network.

Business Etiquette When You Write

The website www.careerealism.com is a great site to help a person as they prepare for the job market.  The following link is a perfect way to begin our semester and to give you some insight on what to do and not do and why it is important to be an effective communicator.  Writing a proper email, business letter and or quick text is vital in making an impression on your present employer or future employer!  Please leave any comments, suggestions or questions you may have! 

http://www.careerealism.com/business-etiquette-when-you-write/

Introduction to Business Communications Blog

This blog site has been developed for BCOM 2050 and 2080 students to assist them in becoming better communicators.  The site will provide a plethora of information that are in conjunction with the classroom material.

Students will be able to link to other websites to help them in becoming better writers and communicators in order to get the perfect job.  Information on resume writing, interviewing techniques, do's and don'ts in business writing and overall etiquette to set you apart from the competition.

I hope that you will be utilize this site to your advantage and share the useful tips with your friends and family.  Communication between students and instructor is urged, so please leave comments so that we learn together from each others experiences.