Should You Ever Dress Down for an Interview

Should You Ever Dress Down for an Interview Job interviews can be stressful, since you always want to make a great impression. You know that your interviewer’s first impression of you is important so you want to make sure that you look great and appropriate for the interview. Naturally, because of this need to impress, it is instinctive for everyone to dress up. Guys usually wear a suit, and ladies wear blazers paired with their slacks or dresses. There isn’t anything wrong with dressing up and in fact, this is the norm and what is expected when you are asked to attend a job interview. However, there are instances where dressing down is the best option when attending a job interview. As unbelievable as it may sound, yes, there are some cases where dressing casually for an interview will clinch you that job: Check: First, make sure that you check the instructions when you got the invitation for the job interview. If it tells you to dress down, then by all means, dress down. Remember though, that dressing down does not mean that you can wear shorts and a flimsy top to the interview. It only means that you can wear jeans, or light slacks, and a more casual top. If you are male, you can do away with the suit. You can wear chinos or khaki slacks, plus a button-up shirt. For ladies, you can wear a dress that isn’t revealing. Industry: Second, it is best that you consider the industry that you are applying for. Typically, a company set in the creative agency does not require you to dress up for a job interview. If you are applying as a part of the creative team for an advertising agency, you can even get away with wearing jeans to the job interview. Just make sure that your jeans aren’t dirty, they don’t have holes, and that you look presentable. If you are applying for a position in an IT company, you will also observe that most of the employees are dressed casually. It is best to follow the status quo, and dress similarly. Even if you are instructed to dress casually for the interview, remember that the general rules for dressing for a job interview still apply. Namely, do not wear anything that is revealing. Ladies should wear skirts of appropriate length. Refrain from flashing too much skin. Avoid wearing sleeveless tops, and please keep your cleavages covered. Make sure your pants are pressed, check if your clothes have stains and are wrinkled. Brush your hair; make sure you don’t have anything on your teeth. Ladies, it is best to apply some make-up, but don’t make it too heavy. Your normal, everyday make-up will work. Avoid wearing heavy perfume. A light scent will do. You are not going on a date, always remember that. In the end, your outfit will only take you until the first impression. It is still important that you make the right impression with your conversational skills, and your qualifications for the job. Just approach the interview with confidence, and you will definitely ace it.

Executive Resume Writing Services for Stay at Home Moms

Executive Resume Writing Services for Stay at Home MomsThere are many executive resume writing services focused on stay at home moms. They specialize in writing resumes for stay at home moms to get back into the workforce after childbirth. This is a booming industry as many stay at home moms have stayed home with their newborns and now are looking for full time work.Maternity leave can be difficult for a stay at home mom. They may feel guilty because they have put off their careers to be a mother. The truth is that this kind of work can pay well and it will provide them with the experience they need to re-enter the workforce.The job market is tight, but these moms are looking for the right job. They are tired of waiting in long lines for a place to interview. They are tired of waiting for rejection letters to come in the mail.When you hire a resume writing service, you can rest assured that you will not have to wait in line. These companies will contact the employers you want to inte rview. These professionals will create a professionally crafted resume for you.You do not have to worry about being up to speed on resume building skills. This kind of work is both specialized and skilled. If you hire an executive resume writing service, you will be sure to get a resume you can be proud of.You will get an executive resume from an expert writer. He or she will be able to identify the correct information to include in your resume. The resume will have key words and career objectives. He or she will also be able to find relevant job listings that match your skills and experience.The resume writing services will make sure your resume gets passed along throughout the entire interview process. They will give you the resources you need to know how to best present yourself. You can be confident that this company has the knowledge and expertise needed to get you the job you deserve.An executive resume writing service can help you get your resume out to the employers you are looking for. If you have been searching for a job, they can be a great help. They can prepare your resume for you so you don't have to.

University of The Year Award Goes to Sheffield Uni at Annual THE Awards

University of The Year Award Goes to Sheffield Uni at Annual THE Awards The University of Sheffield has scooped the top prize of University of the Year at this year’s  Times Higher Education  Awards. By: Times Higher Education (THE) Announced as the winner at a ceremony at the Grosvenor House hotel in Park Lane, London, last night, the judges said Sheffield had stood out as a result of a strategy “based on its values and rooted on its founding principles”. In particular, they praised the institution’s “determination and grit” in focusing on its local community. Other winners included the University of Derby, which took two awards for Outstanding Contribution to the  Local Community and Outstanding Employer Engagement Initiative, and Coventry University, which won the title of Entrepreneurial University of the Year and shared the Outstanding Support for Students award with Loughborough University. Read Full Article. 0

Best Questions to Ask a Business Mentor - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career

Best Questions to Ask a Business Mentor - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career Entrepreneurs can learn so much from a reliable business mentor. Aspiring businesspersons will realize that a good mentoring relationship is similar to having a big brother in the industry. Experienced entrepreneurs know the ropes, have an excellent network of friends, and are able to overcome great challenges. There are numerous benefits of having a fully-engaged mentor, particularly when you are just starting in your business. If you are able to find a trustworthy and reputable mentor in your field, you will gain access to his or her large network of contacts. Creating a remarkable professional network is one of the most challenging parts of managing a new enterprise, even when you utilize social networking websites. Your mentor knows the right person to contact when you look for an investor or supplier for your business. With extensive business connections, you can expect immediate feedback from your mentor. What to ask your business mentor A business mentor is the best resource for young entrepreneurs, particularly when you know how to ask the right questions. You should be specific when asking your questions, so that you can get expert advice from business mentors. These professionals are extremely busy people who deal with their own business concerns and decisions. When they agree to become your mentor, it means they are willing to help you. However, you should realize that they cannot make every single decision for you. All they can offer is an experienced perspective on your business plans and current issues. The following questions are some of the best ones that you might want to ask your business mentor 1. What advice can you give me in developing my business plan? 2. Can you suggest some of your contacts who can invest in my business? 3. What are the ways that will help me determine the risks and benefits of an important business decision? 4. If you knew then what you know now, what would you do differently? 5. How can I help you? Let us briefly analyze each of these valuable questions: 1. What advice can you give me in developing my business plan? If you are just starting out and still in the process of drafting your plan, you might want to ask your mentor how you can develop a brilliant business plan. You may even request if you could see a copy of your mentors plan that you could use as a guide. After you have completed the draft, consult your mentor about it. Encourage him or her to point out some areas that need improvement, or seek some alternative and better ideas. 2. Can you suggest some of your contacts who can invest in my business or even invest in my learning more (from their experiences)? When you need potential investors for your business, you can ask your mentor to recommend some contacts in his or her professional network. Your business mentor may even call reliable investors personally, so they can make the initial contact. Then, you only need to follow up and make the pitch. Their connections may also have the experience or background that you need more practical and in-depth knowledge on. 3. What are the ways that will help me determine the risks and benefits of an important business decision? There are instances in the development of your business where you will arrive at a crossroads. If you decide to tread a wrong path, it can cause negative effects on your business. Before you choose a substantial purchase (such as purchasing a business location) or make long-term decisions, try to consult your business mentor first. Ask about possible risks and benefits that you have not considered, and inquire what your mentor would do in such situations. You can also ask for some tips that will help you determine the drawbacks and advantages of a particular decision that you plan to make. 4. If you knew then what you know now, what would you do differently? Other people’s experience is valuable â€" even more valuable than other people’s money. Ask this question and listen and learn. 5. How can I help you? A good mentoring relationship is not a one-way street. Although you are new to the industry, you may have something that you can offer your mentor. Perhaps you have an excellent skill that would be valuable to your mentor such as web design or social networking. Consider making a specific offer, and see that small gestures can help balance the professional relationship. Author: Maria Elena Duron, is managing editor of the Personal Branding Blog, CEO (chief engagement officer) of  buzz2bucks.com  â€"  a word of mouth marketing firm.   She helps create conversation, connection, credibility, community and commerce around your brand.   Maria Duron is co-founder   and moderator of  #brandchat   a weekly Twitter chat focused on every aspect of branding that is recognized by Mashable as one the 15 Essential Twitter Chats for Social Media Marketers.

Writing a Resume For a Letter of Recommendation For College Application

Writing a Resume For a Letter of Recommendation For College ApplicationWhen writing a resume for a letter of recommendation for college application, the writer should consider what that letter could mean to the student. The student has already started working hard to get accepted to his or her dream school. A letter of recommendation can mean the difference between getting the acceptance or not.College is expensive and sometimes hard on the budget. Unfortunately, most students do not qualify for merit-based scholarships or loans. So, what does a student do when there are no scholarships available? His or her only choice is to take out a loan to pay for college. However, if the student receives a letter of recommendation from someone in his or her life, it might be enough for the student to get a larger loan.There are many people who want to recommend someone to the student for a letter of recommendation. They usually do so because they like the student, they think the student will do well in college, or they want to show their support for the student. While these types of letters are important, the letter should also reflect the student's academic performance. If the student has put in extra time studying or working hard to raise the GPA in high school, it should carry over into college.Writing a resume for a letter of recommendation is important for anyone. These letters are often written by other students at the college. The letter of recommendation might also be written by a teacher or a former student. If the student applied to many colleges and was not accepted to them, he or she might be writing a letter for the letter of recommendation for college application.However, the letter of recommendation should have the proper information on the student. The student should have good grades and scores in all subjects. The student should be working hard and taking the SAT or ACT test consistently and should have had a strong career in the past.In addition, the let ter of recommendation should include the student's goal for his or her future. The student should have a clear idea of what his or her goals are for himself or herself. The student should also know how to go about achieving these goals. For example, the student might want to major in business. In this case, the letter of recommendation would show the student a job in his or her dream business.Another letter of recommendation should include the student's personal statement. The student should write a personal statement, as well. This should be one sentence long. The letter of recommendation should give the student an idea of the student's personality and character.Writing a resume for a letter of recommendation for college application is important. If a student gets a letter of recommendation from a good friend or a teacher, the letter is very helpful. However, writing a resume for a letter of recommendation for college application is not a requirement and is not required.

2016 Kickoff Time To Get Going On Your Job Search

2016 Kickoff â€" Time To Get Going On Your Job Search 2016 Job Search Kickoff There are a lot of things you should do before you begin a job search. Redo your resume. Work on your LinkedIn profile. Create a list of target employers. Research yourself online. They are all important. But, before you do anything, you need to decide what you want to do. This is critical for several reasons. First, your resume should be targeted towards a particular job. Why?   Because it’s just as important to know what to leave out as it is to know what to include on your resume. Let’s say you want to work in marketing, but your last few jobs haven’t had “marketing” in the title. It’s important to focus on the things you did that were “marketing” related. For example, maybe you worked on the company newsletter or were involved in community outreach. Many of the skills you used, like writing, giving presentations, and developing an outreach plan, might help you secure a marketing position. When it comes to your LinkedIn profile, focus becomes even more important. While you may have a few resumes which target different positions, you only get one LinkedIn profile. If you’re interested in working in business development and event planning, it’s a good idea to choose one area or the oher. The good news is that while you only have one LinkedIn profile, you can change it any time. Finally, it’s more effective to develop a list of target employers than to randomly apply to jobs you find online. Once you decide you want to work for ABC Company, you can use your connectionsâ€"friends, family, colleaguesâ€"to network into the organization. Knowing someone who knows someone at ABC Company will help you arrange informational interviews. Following up with your new connections will keep you top of mind and may even help you secure a job. An effective job search will include multiple strategies. Making sure your resume is a marketing tool. Completing your LinkedIn profile so you will be contacted by recruiters. Creating a list of target employers. Deciding in advance what you want to do will make each of your job-search tools more effective. As Lewis Carroll said, If you dont know where youre going, any road will get you there. However, thats not the best way to begin a job search.

A Budding Chefs Guide To Healthy Habits In An Unhealthy Trade - CareerAlley

A Budding Chefs Guide To Healthy Habits In An Unhealthy Trade - CareerAlley We may receive compensation when you click on links to products from our partners. Its no joke that cheffing is one of the hardest jobs anyone can do. A culture of long, stressful hours, incredibly demanding physical and mental labor plus hot kitchen conditions are there to truly test your character. Becoming a great chef is arguably as difficult as becoming a great sportsman. Theres a reason that professional kitchen teams are called brigades, and have a militarized structure. Keeping up with the demands of a kitchen can take everything out of you, no matter how much energy you start the day with. Its difficult to start a grassroots campaign to encourage the industry to change its ways and become easier to work in. It has a culture of hard work because good chefs are like that, perfectionists, required to work multiple services in a day, and available to prepare beforehand. You shouldnt expect this to change anytime soon. However, what you can do is pay attention to yourself. Its tempting for a chef entering the industry for the first time to be completely gung-ho about their working hours, striving to take too many in an attempt to impress their bosses. Great work ethic is always commendable, but ensure your health comes first. This will allow your mental faculties to remain as sharp as they need to be to remain successful in that world. This list will help any passionate starter chef take an intelligent approach to maintaining themselves, even after a 14-hour shift. Sleep Well It can be tempting to burn the candle at both ends as a chef. The largely social nature of the industry, coupled with the bar that greets you directly at the end of your shift, its easy to fall into a cycle of staying out late and getting little sleep for your next shift. This can become a cycle. Alcohol by itself will limit your sleep quality, so the effects are doubled. Over the short-term, this can be a drag on your system. It can rob you of the energy you have for your job, and the willingness to better yourself within the trade. Ensure you get plenty of hours of sleep each week. Due to the demands the job has on your body, you may even need more than 8 hours. This isnt to say you shouldnt have fun, you absolutely should do to blow off steam in the right way. You should just be twice as a mindful as your sleep requirements. Its been proven that lack of sleep has the same effect as mild intoxication at a certain point. You wouldnt turn up to work drunk, so why turn up to work without being fully rested? Your body and mind will graciously thank you. Comfortable Shoes In a chef role, youll be on your feet for long periods. You may not even be able to sit down during your breaks. You should absolutely invest in the most comfortable shoes you can. Crocs are usually industry standard and widely praised among chefs. Just be sure that whatever shoes you buy are insulated, slip resistant, and ideally steel-toe capped. Safety is just as important as comfort. An accident in the kitchen can be disastrous. Make sure your toes are shielded from falling knives or plates, and youre not in danger of slipping over yourself. Limit Your Vices This isnt necessarily remove your vices. This is limit your vices. The nature of your trade will call for caffeine and a beer every now and then. Its natural. However, its unfortunately an uncomfortable reality that chefs often resort to large amounts of drugs and alcohol in order to make it through the days. This can become a problem in the long term, and coupled with the stressful nature of the job, can break people who started off strong. Many chefs smoke due to the relaxing effects of cigarettes and the fact breaks are scheduled for the employee to do so. However, you can be healthier here. Finding a great E-Cigarette through a website like http://www.electricsmokercenter.com/ will help mitigate your health risks and keep you productive in the job for longer. It will also help remove the carcinogens that can ruin your body when smoking. Also, never touch drugs. They might seem like a good idea when youre in the party mindset after a successful service, but its objectively never worth doing so. Eat Healthily Youre a chef. One of the benefits of this coveted position is that you have access to great food. Ask if you can pay to make the most of the stock for your meals. You may even be provided a free meal depending on how cool your head chef is. If not, make sure you bring healthy, wholesome and nutritious meals to work. Due to how much you move during your job, theres a chance that youll need a higher caloric intake to keep yourself full for longer, and stop yourself losing weight due to stress. Get plenty of high-quality vegetables, vitamins and minerals, alongside supplementing with fish oil and a multivitamin. You also should supplement with Vitamin D3, because its common for chefs to work in basement kitchens with little natural sunlight. You need to provide your body with what its missing. Stay Positive As a chef, youre going to have days that absolutely wear you out. Therell be days when a pushy customer will return a meal three times despite there being absolutely nothing wrong with it. Therell be days where your head chef tests your patience. Therell be days where the front of house team will mess up their order staggering duties, and youll receive so many tickets at once that youll go into superhuman mode to get them all done. With all this negative external stimulus, its easy to lose your faith in why you started. Keep yourself inspired and motivated. Follow great food blogs, and chefs on Instagram. Read the life stories of great chefs, such as the great book Kitchen Confidential by Anthony Bourdain. Watch food documentaries that will enthuse your passion for food. Above all, enjoy yourself. This job is hard, demanding, stressful and crazy at times. But when you complete a great service or get that promotion, youll receive a feeling hard to attain in other jobs. We are always eager to hear from our readers. Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions or suggestions regarding CareerAlley content. Good luck in your search,Joey Google+