Start your career in an SME

Start your career in an SME Its easy to see why so many students are drawn to the big graduate recruiters: prestige, salary, structured training and a fairly transparent (if sometimes rather lengthy) selection process. Competition for graduate schemes is intense, but the eye watering applicant to offer ratio doesnt seem to deter students quite the opposite. And theres some powerful psychology at play: graduate schemes are synonymous with success it takes a pretty confident and self-assured individual to resist their lure.  Over the years Ive seen scores of students who feel they  should  apply to big multinationals, and yet cant articulate a convincing reason why beyond a sense of expectation  its what Im supposed to do   or peer pressure  all my flatmates are applying. Big graduate recruiters have a strong campus presence, which both reflects and sustains the relationship between students and recruiters. Companies wouldnt waste time and money on high profile promotional activities if they didnt work. Many of you will bag yourself a place on a grad scheme, but some wont and for a sizeable minority such opportunities may not be the best way to realise your career aspirations. It may just be time to broaden your horizons and job search and start thinking about SMEs Ok, so what are SMEs? This is just a handy acronym for small and medium sized enterprises, defined as independent companies employing fewer than 250 employees. And heres an interesting fact:  SMEs account for 99.9% of all private sector businesses in the UK and employ over 14 million people   pretty astonishing when you consider that SMEs are at best peripheral to, and at worst, completely absent from, many students job search. We have seen increased SME engagement with our employer services over the past year and its safe to say this is a becoming an important growth area for graduate recruitment. Not quite the same order of magnitude as the big corporates, but significant nonetheless. A quick search on  myAdvantage  today generated 38 immediate start vacancies, covering sectors as diverse as IT, marketing, media, finance and recruitment. Perception v reality A recent survey by  graduate-jobs.com, shed some light on student perceptions of SMEs and why theres a general reluctance to view SMEs as a viable alternative to the blue chips. Of the questions asked, the following three are the most illuminating: Over a pretend 12 month period do think you would learn more working for an SME or a large company?  76% said they would learn more working for an SME. Which would you consider more of a risk working for an SME or working for a large company?  73% felt it was higher risk to work for an SME. Do you think its more prestigious to work for an SME or a large company?  86% think it is more prestigious to work for a large company. Its hardly surprising that perception of risk (not without some foundation) precludes some of you from exploring the SME angle, but I cant help wondering if the response to question three is rather more telling? Are you wedded to the dream of a graduate job because it confers status, and signals to the world that youve arrivedand succeeded? Theres nothing wrong with that we all like recognition, but in the current climate you may be artificially restricting your options if you concentrate your search exclusively on the big players. By waiting for that job offer (which may never come) you could miss out on the chance to get some real world experience and start building your career portfolio. What are the benefits? Now, Im aware that anecdote doesnt equal evidence but I do have a personal story worth sharing. An acquaintance of mine who graduated last year (Russell Group; 2;1) spent a good few months post-graduation applying for any and every corporate finance scheme. Number of job offers: 0. As reality dawned he started to widen his job search and his words  lower my sights. He soon found a marketing job with a small digital media company. The salary and fringe benefits cant compare with the big graduate recruiters, but the experience certainly can: hes handling client accounts, organising corporate events and has played an active role at the negotiating table. Pretty impressive and guaranteed to wow future employers. There are some real tangible benefits that come from working for an SME: Smaller teams and a flatter organisational/management structure can create opportunities for you to shoulder early responsibility, manage projects and exercise greater influence over decision making. Hands on experience. SMEs are not equipped to offer the same level of training and supervision as their larger rivals, so you may just have to get stuck in. A sure-fire way to become resourceful and resilient! Roles in smaller organisations are often less rigid, so theres more chance for you to grow your job and get involved with other tasks and functions. If you can work with minimal supervision, are flexible, pragmatic and have a healthy dose of common sense then you may just find the SME route worth considering. Where to find SME vacancies SMEs are operating within much tighter budget constraints than big corporates, so try to minimise risk with recruitment and selection. They advertise as and when and dont align with the graduate recruitment cycle. Dont expect a lengthy recruitment process: typically you would apply with a CV and covering letter and may be offered an interview (and job!) within a week or so. Youll need to be a little more resourceful and proactive in your job search, so make sure you: Use  myAdvantage vacancy search   you can set criteria by location, sector and start date. Check the local and national press keep your search area as broad as possible. Search the  UK Small Business Directory   search by county, then category e.g.  Bristol Accountants in Bristol Use your networks face to face and online (see this:  social media core medium for SME recruitment). Check this  Guardian Jobs: SME jobs. Keep up to date with business/industry/press whos expanding, diversifying? Any new start-ups? Use Yell to help you find SMEs in your area. Are you near any science or business parks? Why not send some speculative applications? Consider  Step  if youre looking for a shorter placement this could be a good way in. SMEs are keen to recruit bright, capable graduates who want to contribute from day one. You may initially lose out in the glamour and finance stakes, but youll gain valuable knowledge and experience. What better way to drive your career forward?

Using PowerPoint For Resume Writing

Using PowerPoint For Resume WritingPowerPoint is probably the most versatile of all document types, which is why it's so popular for resume writing. PowerPoint is very adaptable to a variety of formats. Most people will choose to have it saved as a PDF file because of its compact size and ease of sharing. A resume that's presented in a slide show format opens up many opportunities for showcasing skills and experiences, which are extremely beneficial to a job applicant.Resume slides can be divided into two categories: those that are written in the text and those that are simply images. The former can be placed anywhere on the page and can be manipulated at will, whereas the latter must be uploaded to an online site and the use of Adobe's program Photoshop is required to add graphics. Although there are many free software applications available on the Internet, a professional application such as Adobe's will do the job just as well.Those who prefer PowerPoint to have more control over formatting will find that writing text-based slides can be more user-friendly and be used for formatting in a number of ways. Bullet points and subheadings are just two of the more common formatting options. Using the two options, a person can focus on the more important points in their resume while making sure they get across the main points.Most resumes contain generic text bullet points, which are typically five words or less. PowerPoint may come in handy here. The content of the bullet points is usually accompanied by a heading and subheading in order to create a more dynamic presentation. A slide of the sections of the resume can then be attached to the page, and the words can be formatted according to the needs of the reader.Instead of using all the text for each section of the original resume, the designer can use a grid or outline layout. When the slide show has been successfully added, the main points can be highlighted and taken out of the flow of the presentation. They ca n then be filled in with a more detailed description.Another excellent way to structure a resume is to break it down into sections for each job that has been filled, such as work experience and education. An important point to note here is that the same basic rules apply to both sections. Only differences will be seen in the colors and font choices that are selected.As much as the designing of a resume can be a great source of joy and a loved pastime, it can also be a full-time job to keep it all organized. Resume writing PowerPoint presentations are simple to make, but require a little time spent on planning. The color scheme can be picked from the resume template itself, but a custom one should be used that highlights the key points and formatting options.If the task of writing a resume on PowerPoint is too much for you, an online solution is available for resume writing that requires little or no knowledge of computers. This type of solution allows people to create personal lette rs or resume templates on their own time and for a minimal cost. Creating your own resume on PowerPoint will not only save time, but will improve your chances of landing the perfect job.

7 Steps to Help You Ace Your Job Interview - CareerAlley

7 Steps to Help You Ace Your Job Interview - CareerAlley We may receive compensation when you click on links to products from our partners. Richard Nelson Bolles seminal book called What Color Is Your Parachute? has been in print since 1970s and for a good reason: Richard takes a bold approach to career hunting and job seeking. He delivers an approach that most students, career changers, and potential job candidates dont think of. Finding a full-time job is a full-time job his famous line augurs well with his approach. Did you catch yourself saying or thinking the following? Ah, but the economy is sailing through depression There arent any jobs to my liking No ones hiring For once, we wont bother with statistics anymore. It isnt about the number of jobs or opportunities (there are plenty to choose from). What causes the turmoil is the incredibly low rate of employability? If its not about your employability, then theres something wrong with your approach. Employers struggle to find the right people all the time while candidates who have all the potential dont really shine through until they get through the door. Here are some top tips to get through your interviews easily: #1 Show up even before you are called This is 2014. The reach of Internet has exploded. Almost everyone has access to the Internet today and that includes your employers. Before they call you, theres a probability that they might do a quick search about you on the Internet and your Facebook page, your twitter account, and your Google + profile is likely to show up first. Every instance of a social update is an open ticket for the world to watch you, real time. Your employers now have processes in place where theyd check out who you are before they even consider your application. How do you look like on social media networks? What do you discuss or talk about? These things reveal a lot about you. #2 Confidence is where it starts Confidence in what you do, say, and be makes all the difference. Remember the scene in The Pursuit of Happyness where Will Smith plays Chris Gardners character? Chris just walks into a leading stock broking company in the worst possible attire along with patches of paint and still walks away with the job. To get that confidence, youll need experience. Youll need knowledge in your domain. Gain knowledge by investing in resources, learning, reading a lot, and by asking questions. Gain experience by going beyond your call of duty pick up part-time jobs, internships, and provide free work to showcase these as your achievements. In short, you are making a great entry even before you get to the interview. #3 Asking your educational credentials is a habit; but it wont matter When employers ask for your degree, understand that its a cultural habit. Its not the primary criteria for your selection. Whether you are a multiple-degree holder or a fancy MBA, your employers care less about that. What they care about is about what you can do for them. What value do you bring to the table? Why are you better than thousands other potential recruits? When you go to that interview, youll do well to have answers to these questions. Businesses suffer from the regular hire to fire later syndrome. One big problem that most companies face apart from attrition is the acute shortage of employable candidates. If you are pining for a job that pays you well and enables you to do what you love doing, its your duty to convince them that you are the best person for the job. Show them what you got. Convince them that youd do miracles if they give you a chance. Its again back to showing up and selling yourself well. #4 Personal Branding, and everything that leads to it Candidates are rarely trained to present for success blame the education system, peer influence, lack of initiative on the part of scores of schools and colleges. Starting with how you write your resume while preparing to apply for jobs and all the way until you actually get the job your presentation matters. Your confidence shines through. Yet, you believed that your education was all-too-important. You thought that a degree could fetch you a job. Over 800,000 graduates roll out colleges each year. How exactly did you think you would compete with them when everyone passed? Now, that presentation cant be fluff. Theres got to be meat in there. To get meat, you have to go shopping. Look to work on projects. Create something. Write regularly. Have something to show them. You could host events, launch seminars, write a blog, and work on side projects. You could do a lot to spice up your personal brand. #5 What skills you got? Your degree is perhaps a benchmark to weed out those who couldnt even muster up a college degree. Its a tool that employers use to shortlist; but its not the only determinant factor using which employers hire. Do you have skills that matter? What do you bring to the table? What skills can you proudly claim to have mastered? Now, please be advised: knowledge is aplenty. Its available at the click of a mouse and information just plays right into your hands. Whats not available, can never be duplicated, and can absolutely be unique to you is how you utilize this knowledge to apply and solve real problems. #6 You are sending out vibes The lack of employability skills among job aspirants isnt just attributed to experience, credentials, resumes, and the works. Its also about the way you shake hands and how you maintain eye contact. Your body language will make impressions on others, which in turn determines your success. Other things such as posture, voice clarity, tone, and even the way you sit and stand will affect your interviews, relationships with others, and in your business interactions. Who teaches that in college? Even if they do, who is paying attention? In the end, who is paying for the consequences? #7 Demonstrate employer-employee match The match results are usually, Not found. Employers are looking for people to solve problems. For instance, all business needs sales (they look for people who can persuade, follow-up and sell); engineers (to innovate, solve technical issues, create software, etc.); Support staff (empathy, patience, understanding, and follow through). So when employers interview you, they are looking for answers that resonate with what they are looking for. Candidates go to interviews and say things like: I am hard working and punctual [Were you not expected to be, in the first place?] I am creative, innovative, and always willing to learn [Everyone has to] Really? What did you create? Is there an example through which you can demonstrate what you are saying? What was the last thing you learnt? The key here is to demonstrate and not just talk: Instead of saying you can communicate well, show them your blog. Instead of naming a list of skills, show them a portfolio. If you have to convince them about your leadership skills, narrate stories of how you led teams (with or without a job) with some of those side gigs you managed to work on. How do you prepare for interviews? Do you have any other suggestions? I would love to hear your thoughts in the comments below. Author Bio : Alpesh Patel is a freelance writer and blogger. He is an expert in online education, online degree courses and the developments taking place in this domain. In his spare time, he likes to read novels and write about online business degree. This is a Guest post. 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+ Job Search job title, keywords, company, location jobs by //

Goodbye Microsoft - The Chief Happiness Officer Blog

Goodbye Microsoft - The Chief Happiness Officer Blog A couple of days ago, my Office Suite died on me. And for once, this was no fault of Bills. I was cleaning out my harddisk, and must have deleted one file too many. Suddenly Outlook, Word, Excel etc. had stopped working. I spent a few seconds in the required (and familiar to any PC user) state of semi-panic, and then the solution came to me. Two hours later Id downloaded and installed Eudora and OpenOffice, and both work just great. Eudora installed completely painlessly, and automatically suggested that it could transfer my mails and adress book from Outlook. That didnt quite work some of the mails were trashed, and the adresses never made it into Eudora, but hey, I can live with that. The program itself looks really old the UI looks like a typical PC application circa 1998. On the whole its about as good as Outlook some things are better som are worse. Eudora is free in the sponsored mode, where a small rectangle in the lower lefthand corner of the screen displays ever-changing ads. Its fair and unobtrusive. OpenOffice impresses the hell out of me, and I do not understand why people continue to pay for the MS Office suite, when you can get this for free. Keep in mind, that Ive only used it for a few days, but so far its been able to read all my Office files (including som really complex spreadsheets), and its just as easy to use. Furthermore, both these programs run not only on Windows, but also on Macs, Unix and Linux boxes, so if I decide to change some day, I can continue to use them. This means, that the last two Microsoft programs that I use on a regular basis are Internet Explorer and Windows 2000, and we all know that they can be replaced. Though the latter may not be that easy. Im really grateful for the existence of free software of such high quality. Go ahead and try it for yourself, its a matter of an evenings work as most, providing you have a good internet connection (at least ADSL). Thanks for visiting my blog. If you're new here, you should check out this list of my 10 most popular articles. And if you want more great tips and ideas you should check out our newsletter about happiness at work. It's great and it's free :-)Share this:LinkedInFacebookTwitterRedditPinterest Related

Career Corner Career Transition Survival Tip #3 - Hallie Crawford

Career Corner Career Transition Survival Tip #3 Sometimes were so busy taking care of business that we forget to take care of ourselves. Yet, if youre amidst a major career change, there is nothing more important than listening to your Inner Voice and tending to all the little things your body, mind and soul is asking for and needs. Here are some great ways to nourish your whole self and stay balanced while successfully navigating through your career change. 3. Exercise your body while you expand your mind. So many of us spend the majority of our days sitting in front of a computer, both at our jobs and at home. Its no wonder that insomnia and being overweight has become a problem for millions of Americans. As always, but especially at a time of career change when stress levels are higher, regular exercise is vital to your well-being. Make it a priority to engage in some kind of aerobic exercise at least 3 times a week and use hand weights to tone muscles and keep blood flowing. Pilates, Tae-Bo and yoga are all excellent ways to reduce tension, properly align the body and keep energy flow on an even keel. No matter which type of exercise you choose, you can use this time to work on the more pressing issues in your career and the changes you are making. Think about it, how many times have you sat in front of the television, not hearing or seeing a thing because youre consumed with whats happening in your life? Taking time out to reduce your stress level by exercising while focusing on your goals, stumbling blocks or major decisions, will ease your body and mind and help you feel good both mentally and physically. Some of my best ideas have come to me when I’m out exercising and thinking out of the box. Heres to having a career you love, Career Transition Coach

The Number One Article on Accountant Resume

The Number One Article on Accountant Resume What the In-Crowd Won't Tell You About Accountant Resume Create My Resume Resume Tips for Accountant Much like in different sections of the nation, your capacity to find jobs as an accountant will ride on your approach and the kind of actions you take. Accounting job responsibilities also include things like computing taxes. Many accountant resume samples that you will discover online do not offer the degree of detail necessary to assist you to structure yours. Building out an effective Accountant resume is about offering the hard numbers and the particular details to demonstrate how good you're at your work. Accountant Resume Explained An accountant resume must go past the basic certifications employers expect. When an employer knows that you increased sales by 60% for example, he is going to be in a position to gauge how well you've done. In that situation, you might require a bookkeeper resume instead. An accountant resume is indeed one of the most crucial documents an applicant should have when applying in the subject of accounting. Accountant Resume Features When you make an application for a job we'll send your application to the named recruiter, who might contact you. In that case you ought to be searching for an accountant job. In addition, should you're attempting to get a job which is outside your present-day specialty, you want to TARGET your resume to prove to the hiring manager you have the skills to do the job. Make sure that you specifically deal with the specific job and position within the particular field you're applying for. One of the major roles and obligations of a Finance Specialist is to assess client wants and offer them relevant financial services. Because you don't have experience, you'll need to emphasize your abilities and educational accomplishments. Computer skills on resumes are becoming more and more critical for accountants. Accountants want to demonstrate an af finity for numbers, but in addition they will need to demonstrate their skill with words by producing a strong written message. You might also see thesis summary examples For individuals with minimal experience or are in the midst of a career change, professional memberships are extremely much relevant. The Hidden Gem of Accountant Resume Use the advice below to develop an outstanding accounting resume so that you'll get noticed by the perfect hiring businesses. Accountants conduct audits to find out whether client companies or their very own business is following established legal strategies and business policies for economic dealings and documentation. Rather than focusing on what you would like, focus on how you may be an asset to the firm. Marc Grandmaison Operations Director Marc is an extremely experienced, skilled, and talented hospitality professional that has been in the business for over 20 decades.

Ideas, Formulas and Shortcuts for Writing an Objective Statement for a Resume

Ideas, Formulas and Shortcuts for Writing an Objective Statement for a Resume My purpose is to find the job. As a result, while your resume objective should consist of information on the career that you would like, you also wish to spell out why you are the perfect candidate for the job. It is your chance to tell a short story about yourself. Writing a winning college student career objective is a rather effortless means to bolster your application for this internship or job you've got in sight. You may decide your aim is to buy relaxing chamomile tea. Resume objectives can be somewhat controversial. Just remember that every objective has to be measurable to be included. Otherwise, you most likely have a comprehensive objective instead of the primary or purpose objective. If you are working for an appropriate position for quite a long time, you should definitely incorporate the amount of years in your objective statement. The absolute most efficient objective is one which is tailored to the job you're applying for. If you are searching for a sort of job that could be seen in many distinct industries, think about noting a particular industry in your job objective. To begin with, consider the job description to see whether it indicates the kind of skills the provider is seeking. A financial analyst resume summary, however, does communicate to a prospective employer what you could do for the business. In the end, stating an objective is optional, but it might help convince employers that you understand what you need and know the business. You ought to have five objective statements. An individual can use all 3 forms of objectives within a proposal to do particular targets. An aim is simply as excellent as the objectives that go with this. As soon as it's essential for your resume to incorporate a very clear career goal, you don't need to convey it through an Objective section. Goals and objectives form the main portion of a project proposal and one ought to pay great attention when framing them. What Writing an Objective Statement for a Resume Is - and What it Is Not Your task, with the help of the financial organization, is to recognize the differences and to estimate the yearly benefit. There are lots of distinct reasons you may have to compose an objective statement. For instance, it might state some of your previous accomplishments, and move on to the types of accomplishments you want to achieve in the future (ideally, accomplishments you need to achieve for the organization you're applying to work for). Most grad programs require some type of private statement, which is where you'll receive the ideal opportunity to inform the school why your experiences and interests make you the ideal candidate for the program. Business analysis can encompass a number of responsibilities that are particular to the field they're in. So, setting a crystal clear presentation purpose is the critical first step in making your presentation. You might need both types of information, based on your objective. Think about whether you require quantitative or qualitative details.