Want the Hard Truth Soft Skills Can Make or Break Your Job Search

Want the Hard Truth Soft Skills Can Make or Break Yur Job SearchWorkers in tech-centric roles are right to be proud of the technical skills theyve acquired over the course of their educations and careers. ansicht skills are hard won and are imperative to their success in their chosen fields. googletag.cmd.push(function() googletag.display(div-gpt-ad-1467144145037-0) ) However, a recent study suggests that recruiters today have a soft spot for soft skills, regardless of the role they are looking to fill. Even in careers where soft skills havent historically held a ton of weight such as software development and accounting, for example employers are now looking for candidates who are the whole package. In other words, its critical today that workers, even ones in highly technical jobs, demonstrate that they also possess soft skills.To start, lets define what a tech-centric job is exactly. According to LiveCareers recently released 2018 Skills Gap Report, researchers defined tech-cent ric jobs as those jobs for which some form of higher education is required to perform the role. These jobs typically rely heavily on a bevy of hard skills or skills that can be learned and measured.(This contrasts with soft-centric occupations, which are defined as roles that dont require formal training or higher education. These roles include bartenders, customer tafelgeschirr representatives, and sales associates, among others.)To better understand the skills that employers want and to compare those skills to the ones that jobseekers are listing on their resumes the study took a big data approach to analyzing thousands of resumes and job ads across 12 different occupations. The question the study sought to answer is this one is the skills gap is real, or are jobseekers just underreporting their skill sets in resumes?Jobseekers in tech-centric occupations should analyze the studys most arresting findings on soft skills to increase the likelihood of success in the job market. So me key finding to consider includeThe study found that across the board employers increasingly value customer service and communications skills. In fact, job ads in 11 of the 12 occupational types list customer service as among the most desirable skills.This means that even in jobs where customer service isnt traditionally a requirement such as accountants, teachers, and registered nurses employers expect jobseekers to make those skills a focus today.Communication skills appear in job ads for 12 of the 12 occupation types that the study focused on, meaning all jobseekers should place an emphasis on this soft skill in their resumes.Tech-centric employers demand largely the saatkorn soft skills as customer-facing employers. In fact, three of the top five required soft skills in both occupational categories are the same.Jobseekers in all professions are listing far too few skills on their resumes, overall. Individual job ads, on average, contain 21.8 skills. Resumes, on average, co ntain only 13 skills.Its not surprising that tech-centric workers arent emphasizing soft skills since job ads for these professions are asking for 4.25x more hard skills than soft skills. However, the report also found that since employers increasingly value customer service and communications skills in candidates, jobseekers who neglect to thoroughly list soft skills on their resumes may be doing themselves a disservice.The takeaway for jobseekers in tech-centric occupations shine a light on those intangible but increasingly important soft skills on your resume they matter just as much as your hard skills. In fact, jobseekers who can clearly communicate their soft skills to potential employers both in their resumes and in job interviews will have an advantage over those candidates who cannot.Experts agree that the best way to accomplish this goal is for jobseekers to concentrate on learning how to write a resume in such a way that it mimics the language of a job ad. This ensures that they are including all the most valuable skills cited in the job post, and it will also help get their resumes past an applicant tracking system (ATS), which many employers use today to screen out unqualified candidates.Wording is of key importance, because most ATSs dont understand nuance in language, which means you must echo the language the ads use precisely in resumes. Fail to do so and you risk being eliminated from the running, even as a qualified candidate. How precisely do you need to match the wording? Exactly. If a job ad asks for solid verbal communication skills, and you list writing solid oral communication skills, you could be knocked out of the runningJobseekers can find additional learnings, plus a PDF download of the report, via the 2018 Skills Gap Report link at the beginning of the article.LiveCareer bioNeed more guidance on how to incorporate soft skills into your resume? Peruse LiveCareers free resume examples, and see how other successful professionals ha ve expressed those skills in their resumes. All examples are arranged by industry and job title. And if you need help building a resume from the ground up, try our free, easy-to-use Resume Builder.

How to Follow Up on a Job Application 8 Dos and Donts

How to Follow Up on a Job Application 8 Dos and Donts Once youve submitted a job application, waiting to hear back from your potential employer can be stressful and anxiety-provoking. While you probably want an answer right now, your communication with the hiring manager could make or break your odds of receiving an interview. Is it OK to follow up on a job application? How long should you wait before following up?The hiring process can take a long time. While some employers make an effort to contact every person who applied, some dont you simply might not hear back at all. However, sending a quick follow-up schmelzglas or letter can help prevent the employer from overlooking you, as long as you do it with care and respect.Here are some dos and donts for following up.Dos and Donts for How to Follow Up on a Job ApplicationDos Wait at least a week to send your email.While you may want to reach out right away, since the squeaky oil gets the grease, you dont want to annoy the employer by being overzealous. If a week has passed, and you still havent heard anything, it may be time for your email or phone call. Check the job listing.If the listing has been taken down, it could be an indication that the company has found a candidate or candidates and made headway in the hiring process. That doesnt mean you cant still follow up, but do understand that its a possibility that the employer just hasnt selected you for an interview.If the job is still listed, scan the advertisement for any instructions about following up. It may explicitly state that you shouldnt or specify a preferred mode of communication. If it doesnt, respect the instructions and do as the listing says. The listing might also state how long they expect the process to take, in which case you should wait that length of time to follow up. Connect with the hiring manager.This assumes you sent your initial application through an application system or to an HR specialist. Its worthwhile to locate the name and email address of the hiring manager and send her a short notenzeichen with your resume. Be sure to let her know that youve also sent your application through the appropriate channel as well, but want to email her directly because youre very excited about the job. Keep your email short and sweet.Express your excitement for the position, mention that you think youd be a good fit, and acknowledge that you understand the hiring process may take some time. Fine.Donts Pester the employer.If you send a follow-up letter and still dont hear back, know when to quit. Dont look for other ways of contacting her, because by now, shes most likely seen your application. Repeatedly calling and emailing will come off as overeager and a bit stalkerish. Ignore the employers instructions.Contact the employer in her preferred mode of communication. She might specify no phone calls, so email instead. If the job posting explicitly said no emails or phone calls, heed that direction. If you ignore explicit i nstructions, the potential employer will not only be annoyed, but may also wonder if youre capable of following directions on the job as well. You definitely dont want to give her a reason not to hire you Repeat your cover letter.Youve already submitted your cover letter. This email is just a chance to reiterate your interest and put yourself on the hiring managers radar. Keep it short, and briefly convey your enthusiasm for the position. You might ask when the employer expects to begin interviews, but dont ask again if you dont receive a response. Put all your eggs in one basket.While youre waiting to hear back from one job, keep applying to others. Your job search will take some time, so dont get your heart set on one job and assume its all over if you dont get it. Instead, apply to as many as possible to increase your odds of securing an interviewand, ultimately, a position.Example of Following UpReply to the latest email in your conversation. If you havent exchanged any emails, include the name of the position in your subject line. Keep your email short and sweet.ExampleHi hiring managers name,I very much enjoyed meeting with you on date to discuss position. I remain very excited about the possibility of working with you and company.Im wondering if there have been any updates in the hiring process. I would be happy to provide you with any further information as well.Thank you,Your name

Vocabulary for Resume Writing Fundamentals Explained

Vocabulary for Resume Writing Fundamentals Explained The Basic Facts of Vocabulary for Resume Writing Each work listing ought to have a similarly written description. Analyze job ads You will see tons of helpful info on job ads. Bear in mind that recruiters may see the personenname of the file that you send them and also keep in mind they get a lot of resumes each day. Do not be hesitant to request a sort of paper that you do not see in our list. Finding the Best Vocabulary for Resume Writing You can get in touch with your writer through our untersttzungsangebot department should you need to specify some essential points to produce your work more customized. Dont hesitate to leave a comment below in case you have any questions were here to assist In the last few years, its been replaced with a Summary Statement. Know the purpose of your resume Some folks write a resume as though the use of the document was supposed to land work. The truth is it might even hurt your odds o f landing an interview. So, its important to stay informed about changes for your next career move. Attempt to comprehend the market of the organization you are asking for work, and identify what type of difficulties they could be going through. 1 small typo and your likelihood of getting hired could slip. The way to the best essay is by way of WritePaperFor.me. One of the greatest strategies to construct your business English vocabulary is to have a business writing course when you havent already done so. Attention to the typography to start with make certain that your fonts are big enough. You obtain a blick auf den kommenden of your essay and ask to produce corrections if necessary. New Questions About Vocabulary for Resume Writing You may also opt to incorporate the education section after youve listed your job employment history. Dont forget to incorporate any important continuing education courses you might have completed. There are lots of basic forms of resumes used to make an application for job openings. Teachers in business for a very long time should place the education section below the work experience section. Utilizing the proper vocabulary and power words are able to make your CV stick out. Employing action verbs and active voice makes a big difference in your resume, therefore its well worth the excess effort. Utilizing action verbs in resume writing is as simple as any other type of writing, so long as you know what things to include and what things to look for. The absolute most powerful words are verbs.

4 Tips for Finding a Job This Holiday Season

4 Tips for Finding a Job This Holiday Season4 Tips for Finding a Job This Holiday SeasonWith shopping, vacations and the general desire to reduce stress during the holidays, December is a tempting time to take a break from the job search. After all, nobodys hiring during the holidays- right?Wrong. At year end, lots of companies are finalizing their budgeting for the following calendar year, spending whats left this year for fear of losing it, and making hiring decisions accordingly. And, with some of your competition taking it easy, there may be no better time to snag the perfect gift for yourself a new position. Heres how1. Take Advantage of the Holiday CheerWe all know that most jobs dont even make it to the job boards- they are either filled internally or through word of mouth recommendations. Holidays give you a great excuse to check in with your network and find out what might be available. Get your foot in the door with an informational interview, especially at a time when ever yone is in the holiday spirit.2. Holiday Cards are not Just for Loved OnesTheres more to the job search than submitting your resume for every opening you find. Its about maintaining your contacts and keeping your anthroponym top of mind with those involved in the hiring process. So when you are mailing those holiday cards out, take the time to send some holiday well-wishes to those in your professional network.3. Companies Make New Years Resolutions TooEveryone starts out with high hopes for the coming year, and every company will want to start off 2014 with a bang. In order to get the ball rolling, they will want to hire in December and spend the remainder of their 2013 budget in the process. The end of the year is the perfect time to spend whats left- why shouldnt that extra budget item be you?4. Parties are Networking OpportunitiesIf all else fails, take advantage of holiday gatherings involving friends and/or family. You never know who will be there, and it may open up some oppo rtunities for you to make a good impression. Make sure to have a good time, share your job search story without coming across as desperate or pushy, and try to meet as many new people as possible while solidifying your existing relationships. And whatever you do, dont drink too much or ruin someone elses experience with a sob story.

Deconstructing the Deepwater Horizon Blowout

Deconstructing the Deepwater Horizon Blowout Deconstructing the Deepwater Horizon Blowout The April 20, 2010, explosion on the Deepwater Horizon drilling platform that took 11 lives and spread a massive oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico has focused attention on the safety of offshore oil and gas well drilling. Just what caused the massive blowout? What steps do drillers take to prevent blowouts? Why didnt those work and what should be done differently in the future?As of yet, we still dont have all the answers. What we do know, though, is that oil wells will continue to be drilled under ocean depths of 3,000 feet, putting equipment under high pressureof more than 2,300 pounds per square inch. This is what makes getting natural gas and crude oil out of the briny depths so difficult. From the moment a drill bit penetrates the reservoir, a race is on to ensure that blowouta surge of oil and gas up the well borewont occur.The Drilling ProcessTo maintain appropriate pressure and keep vernde rbars from seeping into the surrounding rock, a wandelbar made of barium sulfate-enhanced mud is added to the well bore. Once desired depths are reached, a casing wider in diameter than the drill pipe is lowered into the well. Next, a cement slurry, containing additives to keep it from hardening on its way down, is pumped into the annulus, the space between the casing and the rock, displacing the muddy drilling fluid.Once the annulus is filled, the cement is allowed to harden, and the slurry is replaced with fluids containing dissolved calcium chloride salts with densities up to 11.6 pounds per gallon or bromide salts with densities of 11.5 to 19.2 pounds per gallon.That cement creates a watertight seal between the oil- and gas-bearing rock and the well bore. To ensure that seal is tight, two, sometimes three, pressure tests are performed at two-hour intervals, and cement slurry is injected at high pressure to fill any leaks in the cement sheath that are detected. For the final step , drillers position a cement plug that operating personnel will drill through to let the oil and gas flow into the wellbore once production begins.Its blowout preventer failed to function.It appears that no major problems occurred during the Macondo wells drilling conducted by Transocean, Ltd., the worlds largest offshore drilling contractor. And two of the tests performed on the cement seal by Halliburton Services, the largest cementing services company, indicated it welches tight. A third test, however, provided anomalous results, which Lamar McKay, president of BP America, later called worrisome during testimony to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce. In the saatkorn hearings, Steven Newman, president of rig owner Transocean, said the tests indicated something happening in the wellbore that shouldnt be happening.Nevertheless, Tim Probert, president of global business lines and chief health, safety, and environmental control officer for Halliburton, testified that after rev iewing the test results, BP, the final arbiter of all Macondo operations, decided to proceed, putting the 10-year-old, 450-ton Macondo blowout preventers to the ultimate test.The Blowout PreventerSince its invention in the 1920s, the blowout preventer has significantly improved oil-field safety, earning the Cameron blowout preventer used at Macondo ASME Mechanical Engineering Landmark status in 2003. In normal drilling operations, the drill pipe passes through a cylindrical channel that runs through the blowout preventer and into the wellbore. In the event of an explosion, the blowout preventers rams, each of which has an upper and lower shear blade, cut through the channel, crush the pipe, then form a seal to block fluid flow.In the Macondo blowout, just before Halliburton placed the final concrete plug, high pressure forced the oil and gas into and up the wellbore. The blowout preventer valves and the shear rams designed to cut through and seal the drill pipe failed, allowing the oil and gas to surge up to the rig floor and trigger the fatal explosion. The subsequent escape of hydrocarbons created the massive oil spill that hit the Louisiana coast in mid-May.The Macondo blowout preventer had been deemed by maintenance records to be in good operating condition, so its failure is mysterious. Investigators focused their attention on whether modifications made over the years could have contributed to why its valves did not close. Leakage of hydraulic fluid from the valves might have been a contributing factor.The blowout preventers shear rams, the final line of defense, may also have come up short. To allow for the high water pressures of great ocean depths, the drill pipe used was much thicker than the standard variety. It may be that the shear rams werent strong enough to make that crucial cut.Until forensic tests of the blowout preventer, now underway at a NASA facility in New Orleans, are complete its impossible to know its role in the failure. It is safe to say, however, that probably no one single cause triggered the blowout.More likely it was multiple failures in critical systems that set in motion the fatal chain of events that plunged the Gulf Coast into disaster.Adapted from Avoiding the Blowout, by John K. Borchardt, for Mechanical Engineering, August 2010.From the moment a drill bit penetrates the reservoir, a race is on to ensure that blowout- a surge of oil and gas up the well bore- wont occur.

Coach Pettifog

Coach PettifogCoach PettifogApress conferencewithBill Belichick (the Wachtellof coaches)resembles the deposition of ahighly cunning hostile witness Reporter With Tom, are you saying that his shoulder is just the normal bumps and bruises from a physical game and there is nothing more than that?BB Im saying that we made the decision to play other quarterbacks in the second half of the Washington game because we wanted to see them play. That will be the same situation going forward into the Giants game. Tom had a desire to play, but we made a football decision to play other players because I think we need to see them at that position, and make an evaluation there. Thats what Im saying.A football decision. But of course. With such an innate knack for parsing and obfuscation, one* cant help but think that had Belichick chosen law as a career, he could have made David Boies look like Lionel Hutz. (h/t Reiss Pieces) -posted by brian *Ok I cant helpBill Belichick in a Flashdance sweatshirt ( thank you, Onion, thank you)

What working moms are thinking this Mothers Day

What working moms are thinking this Mothers DayWhat working moms are thinking this Mothers DayWorking moms share what its like to be a working mother in Ladders latest survey. Mothers day is here, and I wanted to talk to you guys about something I call Mom guilt. Im not talking about the guilt trips ur Moms all treated us to when we didnt clean our room as a kid, or now when we dont call as often as they would like. Im talking about the massive guilt every working Mom feels every day. Guilt that we are not spending enough time with our kids, coupled with guilt that our work may be suffering from not having our undivided attention 24 hours a day.Ladders recently released a survey to more than 250 women who are, or soon will be, working mothers. The results had me nodding furiously while answering a work email, changing my daughters diaper and submitting my sales forecast all at the same time (yes, moms multi-task). Balancing a career and a family is a huge struggle for 87% of responde nts, with 55% admitting that excelling at both is overwhelming.In addition, when it comes to balance, 13% struggled at first, but now its under control, 16% always put family first and work has suffered for it, and 3% always put work first and family has suffered for it. I can only assume that the other 13% that said they Successfully manage both aspects actually slipped on baby drool and tripped into the computer, selecting the wrong line by mistake.Either way, the survey results are enlightening, and while I still feel that pang of guilt when missing little milestones in my daughters life or needing to run out of work early once in a while, at the very least this survey assures me that I am not alone.Download a PDF version of the survey today. And dont forget to call your Mom