A lot of the featured articles offered general advice on resume writing. However, "Video Resumes are Taking Off" and "Finding the Right Keywords to Get Your Resume Noticed" were both especially useful articles.
I had never thought about submitting a video resume before, but the article made several useful suggestions about using this form of resume to get an interview. Some of the jobs I plan to apply for are particularly competitive and being able to demonstrate a creative presentation of my skills might give me an advantage.
I also found the article about keywords very useful. Many articles and advice on writing resumes instruct the reader to use good keywords without actually explaining what these are. The advice I found most useful was to use keywords found in the job description or in the materials of other companies within the field.
Sunday, September 30, 2007
Sunday, September 23, 2007
Interview Article Lessons
For this week I read several of the articles from CareerJournal. Some of the articles which I found most interesting included "Four Tips for Acing Interviews by Phone," "Body-Language Tactics that Sway Interviewers," and "How to Blow a Job Interview."
One of the suggestions I found interesting was having notes and information available while doing a phone interview. I had not previously considered this option, although it could be very helpful, especially regarding questions about the company. Another of the articles noted the importance of pre-interview behavior. While I realize that arriving early for an interview is always a good idea, I had not considered the importance of appearing calm and collected while waiting for the actual interview to begin. This article also advised the readers on appropriate behavior if the interviewer takes a phone call during the interview. I had not previously considered this scenario or the importance of the interviewee's reaction. The suggestion of appearing confident in the job interview was also presented in one of the articles. I found this suggestion particularly significant because job interviews make me extremely nervous, and the article helped me realize how important it is to conceal this.
An article for which I don't remember the name also suggested bringing a cardigan or sweater to the interview to prevent the tendency of crossing my arms because of cold. I thought this was a great suggestion, which I would not have though of on my own.
One of the suggestions I found interesting was having notes and information available while doing a phone interview. I had not previously considered this option, although it could be very helpful, especially regarding questions about the company. Another of the articles noted the importance of pre-interview behavior. While I realize that arriving early for an interview is always a good idea, I had not considered the importance of appearing calm and collected while waiting for the actual interview to begin. This article also advised the readers on appropriate behavior if the interviewer takes a phone call during the interview. I had not previously considered this scenario or the importance of the interviewee's reaction. The suggestion of appearing confident in the job interview was also presented in one of the articles. I found this suggestion particularly significant because job interviews make me extremely nervous, and the article helped me realize how important it is to conceal this.
An article for which I don't remember the name also suggested bringing a cardigan or sweater to the interview to prevent the tendency of crossing my arms because of cold. I thought this was a great suggestion, which I would not have though of on my own.
Sunday, September 16, 2007
In ten years?
As a political science major I often get asked the question "So, do you want to be a lawyer?" The answer is that no, I have no plans for law school. After my internship in a court last summer, I have determined that while the legal field is very interesting it is not, however, the path for me. My trip to Serbia, however, fully convinced me that I want to pursue a career related to international relations.
Ten years from now I hope to be either working within the government, for a NGO with an international focus, or possibly doing consulting work for an international organization. Ideally, my job would be based in Washington, D.C. or London and would involve a considerable amount of international travel. I'm also considering a career in the Foreign Service; in which case I would be living in a foreign country.
My goals for ten years also include gaining proficiency in at least one foreign language and making it through the list of "must-read" novels I've already compiled (it's a very long list , so this is a pretty unrealistic goal). I'd also like to have a couple articles published in a journal of political science. I'm a firm believer that life isn't about an end goal but is instead about the journey. Usually the best experiences of my life are ones for which I didn't plan, so ten years from now I can't really even predict what I'll be doing, but I'm sure it will be something I love.
Ten years from now I hope to be either working within the government, for a NGO with an international focus, or possibly doing consulting work for an international organization. Ideally, my job would be based in Washington, D.C. or London and would involve a considerable amount of international travel. I'm also considering a career in the Foreign Service; in which case I would be living in a foreign country.
My goals for ten years also include gaining proficiency in at least one foreign language and making it through the list of "must-read" novels I've already compiled (it's a very long list , so this is a pretty unrealistic goal). I'd also like to have a couple articles published in a journal of political science. I'm a firm believer that life isn't about an end goal but is instead about the journey. Usually the best experiences of my life are ones for which I didn't plan, so ten years from now I can't really even predict what I'll be doing, but I'm sure it will be something I love.
Sunday, September 9, 2007
On Web 2.0
The title of web 2.0 creates a metaphor for the current state of the web. This metaphor implies that, like new editions of software such as AOL 4.0, the web has undergone a transition which altered the web to make its current form similar to a new edition. This new "edition" of the web allows the majority not only to access the web but also to change the web.
The new form of the web allows nonspecialists in the field of computers to post content on the web. On the other hand, individuals' content is also viewable by more people. This visibility now has to be noted by job searchers. Potential employers can either be highly impressed with your characteristics and presentation on the web or can be disappointed by unprofessional facts they find on the web. The web is now a great way for job searchers to contact potential employers, but the potential employees must also be more conscientious about how they present themselves online in both business and personal web interaction and postings.
People currently in the workforce can use this new web a variety of ways. Perspective employers can screen employees. Companies can attract and facilitate business with their own websites or advertising.
One of the video's messages is that we will have to rethink everything. This message is refering to a fundamental change in the basic way we can communicate. The web allows a whole new level of transfer for personal and professional information in a huge variety of formats. Through the change we have gained a whole new potential style of communication. This new communication has the potential to dramatically affect our personal lives, businesses, government, crime, and almost every other level of society and life. In theory, the web now opens up the options of creating totally different formats for human activity. In our personal lives we can communacate more quickly and from almost anywhere on the globe. This communication has also already taken a very different form, both literally and figuratively, than tradational forms of communication. News can be accessed from a wider variety of perspectives and is more current. Emails serve as less formal forms of communications than letters and allow the transfer of documents and information much more efficiently. Personal information can also be displayed more easily. The web allows anyone to share their opinons and life with strangers. With the web also comes a whole new form of crime which requires different methods of investigation and prosecuting. Courts themselves have changed. The federal court in which I worked this summer is now paperless. All legal documents such as orders and motions are posted online. The new system ensured a more organized, efficient, and reliable transfer of information about cases. Overall, the web has already had a huge influence on our lives, and the new potential for input to the web from the majority of the population has the potential for even further transformation of our lives.
The new form of the web allows nonspecialists in the field of computers to post content on the web. On the other hand, individuals' content is also viewable by more people. This visibility now has to be noted by job searchers. Potential employers can either be highly impressed with your characteristics and presentation on the web or can be disappointed by unprofessional facts they find on the web. The web is now a great way for job searchers to contact potential employers, but the potential employees must also be more conscientious about how they present themselves online in both business and personal web interaction and postings.
People currently in the workforce can use this new web a variety of ways. Perspective employers can screen employees. Companies can attract and facilitate business with their own websites or advertising.
One of the video's messages is that we will have to rethink everything. This message is refering to a fundamental change in the basic way we can communicate. The web allows a whole new level of transfer for personal and professional information in a huge variety of formats. Through the change we have gained a whole new potential style of communication. This new communication has the potential to dramatically affect our personal lives, businesses, government, crime, and almost every other level of society and life. In theory, the web now opens up the options of creating totally different formats for human activity. In our personal lives we can communacate more quickly and from almost anywhere on the globe. This communication has also already taken a very different form, both literally and figuratively, than tradational forms of communication. News can be accessed from a wider variety of perspectives and is more current. Emails serve as less formal forms of communications than letters and allow the transfer of documents and information much more efficiently. Personal information can also be displayed more easily. The web allows anyone to share their opinons and life with strangers. With the web also comes a whole new form of crime which requires different methods of investigation and prosecuting. Courts themselves have changed. The federal court in which I worked this summer is now paperless. All legal documents such as orders and motions are posted online. The new system ensured a more organized, efficient, and reliable transfer of information about cases. Overall, the web has already had a huge influence on our lives, and the new potential for input to the web from the majority of the population has the potential for even further transformation of our lives.
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