Bloggin' along ...
Is it a good idea to use a resume template?
Here's some sage advice from another career expert, Ryan Kay, on whether one benefits from a resume template ...or not. I will say I agree with him 100%!
"When applying for jobs, you face the age-old problem of how to START writing a resume? Or if
you have a resume, is it in a format that employers even want?
The temptation is to get on Google and search “resume template” thinking that solutions will
come falling out of the sky to save you. But many options do not equal the best results.
Templates are not inherently evil and can be useful, but let me suggest two reasons why I
would not recommend them:
Reason 1: Templates may look pretty, but they often have features that repel employers. A
template could tell you to add a picture, use white font on a neon green background, or have
you use three pages (these are all bad ideas for a resume, by the way).
Reason 2: Once you get your information typed into a template, you are stuck in that format
forever. If you ever want to change a margin, move a line, or modify the spacing, it can be very
time-consuming a frustrating. You end up starting all over with a new template hoping it will
give you what you want.
So, what to do instead?
Open up a good ‘ol Word or Pages document and start from scratch. Research best practices
from reputable sources, or even better, get advice from your
connections that work in related fields.
Though this takes a little longer at first, it gives you complete control of how it is formatted and
removes the risk of having an overcomplicated and confusing format.
Wishing you success,
Liane
How does your C-level leadership measure up on today's energy landscape?
Clean sheets and a new page on the calendar
Are you a fan of Chat GPT?
😾🙀How well do you manage change?🌱🌷
Liane's hiatus is over ....here's the latest addition!
Here is my interview with Julia Pho , certified ActionCoach, as we discuss the need to reinvent one's business.
Managing mental health during difficult times
Nailing some of those tough job interview questions
Bye-bye, 2020! Don't let the door hit you on your way out! That is one of the most pointed and defiant comments one can make to another, but for the majority of us ....well, ALL of us, 2020, will be embedded in our minds as a year of challenge, horror, disappointment, shrivel, lack of hope and faith. I digress. During negative times, I find it difficult to come up with positive sharings that don't sound forced or cliche, but as the year is winding down and the world is grasping a glimmer of hope for 2021, I feel the desire to reach outward to my readers and celebrate the little things we have accomplished. I have shared some things with you over this year about how I established balance and ways to rise above the challenges that faced me personally. I hope that you also have weathered these storms and, like me, dream of the next vacation on the beach or an escape to your favourite secret hideaway -- the one the government denied you for a year now. A hearty thank you to all my clients, old and new, for your support, business and commitment to me. As a freelancer, I rely on you to refer my great skills to others. So many of you have and I feel blessed. This week I launched my first newsletter after a flood of interest. If you wish to become part of this list and keep up with what's happening in my little orchard of juicy fruits and sharings, please hit the sign-up button at the bottom of my web page. I wish each and every one of you a joyous and creative Christmas whereby you find ways to make your celebrations happy, unique and a reason to start new memories and traditions. Love and hope, Liane
This article was created by StackCommerce in partnership with Content Works, Postmedia’s commercial content division. While Postmedia may collect a commission on sales through the links on this page, we are not being paid by the brands mentioned. Canada’s unemployment rate increased by 5.2 per cent, bringing April’s rate to 13 per cent. The dire news is due to COVID-19 and other factors, leaving the economy with nearly 2 million fewer jobs. This means that competition is going to be fierce for those of us looking for jobs in an already crowded job market. As such, you’ll want every edge you can get to stand out to recruiters and employers, and, to this end, few things are as effective as having the right certification. Not sure which certifications you should go after? Here are five that can give you a huge leg up, and we’ve even included some handy training resources to get you started. Read on for details: 1. CERTIFICATION: MICROSOFT OFFICE SPECIALIST (MOS) CERTIFICATION We all know Microsoft Office Suite (MOS) as the foundation to just about any job. And while you may think you know Office, Access, Excel, or PowerPoint—you’ve probably only been scratching the surface. Having a Microsoft Office Specialist Certification shows employers you have an advanced understanding of these tools and more, giving you a major leg up over folks who just put “proficient” on their resume. If you want to go after this certification, consider starting with The Ulitmate Microsoft Office Certificate Mastery Bundle: Recent Editions. This 12-course training offers a deep dive into the Microsoft Office suite, getting you up to speed with the advanced elements of Word, Excel, Powerpoint and Access. 2. CERTIFICATION: CERTIFIED ASSOCIATE IN PROJECT MANAGEMENT (CAPM)® A Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) is a globally-recognized accreditation and the gold standard in project management. Having a project management certification gives you instant credibility when it comes to knowing how to effectively manage teams. This certification will also come in handy as the demand for management skills is on the rise. You can prepare to add this in-demand certification and more to your resume with The Project Management Certifications Tests and Courses Bundle for $24.99. By the end of the third course, you’ll have all the prep you need to ace the exams for the following three certifications: Project Management Professional (PMP), Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM), and PMI Risk Management Professional (PMI-RMP). 3. CERTIFICATION: ADOBE CERTIFIED EXPERT – ADOBE PHOTOSHOP CC Photoshop is a graphics editor developed and published by Adobe. It’s the industry standard for not only graphics editing, but in digital art as a whole. If your career involves digital publishing or content creation, Adobe Photoshop CC is the perfect skill to get certified in. Want to work towards getting certified? You should start by understanding the basics of this software first. The 2020 Adobe Graphic Design Certification School with get you up to speed with essentials for Photoshop, as well as Illustrator and InDesign for only $49. 4. CERTIFICATION: SALESFORCE ADMINISTRATOR CERTIFICATION Salesforce is the ultimate software for customer management. It provides customer relationship management (CRM) services including marketing automation, analytics and application development. Currently, it’s the top CRM in the world with over 150,000 customers in various industries. The Salesforce Certification Essentials Bundle is a 46-hour course bundle designed to prepare you for three essential Salesforce certifications, including the Salesforce Administrator Certification, all for just $39.99. 5. CERTIFICATION: FACEBOOK BLUEPRINT CERTIFICATION Facebook shouldn’t need much of an introduction as its one of the largest social media platforms in the world with over two billion users. Aside from allowing users to share baby pictures and news articles, the platform has also found success in selling ad space. Its pre-COVID revenue was $17 billion, up 18 per cent year-over-year. Before you go after any certifications, it’s worth understanding the marketing nuances of the platform. You can learn the ins and outs of marketing products with The Ultimate Facebook Marketing Certification Bundle for $29. Source: https://business.financialpost.com/personal-finance/taxes/five-career-development-certifications-worth-adding-to-your-resume-in-2020
