The Secret to Successful Career Goals

The secret to a successful career is all about developing a clear vision.

The questions surrounding this might involve what you want from your career, where you see yourself in 10 years time and the reasons why you want to reach these goals.

 

Sounds easy, doesn’t it? Yet I’ve also seen many candidates fail in achieving their career objectives and this can often be because the goals they’ve set are misaligned, not properly planned or just unrealistic.

Define Your Idea of Success

We all want to be successful in our careers, but “success” means different things to different people. To begin with, think about what “success” means to you. Is it about achieving a specific salary so that you can live comfortably? It is about having that dream CEO job or is it really about making a difference to others in your community or country?

Consider what you truly want to achieve from your career and what values and factors are important to you. Once you understand what you really want, you’ll be able to develop career goals that automatically grow from your wants and needs and that will eventually bring you much career fulfilment.

Identify Your Strengths

If you are having trouble figuring out what you want out of your career, try thinking about your strengths. They could be technical strengths, behavioural strengths or business strengths.
Creating goals around your strengths and key talents is essential, since many of us gain career satisfaction and happiness from utilising our strengths on the job.

Consider how your strengths can give rise to your career goals; for example, if you enjoy working with facts and figures, your goal might be to secure an analyst position. If your strength is communicating and helping others, one of your goals might be to find employment that involves mentoring, coaching or volunteering.

Want, Not Should

A significant part of career happiness is also making sure you choose goals that you think you can achieve or want to achieve, not goals that you feel you should achieve. While we all face pressure in our lives, such as the need to pay rent and bills, making sure that your goals also bring you fulfilment in one way or another is crucial. If you develop your goals around what you or others think you should be doing, your goals are most likely going to be unattainable; and even if they are achieved, they won’t bring you any satisfaction.

Successful Support

One of the biggest secrets behind successful career goals is also having the right support. Mentors, managers, career coaches, recruiters, search consultants and even resume writers can all form your career support network and many will be invaluable in helping you achieve your goals. These people will ideally possess expertise in certain areas and will be able to assist you throughout the course of your career.

If you are lacking support in some areas, now may be the ideal time to make some great connections and find support from people you trust.

Need help with your career goal setting? Resumes Australia offers comprehensive career consulting services for executives and CEOs, as well as graduates and aspiring professionals.

Regards

Getting the Most Out of a Job You Hate

Being unhappy or unsatisfied in a job is something that we all experience at least once in our lifetime.

Looking for a new job can be refreshing, but you may also find yourself bound by financial constraints or challenged by the competition in the market. Until the time comes when you can hand in your resignation, it is important that you try to remain positive and continue to get the most out of your job.

Change Your Attitude

A negative attitude can make your job feel ten times more difficult or unsatisfying than it really is. Instead of being unenthusiastic or negative, try taking a proactive and positive approach to your daily tasks. If there is lots of politics or conflict going on, try and rise above it and find feasible solutions for dealing with it. This can lift some of the weight off your shoulders and make your work much more enjoyable.

Keep Up the Job Search

It’s easy to fall into the trap of laziness in a stale job, even when it comes to job searching. To keep active about your job hunt, consider setting weekly goals for yourself. You might decide to send off your resume for 1-2 jobs per week or you may want to get in touch with at least one new recruiter at the start of each week. Whatever you choose, it will help you stay positive and will keep your job searching on the right track.

Network

Networking and making connections is a fantastic way to find new job opportunities. You can either network online, on social media sites like LinkedIn or you can try and network in person by attending seminars and other industry events. Networking within your organisation can also be beneficial too, however you should be discreet about the fact you are searching for other employment.

Talk to Your Boss

If you feel that your job discontent can be resolved it might be worthwhile talking to your boss about how you feel (but without mentioning your desire to find another job). You may want to point out why you are not enjoying your role and ask whether it is possible to change your job description.  A change in duties can refresh your perspective and make your role much more rewarding. If you do ask for new responsibilities, make sure these align with the strengths and skills you want to develop, as well as your long term plans.

Get More Involved

Is boredom one of the driving factors of your job dissatisfaction? Sometimes, the best way to cope is to keep yourself busy! For example, you could ask for more responsibility, take on extra tasks, get involved with more projects or put your hand up for a committee. Keeping busy each day will mean the days go faster and extra work will also give you extra experience, skills and credentials to add to your professional resume.

Get Educated

Training and education is one of the best ways to get more out of your job. Investigate what training programs or courses are open to you and determine if any of these could benefit your skills or knowledge. If you are keen to enroll in a course outside of your company, consider whether the company will contribute towards the fees. In return, however, you may be required to stay in your role longer.

Prioritise Your Life Outside of Work

If your job is not enjoyable, consider giving priority to the other important factors in your life. You could consider changing your hours to spend more time with your family, spending your lunch break working out, taking up a new hobby after work or simply socialising after hours with other colleagues you’d like to get to know better.

Become a Mentor – or Gain One

If you are bored in your role but don’t necessarily want to jump ship, becoming a mentor or finding one can make a huge difference to your career and your everyday accountabilities. Mentors can gain much fulfillment from guiding others and passing on their knowledge, while those under mentorship can find their goals and strengths changing and growing, and this alone can bring much satisfaction and structure to an otherwise mundane role.

Not sure where your career is headed or what to do about your next job move? Resumes Australia provides expert career coaching services, as well as executive resume writing and interview coaching programs.

Regards,

Networking From Within: Connecting Inside Your Company

Networking has become an extremely important activity in the business world and the age-old of adage of “it’s not only what you know, it’s who you know” has never been more significant.

From corporate ladder climbers to senior candidates trying to forward their careers, networking has abundance of benefits that positively impact your career.

 
But with all the emphasis on online networking at place (like LinkedIn, Twitter and Google+), has the act of networking a little closer to home been overshadowed? If you currently hold an executive role, the internal world of your organisation presents ample opportunities for networking and connecting with other executives in your industry.

Go Beyond Your Job Role

Internal networking means reaching out to managers or work colleagues who you don’t ordinarily work with as part of your job function; it means stepping outside of your responsibilities and getting to know others who can bring value to your career and vice versa. Making these connections is also about building rapport and strengthening your relationships over the long term, as opposed to simply connecting with someone for short term gains.

Start With Leaders

The leaders and senior executives in your organisation are usually the ones who can offer the most wisdom and knowledge. If you are unacquainted with the leaders in your company, your manager may be the ideal person to ask. He or she will be able to introduce you to a range of leaders and executives you might otherwise not have access to (this is particularly the case in larger organisations) and can act as the mediator for initial introductions.

Choose the Right Connections

Networking outside of your job scope is important, but it’s also vital that you network with the right people. This doesn’t mean making time for one person and shunning another, but your networking strategies should revolve around connecting with people who are relevant to your goals and who can impact your career.

Do More to Gain More

Getting involved in committees away from your job responsibilities can also be advantageous when it comes to networking. You will not only develop your skill set and earn another credential to add to your executive resume, but you will also meet new people who can become valuable contacts.

Be Part of the Team

Demonstrating to others that you’re a team player and who is company oriented is also a great way to network, since networking from within is very much about integrating yourself into the culture of the organisation.

Simple gestures like congratulating others on their achievements, praising hard work or attending company lunches can go a long way. All of these can open up paths for new conversations and meetings. The more positive and enthusiastic about the company you are, the more others will want to network with you.

Looking for further great networking tips? Resumes Australia can work with you to manage your reputation and build your brand, both within your organisation and outside of it. Contact Us today to learn more about how we can help you network for success.

Regards,

LinkedIn’s Premium Job Seeker Accounts – Are They Worth It?

LinkedIn is a powerful professional networking website that provides a highly valuable service to job seekers, employers and those looking to make more business connections.

While users worldwide can join LinkedIn for free and create basic profiles, the site also provides a variety of extras under the option of a Job Seeker Premium LinkedIn Account.

 

1. InMail

LinkedIn InMail essentially allows you to contact users who aren’t connected to your network. The recipient of your InMail will be able to respond to you directly and will be able to view your profile, without needing to connect with you. This is ideal if you are looking for direct ways to contact employers or search consultants or if you have not had any luck contacting them via other means.

Various levels of Premium Accounts allow you to send a certain volume of InMails per month (for example, 5 per month for ‘Job Seeker’ accounts and 10 per month for ‘Job Seeker Plus’ accounts).

2. Featured Applicants

Featured applicants are premium members whose job applications move to the top of recruiter’s lists, appearing above other candidates who don’t have the privilege of a Premium Jobseeker Account. This increases your exposure and visibility in the eyes of the recruiter or HR manager, which can be a huge advantage.

However, you will need to ensure that your LinkedIn profile is written exceptionally well and that it works to enhance your chances of securing an interview. If your profile is inadequate, you may find that being at the top simply means your application gets deleted sooner.

3. Ability to see who is viewing your profile

With a regular LinkedIn account, you can see who has viewed your profile recently, but you are only presented with a limited list. Upgrading to a paid account means you’ll be able to see a full list of who has viewed your information, with results broken down by industry, keyword searches and location.

While it doesn’t mean you should directly contact everyone who’s viewed your profile, it does however provide you with useful insights into whether your profile is attracting the right people in the right industries.

4. Premium Badges

Personal branding is becoming more important online and upgrading to a Job Seeker account allows you to create a personal ‘badge’ or icon that you can include on your profile. This makes your profile much more attractive, which can benefit you when trying to grab the attention of recruiters.

5. Job Seeker Groups & Webinars

Job Seeker Groups provide you with further opportunities to connect with others, while designated Webinars for Premium users mean that you can educate yourself on how to search and apply for jobs via LinkedIn.

So Is a Premium Job Seeker Account Worth It?

Premium accounts for Job Seekers range from $15-$50 per month and like all investments, it’s about getting out of it what you put in. If a Jobseeker account is going to be worth it, you’ll need to work proactively to make sure that you receive a return on your investment each month. Upgrading your LinkedIn account if you don’t plan to actively use the features may not be beneficial.

To learn more about paid Jobseeker accounts, visit LinkedIn. If you require help writing your LinkedIn Profile or your executive resume, Contact Resumes Australia Today.

Regards,

Tasks Job Seekers Should Do Each Week

Whether you are between executive jobs or simply searching for your next corporate position, finding a job isn’t always easy.

Although you might be applying for roles each week, standing out from the crowd and securing an interview can be extremely competitive.

 

If you are having a challenging time getting noticed by employers and recruiters, my best advice is to open your mind, step outside of the box of traditional applications and expand your opportunities in other ways.

1. Expand Your Search

If you have simply been utilising one or two job sites to search for roles, it might be time to expand. Consider either changing the keywords you use in your searches (e.g. ‘project leader’ instead of ‘project manager’) or coming up with other ideas regarding where you can find vacancies. Social media site like LinkedIn and Twitter, for instance, are considered just as vital now for jobs seekers as are traditional websites like Seek and MyCareer.

2. Revise Your Resume

Let’s be clear: there is no point in revising your professional resume every week for the sake of it. However, you should be revising your resume to suit each position that you apply for. Every role and employer will have different qualities and criteria that they are looking for and your resume should be adapted to reflect the desired skills and talents the employer is after.

It’s also possible that there is much room for improvement in your resume in general. You might want to expand on your skills, include more achievements or simply add in new talents that you’ve acquired. If your resume is simply not attracting the right employers or recruiters, it may be time to seek advice from a professional resume writer.

3. Follow Up

Many job seekers make the mistake of simply sending off their resumes and then sitting back to wait. Although this might seem like a humble move, the reality is that recruiters and employers often receive dozens of resumes for one vacancy and don’t have time to contact every single person they hear from.

Following up with a phone call gives you the opportunity to begin building rapport with the hiring manager/consultant and shows them that you’re proactive and passionate about the job. If you don’t reach any success after this move, you might need to revisit your resume to see what’s going wrong.

4. Connect With Recruiters

Another way to expand your opportunities outside of online applications is to meet with recruitment agencies and search consultants who specialise in your industry.

For example, you might choose 1-2 new agencies to meet with each week. This can open up new avenues for both networking and employment and although appointments can be time consuming, they can pay off in the long run. Once you’ve met with a consultant, endeavour to stay in touch with them on a regular basis; this is as much about relationship building as it is about finding work.

5. Become a Social Butterfly

To give yourself the best chance of securing high level employment, it’s imperative that you spend some time each week networking. Networking can open doors to new opportunities and new employment and will benefit you significantly if done well.

Networking can take place online, via sites like LinkedIn or Twitter, or offline, by attending events or meeting with consultants, industry executives, old colleagues and even friends.

6. Strengthen Your Interview Skills

You never know when you might be asked to attend an interview. Consultants might simply be impressed by your resume or you could find that a casual chat with someone quickly leads to an opportunity for a formal interview. For this reason, you need to ensure that you are ready to make the most of any interview and that your interview approach is fresh, accurate and competitive.
Rehearsing answers and researching the company will help you refine your interview skills and secure your success for the next round. If you’re particularly anxious or if your next interview is especially important to you, interview coaching can help give you that competitive edge and can train you on what to say to meet employers expectations.

Resume writing and interview coaching are just two of the valuable services we offer at Resumes Australia. We specialise in assisting executives and candidates find employment in any industry and at any level, from graduate to manager to CEO.

Regards,

Interview Coaching Tips Every Candidate Should Know

It’s often the small things in life that count and when it comes to job interviews, those little things can contribute significantly to the first impression you make to an employer or search consultant.

If you’ve got an interview coming up, here are a few of my best interview coaching rules that I recommend every candidate should abide by:

 

1. Dress Professionally

Dressing well is important in job interviews and, as I explain to many of my interview coaching candidates, you should dress professionally and conservatively. Wearing your best corporate outfit (even if the role/company is not corporate) will ensure that you are well presented and that you are taking the interview process seriously. Make sure that your clothes are clean and fresh and that they are crinkle/crease free. Polished shoes that are free of scuff marks are essential too.

2. Be Punctual

Punctuality portrays professionalism; a lack of punctuality can give employers the impression that you are either disorganised or unreliable (or both) and that you aren’t serious enough about the role to show up on time. This can harm your application and blemish your professional character.

An overdue arrival also means that you risk rushing into the interview and being flustered, instead of being relaxed and confident. What’s the best solution here? Make sure you are organised and that you know exactly where the interview is taking place. Research the location, the transport and/or the parking and allow yourself ample time to get there. In general, you should aim to arrive at least 15 minutes early.

3. Fresh Scents

It might seem trivial, but bringing an unfavourable scent with you into an interview can distract interviewers and create an unfavourable impression.
• Make sure you are freshly showered before the interview (especially if it’s a hot day); don’t show up flustered and/or sweating
• Perfume or aftershave/cologne can be a lovely addition, but make sure it’s not overpowering
• If you are a smoker (or even if you are not), make sure your breath is clean and fresh; carry mints or chewing gum with you (but don’t chew these during the interview)
• If you are a smoker, avoid smoking before the interview

4. Bring A Notepad / Compendium

It is an extremely good idea to bring a notepad with you to your interview so that you can write down any significant information or questions. A notepad also shows the interviewer that you’re taking the process seriously and that you consider the information learned in the interview important. Making sure that your pen and notepad are professional is crucial too; don’t show up with a piece of paper torn from your notebook or a blunt pencil. A leather compendium is a great accessory and it can be worth investing in one, both for job interviews and meetings in general.

5. Conduct Research

There are dozens of resources available today that can help you learn about any business, showing up to an interview without knowing anything about the company will be detrimental to your case. Research demonstrates enthusiasm and drive and also gives you an insight into what the company does, how they operate and how your skills and talents can bring value to the table.

6. Turn Off Your Phone

There is nothing worse than a buzzing or ringing mobile phone in a job interview. Make sure your phone is turned off (or at least set to ‘silent’) before the interview commences and don’t play with your phone or check it during the interview. This makes you appear distracted and uninterested and can be seen as rude and disrespectful by the interviewer.

Did you know that Resumes Australia can work with you on a variety of Interview Coaching programs to help you refine your interview techniques? Contact Us Today and we’ll show you how to master that next interview – and get the job.

Regards,

Senior Level Job Seekers Missing the Mark, Reports Forbes

As the baby boomers move out and Gen X and Gen Y begin to step up to the senior position plate, the recruitment industry is experiencing many challenges in relation to this change, reports Forbes.

According to the Career Advisory Board in Chicago, US, search consultants are facing the problem of finding quality candidates to fill their senior positions.

Much of this is due to the lack of appropriate competencies in candidates, but Career Advisory Board member, Alexandra Levit, feels the gap can also be attributed to the inability of candidates to effectively express and demonstrate leadership or executive-level skills in their resumes.

“Senior-level job seekers either don’t have or don’t choose to emphasise these abilities,” says Levit. “Instead, they tend to focus on skills that are considered more important at the junior level, such as having a strong work ethic and self-motivation.”

Why is there such a discrepancy in the resumes of these senior level job seekers? Why are they focusing on junior or mid-level talents, rather than leadership abilities in their applications?

“One reason might be that they are stuck in the old model of assessing how available positions fit their background rather than the other way around,” claims Levit. “And when positioning themselves for new opportunities, nearly 60 percent of seasoned job seekers rely on their own judgment rather than seeking qualified advice from their network and mentors.”

While I agree with what Levit says, I also believe that much of the problem between exceptional resumes and senior level candidates rests in two areas: resume writing and the perceived importance of resumes themselves.

Resume writing expertise, which many candidates feel they possess (but actually don’t) impacts candidate success significantly, especially at the early application stage. As an executive resume writer and search consultant/head hunter, I encounter many candidates, even at the senior level, who feel that their resumes or CVs are relevant, well-written and sufficient enough to drive their job seeking success.

However, upon review, many resumes turn out to be very average (or even poor) and are not at all an accurate reflection of the executive’s talents or of their aptitude to understand how their skills fit into the criteria of the job they are applying for. Lack of detail and vague generalisations are two of the biggest culprits.

The importance of resume applications is also greatly underestimated by some candidates. They either feel that their resumes are adequate (despite being brief or vague) and don’t see a need to expand on achievements or responsibilities; or they don’t believe that resumes are worth investing in at all. The reasons behind this are hard to articulate, but can range from sheer laziness to lack of knowledge to the assumption that employers hire people, not pieces of paper.

Egocentric attitudes can also prevail, with thoughts along the lines of, “if they want to learn more about me, they can ask me.” These approaches are all grave mistakes when it comes to resume writing and often these are the candidates who wonder why recruiters and employers aren’t knocking on their doors and offering them employment.

Levit goes on to report that the most desired skills at the senior level include strategic perspective, global competence, business acumen, cross functionality and the continuing desire to learn and grow, even at the top level.

She also states that senior level job seekers need to work on their team management and master technology and social media to secure a high-powered position in today’s modern economy.

When it comes time to put it all on paper, Levit advises “consulting with networking contacts who currently hold senior management titles” and to “look carefully at job descriptions and brainstorm specific examples of how you’ve performed at least 75 percent of the listed responsibilities in past positions.”

As executive roles become more difficult to obtain for candidates in any country, resumes (and digital tools like LinkedIn Profiles) can only continue to become more significant. Producing poor resumes that fail to expose your skills or undervaluing the importance and weight of an executive resume is one of the biggest mistakes you can make as a senior level job seeker.

My advice is to invest in your executive resume today, whether it’s through a professional resume writing service or a dedicated approach to revising your resume for every senior role that you apply for.

Regards,

7 Leadership Qualities You Must Have On Your Resume

If you are searching for senior and executive positions in the Australian marketplace, you will be familiar with how competitive the landscape is.
With networking platforms like LinkedIn bringing more executives, search consultants and head hunters together, executive positions are becoming more difficult to obtain – and your resume or CV must execute the right strategies and display the right leadership qualities in order to impress employers.

1. Global Expertise

As we continue to become a more globally focused society, expertise and knowledge at the global level is becoming a highly sought after skill, when it comes to senior positions. Seeing beyond the confines of the local or even the national market and into the international domain – alongside the ability to take businesses into this domain – is something every leader now needs to be able to demonstrate. Ensure that you highlight your global expertise, marketplace knowledge and international acumen on your resume.

2. Cross-Functionality

Organisations are not simply becoming more global, but are also looking for ways to become more efficient. Achieving more with less is a huge focus for many of today’s top companies. Cross-functionality is crucial in the business world and involves being able to lead not only in one area or at the highest level, but also across multiple sectors or functions within the business.

3. Innovation

For any leader, the capacity to drive change and growth is a given, but it’s still important to include on your resume. Great business leaders stand at the helm and turn the ship, but also decide where to go and what strategies are needed to get there. When it comes to resume writing, look for ways to emphasise how your innovative qualities have shaped products, services, business performance, people performance, marketplace success or even influenced and met broader industry demands.

4. Adaptability

All strong leaders understand that not everything is in their control. As much as they can take a company to new heights, being subject to industry fluctuations and trends is still part of an organisation’s everyday existence. While it is fine to claim you are an “adaptable” leader, it’s how you deal with these fluctuations and trends that will truly make your leadership skills stand out. In your resume, make sure you demonstrate how you maximised the opportunities brought on by industry trends and how you adapted to grow and succeed.

5. Technology-Driven

Technology can be the comforting pillar of a successful organisation. Being in touch with technology and up-to-date with its challenges is crucial for any contemporary leader. While in the old days it may have been acceptable to simply step back and rely on those under you to understand technology, technology today is becoming increasingly significant in all areas of business, from finance to marketing to finding new ways to grow within the given market.

Correspondingly, many more executives are embracing technology now more than ever; they are actively participating in online communities like LinkedIn and Twitter and they’re utilising everything from blogs to digital strategies to automated machinery in order to improve productivity and evolve the ways their business operates. Does your resume accurately reflect your grasp and understanding of the technology required in your industry?

6. Social Intelligence

Every business is about relationships, whether it is between managers and employees, executive and colleagues or leaders and customers. Social intelligence is often an underrated skill when it comes to describing yourself on a resume. Yet, no matter how great you are at innovating and problem solving or decision-making, you’ll never get your strategies off the ground without exceptional social intelligence and influential people skills. Real leaders don’t sit behind closed doors; they’re out on the floor, motivating, inspiring and enacting change. When resume writing, consider how your social intelligence has specifically impacted your career or advanced your leadership talents. Remember, leadership is about people, not about businesses.

7. Love the Hard Yards

The best leaders are firm, but fair. They are people drivers, yet they also know how to make tough decisions and they can agree to the necessary compromises without ruining relationships or hindering progress. As a leader, it’s vital that your resume shows how much you love the hard yards of running a business. Leaders who see hard times and difficult decisions as opportunities rather than setbacks or threats are more likely to capture the attention of employers. If your resume looks like you’ve had it easy over the past few years, revise and include details on how you’ve driven companies through tough times and emerged with a win on the other side.

Resumes Australia is a leading executive resume writing service open to all executives through Australia. Contact Resumes Australia today to learn more about our leadership resumes.

Regards,

The Importance of Following Job Application Instructions

The employment world is an extremely competitive one, with HR managers and recruiters sifting through dozens or even hundreds of applications for one, single vacancy.

For this reason, many companies often have strict rules regarding the application process, whether it is through an online portal or via email.

 

Why Follow Job Application Instructions?

Job application instructions are usually very simple, but they can be demanding. They essentially ask you to follow a basic set of commands so that the employer can gain a better idea of your talents. Ignoring or misinterpreting the instructions will at best start you off on a bad foot with the employer and give them the impression that you cannot follow simple instructions.

Flouting application rules and instructions can also lead to your application being rejected straight away, regardless of how suitable you are for the role. After all, if you can’t follow basic directions at this early stage, how can the employer be certain that you won’t lack the same dependability on the job?

It also tells the employer that you feel that their needs or directions are insignificant, and that their expectations aren’t important to you. Is that how you really want to initiate contact with your potential employer?

Here are my best tips on how to follow these instructions and prime your application for success.

1. Make a List

Once you have read the job advertisement and decided that you want to apply, sit down with a pen and paper and make a list of all the requirements in the advertisement. This should include (a) requirements related to the position and job responsibilities, and (b) requirements related to the application process. Make a note of whether the employer has requested:

• Your resume
• A cover letter – and what this cover letter needs to entail or describe
• A selection criteria document – this can be mandatory when applying for government roles
• References or referees
• Certificates and any other documentation

2. Be Wary of Inappropriate Requests

While providing details in your application is important, you should note that in Australia an employer or recruiter does not have the right to ask for your birth date, nationality, religion, ethnicity, gender, or marital status.
Some government agencies, however, may require this information and under current legislation, it is legal for them to ask for it.

3. Fulfil the List

Once you are satisfied with the requirements involved, you will need to start fulfilling each requirement. Work your way through the list sequentially to ensure that you complete each instruction adequately.

Probably writing and tailoring your resume, cover letter or selection criteria document will be the most difficult and demanding task in putting your application together, especially if the requirements or selection criteria are extremely specific.

To maximise your success, consider seeking help from a professional resume writer who has extensive experience in writing resumes and other documents for successful applications.

4. Submit Your Application

When it comes time to submit your application, you will need to double-check that you have met all of the instructions listed in the advertisement. Use your list to verify that you have followed the directions and read the job description again to ensure you have included all the relevant information.

Resumes Australia is a complete career service offering executive resume writing, cover letter writing, selection criteria writing, interview coaching and much more. Contact us today for a confidential discussion on how we can assist you with your job applications.

Regards,

New Career Goals For the New Year

Career goal setting is an extremely important step in managing your professional life.

Your goals will define your career strategies, and determine your career movements and decisions over the coming years.

With the New Year upon us, this may be the ideal time to review your career goals once again.

Has Anything Changed?

Think back over the past year and consider whether anything has changed in your professional life. You may have decided that heading in a certain direction was not quite right for you, or you may have gained experience in a particular niche that you’re now keen to explore. Reflect on the changes and developments your career has gone through over the past twelve months, and consider how this may affect or change your career goals.

New Goals for the New Year

Now is the time to also think about setting yourself new, yearly goals. This could be a short-term goal or goals that you can achieve by the end of this year (or sooner) and that will act as a significant milestone in reaching your ultimate career objective. Once you have your yearly goals in place, work out a plan of action on how you are going to achieve these over the coming months.

Exercise Your Goals

Your new career goals should permeate every area of your professional life, from your professional resume and cover letter to the way you make connections and search for jobs. Whether resume writing or working on other documentation, ensure that your information and key expertise aligns with your new goals. If you’re unsure about how to do this, seek assistance from a professional resume writer.

Make Improvements

In order to stay on top of your success, your goals should also include at least one major area of improvement you would like to work on over the next year. This could be improving a particular skill set, gaining more experience in a certain area, or investing more time into networking. Set an ‘improvement’ goal for yourself that will significantly impact your career, and write down the benefits that achieving this will bring.

Consider Your Finances

Finances are important. Yet goal setting can often revolve around job titles and roles, rather than around money. However, your overall career plan should incorporate strong, financial goals to help accelerate your career. A common financial goal, for example, is to be earning X income by a certain age. Having a financial goal will also ensure that your finances don’t move backward simply because you want to change your career or move forward.

Remember, It’s Personal Too

Very few of us are workaholics without a private life outside of work – and your personal goals are just as important as your professional ones. Review and revise your personal goals to give yourself a complete vision of what you plan for the coming year.

Did you know that Resumes Australia has a multitude of career management and career coaching services that can greatly transform the control you have over your career? Call us for more information or visit our Online Shop to learn about our resume writing and other services.

Regards,