How to Create the Perfect Elevator Pitch

How to Create the Perfect Elevator Pitch Have you ever been to a party, been asked by somebody So, what do you do for a living? and had no idea what to say? You need to write yourself an elevator pitch. How do you react when meeting someone new? Some people down-play their strengths massively, whereas others can launch into a detailed story of how theyre looking for a new job.  If you dont have an elevator pitch ready, you might miss out on that project or opportunity which could be your careers highlight. Open Colleges have produced this guide on how to create the perfect elevator pitch to help you get started! What is a elevator pitch? Imagine youre in stuck in a elevator (or lift, as we like to call it here in the UK), and someone you admire walks in and stands next to you it could be the CEO of that dream company youve wanted to work at for years. You have exactly the amount of time it takes to reach the top floor (maybe 30 seconds to a minute) to tell them about you, make a good impression, and hopefully a connection. However, your elevator pitch isnt just for networking events or social gatherings youll need it when cold-calling a business prospect or in other similar situations. Your elevator pitch: In your elevator pitch, you need to succinctly state what you do for a living and work out how to communicate this to whoever your audience may be. It should be concise and  you should be answering 5 questions 4 Ws and 1H: Who are you? What do you do? Where do you work? Why do they  need to know this? How are you different from others? Dont forget the way you say something matters as much as what you say so also concentrate on your: Smile: have a big grin on your face, look the other person in the eye and give a friendly handshake. This will establish sincerity, as well as inspiring confidence and understanding. Body language: watch your posture, as it will be the difference between showing that youre being truthful and defensive. Expressions: show that you are excited and interested to talk to the other person and speak with an animated voice. READ MORE: Elevator Pitch or Take the Stairs Elevator Pitch | Examples on How to Perfect Your Speech | Open Colleges

Key Things When Writing Civil Engineering Resume

Key Things When Writing Civil Engineering ResumeWhen you're trying to get your career off the ground, it's critical that you keep a few key things in mind when writing your own resume. One of these things is to make sure that your resume gets the best attention possible and that you are able to provide a solid introduction for yourself when looking for a new job.One important point to remember when writing a resume is that it should be your first step to landing a job, not the last thing on your list. This applies to all types of jobs. Even if you already have an engineering job and feel that it would be a waste of time and effort to attempt to gain additional employment by making your resume longer, it's important to keep these points in mind. Otherwise, you will simply be wasting your time with a resume that won't get you the attention that you need for the type of job you're looking for.One key point to keep in mind when writing a civil engineering resume is that you want to be as specific as possible, especially when it comes to the job requirements. You want to make sure that there is a gap of at least two years between when you left your engineering job and when you were offered the new one. This is important, because it allows you to start fresh while allowing your future employer enough time to see if you can adapt to their particular culture and work style before making a move.An important point to remember when writing a civil engineering resume is that you want to leave as much information on the table as possible. You want to make sure that you give enough information about your previous job and experience to make your employer curious. The only way to do this is to make sure that the information you supply is enough to get the attention you want and need from the employer you're interested in.One key point to keep in mind when writing a civil engineering resume is that it's important to focus on the following skills and abilities. You want to be ab le to effectively use your skills and abilities to solve problems in different types of work environments, from a big building to a small room. If you can solve problems that are very different from one another, you'll be well on your way to a successful career.Another important point to keep in mind when writing a civil engineering resume is that you want to be prepared. The purpose of this document is to give the employer an idea of who you are and what you can do for them. It's not going to be a good idea to be unprepared, because you won't be able to answer the questions your employer will ask during the interview process.Finally, one key thing to keep in mind when writing a civil engineering resume is that you don't want to be so focused on how you're going to land the job that you forget to prepare properly. You need to research the company that is hiring you thoroughly, so that you know what kind of standards they expect and so that you know how to answer any interview questi ons. You can learn these from books or you can learn these from other people who have worked at the company in the past. Either way, you want to be prepared to answer any interview questions that you may face.These key things when writing a civil engineering resume can help you get started on the right foot. It's not that you need to be particularly detailed in this type of resume, but you do need to give it as much attention as possible. And you definitely don't want to be too casual, either.

The 15 Best Leadership Quotes to Inspire You - Classy Career Girl

The 15 Best Leadership Quotes to Inspire You Sometimes as managers you just a need a little inspiration to make it through. You have to know that other managers have come before you and have learned things. If you are having a rough day or you want to inspire others Here are the best leadership quotes to inspire you. 1. A leader needs to know his strengths as a carpenter knows his tools, or as a physician knows the instruments at her disposal. What great leaders have in common is that each truly knows his or her strengths, and can call on the right strength at the right time. “ â€"Donald Clifton 2. It marks a big step on your development when you come to realize that other people can help you do a better job than you could do alone. -Andrew Carnegie 3. “My father had a simple test that helps me measure my own leadership quotient: When you are out of the office, he once asked me, does your staff carry on remarkable well without you?” -Martha Peak, AMA magazines 4. If people believe in themselves, its amazing what they can accomplish. -Sam Walton 5. Leadership is getting people to work for you when they are not obligated. -Fred Smith 6. The greatest mistake a person can make is to be afraid of making one. -Elbert Hubbard 7. Attitudes are noting more than habits of thought and habits can be acquired. An action repeated becomes an attitude realized. -Paul Meier 8. “The way to achieve your own success is to be willing to help somebody else get it first.” -Iyanla Vanzant 9. The price of greatness is responsibility. -Winston Churchill 10 The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life. Attitude to me is more important than facts. We cannot change our pastwe cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way. We cannot change the inevitable. The only thing we can do is play on the string we have, and that is our attitude. I am convinced that life is 10 percent what happens to me and 90 percent how I react to it. And so it is with you we are in charge of our attitudes. Charles Swindoll 11. “We treat our people like royalty. If you honor and serve the people who work for you, they will honor and serve you.”  Mary Kay Ash 12. Everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required.” -Luke 12:48 13. The unexamined life is not worth living. â€"Plato 14. A goal is a dream with a deadline.” â€" Napoleon Hill 15. “If your actions create a legacy that inspires others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, then, you are an excellent leader.”  Dolly Parton What are your favorite leadership quotes?

7 LinkedIn Tips to Maximize Your Job Search - Classy Career Girl

7 LinkedIn Tips to Maximize Your Job Search It doesn’t matter if you are a recent graduate looking for your first job or a seasoned professional who wants to upgrade your career. If you aren’t active on LinkedIn, you are missing plenty of chances to get all that you can out of your job search efforts. Then again, even if you are active on LinkedIn, you might be missing out on some great opportunities. 7 LinkedIn Tips to Help Maximize Your Job Search 1. Ask Your Connections For Recommendations   Let’s be honest, anybody can claim to have whatever skills they want to on LinkedIn. Because of this, it is normal for recruiters and HR pros to be a bit wary when they are looking for qualified talent to fill positions. One way that you can improve your chances of finding a great opportunity through LinkedIn is to ask former coworkers and employers to write recommendations for you. These provide a sort of certificate of authenticity that lets potential employers know that your claims are trustworthy. 2. Like Companies to Receive Constant Updates   If you are looking for a job, you probably know the industry that is most attractive to you. Hopefully, you’ve also created a dream list of companies that you would love to work for. Connect with these companies, and click on ‘like’. You will receive regular updates on changes within the organization, and most importantly, new job openings. 3.  Use Keywords That Work in Your Headline   What kind of job are you looking for? Get the attention of potential employers by including industry relevant keywords in your headline. If you aren’t sure which keywords to use, go to a job board that features jobs in your chosen field. Then, pay attention. The ads that you see will show very specific keyword phrases repeated over and over again. You want your profile to be viewable when people search for those keywords. 4. Complete Your Profile   This isn’t Facebook. It’s LinkedIn. Complete your profile so that you don’t leave potential connections without important information relating to you, your experience, your connections, and your goals. Completing your profile makes you more searchable and LinkedIn. Perhaps even more importantly, it demonstrates thoroughness and attention to detail. [RELATED: How to Rock Your LinkedIn Profile in 8 Steps] 5.  Make Lots of Connections   500! That is the golden number. If you have 500 or more connections on LinkedIn, you are seen as someone with industry influence, and a bit of someone to watch. So, reach out to friends, family members, and others. Don’t worry about connections that turn out to be dubious. The platform provides ways for you to disconnect from people and businesses if you need to. On the other hand, if you do reach that magical number, don’t squander it. Reach out to your connections. Think of it like this. By getting 500 followers, you earn what might be the equivalent of a 5-star rating for a restaurant. You still need to cook up great things and impress folks.  6.  Share Your Opinions   Thought leadership, if you have that, you can significantly increase your likelihood of finding a job. So, how do you establish thought leadership? That’s easy. You put yourself on the line. You offer up advice, opinions, and other content that relates to your industry. Even better, you can do all of this by taking advantage of LinkedIn’s self-publishing feature. Write posts and articles, then share those with your connections. 7. Write Recommendations   So, it’s full circle time, ladies. LinkedIn is all about forging connections with others. You’ve asked for recommendations from former employers, coworkers, alumni, and instructors. Why not step up and pay that back by writing up some positive recommendations of your own? The good will that you create just might pay off in your job search. Final Thoughts When it comes to making connections that can truly help you to find the job of your dreams, LinkedIn is the premier platform. Put these seven tips into play, and you can broadcast your talents, passions, and connections to the anybody who just might be your lead to your new dream job.

Developing Communication Skills Resume

Developing Communication Skills ResumeCommunication skills are vital to the success of any successful leader. Unfortunately, a lack of this skill has led to many disastrous outcomes in the past. To avoid such a situation, it is important to develop your communication skills.Your communication skills include the ability to listen and comprehend. With this skill, you will be able to properly communicate your thoughts and ideas. You will also be able to understand the needs of your employees, and communicate your direction accordingly. When you can clearly express your needs and expectations to your employees, you will be able to maximize their productivity.In addition to developing your communication skills, you should also consider the importance of following up. Many leaders who are able to communicate their direction to their staff, but are unable to follow through with a follow up. People, as well as the companies they work for, depend on their leaders to not only communicate their direction, but to then follow through with it. It is important to be able to follow up, as this is an indicator that you are an effective leader.Having excellent communication skills is just one part of the puzzle. There are many other traits that you should have in order to be a successful leader. The following is a list of some of the other important traits, and qualities that make a great leader. Without these traits, the next leader you might find, is no good at all.Leadership skills are the reason why others follow. Without leadership skills, there is no reason for someone to follow you. If you want to be effective in this position, you should be able to maintain a positive and encouraging aura. When you are empathetic and willing to help those around you, they will follow you. There is no better way to achieve this than by leading them in the right direction.Communication skills are equally important when it comes to leading people. This includes having a firm grip on the wri tten word. When someone hears your words, it does not necessarily mean they understand your point of view. To be successful in the business world, you will need to be able to express your point of view effectively in writing. It is for this reason that you should hire a professional writing service for your communication skills resume.Leaders in any field are required to have excellent listening skills. When you cannot clearly hear someone's needs, they are not likely to be able to fully grasp what you are trying to convey. If you do not try to understand the individual that you are speaking to, your communication skills resume will come across as 'unreliable.' For this reason, if you need to learn the art of effective listening, you should consider seeking training from a listening coach. Being able to clearly hear the needs of your employees, and to better communicate with them, will translate into greater profits for your company.If you cannot clearly communicate your message to others, there is no reason for them to follow you. But if you are able to communicate clearly and convincingly, they will in turn follow you. By following these tips, and taking action in implementing them, you will find that you are not only building your communication skills resume, but that you will also find yourself a leader, instead of a follower.

What to do after you graduate - Debut graduate life adulting

What to do after you graduate - Debut graduate life adulting So, youve graduated and just like that, your student days are over. You’ve donned the cap and gown, and that degree is prettily framed on your wall. No more Freshers Week, no more exam revision, no more scrounging off your student discount (unless of course, you have an NUS extra card) Youre a graduate. It’s time to adult. Now we know this is a scary prospect, because there’s so much to consider. Where do you even start? Well, we have a few pointers to help ease you along this new chapter in your life. Think about your finances WAIT, DON’T CLICK AWAY! We know the F-word can send us all to sleep, but it’s vitally important. Those lovely student loans that used to appear in your account every term? They aren’t around anymore. Consider how you’ll be able to manage your expenditures. If you have a job, look at whether you’ll have to pay back your loan. Remember if you earn less than £25,000, you shouldn’t be paying back anything. On the topic of salaries, ensure that you’re applying for jobs that have a wage  you can realistically live off of. Sure, that low-paid internship may have an exciting description, but will you be able to afford your weekly food shop on £12,000 a year living in the city? Probably not. Create an estimated budget sheet if you have time. If you’re reading at all the above and thinking “pfft, been there done that!”, then get extra prepared. Plan for the future; look at pension options and assess if you want to make any adjustments. If you can trust yourself, get a credit card and make regular payments each month that you pay back instantly to build up your credit score. Get a career plan in place Graduate life is all about finding that right career path, so the first thing to do is to identify your interests. Look at guides online to identify the sector, role and locations that appear the most exciting to you. Once you’ve done that, start looking at applying. Naturally, our nifty app is probably the easiest way to do this. If you’re at the application/interview stage of the job-hunt, then consider what you need to check off in regards to research and preparation. Do you know key facts about the company you’re applying to? Do you have all your unique selling points to hand? Write it all down in a doc and get yourself ahead of the game. Some of you may already have a job secured. If you do, then start thinking about progression. Where can you go in your current role, or what can you do to set yourself up for a promotion further down the line? Be honest and ask yourself if you’re in a role you want to continue for the next few years. Stop relying on mum and dad It’s far too easy to fall into a rut of letting your parents take care of everything after you graduate, but here’s a reality check: it’s not healthy. Of course, let them support you where they’re willing and if it’s necessary. But, if you can make changes yourself, then strive to do them. If you have the funds, means and confidence to move out, do it. It’ll be different from living in student halls/houses, there’s no doubt. But if it’s to a brand new location for a new job, then consider it a fresh start. If you’d rather take an adventure, pack a bag and go travelling. It’ll still help establish your independence. If you cant move out your family home because maybe your salary doesn’t give you enough, or maybe you want to save as much as possible before making that next step, that’s obviously still fine just ensure you aren’t using them as a crutch. Do some chores, work on your employability and for Gods sake learn how to use the washing machine if you haven’t already! Refresh your ‘student’ image If you’re going for interviews or starting a new career, we mean this literally. If you don’t have a professional wardrobe, then make sure to invest in a few staple items. Trust us, it’s better to make this investment now than risk making a bad first impression by turning up to an interview in your egg-stained jeans and ten-year-old trainers. Equally if youre making that step into a new career, then consider what information employers can find out about you. Social media should be your first port of call, as some employers may check there. Are there any photos or statuses that need purging after you graduate? It’s better to be safe than sorry. You don’t want your profiles to just show you being drunk all the time. Consider your professional manner as well, especially if you don’t have much experience with interviewing. The way you talk and present yourself is vital, so ensure that you can adopt a tone that is professional and appropriate to use within a business context. Don’t think you’ll just be able to wing it on the day. #Yolo Download Debut  and  connect with us on  Facebook,  Twitter  and  LinkedIn  for more careers insights.

Contract Work into a Permanent Job - Pathfinder Careers

Transform Temp / Contract Work into a Permanent Job - Pathfinder Careers Transform Temp / Contract Work into a Permanent Job Great news! You’ve landed either temporary or contract work, which suddenly has taken so much stress off of you from looking for a job. Now you can pay the bills, settle in, and concentrate your focus on getting up to speed and making valuable contributions. But what’s the worst thing that can happen at this point? Becoming complacent in this moment of opportunity.   But first, let’s be clear. Contract or temporary work does NOT guarantee a future at the company.   It is exactly that: a stretch of employment that has a finite end to it, and you’re going to have to deal with an end point sooner or later. But despite not being a permanent employee, you have something vastly more powerful in your career arsenal right now than the unemployed job seekers: You have a foot in the door. You are a known quantity. And you have a chance to prove yourself. If you are seeking permanent work and accept part-time, contract, or temp employment, you should be focused on doing quality work as job #1, and as job #2, looking for opportunities to secure a longer-term position within the employer. There are several ways to position yourself and take advantage of this opportunity to potentially extend your employment with this company.   Here are five tips on how to transform temp / contract work into the possibility of your being retained as a full-time, regular employee: 1)           Think and act like an employee genuinely interested in mission and bottom line of  company.   If you just show up, do your job, and complete only the minimum of what is asked of you… well, you’ve just painted yourself into a very small box that doesn’t show much dynamism.   While you have to be aware of not stepping on toes, if you truly do find a new way to save the company money or help them in any way, be sure to make sure you let the key supervisor  know.   They’ll appreciate it. 2)           Provide status reports to all key stakeholders in a timely, concise way. Sometimes, as a temp/contract employee, you won’t be a regular part of the staff team, and get left out of what is the normal information flow.   By taking the initiative on communications, you also demonstrate your strong skills in this area, and provide critical updates to projects. 3)           Step up.   If possible and you can manage the added work, request additional tasks.   This will give you a broader knowledge of company operations,  strengthen your bench skills, bring you into more contact with a larger number of decision makers and co-workers, and shows your initiative. 4)           Ask to be hired full-time.   If a staff opening for which you are qualified comes up while you are employed on a temp/contract basis, don’t be afraid to talk to the key decision maker for that position to let them know about your interest in the job.   You don’t want to be too aggressive, but at the same  time, this isn’t the moment to suddenly be a wallflower and hope that they ‘pick’ you.   If you don’t tell them of your interest, they don’t know. 5)           Propose a job if the timing is right.   Many employers have cut back staffing   to bare minimum due to the economy, but as things ease up a bit, they might be more receptive to adding back   positions.   If the timing seems right, and you can see a clear need that you could fulfill as a full time worker, schedule a time to talk to the decision maker and make your proposal. If none of these tactics work, and the part-time/contract work truly has an evitable end date, then you should concentrate on doing the best job possible for the employer.   Then, several weeks before the scheduled end-date, set up a time with your supervisor, discuss your interest in their company and field, and if they seem willing, ask them about who they would recommend talking to about possible full-time employment in that same field.   Always remember to thank them for the opportunity to work at their company, and make them feel that if a position were to come open, you would prefer to work at their organization based on the positive experience you’ve while you’ve been there. You never know where this can lead!

How to work with a clueless co-worker -

How to work with a clueless co-worker - Do you work with someone you could only generously refer to as dumb as a post? Do you have a clueless co-worker? You have no idea how this person finagled a job in your department or company, but its clear focusing on the task at hand is not his or her strong suit? There are a lot of difficult personality types in the office, but its possible the colleague who just doesnt seem to ever get it can be one of the most challenging to manage â€" especially if patience is not one of your virtues. Take these tips into consideration if this hits home for you. Put yourself in the other persons shoes. Maybe youve already decided your co-worker is clueless, but try to stop and think about what may be confusing him or her. If the job is new or the  job description recently changed, it is possible your colleague is experiencing overwhelm and maybe isnt as dumb as you think! Instead of getting angry or annoyed, take a deep breath and try, try again to explain things, or co-opt another colleague to take a shot at helping make things clear. Is it you?   Maybe you dont realize how intimidating you are at work. Do you have a tone of voice that makes it clear you think the other person is clueless when alerted to a  mistake? Do you raise an eyebrow a little too quickly or let out an exasperated sigh? If so, you could be contributing to the problem. Try to take a long look at how you are handling the co-worker and make a change. Extend yourself.   Perhaps a little special attention from you can make a difference in helping get things on track. Dont underestimate the power of spending a little extra time explaining things and offering support and help. Some people would rather make mistakes than ask a question. If you offer to respond to inquiries â€" even though youve already explained things â€" you could save yourself a lot of grief later. Seek assistance.   Depending on your company, there may be external resources available to help manage a problem employee. In some cases, he or she may be offered formal training. In other cases, it will be up to you (or a supervisor) to carefully document problems in order to counsel him or her into a more appropriate position elsewhere. Problem solve. If the problem isnt a matter of a new employee, and its clear youre stuck working with someone who is more likely to cause a problem than to solve one, do what you can to circle the wagons and avoid handing important projects to the sub-standard colleague. It may mean more work for you and others in your team, but if you can avoid cleaning up problems later, it could be worth it. (Consider trying for a  promotion  yourself while you are at it.) Be a friend. If nothing else works, and it looks like your clueless colleague is there to stay, consider how you can help him or her find a different job. Share information about networking events and talk up the value of  social networking  to move ahead, career-wise. While you wont want to give a strong work recommendation to someone who clearly cant perform, maybe you can mentor the person into a role more appropriate â€" and out of your department. Originally appeared on AolJobs.com.