Mistakes to Avoid in a Job Application

You have finally done it. You have found your dream job and you cannot wait to apply for it. You know that you will be absolutely perfect for it; you have all the right experience and qualifications and you have spent all day putting together a job application along with cover letter deserving of a literary award. You are just seconds away from sending the application. Don't! Take a moment to go over the job application once again to ensure you have avoided the common mistakes that thousands of candidates make in their application. Their resume ends up in the no pile and their dream job remains exactly that; a dream.
Some mistakes you should avoid in your job application are mentioned here:
• Spelling and grammatical errors
Although these type of errors may seem small in nature, they can be a major red flag for most employers. They convey to the recruiters or hiring managers that you don't pay attention to detail and will give the impression that you rushed through your application rather than working on it. Don't be in a hurry when you are filling out your application and have someone go over it, if possible.
• Not following directions
This is something that we are taught in grade school, but it is amazing how many of us still don't read and follow directions. Every application that you fill is slightly different and requires a unique response so it is important to go over every step. You need to pay attention to everything when applying for a job. Re-think your strategy and don't apply for a job if you aren't qualified for it.
• Turning in a resume without altering it
Every time you send your resume in for a job application, make sure you have made changes to it according to the job you are applying for. If you hope that your resume will fit the overall criteria of the employer, it may just cost you the job. Never send your resume in without tailoring it to a particular job position. Go through the qualifications, job description and education requirements and use your resume to show the potential employer how you fit into these requirements with your expertise, skills and previous experience.
• Writing a generic cover letter
The purpose of your cover letter is to tell a compelling story so that it piques the interest of the hiring manager enough to get them to read your resume. It should refer to the employer by name and detail why you are a good fit for the job position. Don't use a generic cover letter for all jobs. Write a new one, according to the position available.
• Not going beyond the job description
Researching the organization for which you are applying is imperative. You need to know its structure, what it does, its goals, missions and values for determining how you fit. These things will be vital if you land an interview and you will be one step ahead, giving a positive impression.

Is a Hospitality Career for You?

Jamaica is well-known across the globe for its beautiful vacation spots, hospitality, culture and the resilience of its people. Over the years these factors have attracted millions of visitors to its shores and the best part of it is that many of these people have become repeat visitors.

This has open up the possibility of many job opportunities for the locals. In fact the Hospitality & Tourism sector is one of the largest employer of Jamaicans and the biggest contributor of foreign exchange. The major universities have incorporated courses geared at equipping individuals to work in this fast growing industry.
This is an enticing career field and can be quite tempting, especially with the very lucrative pay waiting for you and benefits in store. However, getting into this industry is not all about perks, benefits and big tips. It demands of you a lot of work which involves commitment and discipline.
So, before you pass that resume or application to undergo training, try to think carefully first if this kind of profession is really for you. Here are some points to ponder on to help you see the big picture more clearly.
Humility: Do You Have It?
This job is service oriented; therefore you are required to be prepared at all times regardless of the situation to offer service. This job asks for humility, you have to be humble and has a caring heart for people you are serving. If you are the type of person that cannot lower your pride, then this would be a pretty tough job for you. However, if you are the type who loves to serve and accommodate the needs of other people, this would be pretty easy on your part.
A Perpetual Smile
Being in this kind of profession means having a perpetual smile on your face throughout your working hours. You cannot grumble and complain about work, especially in front of your guests. No matter how bad your day has been, you should be prepared to serve people with a smile.
Smiling is one way of being hospitable. It is also one good way to make people feel that they are welcome in a new place. So, if you think you can't keep that smile plastered on your face even if you're not in the mood, then this kind of job is not ideally for you.
Ready To Work The Graveyard Shift?
Jobs in this field usually involve working in hotels, cafes, casinos and restaurants. All of which usually requires 24 hours a day, 7 days a week service providers. In most cases, you are not the one who will be setting your schedule but your manager.
You have to be ready to work the graveyard shift, schedules of working duty also varies. You have to be flexible and be prepared to adjust to whatever schedule you are given. It requires commitment so you have to be prepared physically and mentally also.
Goodbye Holidays!
Holidays are the busiest time of the year for this industry, therefore, you have to be prepared to give up your own holiday celebrations while you serve other people so that they can have their holiday vacation of a lifetime. This part of the job does not only affect you, but also your family. So it means that you will also have to prepare them so they can understand the nature of your job.
Home Away From Home
Travelling is a part for most positions in this career path. If you'll be working in a cruise or airline setting, then you should be prepared to have your home away from home, which would be your ship or airplane. There are also tour guide positions in which you would sometimes be on tour for a number of days. You get to go home for about a day or so and you'll be off on another tour once more.
So, do you think you can handle all these? If yes, then good luck with your hospitality career venture!

It is time to take charge of your career path and be the navigator of your future. Take stock and analyse the direction of your life and get back on course if you strayed.

Networking Strategies To Help With Your Job Search

Networking in all areas of your target industry can be a great idea. There are strategies you can use to build a solid network and establish good professional relationships. Find out more about the field you are interested in. Attend conferences, read blogs, and do everything in your power to become more knowledgeable. Networking allows you to absorb information from multiple sources and with a variety of perspectives.
Networking with friends is a great way to find a job. Ask them if they are aware of any place that is hiring, and see if they would introduce you to them. Recommendations are one of the best ways for you to land a job.
Treat the world as your classroom. You might need more skill in order to get a job. It is important for you to take the opportunity to learn as much as you can so you can get a better job. The Internet has several options for virtually anyone.
Go back to school to improve your education. Job hunting often requires you to add to your skills. You should always embrace learning opportunities as a way to land better jobs. Look online to see what sort of online classes you can take in your free time to help land a better position.
Make good use of LinkedIn. The Q and A section is a great way to showcase your knowledge and skill. It works both ways on LinkedIn, too, so you can ask questions about certain positions and find out more about an opportunity.
When you write your resume, be sure to include your social media contacts. Social media is now used by a number of companies, and when you can do that, you can position yourself as someone who may be able to handle that for them, even if it's only in a posting capacity.
If you don't have one, try obtaining a professional email address. The first thing your employer will see is your contact information. Keep your address simple an use your last name. You wouldn't want your frivolous email address to lose a good job for you.
Be sure to list all contact numbers, including your cell phone, on resumes and job applications. This will give you the ability to take calls when you are not at home. Your cell phone is portable and can be taken with you anywhere in case they call.
Keep in mind that most companies are only about making income. When getting ready for an interview, think of ways to showcase your profit-generating talents. Try to show companies ways that you can set yourself apart from the pack.
Use all of the resources you have at your disposal. Include these tips in your everyday job searching regimen. You'll find that job in no time!

How to Choose a Top Company for Your Next Job

What are the main aspects you should take into account when choosing your next employer? What makes a company worth working for? Let's see:
Performance reviews
Any company that's worth working for will have scheduled performance reviews, preferably at least once a year. Some companies do them every six months, and some in even shorter intervals. Regardless of the exact timing of these reviews, make sure the company you're interested in does perform these reviews. It gives a great idea of how active employees are, their current contributions to a company in comparison to past reviews, and how productive they are with their time at the office. This also can give the chance to get concerns or comments heard, as most companies that perform these reviews also take comments into consideration during the review. Constructive feedback from these reviews is one of the best things a company can give an employee, as it show strengths and weaknesses without being unfair or overbearing.
Career advancement opportunity
Do the employers of the company you're looking at offer regular training, and what is their promotion process? These are good questions to ask during an interview, as it shows ambition towards furthering your personal contribution to a company, and it can answer important questions. If the company in question does not offer performance-based promotions, or any sort of actual career advancement, question why. Figure out the reason that employer has no desire to offer a goal beyond earning your next paycheck. The amount of motivation some employees show when a promotion is on the line can be astounding, and the best results come from motivated employees who have something to prove. Any employer who views his or her employees as an asset on that level is one worth considering.
Employee recognition
Are you the type to come up with new ideas to increase productivity or profits? Do you consistently perform above the standard and improve your skills far beyond your official job description? Make sure your potential employer will understand and recognize these behaviors. Employee recognition is nearly as effective a motivator as promotion opportunities, and can provide better results in some cases. Hearing how genuinely appreciated they are can do wonderful things for morale, and offering some sort of benefit, even if it's something small like a hat, can get all employees to willingly work harder while maintaining a positive attitude.
Schedule flexibility
Employers are starting to catch on to the fact that their employees need to balance work and life. Studies have been done to show a direct positive relationship between work balance and life balance, resulting in happier employees, better work ethic, and higher overall work quality, as well as increased motivation. Companies that can show some sort of flexibility where your personal life is concerned are highly searched out. Morale and general positive atmosphere are intangible benefits directly coming from a good work-life balance. A good way to determine the willingness of a company to work with you would be to research what extra facilities a company offers besides the office, such as a cafeteria or gym.

How To Write a Powerful Resume In Just One Hour

The useful skill of resume writing does not require a long time to master. Indeed, many useful resume techniques can expedite the process of creating a powerful resume writing in a relatively brief period of time.
This handy article will explain how to write a resume in just one hour.
First: Assemble Required Information
The first step involves collecting all your resume writing information. You will need the names and locations of all of the schools you've attended in the past, plus your date of graduation. If you worked in the past, you will also want to locate the names and addresses and contact information of all your previous employers. Finally, make a list of all your achievements, including volunteer positions you held and any especially prestigious awards or titles you received. You can save yourself time in this task by maintaining a personal file containing all this data.
Second: Decide on a Focus
A powerful resume can rely upon the standard format supplied in most word processing software, but you do need to decide upon your focus. This step matters because powerful resume writing usually lists all of your prior work experiences, but in some special cases may emphasize other aspects of your career. If you intend to change occupations, for example, and go into an entirely new field, you may want to stress unpaid volunteer activities that would relate to your new employment duties.
Third: Use Active Voice
One important "how to write a resume" tip involves the use of active voice as much as possible. Instead of explaining "I was a teacher at... " or "I was an insurance agent" write: "I taught at... or " I sold insurance." This simple resume writing technique helps build a powerful resume, because you express yourself using strong, active voice verbs and not passive ones.
Fourth: Don't Leave Gaps
Many prospective employers dislike unexplained gaps of time in resumes. So if you have been out of the job market, make sure to account for all missing time in your resume, e.g. by noting periods of self-employment or internship.
Fifth: Proofread
Finally, a powerful resume writing technique at the conclusion of how to write a resume involves careful proofreading. Rapid resume writing will not produce a powerful resume if typographical errors abound. So proofread your final document carefully before saving the file in .doc form or .txt form in your word processing system.

Janis Potter is the owner of Affordable Resume Experts where we can provide you with a high quality and powerful resume within just 48 hours. We will work closely with you ensuring that you receive exactly what you are looking for. If you need a consultation prior to getting started we can take care of all of your job searching and interviewing needs.

What Does a Marine Cargo Surveyor Do?

The primary job of a marine cargo surveyor is checking shipments and inspecting the sea vessels that are carrying those shipments. They do so for preventing spreading of diseases and ensuring that there is no safety violation. In this article, we will be discussing about the jobs done by these professionals in detail.

As mentioned above, these surveyors inspect cargoes of sea vessels before they set out for a voyage. Based on the results on the inspection, they declare whether or not all international and national health and safety regulations are followed in cargo storage and handling. These people also need to read vessel documents describing the cargo loading and storage procedures, capacities of the inspected vessel and a range of stability factors. This helps them in ascertaining cargo capabilities based on cargo regulations and design.
Following the inspection, the marine cargo surveyor advises the crew about techniques of putting away harmful and bulky cargo; these include use of stronger lashings, support beams shoring etc. He also educates the crew about ways of handling hazards present in the vessel; this happens primarily when the vessel is used for shipping explosives, grains, heavy machinery and logs.
A surveyor requires inspecting all loaded and secured cargo for making sure that each of the relevant cargo handling and storage regulations has been observed. If any discrepancy is detected, it is the duty of the surveyor to inform higher authorities about it as quickly as possible so that necessary steps are taken promptly. These professionals also need to recommend remedial methods for correcting the detected deficiencies.
A marine cargo surveyor also holds the right to issue a certificate of compliance if he or she doesn't detect any violation during the inspection process.
The job of a marine cargo surveyor doesn't end with inspection of cargo; these people need to perform a range of additional jobs. These include measurement of the capacity of the vessel, and depth of water and fuel in tanks. In addition, they are often required to read draft markings for making sure that the vessel is floating at the right water level.
The job of reading and analyzing the data gathered from the survey also belongs to these specially appointed marine professionals. The results of the analysis allow them to formulate suitable recommendations and prepare a detailed report about the findings of the survey.
Last, but not least, services of a marine cargo surveyor is also required for inspecting different cargo handling devices like hoists, derricks etc.

Learn How to Become a Teaching Assistant

Many people are looking to start a career in learning support, so it's beneficial to highlight the two principal routes into a career in education.
The two different pathways into learning support are; volunteering in a school and enrolling onto a teaching assistant course.
Volunteering in a school
Firstly, volunteering in a school is a brilliant way to secure first-hand experience as a teaching assistant. By volunteering, you can develop a rapport with the school staff whilst gaining hands-on experience of the educational system. This will help you standout from the competition as gathering direct experience will encourage a potential employer to hire you should a job arise.
Conversely, it's worth noting that each school has their own way of doing things. Whether its their teaching method, disciplinary system or their reward framework, its exceptionally rare to discover two schools who don't contrast greatly in their approach. By volunteering at a school you can gain an understanding of how that particular school operates which will increase your chances of employment.
As with any occupation in any industry, it's important to develop connections with professionals in that field. Volunteering will award you the chance to gain invaluable contacts who will be able to help you in your career - either by issuing you advice, giving you a reference or by making you aware of any vacancies that arise in the industry.
Volunteering can also benefit you as a learning support assistant as it can allow you to gain a greater understanding of what setting you'd like to work in. If you're already pondering how to become a teaching assistant, then I believe it's important to start also considering what kind of teaching assistant you'd like to be.
Would you be happier working in a primary school setting as an in-class TA? Would you enjoy working in a coordinated team with youngsters who have a particular type of special educational needs? Or would you hope to work across a range of year groups with a range of different SEN children in a secondary school?
There are many choices to consider when entering education and, by volunteering in a diverse array of settings, you will be able to discover which path is a good fit for you. Volunteering can give you direct experience of working in a school which is invaluable when beginning and developing a career in learning support.
Study for a Teaching Assistant Qualification
An alternative method to become a teaching assistant is to select on one of the many teaching assistant courses.
The most popular courses in the UK are the Teaching Assistant Level 2 and 3 course. Finishing either course will qualify you to work in a school as a member of the academic support staff. The main distinction between the two is that Level 3 teaching assistants are legally able to cover a lesson when the class teacher is absent.
Whilst there are more specific courses you can study, the aforementioned pair qualify you to work in either a primary or a secondary school, accordingly increasing your employment opportunities. Each course consists of several pieces of coursework and a placement in a school where you will eventually be assessed by a tutor from the establishment where you're studying.
There are distinctive advantages and disadvantages associated with studying either course. It's important to highlight the fact that the Teaching Assistant Level 2 and 3 courses qualify you to work across various settings and that you'll be given advice about how to secure a role upon graduation. However, it's also important to note that a number of support staff have this qualification so choosing a more particular course would allow you to become a specialist about a particular special educational need (SEN) which will give you a greater chance of securing a job working with that SEN.
When discussing how to become a teaching assistant, it's important to note that gaining a related qualification can help you to gain more knowledge and experience, thus increasing your employment opportunities.

A Career in the Biotechnology Sector

The euphoria of graduation day has worn off. You have done it - finished up that degree, made your family proud, and now it is time to strike out on your own. Your love of the field led you to seek and earn a degree in biotechnology, but how do you go about finding a job in such a field? It isn't as hard as you might think. You can find a job in biotechnology, or any field, with a little bit of dedication and prep work.
Biotechnology - or the use of technology to modify organic (living) material - is a vast field that has been around for years. While there are several subcategories of the field, the main ones are agriculture, industry, medicine, and bioinformatics. The vastness of the field works in your favor, as there are many options for employment. You could end up working in a brewery or winery to make that perfect drink, or working in the field to minimize the damage an oil spill or other chemical spill might have on wildlife, or even working in a lab on pest control, genetics, or pharmaceuticals. All of it is biotechnology.
The vast array of options aside, how exactly do you go about securing that all-important job? In addition to a biology or biotech degree, you will need a strong resume. Post it to every online job bank you can. Really good ones for biotech jobs are Biospace.com, CleanroomJobs.net and Biotechnologyjobs.com Posting your resume allows employers to find you. When they call, the initial screening is already complete, and you'll know you passed.
Search the online job bank databases as well. Don't just stick to popular sites like Monster, CareerBuilder, and HotJobs. Try looking at databases dedicated to the biotech job scene. In addition to the above two, check out ihirebiotechnology.com and sciencejobs.com. Many universities offer free job placement services and career counseling - take advantage of that while you can. They may have connections or knowledge of listings for entry level jobs that are not posted elsewhere.
Another approach to landing that job is to attend job fairs hosted by companies in the biotechnology industry. You can find out about these by reading newspaper classifieds, visiting the human resources pages of the companies you are interested in, and by checking announcements posted in job forums. Make your social networking time pay off!
Lastly, don't be afraid to use word of mouth when it comes to successful job searching. Sometimes, the adage, "It's not what you know, its who you know" proves true. Ask friends, family, or someone "in the know" if they are aware of any jobs that would be right for you. Sometimes, your best tools for job searching are your mouth and ears. Use them wisely.
As vast as the field of biotechnology is, you are bound to find at least an entry level position in a reasonable amount of time. With patience and persistence, the perfect biotechnology job will come your way. Use the resources that are available to you, and watch your career take off.

Healthcare Jobs To Choose The Right Occupation

Getting a job in the healthcare agency can be beneficial to your environment if you get the position that is best for you. This space has a lot of different occupations that many people are interested in and this segment is going to talk about some of them.
The main thing that people think of when they are hearing about careers in this classification are doctors. Most people think of doctors as people that give health treatment, but there are a lot of different types. You can be an internal doctor, or a foot doctor, or a family doctor, etc. There are selections with different types and depending what you want to focus on you can practice in that field. Of course, choosing a field will depend on the work that you want to do. Doctors require a lot of schooling and it's not a job you can get quickly but for the people who are interested in pursuing this it is an option and they might be able to get more out of it than something different.
There are nurses, which are another popular career. Nurses can work in different areas, too, and depending on their selection they may have specific responsibilities to fulfill. Nurses can work with professionals in the office and keep track of what everyone is doing, patient information, help administer exams, and explain care to members. Nursing is a popular field and there are many people, both male and female, that go into it.
Systems in the healthcare field require upkeep and there are a variety of positions for this as well to keep the computers and machinery working as explained. These people should have a working knowledge of the gathering too because they need to be able to get things up and running within the space of healthcare. This should be a good job for someone who likes to work with equipment.
Operators of various tests are part of the scope of healthcare, too. The people who run the x-rays and other scanning devices that check your condition and send the data to the rest of the office are important and more so are something that you can do with the proper interest. You can work in a variety of offices and get to do what you learned while managing population data. Rationing these positions makes it possible for different facilities to have access to the required records.

Government Jobs - Why People Want Them

For many people from the middle income group, there has been one perpetual dilemma - whether to join a private job or a government job. In the past few decades, there had been a race for private jobs as compared to government jobs. However, now people prefer working for the government. Here is why.
Recession proof
While in private jobs, people are laid off, the government jobs are recession proof. In these jobs, people are not laid off whether or not there is a recession in the economy. Moreover, recessions do not affect the government organizations at all. In other words, the people do not stop getting their salaries when they work in one of the government jobs. In fact, you would never lose your job when you work for the government since the government jobs are stable.
Promotions
When you take up these jobs, you can easily get promoted to the next level. In a government job, the more the number of years you serve the government, the higher are your chances of getting a promotion. Obviously, this could work out to be an advantage as well as a disadvantage because someone, who is above average, may not be able to grow faster than his average colleagues.
Perks and benefits
In these jobs, one can get not only promotions, but also retirement benefits. Moreover, you can get paid vacations to a place of your choice when you work for the government. Your salary would also increase without any correlation to your performance, when you work in a government job. You would also automatically stand to get respect when you are working for the government as compared to when you work in a private job. There are no strict rules while working in the government. You can go to your office even a little later and nobody would question you. In the private sector, strict rules are observed and people need to come to the office on time.
Child and dependent care
There are many different programmes for child and dependent care available to the government employees. It is best to talk to the human resources department regarding the same. You can also pass on the job to your children when you grow old and retire. This is the benefit of these kinds of jobs that is not available in private jobs. This is why most people would prefer government jobs as compared to private jobs.