Critical Thinking Skills Definition, Examples How to Improve

Critical Thinking Skills Definition, Examples How to Improve You came to the right place to learn all you need to know about critical thinking skills: how to apply them in the workplace and everyday life, how to improve them easily, and how to show them off during your job search.And why is critical thinking important?First of all, thats what almost every employer seeks.Secondly, in the era of fake news, contrasting data, and so much information to process every day, critical thinking is the only way to make sense of the world.This guide will show you:The best definition of critical thinking skills.How to use critical thinking skills step by step.A list of the most important critical thinking skills for the workplace and how to use them to get more job offers.Tools and ideas for improving your critical thinking skills fast.Want to save time and have your resume ready in 5 minutes? Try our resume builder. Its fast and easy to use. Plus, youll get ready-made content to add with one click. See 20+ resume templates and create your resume here.Samp le resume made with our builderSee more templates and create your resume here.One of our users, Nikos, had this to say:[I used] a nice template I found on Zety. My resume is now one page long, not three. With the same stuff.Create your resume nowWant to learn more about listing all kinds of skills on a resume? See our guide with the ultimate list ofBest Job Skills to Put on a Resume1What Are Critical Thinking Skills and Why You Need Them?Before we jump into defining critical thinking skills, lets run a quick experiment.Well try to find out if drinking coffee is good for you.First, google reasons not to drink coffee.Wow! Decreased anxiety (source), healthier teeth (source), weight loss (source), and ahealthier heart (source)!Oh God! Ill never touch a cup of coffee again!How about reasons to drink coffee?Lower rates of depression (source), memory boost (source), longevity (source), and, wait for it, ahealthier heart (source).Oh well. Ill never trust the Internet again.The twist? These are not some random unsupported online claims. Theres legit, peer-reviewed research that backs up EVERY single one of the above findings.So how do you reconcile these contradictory claims?By thinking critically.What does that even mean, though?What Is Critical Thinking?Critical thinking is the ability to think in an organized and rational manner in order to understand connections between ideas and/or facts. It helps you decide what to believe in. In other words, its thinking about thinkingidentifying, analyzing, and then fixing flaws in the way we think.How to Be a Critical Thinker?To become one takes time, practice, and patience. But something you can start doing today to improve your critical thinking skills is apply the 7 steps of critical thinking to every problem you tackleeither at work or in your everyday life.Plus, there are some critical thinking questions to help you out at each of the steps.Steps of Critical Thinking1. Identify the problem or question.Be as precise as po ssible: the narrower the issue, the easier it is to find solutions or answers.2. Gather data, opinions, and arguments.Try to find several sources that present different ideas and points of view.3. Analyze and evaluate the data.Are the sources reliable? Are their conclusions data-backed or just argumentative? Is there enough information or data to support given hypotheses?4. Identify assumptions.Are you sure the sources you found are unbiased? Are you sure you werent biased in your search for answers?5. Establish significance.What piece of information is most important? Is the sample size sufficient? Are all opinions and arguments even relevant to the problem youre trying to solve?6. Make a decision/reach a conclusion.Identify various conclusions that are possible and decide which (if any) of them are sufficiently supported. Weigh strengths and limitations of all possible options.7. Present or communicate.Once youve reached a conclusion, present it to all stakeholders.Lets go back to our coffee example and examine it critically, point-by-point.1. The problem in question was: is drinking coffee good for you?This approach is way to broad.First of all, what does good even mean?Secondly, we dont know if were talking about long- or short-term effects of drinking coffee. Its also possible that drinking coffee might benefit some aspects of your health while being detrimental to others.So, lets narrow down the problem to: is drinking coffee good for your heart?2. Listed above, there are only two pieces of research on the impact of drinking coffee on your heart.The first one suggests that drinking coffee could account for premature deaths in the region of 14% for coronary heart disease and 20% for stroke.According to the second one, moderate coffee consumption was associated with a lower prevalence of the Coronary Artery Disease.Weve made two other major mistakes in reasoning: first of all, two sources only are not enough.Secondly, we havent taken into account that hear t is a very complex organ: just like it is the case with the rest of our body, coffee might be good for some of its functions while bad for others.3. Both articles cited have appeared in prestigious, peer-reviewed journals.ButThe first one has been based on literature review only; no original studies.The second one, although conducted in a large (25.000 participants) sample of men and women, includes only Korean populationpeople whose hearts can be affected by other factors such as diet or climate.4. While the two sources dont appear biased, we were.We based our initial Google searches on assumptions: reasons not to drink coffee (assuming: coffee is bad for our health) and reasons to drink coffee (assuming: coffee is worth drinking).Googles search algorithms made sure we found articles in line with our assumptions.So...5. Considering all of the above, we can positively state that the information we gathered was not significant for solving the initially stated problem.6. The only con clusion that can be reached is: according to the data we gathered, drinking coffee might or might not be good for our hearts, depending on many factors and variables we failed to take into account.7. Even if the conclusion is the question cannot be answered at this point, its still worth presenting and communicating.Its good to know what the limitations of our knowledge on a given topic are.The point isIts really hard to be sure of something.And critical thinking skills are necessary for us to accept the flaws in our reasoning and gaps in our knowledge, and take advantage of them!Why Are Critical Thinking Skills Important?When you think critically, youll constantly challenge what seems given. Say, in your job, even if something appears to be functioning properly, critical thinking will help you try and identify new, better solutions.Critical thinking skills are the cornerstone of self-development and improvement. Thats why theyre so critical to have in todays job market.Just think a bout thisA recent report by the AACU revealed that 93% of employers value critical thinking over the candidates undergraduate degree. SoLets go through how you can showcase your critical thinking skills to boost your chances of landing a better job!And if you want to learn more about other job-winning skills, we've got you covered! Check out our dedicated guides:Communication Skills for Your Resume Workplace SuccessManagement Skills You Must Have (Not Just For Managers)Hard Skills for Any ResumeComputer Skills Employers Want in 2020Soft Skills vs Hard Skills for a Job: What Employers Look for2Critical Thinking Skills List for Your Job SearchIf youre just looking for a list of the most important critical thinking skills, weve got you covered.Top Critical Thinking Skills: ExamplesAnalysis: the ability to collect and process information and knowledge.Interpretation: concluding what the meaning of processed information is.Inference: assessing whether the knowledge you have is sufficien t and reliable.Evaluation: the ability to make decisions based on the available information.Explanation: communicating your findings and reasoning clearly.Self-Regulation: the drive to constantly monitor and correct your ways of thinking.Open-Mindedness: taking into account other possibilities and points of view.Problem-Solving: the ability to tackle unexpected problems and resolve conflicts.The twist?Raw lists of skills are pretty useless.Say, youre applying for a job and the job description requires critical thinking skills. You cant just dump random entries from the above list of examples on your resume.You need to prove you can think critically by giving real-life examples of how you used your critical thinking skills.How to Put Critical Thinking on a Resume: ExamplesThe best way to present and validate your critical thinking skills is to include examples of them in your past job description bullet points.Like in these examples:Critical Thinking Skills on a ResumeNursingEvaluate d and analyzed cases at hand to determine the priority of treatment.Clearly communicated and explained my rationales to doctors and other members of the nursing staff.Critical Thinking Skills on a ResumeEngineeringIdentified 8 major hidden design defects with failed constructions.Critical Thinking Skills on a ResumeCustomer ServiceInterpreted the results of phone surveys to develop a new strategy for handling customer complaints.You get the drill, right? Show dont tell.Your critical thinking skills might also be evaluated during job interviews. Again, interviewers will want to see specific examples of how you put your critical thinking to use.Pro Tip: Most of the interview questions that test critical thinking are situational interview questions. You can learn all about how to handle them from this guide: Toughest Situational Interview Questions and Best AnswersCritical Thinking Interview Questions and Answers: Examples1. Describe a situation where you challenged the way you and you r colleagues did their jobs?Our online ordering page let clients order incompatible components, causing heavy complaints. I asked if we could put a product check in place. The software engineer added warnings when two products werent compatible. Complaints went down by 35%.This answer shows:Self-regulationProblem-solving2. Describe a situation where you saw a problem and took steps to fix it.Our rechargeable forklifts had two different plugs. If you used the wrong one, you could wreck a $3,500 battery. I added zip-ties as cord-shorteners so you could only reach the right outlet. We havent lost a battery since.This answer shows:EvaluationProblem-solving3. Tell me about a time you had to persuade someone to see your side of things.The owner was convinced our gift shop was a moneymaker. I analyzed our cash flow and found it was running at a 10% deficit. I built data visualizations that showed we could increase store revenue 40% through focusing on more popular products.This answer show s:AnalysisInterpretationExplanationDont feel like a good enough critical thinker? Not to worry. There are easy ways to improve your critical thinking. You can actually start today!Because you'll need themEmployers test your critical thinking skills in many different ways, including on the job interview stage when they ask you lots of different questions.But these questions actually repeat so you can prepare best answers in advance. How? Read our guide: Most Common Job Interview QuestionsAnd Answers to Impress Your RecruiterIf you came across critical thinking as a job requirement, to land that job interview you also have to list it on your resume and include it in your cover letter, too. TryZety resume builderand get your resume and matching cover letter ready in a flash. Heres a resume and cover letter sample made using our builder:See more cover letter templates and start writing.3How to Improve Critical Thinking SkillsTo start working on your critical thinking skills, begin with applying these simple strategies:1. Ask Simple Critical Thinking QuestionsWhat do I already know?How do I know that?What am I trying to prove?What are my motivations?2. Oppose Common SenseThe problem with common sense is that its so common.No way this business idea can ever be profitable.Oh really? Why exactly not? Ramit Sethi is making a killing selling a $300 online course on how to choose a good personal assistant. If thats profitable, think what else can be.3. Be Aware of Your BiasesThe most common types of cognitive bias you need to avoid are:Confirmation Bias: we always subconsciously assume were right.Action Bias: we act too quickly before thinking something through.Association Bias: why did the rain dance always work? Because theyd dance until the rain came.4. Read a LotThis will not only help develop your critical thinking skills but actually most skills you can think of. To get a sound start on the theory and strategies behind critical thinking, check out:An A to Z of Crit ical ThinkingCritical Thinking for DummiesHow to Think Critically: A Concise GuideCritical Thinking Skills: Effective Analysis, Argument and ReflectionCritical Thinking: Your Guide to Effective Argument, Successful Analysis and Independent StudyWhat is Unconscious Bias? (+How to Avoid It in the Workplace)Want to practice important skills even more? Check out these two guides: Situational Interview Questions [+20 Answers to Nail Your Interview] and Behavioral Interview Questions and Answers [STAR Method]Key TakeawayHeres all you need to know about critical thinking skills in a nutshell:The key critical thinking skills are: analysis, interpretation, inference, explanation, self-regulation, open-mindedness, and problem-solving.In order to apply the basic principles of critical thinking, follow these steps: identify the problem, gather data, analyze and evaluate, identify assumptions, establish significance, make a decision, and communicate.To become a better critical thinker: ask simpl e questions, challenge common assumptions, be aware of your biases, and read more.Do you have any questions about critical thinking skills? Maybe youd like to share some tips on how to think more critically everyday? Let me know in the comments. I cant wait to hear your thoughts!

Finding the Best Resume Writing Companies

Finding the Best Resume Writing CompaniesWhen it comes to finding the best resume writing companies, one of the first things that you should do is to take the time to review the credentials of each company that you are interested in joining. You should always be on the lookout for a company that has excellent reviews and a wide variety of resume writing samples. Since so many people are looking for resumes on a daily basis, it is very important to be sure that you are working with the best resume writing companies can provide you with.One of the biggest mistakes that many people make when they are working with resume writing companies is to submit their resumes or get their information from these companies that they represent. In most cases, you will find that this can be a very big mistake. The reason why is because the majority of the resumes that you are going to find on resume writing websites are simply not well written. This means that you may be wasting your time and your pote ntial clients' time by doing business with them.Instead of looking for the resume writing companies that are going to provide you with the best resume writing samples, you should look for companies that have been in business for a long time and have good reviews. The fact of the matter is that a large number of individuals are not able to find a good job if they are looking for online. This is something that you should definitely avoid in the event that you are looking for the best resume writing companies can Canada.Another huge benefit that you should look for when it comes to finding the best resume writing companies can Canada is the fact that these individuals are going to work with a single person. Instead of having a large group of individuals write the resumes, the resume writing professionals that you find will be more than happy to do this for you. This can help to give you peace of mind that you are going to be working with a professional that is going to do the best job possible.You should also be able to find these companies that are going to do their job in different types of fields. If you are interested in getting resumes that are written in a more professional way, you should be able to find the best resume writing companies can Canada who are going to handle this task. These professionals are going to help you ensure that you are going to be getting a resume that is well written and meets all of your needs.It is also important to remember that there are going to be different methods that you are going to be able to use when you are searching for the best resume writing companies. Some of these methods will involve going online and looking for these companies and the jobs that they have available. However, if you feel that this method is not going to work for you, you can always go into a local directory or bookstore to find the best resume writing companies can Canada.The resume writing that you are going to be provided with should also be we ll written. You should be able to focus on your career goals and not have to worry about the resume that you are going to be given by these professionals. By being able to focus on your career goals, you will be able to ensure that you are going to be able to focus on finding the best resume writing companies can Canada.You should always remember that the resume writing that you are going to receive is going to be something that is going to get the attention of many people. The reason why this is the case is because you are going to be using it as your first contact with a potential employer. Therefore, you should always make sure that you are working with the best resume writing companies can Canada so that you can be sure that you are going to be able to land the job that you need.

Medical Aesthetics - The New Job Search Weapon - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career

Medical Aesthetics - The New Job Search Weapon - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career Right or wrong, looks do matter in the job market of 2013. With 12 million unemployed and over 35 million currently employed people competing for a finite number of jobs (CareerBuilder Employment Survey, Jan 24, 2013) more and more people are turning to medical aesthetics, a branch of medicine that deals with beautification of the body with the help of surgery and/or cosmeceuticals (the combination of cosmetics and pharmaceuticals), in the hopes that it will give them a competitive edge. In a perfect world each of us would be judged solely on the content of our character and not on how we look on the “outside.” But obviously, we certainly don’t live in anything even approaching a perfect world, and looks do indeed matter to most people. That is particularly trueâ€"and definitely relevantâ€"in the job market, where looks can (and do) influence not only IF you get the job, but also, how well you are likely to fare throughout a career. The so-called “beauty premium”â€"the idea that “pretty” people, whatever their professions or aspirations, tend to do better than the rest of us mere mortals in nearly everythingâ€"has long been recognized as an important driving factor for success. Numerous studies have shown this to be true, and one of the more sweeping studies was conducted by Newsweek in 2010, right in the midst of the worst job market in over a generation. (Nothing I’ve seen during the last few years would seem to throw those survey findings into dispute, either.) Here is just a sample of the Newsweek survey results*: Fifty-seven percent of hiring managers participating in the survey said that qualified but unattractive candidates should expect to have a harder time landing a job. More than half of the hiring managers advised job seekers to spend as much time and money on “making sure they look attractive” as on perfecting a résumé. When asked to rank employee attributes in order of importance, managers placed looks above education. (Of nine character traits measured, looks came in third, with experience being number 1 and confidence being number 2. Education was number 4.) Handsome men earn, on average, 5  percent more than their less-attractive counterparts (good-looking women earn 4  percent more). Over a career, these handsome men can expect to earn $250,000 more than less attractive men. More Professionals Considering Medical Aesthetics A growing numbers of both men and women are buying into just how important a role appearance (read: “good looks”) can (and does) play in the workplace these days. Even pre-recession, a 2007 survey of 700 people, conducted by the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, nearly 8 out of 10 respondents said “appearance” is at least somewhat important when it comes to “getting ahead” in the workplace. And some of them are actually doing (or at least considering doing) something about it. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons . . . About one in ten women and men say they would consider cosmetic surgery if it made them “more competitive” at work. The most common reason cited for career-related “nips and tucks” is tied to aging. “First, people will come to me and couch it in different terms,” said Dr. Ellen Mamur, chief of dermatologic and cosmetic surgery at the Mount Sinai Medical Center in Manhattan. “(They may say) Im under a lot of stress, I want to look a little fresher. But then, Ill hear about age discrimination at work.” Men are far more likely than women (30 percent versus 14 percent) to say that they are seeking cosmetic surgery solely for “work purposes,” although dermatologists and plastic surgeons say increasing numbers of women are also citing this reason. And just look at the booming cosmeceutical marketâ€"wrinkle reducers, anti-aging creams, eye creams, “vitalizers” and the list of profit-making (game changing?) products goes on and on. Right or wrong, fair or not, one’s appearance obviously is intricately tied in with one’s professional brand, or at least with one’s perceived professional brandâ€"as well as a strong influencer of ultimate success in the workplace. And, since most of us are never going to be mistaken for one of the “beautiful people” among us, no matter what we do, the best advice would seem to be this: Make sure you look as good as you can when applying for a new job and while you are actually on the job. Whether or not that quest includes medical aesthetics is a call only you can make. *Survey was conducted in 2010 and included 202 corporate hiring managers, from HR staff levels to senior vice presidents, as well as nearly 1,000 members of the general public.  ____________________________________________ Be watching for Skip’s new book in the “Headhunter” Hiring Secrets series of bestselling job-hunting books and publications, Career Stalled?How to Get Your Career Back in ‘High Gear’ and Land the Job You Deserveâ€"Your Dream Job! TM Publication is scheduled for spring 2013. Author: Skip Freeman  is the author of the international bestselling job hunting book “Headhunter” Hiring Secrets: The Rules of the Hiring Game Have Changed . . . Forever!  (http://portal.sliderocket.com/BFDSG/Find-Your-Dream-Job)  and is the President and Chief Executive Officer of  The HTW Group (Hire to Win), an Atlanta, GA, Metropolitan Area Executive Search Firm. Specializing in the placement of sales, engineering, manufacturing and RD professionals, he has developed powerful techniques that help companies hire the best and help the best get hired.

Get Ready for First Day in a New Job - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career

Get Ready for First Day in a New Job - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career You perfected your resume, wrote a great cover letter, spent days applying to job descriptions. Most importantly, you nailed the interview process and got the offer you have been waiting for! Now, the time has arrived. It is your first day at work. First day of a new job can be stressful because everybody wants to leave a good impression on their new coworkers. Therefore, a preparation for this day is a must. You never know what to expect on your first day of work. It depends on the company, but usually you can expect a company orientation. You will probably meet with your managers, with your team mates, and with other people who are going to work with you. You’ll probably get a computer and get oriented to the company. The key point when you meet with your coworkers is asking questions. Show them that you are eager to learn and you are curious about your new position. On the first day of work, I recommend going dressed up in a suit because you never know what to expect. Even if the dress code is casual, you should still go there dressed up at least in business casual if you think wearing a suit will be too much. Remember it’s always better to be dressed up than dressed down. Also, leave the house timely because you don’t want to get stuck in rush hour traffic and arrive late to the office. If you can, try to be at the office at least 15 minutes early. Some companies have an onboarding process to help new hires get adapted to the company more easily. This is a process in which a company makes you feel welcome to the company. The onboarding process can include being issued with a company computer, meeting with people that you are going to work with, doing training related to the company’s culture, learning where the cafeteria is, and learning about the company’s facilities. However, not every company has an onboarding process. Smaller companies, especially, do not have this process. Usually, big and midsize companies have an onboarding process, but every company tries its best to make you feel welcome and to onboard you to your new position so you can be productive as early as you can. During this process, relax and always smile. Don’t be shy and introduce yourself to others. Remember if you show others that you are friendly and approachable, you can gain their trust. As a result, you can fit in and make yourself as well as ot hers more comfortable.

What is the Purpose of a Resume?

What is the Purpose of a Resume?Preparing a resume paper and fine writing skills is very important. Of course, these skills are needed in order to be able to make a good impression on a prospective employer. One of the most important elements of a resume that is most often forgotten by potential employers is the ability to write a professional resume.Resume writing requires serious attention to detail and accuracy. Any mistakes in grammar and spelling will come back to haunt you. You need to be careful to ensure that every word you use is accurate. If you use a pen or pad instead of a paper and pen, you will also want to practice a few times before you sit down to write a full resume.One thing that can distract from your resume is anything you are not 100% certain about. At times, you may need to read your resume cover to cover and edit it. Editing is a skill that can take time to master. However, even the best writers occasionally make a mistake, especially in the start. Editing is a skill that can easily be learned.The next step in the process of editing a resume is to focus on how to structure it. An unfocused resume will only leave a prospective employer with a bad impression. Your resume should have a purpose or direction to it and a strong introduction of yourself.If you are submitting your resume to a job opening, try to see if you can locate this information online. You may also be able to find a listing for the company that you are applying to. This will help you organize your resume and make it look more professional.Next, focus on making sure your resume is presentable. Use the web to get a better understanding of the way your resume is formatted. Most companies do not have a strict format, but you may be able to make an alteration. You should not have to pay an arm and a leg to have a well-written resume, so make sure that you are prepared.The last step in the process of editing your resume is to take it to another level. Consider creating a cover l etter to go along with your resume. Create a cover letter that will go along with the contents of your resume. It will allow your resume to stand out.Editing your resume and writing a cover letter can be a very rewarding experience. However, you need to be diligent about maintaining consistency. If you write a cover letter as you work on your resume, it will be much easier to maintain consistency. Just remember that editing and fine writing skills should always be kept top priority.

Why Distance Learning Master Degree is Best for Aspiring Working Professionals

Why Distance Learning Master Degree is Best for Aspiring Working Professionals Photo Credit â€" Pixabay.comMany experts agree that the only way to ensure the smooth advancement of your career is to still prioritize your education even if you already have a steady job. After all, there would inevitably come a point in your career when a higher degree would be required for you to advance in it further.The modern workplace has also become unprecedentedly very dynamic, with many employees’ skills being rendered obsolete at a fast pace. Nothing short of complete readiness and willingness to adapt to these changes are necessary for any career man or woman to make it to the top.What is Distance Learning?One of the most undeniable innovations that technology has afforded the field of education is distance learning. It’s practically a way of studying wherein the majority of the lectures are conducted online, without requiring you to personally go to a college or university campus just to attend them.evalMost of the mediums that distance education use range from stre amed lessons to regular e-mail correspondences between lecturers and students. Many reputable educational institutions offer bachelor’s degrees, master’s degrees, and graduate programs through distance learning that are no less valuable than their conventional counterparts.The Opportunity Most classroom settings that are small are preferred by many enrollees as it almost always ensures that the teacher would not have a hard time in attending to his students.Obviously, one of the most important things that you should also find out is how relative the degree that you are considering is to your current career. Would the knowledge and skills that you would be acquiring from it be helpful in the workplace?It also wouldn’t hurt to set goals that you would attain as you progress within your study. Not only do these regular goals fill you with a sense of achievement, but it would also aid in scheduling your studies.Find out your own specific learning style, especially if you are juggl ing between school and work. This is one sure way of optimizing your studies. Lastly, always maintain steady communication with your teachers.evalAs long as you invest time in keeping the said factors in mind, you can ensure the smooth acquisition of your distance learning master’s degree which would undoubtedly serve as a catalyst to your career’s assured growth.

5 Ways To Improve Your Execuive Resume

5 Ways To Improve Your Execuive Resume 5 Ways To Improve Your Executive Resume Job Search / Resume Writing While it’s true that in resumes “content is king” most of us are very visual. Because of this tendency a boring, poorly formatted resume isn’t likely to attract the attention of recruiters or hiring managers. Let alone the new HR associate who may be the first person to see your documents at all. You don’t need to be a professional to make your resume easy-to-read and add a little punch. Here are five easy ways to transform your resume from muddled to refined. Add Sections Resume content should be presented in sections that are delineated in some way. For example Professional Experience, Education, Skills, etc. separated by lines. This can be done easily by using the Borders Shading function in Microsoft Word. Adding some formatting to your resume will make it easier for recruiters and hiring managers to read. Use Bullets Judiciously   Not every, single, thing listed under professional experience should be bulleted. A better approach is to have a brief summary of each position followed by a few accomplishments that are bulleted for emphasis. This is not only easier on the eye but allows you to draw attention to what’s most important. Remember that running reports or managing day-to-day operations are not achievements unless there are extenuating circumstances. Incorporate White Space A resume that is “filled to capacity” is neither attractive nor easy to read. There are many ways to make your resume easier on the eyes. Set your margins at least .5 all around. Leave white space between graphic lines and text and resume sections. Also include some additional space between bullets by using the paragraph spacing. Just be sure to uncheck the box that says “Don’t add space between paragraphs of the same style. Choose Fonts Carefully Never use a font smaller than 10 or 11 points. San Serif fonts, like Ariel and Calibri, are easier to read and should be used for resume text. Serif fonts, like Times New Roman and Georgia, can be used for your name and headings to add interest. That said, it’s not a good idea to use more than two different fonts in your resume. Add Design Elements There are several ways to add design elements to your resume. You can choose a plain graphic line or something a bit different. There are many different bullet formats available too. Just remember to consider your target industry when adding design elements. What might work great for someone in public relations may not be the best choice for a career in finance. As I’m fond of saying, your resume should be a marketing tool, not an employment record. While achievement-based resumes generate the best results, your resume also needs to be attractive and easy to read. By making a few simple formatting changes, you can improve your resume’s appearance dramatically. If you’d like to work with Annette Richmond, a certified resume writer, LinkedIn Profile writer, and career consultant, please schedule an introductory call to discuss your needs.     You will be able to access Annette’s calendar to choose a day and time that works for you.

Privacy Tips For Your Online Job Search

Privacy Tips For Your Online Job Search When you are searching for a job, remember that your privacy is still a concern. Instead of blasting your information on every site out there, be particular about which sites you choose to use and go with job search resources recommended by experts. In addition, there are a few basic online rules to remember: Read the privacy policy BEFORE you post. That might sound too simple, but youd be surprised at how many people get in trouble because they assumed the policy was in line with their preference. Dont give all your personal contact information: Use a dedicated email for contacts and protect yourself (and your family). This has the additional benefit of making you look intelligent about security risk. Understand and use cyber-safe resumes.  Utilize the levels of visibility that site allows and understand the differences between searchable by employers only, private, semi-private, and open. Again, you have to read that sites definitions in order to use it correctly. Keep track of when and where you posted your resume. Keep a spreadsheet, or use a career management tool like JibberJobber to keep track of your online job search. Your Social Security Number, bank account number, and mothers maiden name do not belong with your resume. Period.  Thats like giving a hacker the easiest target in the world for identity theft. That information can be given at the job site after you are hired. As one security expert said, the safest place for information is on a piece of paper in your pocket. But you cant find a job when your resume is hiding so you have to take steps to balance the real need for security with the equally real need for exposure. Demonstrating your understanding of cyber security standards during your job search is an asset to potential employers.