Tag Archive for: COVID-19

Resurrect Your Resume

Ressurect your resume before you need it. HEARTLAND RESUMES, OMAHA, NE 402-215-8283

As professional resume writers, we’re lucky to stay busy during many trying times, but this is not the case for millions.  When economic climates indicate that more and more people may be filing for unemployment, many wonder how they can stand out among a sea of job applicants. It’s time to resurrect your resume. 

The Future of Resumes

We all know that a resume has just 7 seconds to grab the employer’s attention. But in today’s chaotic world, that could be even less due to shorter attention spans. One trend we’re seeing is employers asking applicants to submit video resumes. HR professionals are still not interviewing people in person initially, but they still want to get a feel for someone’s character and mannerisms to see if they would be a good fit for their team. A video can work as a personal cover letter to show an employer why you are a good fit.

Be Prepared

If you are still working now, be prepared for tomorrow. Most people wait until they are forced into a job search situation to update their resume. If working from home, use the time you are saving commuting to the office to overhaul your resume or engage a professional resume writer’s service. As recent years have shown, we should all be prepared for anything.

Whether you are experiencing a layoff, furlough, or salary reduction or want to be prepared for what lies ahead, now is the time to adapt your resume. As professional resume writers, we help you identify the points in your career or employment gap that should be spotlighted in your resume. Remember, a potential employer doesn’t want to know your entire employment history, so it’s sometimes necessary to disassociate yourself from things you think were important in your career. It’s better to align your resume with the job posting or type you are searching for. 

Industry Lay-offs should trigger a Strategy.

A job search during a lean economic time or when an industry is experiencing many layoffs takes patience, perseverance, and a solid strategy. For more information on how we can help you, please contact us using the form.

This article has been recently updated.  

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Searching For A Job During COVID-19

Searching For A Job During COVID-19

Do you want a new job but worried about changing paths during a pandemic? Your perfect career is out there, even during these uncertain times.

Below are some fundamental steps you can take to get started. These steps will help you weed out all the noise and get you to your career faster.

Search for jobs that suit you

The first step is to identify your skills, knowledge, and experience. Write out all the things you’re good at and support them with examples from your past employment.

Once you’ve completed the list, look online, and search for job listings. Job board platforms like LinkedIn and Glassdoor allow you to search using keywords to find a job that matches your skillset.

Fine-tune your resume

Once you’ve found an ideal match, the next step is to refresh your resume. Add your most recent job experience and reference your critical responsibilities within that position to bring value to the new one.

If you have minimal work experience, focus on highlighting related projects, such as volunteering or freelance work that demonstrates your skills.

Sharpen your LinkedIn profile

Job searching and applying can be a stressful process, especially in a rough economy or when you’re starting new in a career.

Promote your skills, showcase them, and get in touch with key people on LinkedIn is a great way to get noticed. It may take a while, but employers could start contacting you with job opportunities.

Uploading a professional photo, entering your job titles, and finishing your profile is only half the job. You will also need to present your expertise and experience in your profession in your posts. This helps prospective companies know that you’re contributing to the field and participating in the overall conversation.

Prepping for your applications

Most job listings want more than a resume. Many require a cover letter, portfolios, and more, so make sure to complete those ahead of time and have them on hand if requested.

It’s also important to have some references in order before applying for any job. The sooner they know you are job hunting, the better. This will give them time to think of narratives to support you.

Time to Apply

When you’ve completed all of the above, the only thing left to do is submit your application.

Once you’ve applied, you have two options. The first, which many people do, is to wait for an employer to contact you. Or you can be proactive by reaching out to the employer with a “looking forward to hearing from you” email.

If you would like additional information or have questions, please contact us.

 

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Balancing Work and School During COVID-19

working from home with kids

Covid-19 has been rising across the nation, leaving most schools to decide to reopen virtually this fall while workers continue to work remotely. It may be difficult for working parents to strike a balance juggling the demands of parenting while meeting requirements at work. Managing projects and sticking to deadlines is hard enough, let alone try doing it while also tending to children who are schooling from home.

Setting boundaries is essential to be successful when schools reopen virtually.

Create a schedule to plan your days ahead of time. Write out when to start your workday, and when you can take breaks to help your child(ren) with their schooling. It will require some planning, self-discipline, and practical time management skills. The key to making back-to-school and working remote successful is to develop a support system and to set reasonable expectations with your boss, your child(ren), and educators at school. If you can, try to get a relative who is available to come over and help when needed. Putting a sign on your office door that says, “When this door is closed, Mommy/Daddy is working” is an excellent way of teaching and setting boundaries. If possible, try to schedule meetings around your child’s class breaks. Be sure to set aside time to prepare lunch and enjoy a break with your child. You need to socialize during the day and make sure your child feels important.

Sacrifices are necessary, but in the end, you will have fond memories of your family’s extra time.

Sacrifices will be made regarding how you spend your free time, but think of the time you save by not driving to work or dropping your child off. Use that extra time wisely. You also need to make sure you take care of your own needs, like getting enough rest, socialization, and spending time with other adults. This will make sure you are on the top of your game when you are needed the most.

The road ahead of you may seem daunting, but this time can also be rewarding. Despite the unfortunate nature of the circumstances, if you manage this time successfully, you will have fond memories of your family’s extra time.

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