Category: Making Money

Profiting from the sale of personal or business items. Working for pay. Investment purchase at below market prices and reselling at or above market value. leveraging one’s time and resources through the efforts of others for residual income.

  • Resume Design Grabs Employers’ Attention


    You, your resume and the job

    Job hunting can be one of the most exhilarating, and yet agonizing experiences in an individual’s life; and while many of us, as young adults, look forward to opening a new chapter in our professional lives, finding a way to stand out from other job applicants who are at least equally qualified for a given position, is often a difficult task. If you’ve been in the job hunt recently, you can probably relate directly to this sentiment.

    You understand that your resume is the first contact potential employers will have with you; and as such, a well formatted and well-written resume will often make a difference between getting an interview followed by getting the job, and being passed over. Most employers receive a stack of resumes from qualified candidates and scan them relatively quickly before they decide whether or not they want to read further.

    Therefore you only have a few seconds to make a positive and/or lasting impression; but don’t panic! Instead, focus on the design of your resume as it is the first impression your potential employer will have of you, whether the resume is on paper or in electronic form.

    Avoid using outdated templates

    The most commonly made mistake in resume design pertains to using ready made templates that are available in Microsoft Word. While these templates are resume tools designed for quick formatting and consisting of easy to follow instructions on how to create your resume, they are often outdated and will make your resume appear generic and uninviting. Additionally, such templates, while well formatted in Microsoft Word, will not translate well when emailed or uploaded to job search engine web sites.

    The second most commonly made mistake in resume design is the inclusion of graphics on the page. Your picture and/or other graphics are not appropriate for a resume, because including anything outside of plain text will make you stand out in a way that could cause the employer think that the seriousness with which you take yourself as a professional is sorely lacking, and this is certainly not the first impression you’d want to make.

    That having been said, however, you might wish to obtain a few resume samples which can easily be done with a quick search on the Internet under the particular industry in which you’re pursuing employment, or under the category that makes the most sense for the job you are seeking. After that you can work on a blank page to replicate the look and feel of the resume you like. Take a look at the following basic formatting rules for your resume:

    The resume features list

    • Limit the length of the resume to two pages.
    • Page margins should be one inch; top, bottom, right and left.
    • Use left justification only – as a rule, and resume content should not be centered.
    • The font and font size should be consistent.
    • Bullet points should be basic. –Use circles or squares, but never any symbols that may not translate well when sent electronically.
    • Headlines can be in all caps; but the remaining text should not have special formatting.
    • Do not underline any of the information in your resume since it could be mistaken for a hyperlink.
    • Headline font size should not exceed 14 points; and font size for the remainder text should not exceed 12 points.
    • Use the Tab key instead of your Space bar to create spaces between the text in your resume.

    Check and recheck resume for errors

    As a last formatting check point, ask your friends or family members for help in reviewing (critiquing) your resume. Simply email resume file via email to a few of your friends and– ask them to review it resume to make sure nothing seems out of place. Print out the resume and review it to make sure that margins are accurately set, and the content doesn’t appear crowded on the page. Keep in mind –that when it comes to your resume, a sleek simple appearance, and great writing will help you obtain your sought after job.

  • About the Content and Formatting of Resume Headings


    The basics of resume headings

    The first and most prominent item on your resume is your name and contact information. Your name is typically in the largest font, standing apart from all other text on your resume. A common mistake made by many professionals is trying to emphasize their name in a special font type. As it is difficult to anticipate which software and version your potential employer is using, you run a risk of not knowing exactly how your name will appear on their screen.

    In view of the above it is advisable to stick with basic font types like,– Arial and Times New Roman which are two of the most commonly used, and are least risky when it comes to formatting your resume, and you should also be mindful not to go overboard on the font size. For example, your name should be in point size 14 or 16 and all other headings should be in 12 or 14 point font, while the remaining text of your resume should be in the range of 10 and 12 point font.

    Along with your name, the very top of your resume should contain your mailing address, your email address, and at least one phone number where you can be reached. It is best to include a physical mailing address instead of a P.O. Box, whenever possible; and you should never include an email address at your current place of employment (yes, it happens). A helpful hint about listing your email address is to make sure that it contains your name, as this helps you appear more professional.

    Resume inclusions reflect professional image

    You can create a free email account with one of the leading providers of such service, e.g. Gmail, MSN, Yahoo, etc. and it might be helpful to have one email address as a point of contact for your job search. At least one phone number should be listed; but make sure to indicate if you are listing a home or a mobile number. If you have a professional website, the site address can also be included along with your contact information.

    Please note that you should only provide a website address if the website does not contain anything that is personal, or any personal identifiable information (PII) because the only reason a potential employer may want to look at a website is if your professional portfolio or a copy of your resume can be found there.

    Whether you decide to create a chronological resume or a functional resume, you will need to separate the information by with the use of headings; and the best advice you’ll get anywhere is to keep the section headings professional and stick to the basics. Don’t try to come up with creative titles for your professional summary, or for your qualifications. If you use a chronological resume the following sections/titles should be featured:

    Contrast in resume heading styles

    • career objective
    • professional summary (optional)
    • professional experience/work experience/experience
    • education
    • publications/special achievements (if applicable)
    • qualifications/skills
    • references/references and portfolio

    A functional resume is slightly different, and the headings you choose will really depend on the skills you’re trying to highlight. Features should include:

    • career objective
    • education
    • professional skills/professional qualifications (this section will include sub-headings as they relate to specific qualifications you want to promote, such as communications, customer relations, management positions, etc.)
    • work experience/work history (if applicable; should only include dates, titles, companies and locations without listing responsibilities)
    • volunteer work/activities (if applicable)
    • references

    To conclude with…

    The above mentioned features are typically those that are found in chronological and functional resumes; but you might want to do a little research on resume styles to find sample resumes of professionals in your industry; and if the need arise, simply adjust these headings based on your field, but be mindful of keeping the content consistent across industries.

    Stick to the basics, and don’t try to be creative in order to stand out, because a professional and polished resume will get you noticed. So do your best to create a resume that is error free, and which best supports your career objective.

  • Is Super Affiliate Status in Your Future?




    From the J-O-B to your H-BB

    The monotonous exercise of going to the office day after day to do a routine 9-5 shift – seems more like a chore at times – can often feel like an arduous task to those who have lived all their lives doing these jobs that have, at times, been described as being “in a rut.” This is why the convenience of working at home under amazingly flexible working hours is a alluring proposition to them.

    Doing work from home that is as fulfilling as having a career working from a computer on the 19th floor of a skyscraper, is already a possibility in today’s technology-driven world. This is because the super accessible, super competitive, super connected, multi-faceted network we know as the internet has given birth to a business type that has provided some people with practically new lives as home-based business (H-BB) owners.

    This particular business type allows people to work at home under flexible working conditions, and in an atmosphere where there is no boss to scream at, and put pressure on, them and all their co-workers about deadlines that must be met. In addition, working at home eliminates the clutter of messy paperwork which would otherwise need to be completed in the soonest possible time (ASAP?).

    The affiliate marketing option

    Conveniences such as those described above as being enjoyed by home-based business owners are being experienced by many in the affiliate marketing business, a business which is considered one of the newest ways to earn money without having to go through all sorts of uninspiring and laborious routines that exist with regular office jobs.

    Those who have been in the affiliate marketing business long enough can attest to the fact that it can be a lucrative business. Indeed, one that can actually provide people with possessions (both luxury and of necessity) that they could not possibly have obtained or experienced under previously described workplace conditions.

    The business known as affiliate marketing involves an affiliate marketer’s promotion of a merchant’s product site pursuant to an arrangement under which a website owned by the affiliate is used to advertise and market websites owned by the merchant through the affiliate program they use to automate their businesses.

    Growing from basic affiliate to super affiliate

    Under this scenario, whenever a visitor to the affiliate’s site clicks on a product link (which leads) to merchant’s website that affiliate is paid a commission in recognition of his/her efforts in helping the merchant make a sale. That having been said, it is important to point out here that systems employed to automate affiliate marketing make it seem easy, but doing it right and achieving success often take a lot of time, diligence and perseverance.

    Those who want to get into this type of business should possess the skills necessary to be able tread through the industry with confidence and determination. And while there may be other factors new affiliates must deal with in order to really break through, knowledge of the affiliate marketing business, in general, and the chosen product/service in particular, is very important as it dictates the activities and level of success of those who participate in the business.

    Those who have achieved success as affiliate marketers are considered leading figures in the business and are casually referred to as super affiliates. Essentially, a super affiliate marketer is basically a commercial e-mail communicator (marketer?) who has collected, and still collects, large databases of e-mail addresses through previously sent and ongoing newsletters.

    Knowledge and tools of the super affiliate

    But make no mistake, s/he has a thorough knowledge of the affiliate marketing business and industry, a knowledge which even exceeds that of affiliate managers. Anyone wanting to become a super affiliate should know that such an objective is not easy to achieve, since so much enormous sacrifice of time, energy and resources involved; this should not be a deterrent however, because proper focus and commitment should help any affiliate to master his/her marketing craft.

    Of course an affiliate should have the proper tools if s/he expects to attain a super affiliate status; and foremost among these tools is your own website and autoresponder, if you are that aspiring affiliate. These tools will help a lot in facilitating the business: The website for promoting product links and banners; the autoresponder for building your own subscriber list.

    Creating a loyal customer base and taking care of it is one of the secrets that successful super affiliates have protected for many years; in addition to that, establishing and maintaining good customer relations practices are among the most important activities (characteristics?) that would-be super affiliate must adopt.

    Attributes of the super affiliate

    Continuing to market to the people on your list is another critically important action an affiliate must take if s/he wants to succeed as a super affiliate. Sending out quality content in lieu of ads is an advantage, as products are marketed better whenever enough information is provided about them.

    Fashion world descends upon us

    You’ve probably heard how important traffic is to any online marketing objective, and building traffic to an affiliate’s website is really no different. Traffic is one of the most essential requirements in the affiliate marketing business; and getting maximum exposure to affiliate links/banners will allow the affiliate to build a strong relationship with visitors as well as customers, enabling him/her to market to them over and over again.

    The most important thing a new or recently established affiliate marketer should remember if s/he wants to become a super affiliate s/he must treat affiliate marketing as a business first and foremost. If he is capable of doing this, then s/he will never have to go back to the dull and monotonous existence of the 9-5 shift. As super affiliate, an individual will have created the kind of business that will change his life forever, replace any existing job and be a model for others.

  • To List Foreign Education & Job Experience on a Resume


    The value of education and diversity

    In American society we pride ourselves on the diversity of our citizens and residents, while making conscious efforts to appreciate the cultures and backgrounds of each other. In any given company located here, you can find training teams conducting inclusion classes, and openly discussing diverse work environments. Diversity, in other words, has become a part of our culture both in and outside the work space, and it is something that we seldom stop to appreciate.

    A sizeable portion of the American workforce has acquired at least part of their education in a foreign country; and if you are in that group, one of the main challenges you will face when composing your resume, is transferring your education and any experience you may have from another country in a way that smartly conveys to a potential American employer, your qualifications and achievements as they relate to your career objective.

    When it comes to your scholastic achievements, make sure that you understand the educational system in the United States, and familiarize yourself with the various levels of college degrees. But make sure you understand the difference between trade schools, colleges and universities, as well as the various degrees you can obtain at each of these educational facilities. You don’t have to translate your degree directly, but make sure the terminology you are using is appropriated to educational achievements in the US.

    Foreign skills aligned with job duties

    Should it become necessary you may have to seek assistance from a translating service, or from a resume writing service that might have a staff member who speaks your language, or is familiar with your country and its culture. This will ensure that the education and employment information you acquired in another country is properly listed on your resume; do not make a mistake however, of exaggerating the position you held, or the degree you received in that other country.

    Consider the fact that your potential employer has very limited resources, and verifying the foreign education or employment you list on your resume may be less a priority to that employer, when compared to hiring another applicant for the position. This doesn’t mean you have a free pass to make things up; you should instead gather any documentation you may have that shows your achievements.

    If you have any transcripts or degrees from your school, or any awards from your previous employment, take them to a translating service that will recreate and notarize these documents in English; and make a note on your resume or in your cover letter that you can show such documentation upon employer’s request.

    Full disclosure can be advantageous

    Additionally, if English is your second language make sure to list, under your Qualifications, any additional languages you speak fluently. And always be mindful that a resume free of typos and grammatical errors will indicate to a potential employer that you have taken the time to learn the language, and that you place high emphasis on your communication skills.

    As a best practice, if your resume includes education or work experience you acquired in a foreign country, your cover letter should address any concerns that may be brought up as a result of conveying this information. Your employer may have questions about why you left the country where you previously work, or if you intend to go back after some time (if you came to the United States to further your education, indicate the length of time you are staying).

    Keep these things in mind –and put yourself in a position of a potential employer who is reviewing your resume and anticipate any questions they may have about your professional history. Addressing any concerns about your resume ahead of time will assure that you are taken seriously as a qualified and credible candidate who happen to have had training and job-related experience abroad.

  • Listing Hobbies and Interests on a Resume?


    Recognized resume styles

    As was indicated in one of our earlier posts, there are two types of resumes; one identified as a chronological resume and the other a functional resume. A chronological resume is structured by listing past employers and education in order, starting with the most recent jobs and/or achievements, and proceeding in reverse order with the previous of such listings until a reasonable number (5 recommended), or the very first event is reached. This type of resume is also – at times – referred to as a reverse chronological resume because of the order in which the listings starts and ends.

    Chronological Resume Template: Resume Solution, What you Need to Creat your US and Canadian Resume (Template, Resume, Functional, Jobs, Opportunities)

    Functional resumes, on the other hand, focus on an individual’s qualifications instead of his/her career timeline, in the sense that it highlights the skills s/he possesses rather than where and when s/he acquired or utilized them. In other words, instead of listing the job applicant’s experiences and job titles, a functional resume will contain sections titled as they relate to that applicant’s skills; such as verbal and written communication, customer satisfaction and project management, among others.

    Best uses of a functional resume

    The functional resume style is recommended for college students seeking internships or their first jobs out of college; for job seekers with little or no professional experience, or for career changers. This resume style allows job seekers to reference their hobbies and interests in a way that apply to their career objectives only; but the listing of hobbies and interests outside of the job seeker’s career objective is not recommended as such outside listings do not promote that individual as a professional in any way.

    Consider for a moment that you are a job seeker composing your resume and you would like to prepare it in the most professional way you possibly can. The important you must do to accomplish this is to keep your career objective uppermost in your mind. You want to present yourself in a best possible light to your potential employer, so the information on your resume must answer one very important question:

    Why are you the best candidate for the job? And the bet way you can prepare yourself to answer this question is to maintain constant focus on your career objective while composing your resume.

    Resume mistakes to be avoided

    The biggest mistake some job seekers make on their resumes is including information that is not related to their professional experience. Facts pertaining to your volunteer positions, community work, interests and hobbies that disclose your race, ethnicity, gender, age, sexual orientation, religious beliefs or other personal descriptors that do not directly impact professional performance must be excluded from your resume.

    Understanding that the functional resume does not require you to list names or organizations you have worked or volunteered for allows you to list any experience you have acquired at a given company or organization without potentially disclosing any demographic information.

    Additionally, you should not create a separate section on your resume for hobbies and interests since this is typically seen as amateur, thereby detracting from your resume by rendering it less credible. Listing hobbies and interests as they apply to the position you are applying for should be done under specific functional sections.

    Use hobbies & interests ONLY to enhance resume

    For example, if you are seeking a position in graphic design, and have samples of related work that you have done as a hobby, indicate this fact on your resume or in your cover letter. In fact, any of your hobby activities that are related to the type of work you are seeking should be listed on your resume, but only such a listing will be advantageous to you

    And if you’ve read books or completed seminars at the local community center that are applicable to your chosen job, make mention of them and many potential employers will welcome the opportunity to have you demonstrate those qualifications that make you a perfect candidate for the job or position they’re offering.

    As a final step, have a friend review your resume, or if you are a college student, seek assistance from a career center at your school. Having another person review your resume will help uncover any items that may raise questions about your experience or education, as well as point out whether or not the inclusion of your hobbies and interests works to support your career objective. Perfecting your resume will go a long way to assure your potential employer that you are the best candidate for the s/he is offering job.

  • How to List Self-Employment on Your Resume


    Questions raised about self-employment

    Being self-employed comes with many challenges, among which are,– determining your niche, finding clients, having adequate insurance, hiring qualified help and many others which are too numerous to list here; and even if the self-employed individual has little or no requirement for a staff, thereby preferring to work as a freelancer, contractor, or other type of one-person operator, s/he must be determined, passionate and patient if s/he is to be successful.

    Since some of the above mentioned characteristics are similar to those needed to successfully hunt for a new job, the question of why self-employment listed on a resume should be a concern for potential employers is an interesting one. Be that as it may however, listing self-employment on the resume when looking for full-time job often does raise questions for potential employers. Such questions can take the form of:

    • Were you self-employed because you were in between jobs, or because you wanted to start your own business rather than work for a corporation?
    • Are you still working on your own, as a freelancer or a consultant? If so, do you intend to continue this work in addition to your full time job?
    • Will your self-employment present a conflict of interest for any company you work for?
    • Are you working as a freelancer or a contractor on part-time basis, and never intend to have this replace full-time employment?
    • Does your long-term career goal include owning your own business?

    From the new employer’s perspective

    All of these questions are valid from your potential employer’s point of view, because companies do not want to hire any individual, train that person and provide him/her with benefits, only to have the individual quit after a year to start a new business. This is the main reason previous or current self-employment raises red flags for the hiring organizations; but there might be an acceptable (best?) way to address any self-employment on a resume. Utilizing this method would require an applicant to highlight the positives of working as a freelancer or managing self-owned business.

    It is obviously important that an individual’s resume includes honest and forthright employment history that is relevant to his/her career goals. However, if you are the applicant and you pick up a freelance project infrequently which is not intended to be a full time career, you can omit such experience from your resume. The only time you would list occasional freelance work on your resume is if it allows you to fill any gaps in your professional experience; but if you have worked as an independent contractor for a period longer than three months, or if you have ever owned your own business, it is important that you indicate that on your resume.

    When self-employment enhances the resume

    Highlight those attributes of the job experience that qualify you as a perfect candidate for the particular job you are seeking; and make sure job responsibilities are listed in the same way as they are for any other full-time job being sought. Also the job applicant focus on those responsibilities which best meet career objectives, and achievements should be quantied when possible. For example, if you are the job applicant, it would help to exemplify your self-starter attitude under the Qualifications section of your resume; and make sure to list any inherently-employable skills you have acquired or strengthened while self employed.

    As a final indication of your commitment to the job you are seeking is to ensure that your cover letter or email addresses any anticipated concerns of your potential employer. Make references to anything on your resume that may raise questions, and if you still own your own business, but are looking for full-time work, you should make sure to let your employer know what your long-term professional goals are, and how you intend to balance your roles at both businesses.

    There’s really no need to apologize for being self-employed; but your resume and cover letter should present you as a credible and passionate professional. Just focus on the positive experiences and skills you have acquired as a self employed person, whether you were a sole proprietor, independent contractor or any of the various types of freelancer, just make sure to let potential employers know how these skills and attributes will benefit the company if you are their chosen candidate.