Monday, April 20, 2020

How to Improve Your CV and Resume Writing Format

How to Improve Your CV and Resume Writing FormatIf you're looking for a job, or if you want to improve your chances of getting a job, you might consider improving your CV and resume writing format. These two documents are one of the most important documents that you will have to show employers, so make sure you do them right.Wrong style will just end up losing you that job. There's no point in wasting time and effort on something that you don't believe you'll be able to do. So it's a good idea to go with a good CV and resume writing format, which will help you get the job you've always wanted.There are many different forms of format, but the simplest is a chronological format. This means that the information you include should be from the most recent jobs you've had, rather than from where you graduated from university. You may want to include the job title and your current position if you can, but generally this form is the least important.There are many other online resources that you can use to write your CV and resume. The most important thing is to write them according to the advice of a professional writer. For example, to improve your chances of getting a job with the right kind of skills, you should learn how to use resume writing software such as Resume Writer.Another good online resource is EzineArticles.com. The key to getting the job you want is to make sure you land it through being the best qualified candidate for the job you are applying for. When you submit your resume to several companies, there is a good chance that you may be rejected, and if this happens, you will be missing out on a great opportunity.There are many online resources that are not as easy to use, but they are essential to writing an impressive CVand resume. You must know exactly what you are going to coverwhat you will highlight, and how you are going to outline your experiences. Try and write each section of your CV or resume in a particular way to avoid any type of inconsist ency.You'll need to ask an expert in this field to help you improve your CV and resume writing format, but with the simple tips outlined above, you should find that it gets done with ease. It's an important step in your career to ensure that you land a job that is the perfect fit for you and to ensure that you are able to increase your chances of landing the job that you have always wanted.

Wednesday, April 15, 2020

Wasting Your Paycheck

Wasting Your Paycheck Getting your paycheck is always exciting, but seeing it disappear right before your eyes is downright heartbreaking. “I never blow my paycheck on big-ticket items, like designer bags or flat-screen TVs,” you say. That might be true. But it’s also true that you might be slowly burning through your paycheck every day without even knowing it. To identify how you might be wasting your hard-earned money â€" and how you can save more money â€" read up on these 40 common ways people blow their paychecks 1. Paying Too Much on Housing Since housing is likely your biggest monthly expense, this is where you can really make or break your budget. Personal finance experts recommend spending no more than 30% of your income on housing. You can spend even less and save more by getting a roommate or moving to a different neighborhood or a city where it’s easier to save money. 2. Spending Too Much on Car Costs Aside from housing, transportation is likely your next biggest expense. Buy a reliable and affordable used car, try to live close to where you work, and consider taking public transportation to cut down on gas and maintenance costs. 3. Wasting Energy Utilities can eat up about 7% of the average U.S. household’s budget, reports Lifehacker. You can lower that number by conducting an energy audit on your house to find energy leaks such as old windows or water heaters. Even renters can improve their energy efficiency by using insulating curtains and unplugging appliances. Every little bit counts. 4. Buying Movie Theater Popcorn Movie theaters don’t actually make the bulk of their profits from movie ticket sales â€" concession sales are the real moneymakers, reports Yahoo Movies. So eat before you head to a show. Or if you’re a little more daring, sneak in your own snacks. 5. Not Planning Meals Ahead of Time Keep your grocery budget under control by planning out your meals and shopping accordingly. One of my favorite meal-planning apps comes from Food.com. It combines meal planning and money saving all in one app. 6. Grocery Shopping Without a List Maintain a running list of what you need to pick up at the grocery store to avoid making any unnecessary purchases. You’ll know exactly what needs replacing, and you won’t have to do any guesswork. 7. Buying Coffee America’s love affair with coffee shows no signs of slowing down. ABC News reports that the average American worker spends $1,100 a year, or $14.40 a week, on coffee. Break this habit, learn how to make your favorite coffee drink at home, and watch your savings soar. 8. Carrying Credit Card Debt Credit card debt is one of the most expensive types of debt you can carry. Those minimum payments might seem low now, but they can cost you hundreds to thousands of dollars in interest. If you have credit card debt, make a debt reduction plan. For example, try transferring your balance to a low-interest credit card, and commit to paying it off for good. 9. Paying for Cable Now is a great time to cut the cable cord. There are plenty of online streaming services, like Netflix, Hulu and Amazon, which cost a fraction of the standard cable service price. To save even more money, share a Netflix or Hulu account instead of getting an individual account for each streaming service. 10. Buying Brand-Name Products Consumers find comfort in using brands they know and love, but oftentimes generic brands work just as well as their brand-name counterparts. Step away from brand names, and try a few generics. For example, you can save money by buying store-brand medications and Kroger breakfast cereal. 11. Running the Thermostat All Year There’s no reason to keep your thermostat running at the same temperature all year long. Ideally, you’d only turn it up a few degrees in the summer and down a few degrees in the winter. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, turning your thermostat back 10 degrees to 15 degrees for eight hours during the day can save you 5% to 15% a year on your heating bill. 12. Ignoring Your Phone Bill Check your phone bill to make sure you’re not getting charged for services you don’t use. You might be paying for things such as unlimited data, texting and other features you don’t really need. 13. Drinking Bottled Water In 2013, Business Insider reported U.S. consumers were spending on average $1.22 per gallon on bottled water, which was 300 times the cost of tap water (though the number could be even higher). If you’re still drinking bottled water every day, consider buying a water filter to save money. 14. Using Regular Light Bulbs Compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) might not be the most flattering bulbs out there, but light-emitting diode (LED) light bulbs are surprisingly beautiful. They are also incredibly energy-efficient. There are some upfront costs, but LEDs tend to last longer than traditional light bulbs, which can help you save money in the long run. 15. Smoking Cigarettes This little habit can cost you big bucks. Depending on how much you smoke, quitting cigarettes can save you more than thousands of dollars a year â€" just think of what you can do with all that extra cash. 16. Buying Lunch at Work You’ve heard it before, but buying lunch at work is a huge waste of money. Buddy up with your co-workers, and try “brown bagging” it at work. You can end up saving a good chunk of cash. 17. Eating Out for Dinner Having dinner at a restaurant is a great luxury, but it can wreak havoc on your finances. Be mindful about how often you eat out. Even something as simple as eating dinner earlier in the evening can help you eat less and save more. 18. Ordering Appetizers Restaurant portions are huge, so why order an appetizer when the entrée is already going to be more than enough? Eat a light snack about an hour before you eat out, which can help you resist the urge to order a starter. 19. Using Out-of-Network ATMs When you use an ATM that is outside of your network, your bank and the ATM might charge you a fee. Find a bank that has plenty of ATMs in the places you frequent or a wide network of partners. 20. Requesting Faster Shipping It’s hard waiting for your online purchases to arrive, but paying extra for expedited shipping is a waste of money. Patience is a virtue, but if you really just want everything now, sign up for a service such as Amazon Prime, which includes free two-day shipping on most items. Read More: 25 Ways to Save Money on Amazon 21. Withdrawing Too Much Money at the ATM Overdraft fees cost customers $225 a year, according to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Track your finances daily, or consider switching to a bank that doesn’t have any overdraft fees at all. (Yes, they do exist.) 22. Paying Unnecessary Bank Fees Banks are desperate to get new customers in their doors. Shop around, and compare the offerings â€" you’ll likely find better and cheaper banking services somewhere else. 23. Collecting Stuff You Don’t Need Does your baseball card, comic book or “Star Wars” collection add value to your life, or would you find greater value in cashing out? Even just trimming down a valuable collection can reduce clutter and give your bank account a boost. 24. Spending More Money on Snacks According to The Huffington Post, Nielsen data showed Americans spend more on snacks such as protein bars, chips and beef jerky than they do on real food. If you plan your meals and shop with a grocery list, then you won’t need to fill up on unhealthy and expensive snack foods. 25. Signing Up for a Gym Membership Once January hits, many of the treadmills at the gym are usually occupied, and the Zumba classes are bumping. But just a few months later, the place looks like a ghost town â€" what a waste of money. Skip the pricey gym membership, and try joining an exercise club. Or, download a cheap fitness app to get in shape. 26. Throwing Your Child a Huge Birthday Party Your child will forgive you for not throwing them an expensive birthday bash. Many children don’t need a lavish, over-the-top birthday party. But if you’re strapped for cash and still want to plan an unforgettable birthday party for your kids, research creative DIY tips on how to build a cake, make party favors and more. 27. Shopping Impulsively If you’re considering making an impulse buy, wait 30 days and ask yourself if you still want or need that item. You might even forget about the item completely, which pretty much answers the question for you. 28. Buying Books Paper books are definitely something to be cherished, but if you burn through books faster than a California wildfire, consider using a service such as PaperBackSwap.com to cut down on the costs. You’ll get to swap your collection with others online and get new titles mailed to you for free. You’ll just have to pay for postage for the books you send out. 29. Driving With a Dirty Air Filter Did you know that driving around with a dirty air filter can reduce your gas mileage by 7% after 5,000 miles, which can cost you at least $100 a year? That’s according to TheSimpleDollar.com, and it’s recommended that you look at your car’s manual to learn how to clean the air filter yourself. Read More: 10 Reasons You’re Still Living Paycheck to Paycheck 30. Buying New Instead of Used Thanks to the internet, you can find pretty much anything you need in good, used condition at a fraction of the price. Not everything should be purchased used, but pricey items â€" such as sporting equipment and furniture â€" are great used buys. 31. Skipping Breakfast Eating breakfast gets your day started on the right foot and can keep you from buying a huge, expensive lunch. Try cheap breakfast foods, like oatmeal or eggs, which will likely keep your stomach (and wallet!) full. 32. Paying Multiple Student Loans Interest rates are still relatively low, so it could be a good time to consolidate your student loans. By consolidating, you might even be able to lower your monthly payments and extend your repayment period. 33. Ignoring Your Credit Reports A good credit score can help you save money on everything from personal loans to a mortgage. Use a credit monitoring service to keep an eye on your score, and work toward building your credit. 34. Not Using Your Benefits Package Some employers offer awesome benefits, like discounts on car insurance, free tickets to events, education reimbursement or personal improvement seminars. You work hard, so make sure you’re reaping all the benefits you are entitled to. 35. Driving Around With Flat Tires You could improve your gas mileage by up to 3.3% by putting air in your tires, according to U.S. Department of Energy. It’s advised that you read your car’s manual to find the recommended PSI and fill up your tires at your local gas station. The attendant can usually help if you need assistance. 36. Manually Paying Your Bills A big piece of money-saving advice that many people don’t follow is automating your finances. Put your bills on autopilot to avoid any late fees or dings on your credit report. 37. Hitting the Bars According to NPR, out of every $100 American consumers spend, about $1 of that goes to alcohol. Most of that money is spent at bars and restaurants, but the number could be far less if you host happy hour at your house instead. 38. Throwing Out Leftovers In 2012, Americans threw out 35 million tons of food, which was nearly three times more than what they discarded in 1960, reports The Washington Post. Keep your food waste to a minimum by just eating your leftovers. Or better yet, bring them to work for lunch the next day. 39. Buying Basic Items at the Grocery Store Many warehouse clubs will give you the best bang for your buck on staples such as toilet paper, trash bags, laundry detergent and diapers. Bulk items usually offer better prices per unit â€" you’ll just have to figure where to store 140 rolls of paper towels. 40. Paying Too Much for Auto Insurance Auto insurance companies are constantly offering new ways to save on coverage, so do an annual audit of your policy and shop around for better rates. Just like that GEICO commercial always says, “15 minutes could save you 15% or more on car insurance.” This article originally appeared on GoBankingRates.

Friday, April 10, 2020

3 Questions College Graduates Should Ask In An Interview - Work It Daily

3 Questions College Graduates Should Ask In An Interview - Work It Daily Winter 2014 brought us extreme weather conditions, a busy hiring season, and some really bad interviews from soon to be college graduates. I don’t blame college students entirely for their bad interview behaviors (though some seemed to lack common sense, which is not something that can be taught), but more so that students are getting bad advice on how to prepare themselves for an interview and what questions to ask or not ask. Related: 5 Things To Ask In A Job Interview I will do my best to offer good, useful advice for graduates interviewing for their first “real job” out of college. First of all, before you get to the interview, do your research. The interview is not the time to ask, “What does the company do?” You should have Googled that before the interview. Clarification in specific areas is fine, but you should have some idea as to what the company does before the interview. Showing up ill prepared is not the first impression you want to make with a potential employer. Here are three questions that an upcoming or recent college graduate should ask during an interview. 1. What kind of management style would I be operating under? Do you prefer to be micro-managed or do you prefer to be managed from a distance? How much guidance will you need? Do you prefer someone to teach you every step or does the idea of being thrown to the wolves and learn through trial and error excite you? Do you prefer working as part of a team or independently? Ask yourself these questions before the interview and have a good idea as to what type of office environment you see yourself being the most successful. 2. Where do you see the future of the company? Most company websites advertise history and current projects, but don’t offer much insight as to how they see themselves in the future. This question helps you and the interviewer to see whether or not there’s a future for you as a potential employee. Do your future goals align with the company’s future goals? If what you hear is appealing to you and you’re excited about the possibility of growing with the company, show it! Tell them you’re excited and smile! Not showing emotion in an interview is often translated as not caring. Being genuine allows the interviewer to see who you are and whether or not you’re a match for that particular company. 3. How did you become successful with the company? This interview question is a great opportunity for you to gain insight on how to be successful with this particular company. Did the interviewer move up quickly based on merit or is this a company that promotes solely on seniority? Do they seem genuinely happy to work there or do you feel the sudden urge to talk them off the ledge? Asking about the interviewer’s career path offers great insight as to how your future could be with this company. Be aware of any positive and/or negative emotion or body language as the interviewer tells their story. Answers to these three questions should offer any college graduate enough insight as to whether that company is the right fit for them. They focus on present responsibility as well as future growth opportunities for the potential employee and the company. For more information on interview tricks and services we can offer you, go to our website at www.EmployeeInvestmentGroup.com. Related Posts Don’t Ask These Questions During An Interview 7 Interview Questions You Should Never Forget To Ask Top 3 Interview Questions You Should Ask   Photo Credit: Shutterstock Have you joined our career growth club?Join Us Today!