Five Tips to Deal with Workplace Conflict

If you are dealing with an unresolved conflict at work here are some tips for handling that conflict.  

(1) Speak directly to the person that is the source of the conflict. Don't do it alone. Make sure there is another witness present so that your words can not be taken out of context.

(2) Speak to a representative from your companies Human Resources Department. You want it documented that you have stated there is a unresolved conflict that you have been dealing with on your job.

(3) Document the events that are occurring that are causing the conflict. Keep a private journal of daily events. Take note of any comparable situations that may be occurring.

(4) Seek counseling if possible. Utilize EAP if your company offers it has a benefit, speak with your spiritual advisor, or seek the assistance of a professional counselor.

(5) Share your troubles with a friend or family member. Your family or friend can start the healing process by listening to you. They may be able to offer you some advice from their experiences.

Remember to use common sense when you deal with workplace conflict. You should also follow your companies chain of command when handling any workplace issue.

10 Things To Avoid When Creating Your Resume

1. Errors - Proofread your resume and have someone else proofread your resume to ensure that your resume is error free before you distribute it.

2. Not Stating the Job You Want - If you know the job you want state it in your Objective or Summary. Don't force recruiters or hiring managers to figure out how you can fit into their organization.

3. Not focusing on Appearance or Layout - Make sure that your resume is easy to read so that decision makers will want to read about you.

4.  Missing Headings - If your resume is longer than one page make sure you have a heading on each page in case your resume gets separated.

5. Using the wrong resume format - Make sure you utilize the chronological format when you create your resume. It is the most accepted resume format.

6. Lack of key words - Make sure that your resume is keyword rich. You can accomplish this by getting a job description of the job you want and strategically placing those words in your new resume.

7. Listing References - References are important but they should be listed on a separate sheet of paper.  Include name of reference, contact information, title, and years known.

8. Failure to show your value - It is your job to demonstrate your value throughout your resume by effectively listing your duties and accomplishments. Remember to add details that make you stand out from your competition.

9. Following resume templates - Be careful if you select a resume template to create your resume. Different industries may require that you have a slightly different resume.

10. Listing old jobs - You do not have to list every job you have ever had on your resume. If you go back ten years you should be fine.

For more on resume go to www.resumesolutionsllc.com. 

Should I Attend A Job Fair?

I recently asked a group of Job Seekers at a career workshop that I was giving there opinion of Job Fairs. My question was raised to get their feedback and to see if anyone had something positive to say. The feedback I received was that Job Fairs are chaotic, a waste of time, and a place to get recruited by insurance companies.

No one in that group offered me the benefits of attending a Job Fair.  So I will now present the benefits of attending a Job Fair and the approach you should take to guarantee it will be a worthwhile investment of your time. 

Firstly, you want to get a list of the companies who are going to be at the Job Fair.  After you obtain that list you should research the companies that interest you so that you are prepared to speak with representatives from those companies.

Secondly, if you haven't gone on an interview in a while a Job Fair is a great place to practice your interview skills. The skills that you want to focus on are giving a firm handshake, making eye contact with the company representative, and demonstrating your value.

Next, you should use the Job Fair as an opportunity to gain information. Speak with company representatives and find out about job opportunities. Pick the brain of a recruiter or company representative and ask them what their ideal candidate looks like.  Network with other job seekers and ask them what they are doing in the quest to find employment. 

Lastly, I would recommend that all Job Seekers attend at least one Job Fair as they search for employment. You have to approach the Job Fair with a positive attitude.  You may not get hired right away, but you may find a lead that helps you land the job of your dreams!

New Year's Resolutions

Well we are off into the first full week of 2010. By now we have all made our New Year's Resolutions. Some of us may have even broken our resolutions. But I am writing this blog as a reminder to Job Seekers that there are 359 more days where a breakthrough can occur for you in 2010.

If you are having a difficult time making a resolution for yourself I will offer my ideas. Firstly, I recommend that you start with "Focus".  Focus on the things that are important to you and forget about the things that can distract you. The things that could serve as distractions could be negative people or bad habits. Secondly, I recommend that you continue by establishing "Higher Expectations".  Maintain the attitude that things will get better in your job search and with life as a whole. So if someone asks you, how is your day going? Don't respond same ole same ole. Respond by saying that so far the day is going well or that know matter what I remaining optimistic.  Lastly, I recommend that you include "Planning". Long lasting success does not happen by chance. Plan each day so that you can make the most of your time. Time is precious because it is something we can never get back. Plan to wake up as you would if you were working and go to bed as if you were working.  During the day plan an activity that will help you find work or an opportunity to produce an income stream.

So now if you don't have a New Year's Resolution or if you have broken the one you set here is a chance to start over! You can even borrow from my suggestions, I won't tell!

The 2009 Year In Review

Resume Solutions, LLC was more active than I could have imagined looking back at 2009. However, I do not feel like we scratched the surface considering the number of people who are unemployed. 

We gave presentations mostly in churches and libraries over the past year. However, we did have an opportunity to provide resume critiques at a Job Fair in May. The typical size of our audiences generally ranged from 5 people to 20 people. Females were this year's dominant gender in attendance. Although as the year progressed men came out more often.

Conducting research was a consistent activity throughout the year. We started The Informed a group on BrightFuse that has a purpose of empowering its members with information that will help them with their professional development. 

In an effort to promote the business we have done workshops, posted fliers, and become active in social media with information on Facebook and Twitter.

Our biggest accomplishment was designing a series of workshop modules on a variety of career topics. We presented workshops such as "Creating A Resume that Properly Represents You", "Developing Strategies to Improve Your Interview Skills", and "Conducting An Effective Job Search".

The year 2009 was a success for Resume Solutions, LLC and we look forward to helping more people in 2010 with their professional development!

Growth

I was reviewing a colleagues profile on BrightFuse an online talent community and that person said they were working on growth. That started me to thinking. What type of growth? Do you know what type of growth you are looking for? How do we measure growth?

That person could be talking about spiritual growth. Spiritual growth is the process of developing a closer relationship to God by praying and studying God's word found in the bible. My colleague could also be speaking of professional growth. Professional growth would be defined as any activity that an individual takes that will foster their professional development. Such activities could include furthering your education, taking company sponsored courses, or simply taking your job more seriously.

How do you know what type of growth you need? The answer to that question is left up to debate. We are all at different points in our lives.  To get a better handle on that subject we must be honest with ourselves and decide that change is needed. Once we determine that change is needed, the area in our life that we prioritize for change speaks to the type of growth we are seeking.

Lastly, how do we measure growth? I measure growth in one word progress. You may not be at your ultimate destination but when you start seeing positive change you have Growth. You have growth that you can measure when you start replaying events in your life and see a change in how they were handled compared to how similar events were handled in the past.

Growth should be a life-long goal that we pursue!

Working In Retail At A Glance

Historical high rates in unemployment speak to the fact that many Americans are seeking employment.  If you are searching for a job you should ask yourself which industry would best meet your needs.  In this article we will look at jobs in the Retail industry.

Retail has long been the employer of many. They have been the employers of teens, college students, retirees, and spouses who have tried to supplement their household incomes. One of the reasons for the popularity of retail is due to the flexible work shifts it provides.  If you are considering working in retail be prepared to work a variety of shifts which may include weekends, evenings, and holidays.  You should also be prepared to stand for long periods of time because Retail positions aren't usually sit down positions.  If your lifestyle doesn't fit such demands you may want to think twice before you accept a job in Retail.

Retail jobs are great places to work for people who like to work as a part of a team. They provide opportunities for employees with leadership skills to become managers.  Retail jobs are also good for people who have a desire to work with the public. You will need to be able to manage a wide range of personalities. Most of all if you need to be right Retail may not be for you because the customer is always right.

Wages in Retail are usually slightly above minimum wage. Many jobs in Retail give employees the opportunity to earn commission on top of their wage. However, the largest wages and salaries are usually reserved for Store Managers and District Managers. 

Do your homework before you accept a position in Retail to determine if it will be the right for you!