A friend working for a large company recently lost her coworker to layoffs and was asked to take on the additional tasks that were left behind. Now managing the workload of two people, she felt so overwhelmed by all that needed to be completed in one day, that she spent half the day panicking about how to manage and left the office that night having completed nothing.

If you find yourself jumping from task to task without completing any, or if your to do list spans more than one page, it might be time to step back, take a deep breath and reassess.

First, stop beating yourself up about reading this blog! Cut yourself some slack. You can only do your best and sometimes that may mean some things don’t get finished until tomorrow. If you try to take on too much you could burn out fast; nothing is less productive than an unhappy employee so take a second to read this and you’ll be able to prepare for today and all the days to follow with a much lighter mindset.

We’re going to break down the list together by following these six simple steps:

1. Write down all of your tasks on a master list, regardless of how important they are or when they need to be done. If you’re mind is wandering to tasks you have to complete outside of work, make two lists, but don’t add your home tasks to your work list – you should always strive to keep the two separate. If any project will take more than a day or two, break it down into steps that are manageable in one day only.

2. Prioritize these tasks by writing A for top priorities, B for secondaries, etc. First, consider which have deadlines that need to be met. Second, are any of these tasks that you can delegate? If you can ask for help, then ask. Don’t be proud – a good manager will always know how to delegate. Third, do you need input from others to complete this task? Give them plenty of time by pushing this up higher on the priority list.

3. Plan your daily to do list.

a. Make sure you do this in peace. If this means coming in 10 minutes earlier, you’ll be happy you did – you’ll find yourself organized and productive all day as a result of a good task list. Choose six of the A tasks. No more, no less. Make sure you choose at least one that can be completed in one day, so that you leave feeling a sense of accomplishment every day. If you happen to complete all six and can take on another, then great, but do not, no matter what, start the day with more than six.

b. Consider any meetings you have today or tomorrow and any prep work that may need to be done for them.

c. Decide when you will read and answer your emails (3 or 4 times a day) and stick to that plan – don’t fall into the trap of reading emails as they arrive (turn off that pop up). Usually, checking email before planning your day, and fifteen minutes before you leave for the day will catch any urgent meetings or messages and once or twice throughout the day will give you time for a break between tasks.

4. Finish each task before moving on. This is probably the hardest part for most people. We get bored, we get frustrated, we start surfing the web, Joe from accounting drops by to talk about football. No matter what the distraction or annoyance you have to finish that task. By only accepting six tasks, you should have enough breathing room in your day to take a break, but you have to stay true to your list and get back to the task where you left off. If the task requires input from someone else, pass it on to that person and consider it done FOR NOW. I have a system of marking this task. I don’t cross it off the list because it will be coming back to me, and I may need to remind the other person, so I use an arrow with the recipient’s initials. Hopefully, you prioritized with plenty of time for others’ input, so you can now move this off today’s list.

5. If tasks come in throughout the day, add them to the Master list. You don’t need to assess the priority yet – you’ll do that tomorrow morning.

6. Finish your day by crossing off those tasks that are done from the master list– you should have at least one – and moving those that are not to tomorrow’s list. Now, tomorrow’s planning time should mean only picking the new tasks from the Master list and you can leave work with a sense of accomplishment.

Our last post taught you what should be in your resume; this time we focus on the layout of that resume.

In these changing times, your resume has to stand out and fit all manner of medium (meaning it has to look good printed, as well within email and on various websites). So, how do you ensure that yours stands out amongst all others? Take a look at any newspaper for direction. Not only do they have to fit all mediums, they now have to compete with blogs, opinions and keep both readers and advertisers happy on a daily basis.

First thing you should notice on the newspaper is the layout. I can take one quick look and know where to find what I need. Make sure your resume is clean and easy to navigate. It may be fun to create a funky resume, but don’t go too far – if you’re not a graphic designer, you could be asking your reader to work too hard to find your information.

The most important spot on any resume is the top left corner. We read pages, regardless of website or printed piece, from top to bottom and left to right. The top left spot on a newspaper usually includes the company logo and should showcase the most important piece of your resume: your contact information. When I am scanning resumes, I always look at contact info first to see if the person is located in the correct area (more often than not, I want somebody to start immediately, so I can’t consider someone looking to relocate). Don’t use fancy fonts for your name or address (Georgia is always a good choice, easy to read and available on all computers). Again, unless you are showcasing design skills, make reading the resume as simple as possible.
The second most important spot is the rest of the top bar. This should house your objective. Hopefully you know which specific job you are applying for, so you should tailor this one sentence to that job and answer the question, “Why are you the best fit for this job?” If you are posting to a site and not for one particular job, answer that question about your ideal job.

Next, the actual content. When journalists write they use the inverted pyramid, meaning the most important information is at the top with more minor, more detailed information at the bottom. This way, editors and readers can understand the entire story from the first few sentences. Below your objective and contact information, your qualifications are next on the list of importance. Start with your most recent job and work your way backwards. If you are fresh out of college, use any positions you may have had on student government, campus newspaper or within your fraternity. Try to show how this has enhanced your education. Did you win any awards, learn organizational skills, did you have to stick to strict deadlines or come up with fresh ideas? Put this info here.

The next thing I like to put actually steps away from the newspaper layout. Put your additional info next: any volunteer work, community groups, any articles printed. The reason I put it here is habit. It’s habit to expect a newspaper’s contact information in the footnotes and it’s habit to expect education to be at the bottom of a resume. There’s a good chance that a reader will read the top of your resume and then skim to the bottom to see your education.

So, last on the list is your education and any awards or accolades (restate them if you have them in the detail of your previous jobs). Start with the highest level.

Thinking of your resume like a journalist might think of an article or an editor might think of the newspaper puts you in that competitive mindset, which in these tough times you need. To get the job you want, your resume is your lead story – make it easy to read, interesting and intriguing.

Stay tuned, next we will discuss how to Search Engine Optimize your resume.

Cover letters can be a great way to get your foot in the door at a company that you want to work for.  A cover letter is usually sent in the body of your email with an attached resume when applying for a job.  They tend to be of great importance in this stage of your job search because it highlights your qualifications, skills, and why you would be an asset for the company.  Career Columnist Eve Tahmincioglu, says that cover letters are even more important for social media and tech job seekers. “Today companies want tech employees who are critical thinkers, well-rounded and do more than just tech speak, these things are hard to convey in a résumé.” 

Hiring managers prefer a customized cover letter for a position, because it shows that you are actually applying for thatposition.  Often, job seekers blindly send their resumes out , so taking the time to write a cover letter specific to the job you are applying for shows that you are truly interested in that position!  Also, a lot of times, the first person to see your application is a human resources manager, who may not know much about the computer programs and technical projects on your résumé.  The cover letter can be an opportunity to draw them in with a personal touch.

Cover letters are more important now than ever before because of all the social media platforms out there.  A study shows that 45% of employers are screening social media profiles, and another 11% plan to do the same in the near future.  According to this study, roughly 35% of candidates have not been hired due to content found on their social networking sites.  Due to these statistics, many career experts think sending a cover letter is a crucial step in landing a job these days. 

Mark O’Connor, staffing manager at oil company Tesoro, says he doesn’t read much into cover letters, particularly for tech jobs — but adds that it doesn’t mean applicants shouldn’t bother to send them. “They should be short functional summaries of their relevant experience,” he says.  O’Connor’s team of recruiters focuses on developing relationships with candidates via social networks.  From there, they’re more concerned about the details that lie within the résumé and try to learn more about their past experience.

Here are a few cover letter tips:

• Make sure it’s brief and to the point
• Tell all about your accomplishments
• Be creative and don’t just summarize your resume
• Your letter should serve as an introduction to your resume

In my opinion for all you job seekers, whether you are looking to get a job doing Social Media, IT, or in any other industry, it is important to set yourself apart from everyone else.  Although it’s not necessary to send a cover letter, I do think that is important that you sell yourself by sending a cover letter and tailor it to the specific job you are applying for.  A cover letter is still valuable and can help you by setting you apart from everyone else trying to get an interview for the same position.  Make sure you take the time to research writing a cover letter and do it the right way! 

 If you are interested in career opportunities, make sure to check out our website.

Sources:  http://mashable.com/2011/02/05/cover-letter-tech-jobs/#

                  http://mashable.com/2009/01/05/job-search-secrets/#

You shined in your interviews and landed a new job!  The interviews you went on were your first and only time to make a great first impression on important people at the company.  Since you were offered the job, they clearly had a great first impression of you!  Now it’s important that you maintain that.

Here are some tips for a successful first day:

-Get a good night’s sleep!  You want to have a clear mind because you are going to be learning a lot of new things and meeting a lot of new people.  You will want to be well rested!

-Make sure you leave your house with plenty of time to spare in case there is heavy traffic or an accident.  Nothing looks worse than showing up late on your very first day.  Here is good piece of advice to live by about being on time: Being early is on time, being on time is late, and being late is unacceptable.  Try to stick to this, not only your first day, but every day.

- Dress professionally and if you are not sure what to wear…ask!  There is nothing worse than walking in on your first day underdressed.  You want to make sure you fit in.  Take that first week or two to notice what everyone else wears and what is acceptable.

-Ask questions and ask for help!  It’s your first day; you’re not going to know how to do everything!  It might seem a bit overwhelming, which is understandable.  Make sure to be patient and take notes on everything.  Your trainer will understand what you are going through and how you feel, they have been in your shoes before.

-Smile, be polite, and make eye contact when you introduce yourself to your co-workers.  Try to remember their names.

-Learn as much as you can and more.  Read up on the industry and topics relating to your position.  It is important to stay on top and gain as much knowledge as much as you can.  There might be something new you learn that you can bring to the table.

The first day of work can be intimidating.  Each day will get easier and hopefully these tips will help you feel more relaxed and prepared for your first day!

Before you read this, I want you to stop and ask yourself the following questions:

-          Where do you want your career to be five years from now?

-          Five years ago, where did you see yourself today?

-          What do you love about your current job? What do you hate about it?

-          What would constitute your perfect job? What tasks would you do, what industry would you be in and what salary would you make (realistically!)?

-          Now, what are your ultimate career goals? If you could envision yourself at the height of your career, what industry, title and salary would you have?

If you’re able to answer most of those questions, congratulations! It seems that you’ve got yourself on track for meeting your career goals – keep on truckin’, my friend! Now, what about those of you out there who couldn’t answer these questions? Yes, I’m talking to you, and you and you… Guess what? It’s time to sit down, contemplate the answers to these questions, focus in on your goals and shape your career to what you want it to be!

First, you may want to look at your previous accomplishments and career moves. After all, you have to understand where you’ve been before you can know where you want to go, right?  Looking at your career history can give you a good starting point towards your desired career goals. Once you’ve got this understanding, you can map out your goals and determine how they align with your current or prospective employment opportunities!

Next, think about your short term goals (which may be followed on a daily basis and are immediate) and your long term goals (which involve building your career and future over the long run). Not having any of these goals set out and planned can cause stress and waste of time and resources, so it’s very important to make these decisions in order to reach your greatest potential.

So, set goals and work towards them! Sounds pretty simple, right? Keep in mind, however, several factors can affect your career goals, choices and path. Some considerations to keep in mind include:

Growth – what kind of professional growth do you hope to get? What resources do you want or need to succeed?

Finances – What salary goals do you want to hit? Are you willing to take pay cuts along the way in exchange for other factors? How well do you want to be compensated? How much pay do you need to make to be productive?

Happiness – Satisfaction is extremely important in career success. It’s absolutely required for long term goals. This includes every aspect of the job – tasks, salary, opportunities and culture/environment. You have to work five days a week, every week, every year… so make sure your goals include what it takes to make you happy.

Experience – How do you feel about new experiences, new challenges, etc.? What kind of experiences are you bringing to the table? What kind of experiences are you looking for?

Environment – What kind of people do you want to work with? What kind of team are you hoping for? What about an office environment? What environment would suit your work style best?

Whatever you do, pick career goals that you will feel passionate about, will give you purpose and will suit your skills and interests. Also, remember that career goals may transform all the time depending on the choices you make and your professional growth – this is why it’s important to revisit your goals often throughout your career!

This year has been quite eventful. We’ve seen the economy plummet, then rise some, then fall and then rise some more. We’ve seen friends and colleagues get hired, then get fired, then get re-hired… or something like that. A tumultuous economic and hiring landscape has left everyone crossing their fingers, but one thing is for certain: it’s going to get better in 2011.

It’s also that time of year where many of us start thinking of New Year’s resolutions… maybe the goal is to lose weight, get involved in the community, make amends with an old enemy or be more compassionate. Whatever the list of resolutions includes, the common factor is usually to improve ourselves and part of that improvement includes considering your professional and career goals as well. Do you want to improve or change your career in 2011?

The first step to making career improvements in the New Year is to set aside some time to do research. Basically, find out who is hiring and who is firing. Look at which companies are seeing growth and which companies are downsizing. Knowing this information can be key to finding professional opportunities and change. A great way to get this kind of inside information would be talking to a recruiter. Part of a recruiter’s job is to do research every day. What kind of research? Recruiters need to understand the economic and hiring landscape better than any candidate out there. With the research and knowledge that they attain, they can then provide their candidates with the best opportunities available. Recruiters also work firsthand with clients and know which organizations and industries are the ones hiring and which aren’t. They also know what hiring managers are looking for and what they aren’t looking for. All of this information is like a recruiter’s bread and butter, so why not go to someone who can provide you expert advice on getting yourself on the better career path?

Second, take some time for self-reflection. Look at your career as a whole. Look at your career in 2010. What did you do right? What did you do wrong? Being able to assess your strengths and weaknesses is a step to bettering yourself professionally. This will help you assess the best options for your career in 2011 and beyond.

Here’s a big step to follow: be proactive! If you want anything in life, you’ve got to put in some work. And if you put in a little extra effort, well, you’ve got the right idea. You want a certain job and think it’s out of reach? Well, put it in arms length by being proactive! Find out who the decision makers are, ask recruiters to help you, learn all that you can about the organization you want to work at and become an expert at their industry and what they do. If you do this, I guarantee that you’ll have a major advantage over other job seekers who simply send in a resume and never even follow up.

Last of all and probably most important, you need to use the help of the network you’ve created in 2010 for your career moves in 2011! People in your network include former colleagues, recruiters, friends, family and other professionals you have met. Use these individuals as your pipeline for new opportunities – don’t be afraid to ask them questions! They may know of several great job opportunities right within your reach and can also offer insights on other opportunities for career growth.

Also, don’t forget that you can always check out our job board for our latest job openings across the country! If you’d like to speak with a SkillStorm recruiter, visit our website or check out our LinkedIn group and post your questions and comments! Have a great New Year and we’ll see you in 2011!