Searching for Your Next Job Opportunity?

“Before anything else, preparation is the key to success.” – Alexander Graham Bell

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Whether you are choosing to search for a new job opportunity, or the search is a bit unexpected, preparing for the hunt is imperative! Being prepared during your search will ensure prospective employers are getting an accurate representation of you and your skill set.  The following are some ideas to take into consideration when preparing for a job search.

Resumes

Resumes are often the first impression an employer gets of your skill set and prior experience. Therefore, your first step in preparing for a job search should be to ensure your resume is up to date and accurate. It is important to understand that this document may need to be tweaked depending on the positions you decide to apply for as you will want your skills and experience to be relevant to the job description.

Formatting should be consistent throughout the resume and it should be checked, and double checked, for spelling, grammar, and sentence structure. Be sure to include accurate contact information as well as include training and other items such as awards, volunteer experience, and certifications that may be relevant. Utilize online resume forums for assistance if need be.

Contact Information

Just like resumes, when a perspective employer is contacting you, it is one of the first impressions you are able to make. First and foremost, your personal email should present a mature and professional image (skaterboy13 may have been a hit in middle school, not so much in the professional world!). Also, check your voicemail on whatever phone number you provide. Is it professional? Do you clearly state your name so prospective employers know they have the correct number? If not, create a new greeting, keeping it simple, concise, and clear.

Cover Letters and Application Questions

Cover letters are a formal announcement that you are applying for a position. These should be tailored to the employer and the specific job. Highlight your skills and experience listed on your resume, however, do not dive into too much detail, as the purpose of the cover letter is to convince the employer to look at your resume in further detail. Like resumes, cover letters should be checked thoroughly for spelling, grammar, and sentence structure.

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Many companies require applicants to answer questions specifically tailored to the position, or the company, in order to gain some insight into the applicant. When applying for a position with application questions, take the time to thoroughly think through your answers. Tailor your answers based off of the job description and the company you are applying to. Spend time researching the company so you are aware of their company mission and culture. Lastly, check for spelling, grammar, and sentence structure. Remember, this too is one of your first moments to make a good impression on the prospective employer.

References

Plan ahead when compiling a list of references and letters of recommendation. Ensure you have accurate contact information for all references and reach out to them to let them know someone will be calling for a reference. This ensures they are not caught off guard and that they do not ignore the reference call.

Social Media Profiles

Regardless of your opinion on personal privacy, it is important to understand that employers utilize social media on a daily basis to gain additional background information on job candidates. It is estimated that at least 37% of employers use social media sites to look into job candidates lives. Therefore, you want to ensure your personal brand is represented accurately.

Even if a profile is private, potential employers can still see a profile picture. What does your profile picture say about you? Also, what do your posts say about you, your personal habits, and your personal beliefs? Have you criticized previous employers? Take into account your spelling and grammar as these are indicative of your communication skills. You should behave online in the same manner as you would in a public setting.

Last, ensure your professional social network profiles, such as LinkedIn, are up to date in regards to experience, employers, and related skills. You want to ensure your profile is searchable for employers and recruiters alike as these tools are becoming more popular for recruitment purposes.

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Salary and Benefits

Decide ahead of time what you are looking to make and what your bottom line is as well as what sort of benefits you are looking for and whether you have any flexibility with these items.  Having some flexibility can make all the difference in negotiations with what might be the perfect position for you. However, make these decisions prior to being in the middle of negotiations. The last thing you want to do is make too many concessions and end up unhappy within a few months at your new position.

Searching for your next career opportunity can be stressful but it is also exciting. Being prepared for this process will not only relieve some of that stress but it will also assist you in being more successful in the long run. Good luck! 

Technology Trends for 2014

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We are just over a few months into the New Year and most of us have no idea where the time has gone. With most of our lives in a constant state of “go,” it is difficult to keep up. This same principle applies to the technology industry.

Technology development occurs at such a rapid pace, with new items and groundbreaking technologies released to the market practically every day, that staying up-to-date is a struggle. Remaining ahead of the curve is nearly impossible.

So what technology trends should we be looking out for in the remainder of this year? The following are just some technological trends currently being talked about for 2014.

The Web of Things

Although still considered in the beginning stages of development for the potential impact it can have on the future, we are starting to see this technology integrated into our everyday lives. The principle is that everything we interact with will become a computable entity, allowing our smartphones to connect effortlessly with our homes, cars, and so much more.

Social Networks that are IT Policy Friendly

With the successful launches of IT policy friendly social networks such as Salesforce Chatter, Microsoft Yammer, and SocialCast from VMWare, the corporate landscape is beginning to adapt for the growing millennial population joining the workforce. This shift in enterprise communication and knowledge management applications will rapidly continue as will the growth of these social networks.

Data Privacy

Data privacy has been a topic of conversation for some time now. However, with the revelations of snooping by the NSA, the importance of data privacy is increasing. Many services and businesses are emerging as “data-free,” including Microsoft who has pledged to work on implementing encryption that prevents agencies from collecting personal data.    

Ultra HD 4K will spread to Television and Phones

The filming of both the FIFA World Cup and the Winter Olympics in 4K proved this technology is slowly entering the marketplace. It will completely revolutionize the way videos are viewed, delivering four times the picture resolution of 1080p Full HD (a difference of eight million pixels to two million pixels). It is expected that improved mobile devices that include Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 processors will be released by the end of 2014, enabling smartphones and tablets to capture and playback video in Ultra HD resolution. It is predicted that user generated content will lead to an increase in consumer interest in Ultra HD home displays and, in turn, accelerate the pace of the entire Ultra HD movement.

3-D Printing

3-D printing is not only real, but it is a practical solution for reducing costs through improved designs, streamlining prototyping, and short-run manufacturing. The consumer market is well aware of its capabilities and it is expected to grow at least 75 percent this year alone and an additional 200 percent by 2015.

Other technology trends that will be on the forefront of growth this year include no-touch interfaces, wearable technology, online video streaming, and cloud services; making it an exciting time for the technology industry. And although all of these new developments may seem a little overwhelming, they may prove to helpful in managing these crazy schedules a majority of us maintain!

Electronic Snowflake Fail

How the 2014 Winter Olympics is making a Technological Comeback!

Social media swarmed with pictures of incomplete bathrooms, hotel rooms with no doors, and elevator shafts being empty, in the days leading up to the 2014 Winter Olympics. These images suggested the city of Sochi was in a frenzy to prepare for the onset of crowds and athletes. However, it was the opening ceremony that quickly became international gossip when an electronic snowflake failed to expand into an Olympic ring.

Opening ceremony of the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russie. Photo courtesy of abcnews.com

Although this put a sour taste in the mouths of many, it has not stopped technological advances from shining in this year’s competition. First and foremost, let’s talk about the vending machine currently sitting in the Canadian Olympic House. It’s a beer fridge… that only opens by scanning a Canadian passport (talk about protecting your BYOB). Molson Canadian, creator of the alcohol vending machine, first introduced the invention last summer; however, we are guessing they will see an increase in sales in the coming months!

Can your beer fridge do this? Photo courtesy of digitaltrends.com

If that’s not impressive, let’s talk about technology’s influence on Mother Nature. Sochi, Russia is an unusual pick for the Winter Olympics, considering it has a bit warmer climate than desirable for winter conditions. However, a Michigan-based company, SMI Snowmakers, working with the Russian government, has over 400 snowmaking guns positioned on the hillside. Fiber-optic cables connect the snowmakers to company software for automatic delivery. Unlike the opening ceremony, if this fails, Russian officials have 16 million cubic feet of snow stored under thermal blankets, from last winter, ready to be hauled where needed.

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And who needs performance enhancing drugs when you can have performance enhancing technology? No expense has been spared in the research and development of new performance gear and analysis tools to assist athletes win the gold.

Lockheed Martin worked with Under Armor to design the U.S. speed skaters’ bodysuits; made of five various kinds of high-tech fabric, tested in wind tunnels, and featuring raised bumps to maximize the speed of airflow over the suit.

Chris Creveling of Team USA. Photo courtesy of The Morning Call.

Swiftwick created cut-resistant socks to prevent hockey players from being cut by skate blades. With fiber-optic cores that are strong enough to be used in a bullet-proof vest, they are designed to still wick away sweat and moisture.

Photo courtesy of www.blastr.com

For $5.00 USD, coaches have the ability to give their ski jumpers real-time information, from anywhere in the world. iPhone application, “Coach’s Eye,” allows a ski jump instructor to receive multiple angles and speed calculations of his/her jumper and provide real-time analysis prior to the jumper climbing the hill for a second attempt.

Jessica Jerome of Team USA. Photo courtesy of The Washington Post.

Athletes won’t be the only ones utilizing technology. Media outlets have increased their technologies to provide improved graphics, new studios, and streaming media technologies to enhance viewers’ experience. Large name vendors such as Sony and Cannon have returned to the Olympics; providing cameras, lenses, etc. Integrated Microwave Technologies (IMT) is also present, assisting Russian broadcast entities with their wireless coverage of the Olympics.

Although the Games may have debuted with the technological failure of the year, thus far, it seems as if the Winter Olympics has a lot more up technology up their sleeve than an electronic snowflake!