Standing out from the crowd is tough when your resume is buried in a mound of papers on a hiring manager’s desk. An average of 118 people will apply for each advertised job, but only 20 percent of those applicants get called in for an interview, reports Forbes. You can turn those odds in your favor by embracing a personal website as your personal marketing tool.

Creating a personal website directly advertises your brand to potential employers and clients. Forbes noted that 56 percent of hiring managers pay more attention to a personal website than any other personal marketing tool.

A personal website lets you put your best foot forward and demonstrate your skills and experience in action. It increases your value because it is a living resume. Instead of telling employers or clients why you are the best person for the job, you can show what makes you the best through your work.

The Basics

A personal website should reflect your talents and personality. It should offer examples of what makes you the right person for the job. Your website is all about you and should contain an honest assessment of strengths and weaknesses you bring to the table.

Build a unique brand name to tie in with where you want to take your career. Then secure a domain name and open social media accounts tied to that brand. Inc. Magazine recommends creating optional brand names you can use if your desired domain name is already owned by another party.

Featuring your resume is a top priority. Employers and clients need to see how your skills and experience fit with their needs. Along with your resume, you should also show samples of your work and offer a detailed list of accomplishments. Your past experience becomes more valuable when you can demonstrate positive results created from your work.

Your website should also include personal information relevant to your professional goals. Include a small bio that details interests, hobbies, awards and accomplishments. This is a good spot for a high-quality headshot photo of yourself.

Don’t neglect to protect your website from threats posed by viruses and spyware. You want visitors to feel safe. According to www.internetproviders.com, even just deleting cookies dramatically improves online security.

Common Mistakes

The last thing you would do for a job interview is show up in pajamas with disheveled hair and a five o’clock shadow. Avoid giving a similar bad impression with how you construct your personal website.

Some common website mistakes include bad navigation, an outdated resume, lack of work samples and a failure to include contact information. If your website has any of these problems, it can sabotage your efforts to build your career.

Including contact information is a crucial element on your website. The whole point is to entice people to hire you. Without a clear way to connect, you’ll lose out on well-earned opportunities.

Make an effort to incorporate a user-friendly web design. It will simplify navigating through pages and finding information. Take enough time to keep everything you post updated and relevant to your career.

Spread the Word

Once you get your name out, do everything necessary to keep it there. Market yourself around the clock through social media and your website.

Offering a blog filled original content is an effective avenue for marketing yourself through your website. Smashing Magazine notes that including a blog will promote you and establish you as an expert in your niche as well as keep your website from becoming static.

Create articles, videos and podcasts where you offer useful information to your followers. It will show your skills in action to potential employers and clients and brings your resume to life.

About the Author: Guest Writer

Career Girl Network is proud to work with phenomenal guest writers from time to time, bringing you the best information, resources, and ideas from women who are at the top of their game, the head of their class, and well respected in their field. If you are interested in becoming a guest writer or regular contributor to Career Girl Network, use the “Contact Us” link at the top of this page.

The post The 21st Century Resume: A Personal Website appeared first on Career Girl Network.

Sometimes you love your job, and it completely fuels your fire. Sometimes you hate it, and it completely drags you down.  Sometimes you love it and you hate it, and sit at your desk wondering why you are so SO tired (and hoping that the coffee will kick in. Please. Anytime!).

I understand both feelings.  This morning, I woke up feeling tired – I knew I had to do some logistics planning for an upcoming new venture I’m working on, and the thought of excel spreadsheets drove me to want to hide under the covers…and I LOVE my job.  And on the other hand, when I was consulting, I would wake up when I had certain meetings on the calendar and just…roll over.  I would end up pressing snooze to avoid having to get up, and then when I did finally get up I would race to get ready, throw on some clothes, and feel annoyed at work that IT made me look bad.  And feel bad.  Obviously my wrinkled attire and poorly applied eye makeup was due to my job, right?
I share this to say that we have all been there.  And it’s kind of a vicious cycle. You wake up tired, go into work feeling detached, end up phoning in some of your job, and then feel worse.  You go home exhausted from doing less than your best, feel guilty, get annoyed, and then the cycle starts all over again the next day.
You may love your job, you may be tired of your job, but either way, you know you have to stay in your job for a little longer at least.  So, where does that leave you?

1. The first thing I want you to think about when you are stuck at your desk procrastinating and feeling low is this: When was I last exceptional in my work? When did you last do something that was not only required, but went so far above and beyond you got a large sense of satisfaction knowing you had done great work? Remember that feeling? When you know that what you have done is amazing, and you feel inspired, satisfied, and complete? Remember that burst of energy that you get when you go one step farther than what is expected of you and someone says: “Wow.” And more importantly, you say “wow.” Your happiness and energy at work come from how happy you are with yourself – and sometimes all we need to get a small boost of pleasure is knowing that we have done our best, and what we have done is good. Focus, get involved, and do one thing that is absolutely exceptional today.  Not to be Pollyanna about it (I’m too snarky for Pollyanna), but I promise you will feel better.
2. Think about where you want to be in a year. When you have that thought, what #1 thing would make you happier in a year than where you are today? Be specific, and get really clear on what that thing is, and then start moving towards it.  Sometimes, when work drags us down and life is busy, we stop making progress in our careers.  And progress is hugely motivational.  It provides you that intrinsic shot in the arm of “You did well!” that keeps us going when things get tough, gets us engaged and excited about what is next, and gets us off the couch when Real Housewives is on.  Or maybe that is just me.

You can do this!

Christie Mims is The Radical Fairy Godmother to the Woman Trapped in Her Suit.  Feeling stuck in your career? Get her free JOB unstuck kit here! Want more adventure in your career? Come to Costa Rica with her for a Career on Fire retreat this summer!

The post Is Your Job Dragging You Down? 2 Things To Do That Will Get You Excited Again! appeared first on Career Girl Network.

At some point in your career, you might experience a time of unemployment.  Perhaps you chose to quit abruptly or maybe you were laid off.  As someone who is recently unemployed, I can say there’s been many highs and lows of the experience thus far.  Through my own experiences, I’ve found some tips that might be helpful to those who are unemployed, and inspire you to combat your unemployed blues.

Set time away for yourself! Remember on rough or busy days at your previous job you’d think “Oh, if I just had the time to…” or “If I didn’t have to be confined to this office for 8 hours a day…”  Remember when you told yourself those phrases; now, no more excuses, do what you said!  For me it was read more, spend more time with my puppy, and continue to get to know myself better so I could get a clearer picture of what I wanted from my career.  You might never have another opportunity to have this much time away from the responsibilities of work; take time to enjoy it.

Combat boredom through a balanced schedule of mental and physical stimulation:  Robert Fulgham once said, “I fear the boredom that comes with not learning and not taking chances.” I remember the day that I got laid off, the first thing I did when I got home was get out my calendar and my notebook and begin writing down short-term goals with a coinciding daily schedule.  When we work or go to school, we have schedules; as crazy as they might seem they actually help keep us sane.  When we are bored, our minds will wander and get the best of us.  To avoid that, create a list to combat boredom.  My plan to combat boredom included everything from daily yoga classes, to a minimum of jobs I’d apply for a week, to coffee with friends, to “me time.”  Self-rejuvenation is critical during unemployment; don’t forget this!

Get yourself moving! Prior to getting laid off, I had become pretty stationary as many of us who have worked in an office do.  Being unemployed allowed me to completely re-center my health, and care about the physical me.  I began taking yoga daily, as well as pushing myself to do intermittent cardio.  When I’m having a down day, I’ll get myself moving and I feel better when I’m done.  Endorphins naturally make us feel good and happy, plus you’ll be getting out, meeting new people, and we all know the importance of meeting new people…(new networking connections!).

“How’s the job search going?” This might be one of the most inspiring questions that friends and family ask you during your search; it might push you, drive you, and motivate you further…Or it might be one of the most frustrating.  I’ve always thought this question was to inquire more about the emotional state of being, rather than unemployment status.  For me, I tend to lean more towards the latter and the frustrated part, as it seems to be a sticky reminder that I don’t have a current full time job.  However, there are ways to successfully answer this question and use it to your advantage.  I’ve found giving my most recent progress on the job search usually suffices inquiring minds, such as divulging about a recent phone interview or a networking lunch.

Every action, no matter how big or small, is progress! It’s very easy to get down on yourself during the job search, because you want it to move fast when the majority of hiring processes do not.  There will be times you feel worthless, helpless, and not positive for the future.  During those times, take control and kick-start your good vibes back into gear.  Attend a networking event, follow up with positions you’ve applied to, stretch your network and see if there’s someone whom you haven’t reached out to yet to meet with.  Write down and keep track of all progress, as having a list will be a handy reference to serve as a spark of brightness when you’re feeling blue.

Most important, remember that like everything else in life, this is temporary.  If you continue to put your shoulder to the bar, stay active both physically and mentally, and push as hard as you can to get the job you deserve, you’ll find yourself employed in no time!   

About the Author: Catherine Julitz

Catherine is a marketing communications professional currently looking for an organization to lend her talents.  She specializes in creating and executing digital campaigns, marketing strategies, and social media implementation.  She’s an avid yogi, animal lover, tea addict, and she has an insatiable desire to travel, learn, and see the world.  Catherine has a bachelors of arts from Marquette University.

The post How to Combat the Unemployment Blues appeared first on Career Girl Network.

She’s right.
When you try and figure out what you are passionate about, sometimes you get in your own way.  Doubts, fears, questions, frustrations start to enter into your mind.  The “maybe I don’t have a life purpose” doubt creeps in and settles in one corner.  The “I’ll never figure this out. Blergh!” doubt settles into the kitchen.  The “I’m not good enough to find this” thought builds a space on the floor.

And soon enough, you are living in one corner of your mind underneath 100 old newspapers trying to justify why you need all 50 cats.  Underneath it all, you just feel STUCK.
Have you ever felt like this?

If you have, you are SO not alone! I think, at one time or another, most of us feel this way and get incredibly stressed.  The whole “I’m smart, I should effing be able to get this!” mantra comes into your head and drives you straight into the welcoming arms of Ben and Jerry’s.  Or whatever your poison .

So let me take the pressure off.  First off – take a breath and say this: “I’ll get there eventually. Things will work out.”  Secondly, ask yourself this question:
If you could do anything right now as a job, what would you do? No boundaries at all!

Seriously. Anything!

Ok, when I asked myself this question years ago the first thought that popped into my head was “I want to be a judge on America’s Next Top Model.” Now, I have to admit to shamefacedly watching that show for like the first 12 cycles before Tyra’s craziness drove me away. But for awhile, when I was consulting, it seemed like a total dream! I could travel, coach people, be insane, and have a ton of variety in my day-to-day life (plus, professional make up team!).  It was one of those crazy, throw away statements that I ignored for awhile.

That was my mistake. Instead of ignoring it, I want you to take your crazy idea and dig deep. WHY do you want to do that thing? What specifically (and generally) do you like about that job?

When I (finally!) picked apart my Top Model dream, I realized that what I wanted was freedom to travel, the ability to help/coach people, some glamour in my life, and fun.

I didn’t really want to be a judge, I just wanted certain things about that lifestyle.  And, as you can probably imagine, I’ve got it!

I get to travel (the first week in May I’m speaking at a conference on a cruise ship!), I get help people (my clients amaze me every day), I get to do glamorous things (I’m putting the finishing details on my upcoming Career on Fire retreat right now.  So far it involves photo shoots, Costa Rica, and lots of chocolate. Also, did I mention fire dancing? Watch this space!)

And I’m having fun doing it, which is really the most important thing.

So take a moment to revisit some of your more random dreams, and pick apart why you love them.  That is the first step to getting rid of the Hoarders mentality and taking a step to finding YOUR passion.  You can do it!

Christie Mims is the Radical Fairy Godmother to the Woman Trapped in Her Suit. Stuck in yours? Grab her free job UNstuck kit here! Let her wave her magic wand all over you at The Revolutionary Club!

The post The #1 Question to Ask Yourself When Trying to Find YOUR Passion! appeared first on Career Girl Network.

Let’s start with a provocative line: Would you be better at your job if you were a contractor? If you were paid hourly, or at least per project?

I worked for an hourly wage when I was fourteen: I nannied for twin two-year-old boys and their six-year-old brother.

I did it again throughout high school, sorting dirty clothes and taking money from rich people at a dry cleaning facility.

Flash forward twelve years, four degrees, and a salary-based corporate gig later, and I’m doing it again.

Say whaaaa?!

I’m a freelance writer and communication strategist. People give me projects. They agree to pay me a rate that is inspired by my hourly rate. (I often do value-based billing, and I’m on retainer at a few places, but all of these contracts are structured around my base hourly rate.)

I recently got to thinking about the psychology behind project-based contracts and hourly pay.

At a fundamental level, it means that your time is quantifiable. When you have a salary job, the more hours you work, the LESS your time is worth.

That’s kind of messed up, right?

No wonder people resent long hours and unpaid overtime and “can you just handle this for me quick” and “be a team player and take on your share of the TPS reports…”

No wonder people resent endless box-ticking and routine and projects that never end and never change.

What if there was an end date to the work you did? What if you put a nice little bow on it and then moved on to something else? What if you knew that someone was putting a dollar figure on your time (and, understandably, expected rock star results in exchange for those dollars)?

It’s not for everyone. For me, it’s certainly enjoyable knowing that my time is valued, but there’s more to it than money: I love taking on a whole project life-cycle and ending up with something visible (if not actually tangible).

I love pressing “send” on a finished project.

I love the variety and excitement of taking on a new challenge with every project. (It often means getting an education on a whole new industry, which frequently means unpaid get-up-to-speed time, but it’s totally worth it in my opinion.)

It also gives me some perspective: if I’m considering making a purchase, it’s easy to translate that purchase into hours of my time. Worth it? Maybe. Maybe not.

Reasons being paid hourly could be a problem?

1) If you’re at a dry cleaner or some other job with no project life-cycle, no end date, no variety, and “hourly” really just means: “Be here until the clock runs out.”

2) If you are horrible at time management and aren’t able to provide value to your customers by getting the job done in an amount of  time that will translate to a good deal for both of you.

Reasons being a contractor could be a problem?

1) Silly little things called “job security” and “health insurance.”

OK, so it’s not all sunshine and roses and baby lambs.

But think about it: Is your time valued? If not, how can you change that?

The post Should We All Be Contractors? appeared first on Career Girl Network.

Why? You fight harder on behalf of someone else….

In Adam M. Grant’s terrific book, Give and Take, he discusses different negotiating styles. One of his findings demonstrates that ‘givers’, people who eschew the law of reciprocity in favor of giving unconditionally, tend to negotiate with more fervor when they negotiate on behalf of someone else. Interestingly enough, women fall into this ‘givers’ style when they negotiate as well.

As I listened to the passage (on my handy-dandy iPhone) the information rang familiar. Grant used a salary negotiation as his example. Men are far more likely to ask for more money during a salary negotiation as compared to women in the same situation, unless the woman in question is negotiating as an agent for someone else. When a woman acts as an agent, or advocate she tends to stand her ground and worry less about how the other side perceives her.

Makes sense to me — when I negotiate on my own behalf I suck at it. I tend to give in too fast and too easily, however if I negotiate on behalf of someone else I forget about how I’m perceived by the other party and instead, focus on securing the best deal possible.

Why do women (me, included) behave this way? I found an interesting answer at LeanIn.org in a video featuring Margaret A. Neale, the Adams Distinguished Professor of Management at Stanford’s Business School. Simply put, women are concerned about appearing,

Too demanding, too greedy, or not nice.

Really? That’s so…well….wimpy, especially the ‘not nice’ part, but often times the opposite of ‘not nice’ (for a woman) takes the form of a ‘real bitch’. A ball-buster. A naysayer. I could go on….

Instead, let’s look at Professor Neale’s recommendations:

1.)  Engage in communal problem solving – Adopt what Neal refers to as a ‘communal orientation.’ Use phrases like I have a problem, or We have a problem. Enlist the other side’s help.

2.)   Use communal packaging – Package multiple options for the other party. We can do A, B, or C – here are the pros and cons of each option. Now the discussion becomes focused on refining the best option. It moves from a competitive environment to a more collaborative one.

3.)  Use your natural tendencies – If most women negotiate better on behalf of someone else then use that information to your benefit. Instead of negotiating your salary on your behalf, negotiate it on behalf of your husband, your aging parents, or your cat. Or, all three! Whatever….you get the point.

Neal sums it up this way,

“Expectation drives behavior. If we expect to do poorly, we will behave in ways that insure a poor performance.”

Always expect better from and for yourself when you negotiate. Engage in the negotiation as if you’re acting on behalf of women everywhere. Because you are!

Watch Dr. Neal’s full video here.

The post Negotiate on Behalf of Someone Else appeared first on Career Girl Network.

Perhaps you’re an adventurer and you’ve always wanted to move abroad. The most common way to get a job across the pond is to find a way to move with your current company based in USA. But that’s not to say it’s impossible to apply for jobs abroad and get the gig.

Our friends at Careerealism recently published an incredible guide to doing just that with “How Resumes Differ From Country to Country.” It’s not just the uphill battle of getting a foreign company to move you or take a chance on you, it’s also a matter of respecting the resume differences you’ll find in each area.

Here’s what Careerealism has to say about Europe, specifically.

European Requirements

The rules for resume writing changed substantially in Europe. As part of the European Union (EU), all members follow the same resume criteria and format. The Europass CV was created to “provide citizens with the opportunity to present in clear and comprehensive way information on their qualifications and competences.”

This is a fantastic idea for people applying for roles in Europe as there is a standard template to complete that avoids issues such as cultural differences and different requirements between the countries.

While this may be good for a French national applying for a role in Belgium, the rules change when applying to countries such as the USA, Australia, or Asia.

It is typical to see information such as nationality, date of birth and gender on European and Asian resumes.

In South Africa, it is even required to have even further personal information such as ID number and ethnicity (the latter to clarify one’s BEE or affirmative action status).

In Australia and the US, however, stricter privacy laws make this personal information unnecessary. In the US, an employer has no legal right to know your age. (They do have a right, however, to ask your age only if local, state, or federal law requires that employees be over a certain age.)

Click here to read the rest of Careerealism’s article about cultural resume differences now.

The post Should You Expand Your Job Search Across the Pond? appeared first on Career Girl Network.

As someone who worked in manufacturing for decades and thought he’d be able to retire in a few short years, my dad’s journey is like that of many others. After his shop closed operations locally, my dad jumped into career change head-first. Now in his mid-fifties, he’s in the midst of a total career overhaul that has involved professional networking for the first time, going to school, and learning how to manage people. The same is true of the Career Girl that inspires me—my step mom. She went back to school while caring for three kids alone after a tough divorce, became an RN, and is going for a Bachelor’s in her fifties. They have both told me to pursue my career goals sooner rather than later, but they are not afraid of starting something new at a time when people traditionally start thinking about winding down their careers. Unlike previous generations, there is a whole new breed of entrepreneurs and they’re not the spring chickens you might imagine.

PBS has a great article about tips for a group they call “Seniorpreneurs,” a catchy new term for seniors starting a business. Baby Boomer business owners have been a popular topic lately, and several sources point to seniors as one of the fastest growing demographics for entrepreneurship. It makes sense: seniors often have decades of phenomenal work experience, a fair amount of free time, no young children, and broad networks to help support them. It’s a recipe for startup success, and we can all learn from their experiences.

The PBS list certainly applies to younger Career Girls as well, and a few of the tips stand out as advice that should be taken to heart by everyone.

You Are Never Too Old to Start a Business. Remember the story about the 89-year-old grandma who used Kickstarter to get her cane-decorating business off the ground? It was a great story because it proved this point, but I know Career Girls in their thirties who think they’re too old to start a new career or new endeavor. That’s craziness, and if you don’t do it now, you’ll regret it later when you look back and realize you could have done something you enjoyed.

Build a Community of Positive Influences. Studies show that happy people are happy because they have hobbies and  good friends. Having a support system of successful and uplifting people gives you a way to seek advice and brainstorm ideas with others while picking up on what you can do to improve yourself. If you don’t already have friends like this, find them! Join a women’s group, be open about your struggles and your successes, and make sure to uplift others and celebrate their victories as well. You’ll never have to face obstacles alone if you actively engage your network and be a helping hand or a hug for others.

Go Back to Class. Many of us Career Girls already have a degree or education, but I think this speaks to everyone. No matter what the topic, I bet you can find a way to be a student of someone who can teach you more. Whether it’s hopping on the internet to find a community event with tips for fundraising, or going to a home improvement store to figure out how to put up drywall, never stop learning. Never!

An Internet Presence is a Must. I would say that most Career Girls don’t have a problem with this because we tend to be internet savvy and well-connected enough to have an internet presence, but that’s not always true. It’s surprising how many business owners haven’t really thought about their personal brand. Promoting your business is great, but you can be the face of your business and bring that gorgeous face of yours out into the community! Represent yourself and your business by recognizing that you need to have a personal brand, and then put it on the internet. Don’t worry—you don’t need to have every social media account ever, and you don’t have to friend the entire world on Facebook. You should have an “about” section on your business site with a pic of you and a little of your background, a LinkedIn page, and a professional Facebook or Twitter if you choose. Don’t know what to say in your “About Me” copy? Ask a friend for help. Outside perspectives are helpful.

The entire PBS article has valuable tips for entrepreneurs, and I encourage everyone to check it out. I’ll be keeping an eye seniorpreneurs and how the small business landscape changes as more mature business owners enter the small business sphere. I think the diverse backgrounds and varying levels of experience are going to add to the power and position of small business in the US economy.

The post What We Can Learn From Seniorpreneurs appeared first on Career Girl Network.

Whether you are looking for new business, a new job, the love of your life (or maybe just a date for Friday night!), networking is an unavoidable fact of life.  Most of us don’t love to do it and could use a little help.  The truth is that no matter what the purpose of your networking, the key to its effectiveness lies in your ability to connect.  That common ground, that spark, that “oh yeah, this person gets me” is what takes you from a business card or profile amongst many, to a person we all want to get to know better…someone we want to buy from, work with, or date – or maybe all three!

I think this Connect With Anyone Creed sums it up perfectly!

Your turn – what are your best tips for connecting with people?  Can you give an example when doing so really elevated the relationship beyond basic networking?

Infographic compliments of Live Your Legend, (a blog devoted to finding and doing work you love).

The post How to Connect with Anyone appeared first on Career Girl Network.

Repeat after me (no, seriously, do it): the thank you note is not dead. Recently, it seems many believe it is. In my own hiring practices at Career Girl Network, and from countless friends who hire regularly, I’ve heard stories this year about interviewees who fail to send a thank you of any kind after a meeting. In a world of quick decision making and one where elementary school students no longer learn cursive writing, it might seem a thank you note is superfluous. It’s not.

So today, we’re giving you the do’s and don’t's of interview thank you notes.

Thank You Notes: DO’S

• SEND ONE! It doesn’t matter if it’s via email or a handwritten note. It really is the thought (and herein the action) that counts.
• Send one to each person you interview with. It’s not enough just to thank the hiring manager. Thank everyone who interviewed you.
• Reiterate your strengths. The thank you note isn’t just to say thank you, it’s also to say “here’s why I’m awesome, remember?” Take the opportunity to remind the interviewer that you’re a great fit for the team.

Thank You Notes: DON’T'S

• Write it ahead of time. You should tailor your thank you note to what was said and discussed during your interview. Don’t write a generic note prior to the interview.
• Snail mail it if the decision will be made this week. Hopefully, you’ve asked the question about the next steps in the process. If the decision will be made in the next 3-5 days, don’t send your thank you via USPS. It might not get there in time. While handwritten notes are more professional, email is entirely acceptable with tight timelines.
• Assume you have the job. Some people skip the thank you because they believe they “have it in the bag.” Bad idea! You never know how long you’re being judged. Keep your best foot forward right up until the end (and hopefully well into the job!)

The post The Do’s and Don’t's of Job Interview Thank You Notes appeared first on Career Girl Network.