What job can I get with AAT

What job can I get with AAT by Amber Rolfe Looking for your perfect job in finance? Do the maths… Getting AAT qualified is a great way to get started with a job in accountancy, progress in your current role, expand your career options, or improve your salary expectations. Don’t believe us? 77% of students from a 2019 AAT salary survey agreed that studying AAT has increased their earning potential meaning you can be sure that AAT will be a step in the right direction for your career (and your bank balance).Not sure what you can actually do with AAT? We spoke to  Kaplan Financial, one of the UK’s leading providers of accountancy qualifications, to find out the best jobs you can get with an AAT qualification:  What qualifications do I need to start studying AAT? Anyone can study AAT.Whether you’re a school leaver, a graduate, or you’re looking to change careers, you’ll be able to start studying straight away â€" with no previous experience in the field.AAT: What you need to knowHow long does i t take to study AAT? The time it takes to study AAT will depend on the study method you choose.Generally, you’ll be able to get qualified in around a year â€" with some methods allowing you to complete your course in as little as six months.And with part-time and full-time study options available, and the choice to carry out distance learning, you’ll be able to make AAT work around you and your schedule.What jobs can I do with AAT? For many of those getting AAT qualified, one of the most popular career paths to choose is an accountancy. It’s also one of the most secure.In fact, according to the 2019 AAT salary survey, job security levels for those with the qualification have increased since 2011 from 74% to 85%But what other careers can you pursues with an AAT qualification, and what level do you need to get started? Here are a just a few of the roles you’ll qualify for:Accounts AssistantWhat do they do? Provide administrative support to Accountants, assisting them with a r ange of day-to-day financial operations. This could involve anything from compiling data and processing payments, to reconciling invoices and tracking expenses.What do I need? AAT Foundation Level 2 Distance Learning or AAT Foundation Level 2 Ondemand.Salary expectations: £20,000.Other jobs you can do with an AAT Level 2 qualification: Accounts Administrator, Accounts Payable Clerk, Trainee Accounting Technician.View all Accounts Assistant jobs  BookkeeperWhat do they do? Keep track of and oversee company spending by maintaining accurate financial records. Whether they’re preparing tax returns, managing profit and loss, or monitoring debt levels, it’s a Bookkeeper’s job to ensure an organisation’s outgoings and incomings are tracked effectively.What do I need? AAT Advanced Level 3 Distance Learning or AAT Advanced Level 3 Ondemand.Salary expectations: £24,000.Other jobs you can do with an AAT Level 3 qualification: Finance Assistant, Audit Trainee, Credit Controller.View a ll Bookkeeper jobs  Payroll Manager What do they do? Ensure payroll account transactions are paid on time and correctly. This is achieved by developing effective payroll systems, maintaining accurate records, and collaborating with other members of the business. They’re also responsible for managing and coaching a payroll team.What do I need? AAT Professional Level 4 Distance Learning or AAT Professional Level 4 Ondemand.Salary expectations: £37,000.Other jobs you can do with an AAT level 4 qualification: Tax Supervisor, Senior Finance Officer, Commercial Analyst.View all Payroll Manager jobs  Other benefits of AATIf you’re looking to work for yourself, AAT could be the perfect option. By learning the fundamentals of accountancy with an industry recognised qualification, you’ll have all the skills you need to start your own bookkeeping business.In fact, 92% of AAT Licensed Accountants who are purely self-employed say they are ‘very’ or ‘quite’ satisfied, according to a 2019 AAT salary survey.       Additional benefits of studying include:You’ll gain versatile skills that are useful in every sectorYou could use your internationally recognised qualification to work abroadYou could become a Chartered Accountant with further studyYou could become an expert in your chosen field, whether it’s tax, audit, or credit management  Why study with Kaplan Financial?Whatever study method or course you’re interested in, Kaplan have something for you.Not only are they one of the UKs most respected course providers, offering industry leading training in accounting and business expertise, they also provide a wide range of different types of learning â€" including classroom, distance and online learning.Other benefits of studying with Kaplan Financial include:Exceptional pass rates across all of their coursesInterest free payment plansPrices inclusive of exams and study materialsIndustry leading support â€" whether online, or in classWorld recognised qualific ations, and endorsements from some of the UKs biggest businesses (including all of the top 10 accounting firms)Find out moreReady to start studying?  Find an AAT course with Kaplan today.Kaplan Financial  are the UK leader in financial, accountancy and business training. Their mission is to help individuals achieve their goals and realise their potential.  Find a job What Where Search JobsSign up for more Career AdviceSign up for moreCareer Advice Please enter a valid email addressmessage hereBy clicking Submit you agree to the

Financial Analyst Intern Resume Writing

Financial Analyst Intern Resume WritingFinancial analyst intern resume writing is an important skill for any person considering a career in finance. In addition to learning how to effectively write your own resume, having an internship gives you a valuable first experience with different banks and financial institutions. Interns can even be hired by financial firms as independent contractors after graduation to perform tasks they are not qualified to do.An internship is the most common way for financial analysts to gain experience. It's a great way to work with people that can relate to you, as well as help you develop new skills. Financial institutions typically hire interns to assist with specific areas of accounting or research.Before you submit your resume to any employer, make sure it's flawless. Every resume must contain some sort of contact information, including a phone number. Look over your resume and make sure you know exactly where it will be sent to, or who will receive it. You should always include a cover letter with your resume to help boost your application.Interviews are very important. Get plenty of practice interviewing at your university or local business to ensure that you speak clearly and precisely. Your interviewer will want to see that you have a natural command of the English language.When drafting your resume, begin your job description in the first person. Be sure to spell check the information and use the correct grammar. Research the company and what they do so you can understand what is expected of you.Send thank you letters when necessary, but you should not anticipate having to return emails. Once a job position is posted, you may get an invitation to attend an interview or short notice. If so, follow up right away to ensure you have been selected.Just because you have a college education degree does not mean you should automatically assume that positions will come to you. Most positions require a lot of work and hiring process can take months. The first step is applying for the positions you were hoping for.If an opening does not come within that time frame, then you will have to hold out until the final interview. Your goal for an interview is to sell yourself, but you also want to be a good fit for the company. You should ask any questions you need to know about the company and what they are looking for. Make sure you are ready for any questions that might come up during the interview.

If you can dream it...you can do it - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career

If you can dream it...you can do it - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career I finally put all my dreams together and modeled it for all of you to see. There is of course logic as to why I want to own a meeting place, charitable organization and consulting firm, but you will just have to figure that out on your own. This post is supposed to get you thinking about your future, noting where you are now, and the steps you need to take in order to accomplish your dreams. Personally, when I want to accomplish something at this level, I will usually make it happen over time because I never give up. So take a moment and think about where you want to end up in the future Remember that you can accomplish anything you desire, as long as you put in the effort and dont give up. DO NOT let anyone tell you otherwise!

The Newbies Guide to a DISC Assessment

The Newbies Guide to a DISC Assessment This post is from guest contributor Gwen Hill, who recently completed her DISC assessment. She reviewed her assessment results with a coach  to  maximize her experience put her new knowledge to work for her. Before I started this process, I had no idea what to expect or what the value of the DISC would be. Overall,  I sure wish that Id known all this sooner, because I could have been benefiting from  this information for years.  I thought Id help you through your assessment results, breaking down the value of whats actually delivered in this report. And if you dont have a report of your own yet, you can check out this sample. What Is DISC, Anyway? At its most basic, DISC is a personal (NOT personality!) behaviour assessment tool. Its non-judgemental there are no bad answers. It can be used to improve productivity, teamwork and communication if its done by a team, and while it assesses your own style, it also helps you to understand why you might have trouble communicating with certain people in your life. So: having completed my DISC evaluation and reviewed it with Steve, there I sat: coffee in hand and cat on lap, sifting through the small novel of information before me.  Here we go… Section 1: The Introduction This goes through the basics of the report. What I liked here is the expectation setting: This tool is not going to pigeonhole anyone. It measures behavioural style and tendencies and those things cannot be set out in black and white. Ive always had a problem with results that say this is who you are, 100% accurate and true, all the time the DISC is more of a this is what you tend towards, this is what youre likely to do. It seems pleasantly  realistic to me, right off the bat. Section 2: General Characteristics This is basically an overview of What Gwen is Like. It makes a lot of decisive statements that are unnervingly, unflaggingly accurate. This section of the DISC made me want to add an adult beverage to my coffee. Here are some examples: Gwen believes in getting results through other people. She prefers the team approach. Gwen tends to break the rules and then attempts to sell you on the fact it was the proper thing to do.  Excuse me? Oh, youre soooo wrong, DISC. I dont do that! I mean… I mean, if the rules are stupid… OK, you win this round, DISC. Section 3: Value to the Organization A point-form list that, if I understand correctly, would enable an organization to get the most value-for-dollar out of me. For example, one of my value points is: Ability to change gears fast and often So if you were to employ me, youd be better off throwing me at a job that is undefined in terms of parameters and a lot of different tasks rather than, say, a job where I enter data all day and analyze it. Actually, I did that job once as a temp. I lasted six whole hours before I quit. Six hours! I was so proud of myself. Section 4: Checklist for Communicating The report provides a to-do list for communicating with me successfully. The whole thing is amazing. I wish everyone read this list and just talked to me this way, all the time. Be isolated from interruptions. Be open, honest and informal. Provide a warm and friendly environment. And more importantly, theres a NOT-to-do list, which I found generally offensive: Dont dream with her or youll lose time. Dont be put off by her cockiness. Wait, what? Cockiness? Dammit, DISC. I thought you were on my side. But, unfortunately, still quite accurate. Except Im totally not cocky. Im not. Stop looking at me like that, dont you know who I am? Section 5: Communication Tips This is my favourite part of the DISC. Basically, it gives a coloured box of each assessed type (D, I, S or C) and how someone with my particular characteristics ought to approach each of those types. I have used this in my work, at home, and in dealing with the strata in my townhouse complex. And Ive only had it for a week. For example: Im naturally overly optimistic and enthusiastic about projects. That means Im the kind of person who will say, Ill do that, of course! How about by tomorrow? Or half an hour from now? It is only the lack of a time-machine that keeps me from committing to having already done something. As it turns out, this ridiculous approach doesnt work for everyone. The people with whom it particularly fails are the high C people. What does my DISC analysis suggest I do when talking to a Cer? Glad you asked: Prepare your case in advance. Stick to business. Be accurate and realistic. I tried this on someone with whom I have historically had a great deal of difficulty communicating. It was the best conversation weve ever had, and at the end, she (subconsciously, I assume) engaged in some conversational tactics  that fall under the How to Talk to Gwen list. She and I will never be the best of friends, but I have new hope that we can work togetherand thats important to me. And frankly, its probably not a bad idea for me to tamp down a bit on my enthusiasm and develop realistic expectations. That would likely serve me better in a few areas, including my work. Section 6: Ideal Environment Fairly self-explanatory. I happen to be in my quite-nearly-ideal work environment already, but if I were job hunting I would use this section to answer the inevitable And do you have any questions for us? question that always comes at the end of an interview. Using the DISC for this purpose beats the heck out of saying Er…do you validate parking?. Section 7: Perception This section gives me an overview of how I see myself, how others see me under moderate stress, and how they  see me under extreme stress. Its interesting to me to see that under stress, I become almost … well, cocky is the only word for it, in the eyes of others. An odd response that I suspect is driven by job insecurity. Good to know. Ill be watching you, stress response! Section 8: Descriptors The section weve all been waiting for what on earth does DISC stand for, anyway? D   Dominance (How you deal with problems)  I    Influence (How you deal with people) S   Steadiness (How you deal with the speed/pace of your environment) C   Compliance (How you deal with rules procedures) And I am a high DI, which is to say, a Dominant Influencer, with more emphasis on the I. This is me: The colored portions are like a bar graph. Start in the middle, and the bar goes up or down to the descriptor thats most accurate of my natural style. But the descriptor just beyond where the bar ends indicates a tendency for behavior under stress. For example, lets take the red category Dominance: I am naturally decisive, but under stress may become competitive. Make sense? I love this section. Im happy with everything I see herethis is who I want to be. It does not, however, necessarily make me the easiest person to work with, so its also a great place to get a snapshot of what I can work on in terms of how I reach out, communicate, and interact. Section 9: Natural and Adapted Style This section goes through various scenarios that I might  commonly encounter, and describes what my natural behaviour would be in that situation vs. my adapted reaction. A significantly adapted behaviour may mean that my  workplace might not be quite in tune with my needs, but it could also be non-work related entirely. Stress at home, health concerns, or just a bad nights sleep will all create an adapted behaviour. In dealing with people, for example, my natural behaviour is enthusiastic and trusting. (Im turning out to be quite the Pollyanna, here.) My adapted behaviour is sociable, optimistic and trusting, meaning that Im basically existing in my ideal natural environment. The report goes on to identify what my current job requires in terms of my adaptations. I cant possibly tell you how useful this would have been, six months into this job. I would have been  so much better, so much sooner. Section 10: Keys to Motivating This part was quite self-explanatory this would be something I could hand out at the beginning of a job (or perhaps a few months in, so as not to be cockysee? Im learning!) to help my manager understand how best to motivate me. Section 11: Keys to Managing I had a hard time understanding the difference between this category and the previous one, but it would appear thatfine line though it may bemanagement and motivation are different things. This section is more of the meat and potatoes of management; for example, it suggests that my manager provide me with deadlines and systems to follow, whereas the previous section gave broader strokes around flexibility and participative management. Section 12: Areas for Improvement Gwen has a tendency to be a situational listener if not given an opportunity to tell her ideas. What? What? Im sorry, were you lecturing at me? I spaced out. Section 13: Action Plan So youve read through everything, and youve gone through it with your coach or facilitator or whatever. Whats next? Because if all youve got is a pile of understanding and paperwork, you havent got a plan and all this beautiful, useful information goes nowhere. So now you get to sit down, write out what you want and how you want to improve, and make a plan to go forward. This little workbook-section is short, sweet, and left me feeling like I was putting my new learning towards a more communicative future for myself. Cheesy, maybe, but there you have it Im a fan of good outcomes. Section 14: Behavioural Hierarchy This entire section is about where you are compared to 68% of the population (who did this test). For everyone whos ever said: Yes, I know I did well, but how well did everyone else do?this is your section. In case youre wondering, yes, I was that kid in school. Section 15: Style Insights Graph Related to Section 9, this compares your natural style to your adapted style in graphic form. Again, my natural style is quite similar to my adapted style: But if they were poles apart, Id be taking a good hard look at finding a new job. Section 16: The Success Insights Wheel This is a snapshot of everything youve learned. I found the lists and four-squares-of-communication-styles more useful, but basically what this tells you is where you are on the larger spectrum of things, and where your adapted style lands. Heres a sample of the wheel its not from my results. This persons natural style and adapted style are matching exactly, which means there is little-to-no gap between their natural way of doing things and how theyre required  to do things. I think this particular bit would be great if you had an office full of people who had completed DISC assessments, and you could have a great big printed version with everyones natural and adapted styles identified on the graphic. Like this, with the yellow triangles representing team members. Theres an  in-depth explanation about the wheel and teams located here, if youd like to know more. What I Got Out of My DISC Assessment A feeling I had when I began and one that I understand others have voiced as well is the moderately stubborn (okay, childish and unhelpful) feeling that I shouldnt have to change the way I am just so others can hear/work with/understand me. I expressed  this to Steve, and he said that was fine, I didnt have to. I could continue fighting my way upstream, getting frustrated, and frustrating othersmaybe not to a debilitating degree, and maybe not to the point of ostracizing myself, but it wouldnt be the most effective option. I am not a woman who has ever voluntarily taken a less effective option, no matter how stubborn I get. So of course you dont have to do this. The real question is: Why wouldnt you? An Unfair Advantage Jims  signature line in all of his his e-mails says: Our overriding objective is to give our clients an unfair advantage in the game of life. And yes, some part of this definitely feels like it makes things too easyI shouldnt be able to read a list, and then immediately go out and have a wonderful conversation with someone whos style of communicating has always been, for me, nearly incomprehensible. Does it feel like cheating? Absolutely. But, as Ive always said, there is no prize for living life on the hard setting. If theres a cheat out there that helps me to get my ideas across in a way that others can hear, well, show me where to sign. The Duh Factor What amazes me is how much this report provides information that, once Ive read it, should have been obvious to me. For example, I know that I can be impulsive. Thats why I have a rule: In times of great stress, no major life decisions for three weeks. I even   mentioned that in my post on getting laid off. Because under stress, I move from impulsive, whichlets face it, is really only cute up to the age of tento impetuous. Its a small distinction, but its the difference between buying a chocolate bar in the grocery lineup and quitting your job because you had a bad day. What Im trying to say is that its possible the DISC report isnt giving me information that I didnt have, but its providing it in clear, organized, and above all useful way, so that I can capitalize on my strengths and work on my weaknesses. All of these things ultimately combine to make me a better human. (We can rebuild her! We have theetc., etc.) Thats probably enough out of me. If youve done your DISC assessment, what did you think? If you havent taken it yet, do you think it has value? SPECIAL OFFER UNTIL JULY 1: Gwen was so enthusiastic about these tools and the value she is getting from them that we are holding a special promotion in her honor. As an added incentive, were offering a special 10% discount on our DISC Motivators Discovery Kit until July 1, 2014.  Just input promo code: GWEN.  This is a fantastic opportunity if you’ve been looking for some insight on how to improve  your career happiness. To snag this offer, go here.

A Simple Way to Write Resume Awards

A Simple Way to Write Resume AwardsWriting resume awards is very important. It is a simple and yet effective tool to make a resume stand out in the list of resumes for your desired job. In fact, most resumes are submitted with some form of award.Employers use awards as a compliment to your resume that shows your accomplishments. These awards serve as a visible way to show employers you have really done something in order to get a job.Resume awards can be personalized to fit the preferences of the employer. This can include the company or organization you worked for, your community service work, or any other details that may show your dedication and enthusiasm for the position. Many applicants simply put their name and title on the award they want the employer to see and then move on.The important thing to remember about awards is to make them special and unique. If you don't have your own talent, a great resume book can help you come up with some excellent ideas. Then you can go to a local bookstore or even an online retailer to find some great examples of these types of awards. One easy way to put together a resume is to draw it up on a piece of paper and cover the area with embellishments such as ribbons, beads, clasps, buttons, or anything else that will make it seem more prestigious.If you're going to hand out awards, take some great photos and turn them into beautiful cards. You could give them out at a job fair and thank the employer for taking the time to look at your resume. It can be good for getting some media attention as well as a means to put your name in the big picture.You might also consider using a web site that provides easy to use templates to make your resume awards. Some of these sites will even let you upload pictures or videos to your resume templates.There are a lot of things you can do to make your resume stand out and be noticed by employers. Personalized resume awards are a great way to do just that.How to add a little flair to your r esume by giving awards to prospective employers? Simply follow these tips and you'll soon see how easy it is to put your name and achievements out there and get noticed.

11 company culture qualities you should be looking for - Debut

11 company culture qualities you should be looking for - Debut This article was written in collaboration with FDM Group. Explore exclusive #fdmcareers graduate opportunities at FDM Group by downloading the Debut app.   Usually when you apply for a job, you do just that. You polish up your CV. Pop a few mints before you head into an interview. Try to charm  your potential future employer into hiring you. But have you stopped to consider that the company should really be applying to you? Company culture is so important. If youre new to this, company culture is made up of the    beliefs, values, attitudes and behaviours defined by a companys employees.    A good company makes decisions by referring to the values laid out in their company culture.  Also, it helps you, the newbie, get a sense of how things work in the company. If youre going to be spending eight  hours a day, five  days a week in one place, youd want to know if youre going to have a good time. Heres what you should be looking out for before you sign on that dotted line: 1. Transparency Companies dont have to be in your face about being transparent. At my previous job I used to have to write up a daily report detailing all the tasks I was going to complete that day. It was a waste of time and I didnt feel trusted by my manager to do my job. What employees really value when it comes to transparency is access to information at their convenience. How is the company doing financially? What is the companys salary structure like? Is a product in danger of being axed? There is a certain fear that being transparent will leave a company vulnerable. However, there is value in sharing information with your employees whether it be successes or failures. 2. Trust Speaking of opening up and sharing, trust is another important company value. Im typing this article up in Kuala Lumpur where Im currently remotely working, but Team Debut are all based in London, seven hours behind me. If my team didnt trust me to just get on with my day, it would cause major conflict and upset. Instead they trusted that theyve hired somebody reliable, and theyve left me to decide how best to structure my work life whilst Im away. Without trust, the relationships you make with your fellow colleagues will not grow. Having trust as a core value fosters strong bonds between your work mates a priceless thing to have. 3. Leadership How does your company encourage leadership? A great company recognises the potential in every employee, and gives them the resources to become a future leader of the company. A place that believes every team member has the potential for greatness is a place thatll give you the support you need to get there. Keen to improve your leadership skills? Click here to view the career opportunities available with FDM. 4.  Mission/Vision TED Talk speaker Simon Sinek once did a talk called Start With Why. In it, he states that a company needs to have a strong purpose of existing a strong Why to achieve success. Ensure the company youre interviewing for has a strong purpose. That underlying current of why will push the company in the right direction, but only if its a strong current. If it is, you should totally ride that wave. 5. Communication Here at Debut were constantly talking to each other. Communication can be seen as a sub-category to Transparency, and they definitely go hand in hand. How does your company foster good communication? Do they use tools like Slack or Hipchat to encourage better digital conversations? On the flip side, watch out for companies who might bombard you with too much communication you shouldnt be expected to answer emails on the weekend if you dont want to. 6. Work Ethic A great company encourages you to have a good work/life balance. Sure, you should constantly be striving for greatness. If you need to get the job done, get it done to the best standard you can muster. But if youre pulling 16-hour days five days a week, somethings going to snap. Your managers should be checking up on your work/life balance, enforcing boundaries, and leading by example. If you cant get the work done in the normal 9-5, perhaps tasks need to be redistributed and delegated. Great company culture forces a healthy work ethic, and a healthy work ethic is balanced. 7.  Happiness You may have seen this job position pop up on various social media websites: Chief Happiness Officer. Companies, especially startups, are trying to get to grips with retaining their employees most of whom will job-hop through their entire careers. What is the company doing to improve job satisfaction?  The best work perks Ive seen are Wellness Wednesdays (encouraging workers to get off their butts and do yoga or pilates) and free breakfast on Mondays. However, theres nothing like a good old fashioned suggestion box but only if its regularly checked and responded to. Want to work for a company who truly values employee happiness? Click here to view the career opportunities available with FDM. 8.  Failure Mistakes happen. Youre going to make mistakes, your boss is going to make mistakes,  his or her boss is going to make mistakes its inevitable. Great company culture isnt scared of failure. An organisation that celebrates failure, stares it in the eye and beats it off with a stick is one you should stick with. Its also important that a firm encourages you to own up to your mistakes. Accountability is important you dont want a work environment where you feel like youre the scapegoat for any and all failures. 9. Career Progression Trust us, you dont want to be stuck as a junior level executive all your life. Itll be great for new employees to be able to see a clear path in front of them, with all the levels laid out, and what they need to do to get there. A company with no clear career progression sends out signals that they dont care about their employees development. Definitely avoid places that say they dont see structure structure always exists, theyre just telling you that to discourage you from asking for that promotion. 10. Respect Will your manager be texting you at 12am asking you to do a task ASAP? Do your co-workers crack inappropriate  jokes in front of you daily? Are you expected, as the new employee, to do everyones coffee order just because thats your initiation? All of this is absolutely  unacceptable. Respect is  so important in a company, and treating each other like decent human beings will only serve to enforce better team work. Avoid the companies who dont feel this is important. 11. Learning Opportunities Nobody knows  everything there is to know about their job or the industry. Great companies dont hire you for your bank of knowledge, great companies hire you because youre willing to learn, and theyll facilitate all the learning you want to do. Is there a budget for seminars and conferences? Internal training sessions? A mentor system? All this will enrich your working experience and ultimately make you a better employee.   If you want to add some of the world’s biggest brands to your CV, don’t miss this opportunity and apply today at fdmgroup.com/apply Feature Image ©  Unsplash Download the Debut app and you could totally grab yourself a summer internship  way before anyone else. Connect with Debut on Facebook and Twitter

Online Resume Help - What Not to Include - CareerEnlightenment.com

But to answer that question, youll need to know what your brand is first. Try reading Tom Peters original article about personal branding or read Chris Brogans ebook. Both are great resources to get started.The One-PagerI need to make this clear, I am not a résumé expert, neither in certification nor in practice. However, I have talked with enough hiring managers in my research to know that if you are first entering the workforce, there is absolutely no reason to have a résumé longer than one page.That doesnt mean you cant talk about the other stuff.However, the lower you are on the rung, the more competition. And that means the more résumés hiring managers have to read just to make one choice.They will LOVE you for making that job easier.If you believe you cant fit it all into one page, then its time to make some executive decisions based on your personal brand. Then supplement your cover letter and résumé with links to your online résumés, like Visual CV.I want to leave y ou with one thought. If we were to consider our job search as just like running a business, then the idea of strategy begins to make better sense. What I mean is that the core of every business decision is rooted in a single thought process:Will this decision fit within my strategy?I recommend all job seekers take a weekend and really write out a business plan with that strategy. It is a lot of work to do this; however, when you come up against decisions, it will be easy to hold it up against your plan and get your answer.Who knows, you might get multiple offers. Now that would be a good problem to have!

5 Interview Red Flags for Potential Companies

5 Interview Red Flags for Potential Companies The prospect of a new job can be exhilarating. A fresh start with new coworkers and advancement opportunities can seem especially appealing, particularly if you’re coming from a job you hate. Still, choosing a new job is something you should be very picky about. It’s where you will be spending most of your days and energy. If a particular position seems like it’s not a fit, you could be facing years of wasted time that could otherwise be spent on jobs with advancement opportunities and résumé bolstering. A job interview is a mutual process. The prospective employer is deciding your possible fit in the company just as much as you are. However, some people who interview focus solely on being the best candidate possible, consequently forgetting to ask questions or analyze responses in a way that determines their potential fit. Here are five ways to determine whether an open job position is one you should quickly run away from, based on the interview process alone: The Interviewer Speaks Negatively About the Company If the job interviewer mentions a negative aspect about their business or coworkers, this is a red flag that could hint at negative culture in the workplace. For example, if the interviewer is venting to you, a prospective employee, about the inabilities of other employees or executive leadership, its a sign you should move on unless youre a fan of petty office drama. Short of attempting to honestly answer the question, “What’s your least favorite aspect of this job?”, there’s no reason an interviewer should be unloading negative baggage on a prospective hire. The Interviewer Doesn’t Seem Proficient Especially if the person interviewing you is expected to be your direct superior, its important they can be someone youll learn from. If you constantly feel like your intellect and experience overshadow that of your superior, you won’t feel challenged or stimulated at work. For example, if the interviewer seems unsure how to answer industry-specific questions, appears disorganized or just doesnt give off a good vibe, its likely someone youll be frustrated working with. The Interviewer Is Surprised You Want the Role The last thing you want is a position a business does not value. If an interviewer asks something along the lines of Considering so-and-so, are you sure you want to work here?, they could be letting slip a major hassle of being an employee of the company. For example, if your interviewer continuously asks questions like, Are you sure you can handle a demanding boss like Greg?, it may be a sign of an overbearing place to work. They Seem Overly Eager to Offer You the Job Theres a chance you are a perfect fit for the role and, as a result, the business is very eager to hire you. However, if you feel you arent vastly overqualified for the position, be wary of overeagerness in this regard. A company that’s giving away jobs without much questioning is likely in crisis mode and experiencing high turnover. If confronted with an overeager interviewer, ask yourself why the company is so enthusiastic about hiring you. If your resume is leaps and bounds above the typical candidate, be wary and consider turning down their job offer. Decline the job offer professionally by saying something along the lines of, While I appreciate the offer, I have to decline, as its not the right fit for my career at this point. The Job Responsibilities Don’t Use Your Skills or Passion If youre seriously looking to make this job your career, avoid job offers whose primary responsibilities fail to fully take advantage of your skills and passions. Therefore, one of the most important questions to ask in an interview is about the primary responsibilities and how they’re carried out. Even if the job description thoroughly explains the requirements of the role, it can be advantageous to reaffirm in person so you can ask follow-ups regarding specific responsibilities. Aligning the job responsibilities with your passions isnt as important if youre looking for a part-time position or one you dont see much longevity at regardless. Still, it should be noted that dull and repetitive work, lack of promotions and lack of enjoying the job all contribute to causes of work-related stress, which in turn has negative effects on your physical and mental health. As a result, pursuing only jobs whose responsibilities center on things you enjoy and are good at is a great idea for both your career and health. The job process can be a rollercoaster of emotions, from the thrill of finding a position to the sudden realization during an interview that it may not be a good fit. Comment and share your biggest interview red flags, and subscribe to Punched Clocks for more advice on navigating your job search. Get everything you need to build a career you love by signing up for the newsletter.