One of the most essential aspects of a job hunt is the resume. Whether you are successful in your endeavor or not, it’s expected that the resume is as professional as possible. Give your resume enough time and attention; it’s supposed to represent you and make a lasting good first impression with the potential employer.
Your resume should grab the reader’s attention for all the right reasons. You could have a resume that talks about the various jobs you’ve held along a reverse timeline or your resume could highlight all the positions you’ve worked in with the focus being on the nature of the jobs. Even though the latter is less preferred, you may want to use it when you’re considering a change of career paths; if you would like to get into sales it would be nice to flaunt your skills as a customer representative. However, you could make a resume that has your professional experience in a chronological order. The format could be different but some elementary guidelines include those on font size and style; stick to accepted norms and don’t be too flamboyant. Also, keep the usage of graphics to the minimum unless you’re applying for a job that requires such skills. Be brief and yet elucidate; you need to know when to draw the line with either. Ensure that the resume doesn’t exceed two pages.
Something that shouldn’t be overlooked is if the resume is conveying something that it shouldn’t be; you just can’t be dishonest or lie on your resume. In the wake of increasing number of falsified resumes, companies these days are also carrying out employment screening services. If it’s found that your resume hides facts or paints them in a different light, not only would you not be considered for the job but you could also be blacklisted.
You could include a cover letter as well. This is needed especially when there are things to be told to the employer. The cover letter also serves as an introduction to your job application. Your strengths should be made obvious in a very subtle manner. Talk about your weaknesses in such a way that the particular drawback made you discover a hitherto unknown strength of yours. Be absolutely certain of anything you write in the resume; you can always be asked to justify why you think you’re a team player if that’s what your resume says. You can always experiment a little but don’t do anything very drastically different unless you’re absolutely sure of what you’re doing.
Friday, August 1, 2008
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Improving the Workplace with Employee Drug Testing
Getting a job can be a difficult process. After filing cover letters, polishing resumes, and conducting interviews, the average job seeker might feel their tireless search has ended. However, now employees are facing another hurdle they must overcome before starting a new job; a mandatory drug test. While this may seem an inconvenience or an invasion of privacy, it is actually a proven means to ensure workplace productivity and safety.
Aside from being illegal, drug usage can significantly affect job performance. It leads to missed workdays, attitude problems, accidents, and violence. In fact, the U.S. Department of Labor found that businesses lose more than $75 billion annually as a result of drug-related incidents. Furthermore, a study by Occupational Health and Safety Magazine found that up to sixty-five percent of workplace accidents result from drug usage.
In an effort to ensure quality job performance, some businesses are taking drug tests beyond the initial employment screening process. Employers are widely participating in evaluations of current workers to ensure illegal substances do not impair business functioning. For most, testing arises from reasonable suspicion on the part of the employer. However, more and more businesses are adopting random screening policies. By not knowing when a test will occur, employees can not simply plan their drug use around a testing date. Thus, randomized assessments prove an even greater deterrent.
While most employers use a simple urine test to ensure employee compliance with drug regulations, some are looking to more advanced testing methods. Thus, some testing consultants now offer oral swab and hair sample screening. These methods are more accurate and less subject to sample alteration or contamination.
Drug testing may seem like an invasion of privacy. However, its legality has been repeatedly upheld. More than sixty percent of all businesses use some form of employee drug testing, and it is easy to see why. Employer drug testing is a proven deterrent to an illegal drug habit. Thus, those whose employer uses drug tests are less likely to face the medical and legal repercussions of illicit drug usage. Additionally, employers themselves benefit from decreased worker’s compensation fees and increased workplace productivity.
Aside from being illegal, drug usage can significantly affect job performance. It leads to missed workdays, attitude problems, accidents, and violence. In fact, the U.S. Department of Labor found that businesses lose more than $75 billion annually as a result of drug-related incidents. Furthermore, a study by Occupational Health and Safety Magazine found that up to sixty-five percent of workplace accidents result from drug usage.
In an effort to ensure quality job performance, some businesses are taking drug tests beyond the initial employment screening process. Employers are widely participating in evaluations of current workers to ensure illegal substances do not impair business functioning. For most, testing arises from reasonable suspicion on the part of the employer. However, more and more businesses are adopting random screening policies. By not knowing when a test will occur, employees can not simply plan their drug use around a testing date. Thus, randomized assessments prove an even greater deterrent.
While most employers use a simple urine test to ensure employee compliance with drug regulations, some are looking to more advanced testing methods. Thus, some testing consultants now offer oral swab and hair sample screening. These methods are more accurate and less subject to sample alteration or contamination.
Drug testing may seem like an invasion of privacy. However, its legality has been repeatedly upheld. More than sixty percent of all businesses use some form of employee drug testing, and it is easy to see why. Employer drug testing is a proven deterrent to an illegal drug habit. Thus, those whose employer uses drug tests are less likely to face the medical and legal repercussions of illicit drug usage. Additionally, employers themselves benefit from decreased worker’s compensation fees and increased workplace productivity.
Friday, February 22, 2008
Pre Employment Background Screening
Nowadays pre employment background screening is considered indispensable if an employer desires to authenticate the claims of prospective employees prior to their selection. Timely background screening of an employee can help reduce the risk of neglectful lawsuits. In the absence of proper background verification the company can be held responsible for the erring actions of a new recruit, particularly if a background check is not carried out by the employer.While carrying out background verification of an employee the employers are permitted to authenticate the background history of prospective employees and make sure that the probable hire has never been convicted and the person is who they say they are.
Background screening is an excellent method of verifying criminal records, fallacious educational qualifications and other severe legal responsibilities. To extract the information of the probable employees is extremely imperative as a business can be held responsible for accidents and crime committed by its employees.
Background check and pre-employment screening make sure that you have appointed just the right personnel with suitable levels of education and skills that your business or company needs.
Background checks on employees not only save companies money but also prevent potential lawsuits, theft, and costly employee retention. In addition, it also possesses the depth and breadth to fulfill the needs and objectives of an organization.
Background screenings also include verification on vendors, nanny, tenants, etc and incorporate their educational credentials and probable criminal records, employment authentication and other types of screening, so that the final report is precise. Such rigorous form of verifications result in ideal hiring practices that ensures recruitment of qualified employees that can take your business to an elevated level.
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Thursday, February 21, 2008
Employment Background Checks & Screening Services
Employment background checks are carried out with the intention to ensure that whether or not a potential employee has had any previous run-in's with the law. Timely background screening also ensures that the hired employee do not pose a threat to the security of the company or its employees. During job interviews all the applicants are at their best behavior and appearance, so how can you ascertain that if this applicant or the next does have a criminal record? Besides posing a threat to the security your company can face rampant legal issues in case you hired a problem employee. Employers are often held legally and financially responsible for the actions of their employees. Several lax hiring lawsuits engross an employee that has been attacked, abused, harassed, sexually assaulted, and even killed by an employee having criminal records prior to his selection which can be avoided if the employer conducts a routine background check.
In several states that courts have made it mandatory for the employers to carry out pre-employment screening of prospective employees. In several cases even if the company had no information of employee criminal background at the time of hiring, they can still be held responsible in case of any untoward incident.
The negligible cost and endeavor on the part of an employer by performing criminal background check of an employee will not only safeguard the company against a lawsuit but also avoid an innocent employee from being beaten, beleaguered, or even killed.
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Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Employee Criminal Background Checks
A background check is a search for negative information that can disqualify you from the job you are looking for. This negative information can be in various forms. The disqualifier that instantly comes to mind for most people is that of a criminal record. In addition there are other forms of disqualifiers such as, pitiable financial records, poor driving history, or even general behavior of questionable character.
Life does not go on as planned by most of us! May be you have committed crime unintentionally under unprecedented circumstances but once you are labelled as a criminal it becomes too hard to regain your foot firmly on the ground. You may desire to put your life back on track and are currently looking for a job but in the present situation it may seems to you an uphill task. You must be wondering if there would have been someway or the other, through which you can get a new lease of life.
Cast off your frustration, every one of us faces ups and downs in their life! Nowadays there are several ways of finding work and of course, you can turn your life around after committing a mistake. But the only exception is you can’t afford the luxury of choosing the job of your desire and preference. You should realize that if employer ran a background check on you and ascertained that you committed a crime in the past the chances of you being offered a job will be slim to none. Just pick up any job that comes your way.
Dispose off your pride get in touch with everyone you know. Ask them if they know anyone who is willing to give you a chance by hiring you. Tell them you are eager to work and the time spent by you behind the bars has taught you the value of a job. Try to assure them that if given a chance you will work to the best of your ability. People who are acquainted with you will show some laxity towards you.
Don’t forget you may have the ability to secure job in well paying positions but now you will have to start your career all over again. Therefore, do not skip any chance that comes yours way. Remember by taking up a small job your career will not come to a halt but will be a stepping stone for success in the future. If you do this job well, and are friendly and show interest, you can get a good recommendation when the right opportunity arrives your way in the form of another job. If your employer is impressed with your job and attitude they can even offer you a promotion within the company. Employers realize that your performance on past jobs can tell them a lot about how well you suit the objectives of their company.
With the passage of time your criminal record will fade away into the background of your life. You will get several job offers, and employers will see than you certainly don't fit the stereotype that has unjustly been assigned to people who possess criminal record.
Do not get irritated or depressed because things are not happening as swiftly as you had expected. Don’t lose your patience as it takes time and effort to put your past behind you, but it can be done. Not all companies undergo background checks of their employees.
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