5 Best Ways to Use Technology To Land Your Dream Job

Looking to move on from your dead-end job? Are you struggling to even land an interview?

The modern corporate world is so brutally competitive that you don’t even need a job to be severely stressed.

“We’ll be in touch.” “We’ll give you a call.” “We’ll let you know soon.”

We’ve all heard these responses before. And for a job seeker, there’s nothing worse than waiting for that call. You know it can turn your life around. But, deep inside, you’ve already accepted that it may never come.

Fortunately, there are now technologies that can solve this issue. Apart from apps that can help you be visible to prospective employers, here are 5 ways technology can help boost your chances of getting hired.

Use Site-Builders to Create a Portfolio

The first solution is so simple. It can actually be accomplished in just a few minutes.

With platforms like SquareSpace, Wix and WordPress, you can easily create a professional-looking online portfolio from scratch. All you need to do is to register, apply a portfolio theme and fill in your information.

An online portfolio isn’t only a great way to highlight your skills, qualifications and experience, it can also show employers that you know your way around technology. This a highly sought-after skill among forward-thinking companies, especially now that technology evolves at a rapid rate.

When it comes to designing your portfolio, remember that there is no formula that can guarantee success. Just be sure to pick a template that speaks your personality, be concise and make it easy to find links to your work samples.

Spice Up Your Resume with Graphics

Whether you like it or not, the best employers receive countless applications on a daily basis. The chances of your resume being noticed are slim, especially if you used a generic template with boring, plain-text information.

If you want more employers to notice you, consider handing over an infographic resume instead. This incorporates visual elements, like diagrams, timelines and various charts, to convey information more efficiently.

Here is a charming example from Hollywood’s very own Ashton Kutcher:

ashton kutcher infographic resume
Infographic source

You can use a free editing app, like Canva, to create your own infographic resume. Simply register for an account, choose a fitting infographic template and use the drag-and-drop interface to personalize your design. Anyone should be able to pick it up within a few minutes of exploring the interface.

Run an Interview Simulation

A killer infographic resume would be useless if you will only choke on the actual interview. Simply put, you should never head to an interview without preparing for the most basic questions.

Vague questions like “Tell me more about yourself.”, for example, can easily be answered by enumerating your main selling points.

You don’t have to prepare witty or jaw-dropping responses. You just need to raise your confidence by knowing what to expect. Learning the most common interview questions from blogs and online communities is a step towards the right direction.

There are also free platforms, like Interview Simulator, that can help you get a glimpse of what conversations are like inside an interview room. If you want something less complicated, you can also search YouTube for channels that upload interview simulation videos.

See Also: 6 Interview Hacks That Are Sure To Land You The Job

Develop Your Own Personal Brand

To help you reach more employers, you should invest in building an online presence through multiple channels. Social media websites, for example, is a great way to boost your visibility to prospective employers, In fact, statistics show that 60% of employers today use social media networking sites, particularly LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter, to screen applicants.

But, why stop at major social networking platforms when you can further elevate your online authority through other free channels?

Creating and maintaining a blog is one great example. You can easily add it to your existing portfolio site at zero cost. You can also leverage real-life networking platforms, like Meetup.com and Eventbrite. These sites will help you expand your networks by connecting you with like-minded individuals, including those in the same field.

See Also: How Your Car Can Affect Your Personal Branding

Create Automatic Email Alerts

automatic email alerts

Still failed to land an interview with your latest application?

Don’t worry. You can always apply for the next one.

But, if you want to be first in line, you should use a tool, like Google Alerts, to receive online job postings as soon as possible.

To set up Google Alerts, simply log in with your Google account and type in keywords like “programmer jobs” or “copywriter jobs”. Look at the preview to see if your keywords generate job postings from companies. If yes, insert the email address where you want the alerts to be sent and click ‘Create Alert’.

Getting a job is never an easy task. Fortunately, there are job hunting tips that can make the process a lot easier. Whatever you do, you should develop an optimistic mindset, especially now that employment rates are on an upward trend.

The post 5 Best Ways to Use Technology To Land Your Dream Job appeared first on Dumb Little Man.

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Medical Centre located in Zaandam,The Netherlands

The Zaans Medical Centre, located in Zaandam, the Netherlands, is the first lean hospital in all of the Netherlands. The project as a whole, as carried out by Mecanoo, was intended to bring architecture, urbanism, landscape and interior design together to create one coherent and efficient whole. Completed in 2016, it covers a total ground area of 38,500 square meters. The interior is spacious and architecturally dynamic, and feels far..

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July 10th

Authority without wisdom is like a heavy axe without an edge, fitter to bruise than polish.

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5 Steps to Change a Habit for a Healthier, Happier Lifestyle

You’re reading 5 Steps to Change a Habit for a Healthier, Happier Lifestyle, originally posted on Pick the Brain | Motivation and Self Improvement. If you’re enjoying this, please visit our site for more inspirational articles.

Image laptop work habits

Img of laptop work habits
Healthy habits make us happier! Here’s how you can make the right changes, today.

We all know what it’s like to be a creature of habit. Even if it’s subconsciously so, we surely take comfort out of the little rituals we habitually do; Netflix before bedtime; double espresso on our way to work; a jog around the park to clear our heads after a long day.

There may be many practices self-implemented into our lives, some which become more ingrained than others. From brushing our teeth, to grabbing a candy bar after lunch, or making a conscious effort to wash the dishes straight after dinner; our life is made up of many habits, good and bad.

My fascination with habits led me to thinking about how we can overhaul our behaviors and make changes for the better. Discovered through my own habit journey, here are five key steps to making healthy habit changes, for a happier daily routine:

  1. Analyze Existing Habits and Ask Yourself Why

When it comes to optimizing a habit, start by looking at your current behaviors and why you do them.
Perhaps, it is providing temporary relief from stress, such as a couple of glasses of wine after work each night. It may be workplace stress, therefore, at the root of the habitual drinking.

Find ways in which to handle the stress – instead of drinking, perhaps enrol on a course you’ve always wanted to do, or go to a dance class to shake off the day.

  1. Self-Care at the Heart of Everything

Self-care is SO important; I cannot emphasize this enough. Our habits should reflect love, kindness and compassion towards ourselves. Think about putting into action the habits you need to become the best version of the wonderful person you already are; be aware of your feelings of self-worth and knowing your value as an individual.

When looking at your habits, ask yourself: Is this habit healthy?
Then, ask yourself: Does this habit make me happy?

The answer must be yes, to both questions, otherwise you have a habit that doesn’t serve you.

Image of cereal bowl breakfast habits
Start your day off with a healthy morning routine: Make time for a good breakfast!
  1. Let Go of Guilt, Patiently

Guilt is a complex emotion. That doesn’t mean you should allow it to rule your life.
If you have a habit that makes you feel guilty (mine used to be binge-eating chocolate, alone after work, and hiding the wrappers) then remember the rule of self-care.
Yes, the chocolate made me happy for a while, but guilt soon crept over me (hence, hiding the evidence). Why did I feel guilty? Because I knew it wasn’t a healthy choice. I knew it was only temporary relief from the stress underlying my actions.

Phasing out the guilt and moving positively forward won’t happen immediately – first, we must embrace how we feel and accept it is part of who we are: we care, that is why we feel this way. Turn guilt into a strength, an awareness, a desire to do better.

Next, we need patience. Be patient with all your chosen changes. Be patient with your new habit goals. Be patient with yourself. You will get there, with kindness and time.

  1. Keep it Bite-Sized

Small changes are what makes a difference when we take on a new habit or change a bad one for the better.

Keep your new choice of habit simple.
Make it small and make it easy; huge life changes implemented suddenly, can feel overwhelming or result in our losing motivation too soon.

For example: instead of promising never to touch unhealthy food again, cook one meal that’s healthy, each week. Or, swap one bag of chips for a handful of almonds or a piece of fruit.

Maybe, instead of declaring you will go jogging every day, try one minute of exercise instead (Or 10 squats or 5 sit ups). Once you are in the habit of your bite-sized behavior, you can build upon it.

  1. Have a Back-Up Plan

We all need a back-up plan when making life changes.
Tip: Keeping a planner or journal handy can really help with this.

If you think your healthy habits will fall by the wayside when you are in a certain place or with a specific person, think ahead and plan for all the outcomes you can foresee. Once you have a list of potential temptations, write down solutions to them. If you slip into old behaviors, take note of these and avoid them in the future.

All changes take time.
Remember, start habits consciously small and develop them as the actions become second nature.

With these points in mind, I hope you’ll find it easier to take that first and all-important step forward, building up your new routines, one habit at a time.

Want more habit advice? Subscribe to my mailing list to access my free e-book “Building Better Habits” http://ift.tt/2sFlTIa

Bicycle image for better habits
Why not make the healthy habit of swapping the car for a bike and cycle to work at least once a week?

 

You’ve read 5 Steps to Change a Habit for a Healthier, Happier Lifestyle, originally posted on Pick the Brain | Motivation and Self Improvement. If you’ve enjoyed this, please visit our site for more inspirational articles.

http://ift.tt/2u8cSf4

5 Steps to Change a Habit for a Healthier, Happier Lifestyle

You’re reading 5 Steps to Change a Habit for a Healthier, Happier Lifestyle, originally posted on Pick the Brain | Motivation and Self Improvement. If you’re enjoying this, please visit our site for more inspirational articles.

Image laptop work habits

Img of laptop work habits
Healthy habits make us happier! Here’s how you can make the right changes, today.

We all know what it’s like to be a creature of habit. Even if it’s subconsciously so, we surely take comfort out of the little rituals we habitually do; Netflix before bedtime; double espresso on our way to work; a jog around the park to clear our heads after a long day.

There may be many practices self-implemented into our lives, some which become more ingrained than others. From brushing our teeth, to grabbing a candy bar after lunch, or making a conscious effort to wash the dishes straight after dinner; our life is made up of many habits, good and bad.

My fascination with habits led me to thinking about how we can overhaul our behaviors and make changes for the better. Discovered through my own habit journey, here are five key steps to making healthy habit changes, for a happier daily routine:

  1. Analyze Existing Habits and Ask Yourself Why

When it comes to optimizing a habit, start by looking at your current behaviors and why you do them.
Perhaps, it is providing temporary relief from stress, such as a couple of glasses of wine after work each night. It may be workplace stress, therefore, at the root of the habitual drinking.

Find ways in which to handle the stress – instead of drinking, perhaps enrol on a course you’ve always wanted to do, or go to a dance class to shake off the day.

  1. Self-Care at the Heart of Everything

Self-care is SO important; I cannot emphasize this enough. Our habits should reflect love, kindness and compassion towards ourselves. Think about putting into action the habits you need to become the best version of the wonderful person you already are; be aware of your feelings of self-worth and knowing your value as an individual.

When looking at your habits, ask yourself: Is this habit healthy?
Then, ask yourself: Does this habit make me happy?

The answer must be yes, to both questions, otherwise you have a habit that doesn’t serve you.

Image of cereal bowl breakfast habits
Start your day off with a healthy morning routine: Make time for a good breakfast!
  1. Let Go of Guilt, Patiently

Guilt is a complex emotion. That doesn’t mean you should allow it to rule your life.
If you have a habit that makes you feel guilty (mine used to be binge-eating chocolate, alone after work, and hiding the wrappers) then remember the rule of self-care.
Yes, the chocolate made me happy for a while, but guilt soon crept over me (hence, hiding the evidence). Why did I feel guilty? Because I knew it wasn’t a healthy choice. I knew it was only temporary relief from the stress underlying my actions.

Phasing out the guilt and moving positively forward won’t happen immediately – first, we must embrace how we feel and accept it is part of who we are: we care, that is why we feel this way. Turn guilt into a strength, an awareness, a desire to do better.

Next, we need patience. Be patient with all your chosen changes. Be patient with your new habit goals. Be patient with yourself. You will get there, with kindness and time.

  1. Keep it Bite-Sized

Small changes are what makes a difference when we take on a new habit or change a bad one for the better.

Keep your new choice of habit simple.
Make it small and make it easy; huge life changes implemented suddenly, can feel overwhelming or result in our losing motivation too soon.

For example: instead of promising never to touch unhealthy food again, cook one meal that’s healthy, each week. Or, swap one bag of chips for a handful of almonds or a piece of fruit.

Maybe, instead of declaring you will go jogging every day, try one minute of exercise instead (Or 10 squats or 5 sit ups). Once you are in the habit of your bite-sized behavior, you can build upon it.

  1. Have a Back-Up Plan

We all need a back-up plan when making life changes.
Tip: Keeping a planner or journal handy can really help with this.

If you think your healthy habits will fall by the wayside when you are in a certain place or with a specific person, think ahead and plan for all the outcomes you can foresee. Once you have a list of potential temptations, write down solutions to them. If you slip into old behaviors, take note of these and avoid them in the future.

All changes take time.
Remember, start habits consciously small and develop them as the actions become second nature.

With these points in mind, I hope you’ll find it easier to take that first and all-important step forward, building up your new routines, one habit at a time.

Want more habit advice? Subscribe to my mailing list to access my free e-book “Building Better Habits” http://ift.tt/2sFlTIa

Bicycle image for better habits
Why not make the healthy habit of swapping the car for a bike and cycle to work at least once a week?

 

You’ve read 5 Steps to Change a Habit for a Healthier, Happier Lifestyle, originally posted on Pick the Brain | Motivation and Self Improvement. If you’ve enjoyed this, please visit our site for more inspirational articles.

http://ift.tt/2u8cSf4

The Class Renegade

Those of us who move from the provinces pay a toll at the city’s gate, a toll that is doubled in the years that follow as we try to find a balance between what was so briskly discarded and what was so carefully, hesitantly, slyly put in its place. More than thirty years ago, when I was in Egypt, I met a cultivated English couple who invited me to stay in their house in London on my way back to Ireland. They could not have been more charming.

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The Perennial Student

What is a shadow? Nothing in itself, you might say: a mere local lack of light, in a space that is otherwise lit up. Light, which allows us to see and know the world, is the normal precondition for picturing things. Cast shadows may help us interpret a picture by indicating where light comes from and where objects stand, but if you survey art history, you find the majority of painters giving them minor parts at most. A minority, however, turns these assumptions upside down, treating shadow as the preexistent condition and light as its shock interruption.

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Whether you have an hour, a day or a week, Shenandoah National…

Whether you have an hour, a day or a week, Shenandoah National Park in Virginia is a great place to explore. Meander along Skyline Drive, picnic with the family or walk through the forested hillsides, where oak trees, birches and poplars stretch to the sky. Photo from Low Gap (mile 8) by N. Lewis, National Park Service.

July 9th

I have to see a thing a thousand times before I see it once.

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South Korea’s Real Fear

The primary worry in South Korea has not been its bizarre and militaristic neighbor to the north; most Koreans are by now long used to living within close firing range of Pyongyang and do not think it will attack unless provoked. What really worries them is that the new US president doesn’t know the complexity of the situation—and is too contemptuous of the State Department to be instructed. 

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