Writing a Finance Resume

Writing a Finance Resume Writing a Finance Resume Finance  is a competitive field thanks to the prestige and high pay that accompany many positions, meaning that a job seeker would need an outstanding finance resume to get noticed.  The finance industry is made up of sectors including banking, asset management, venture capital, insurance, and others. Beyond the obvious factors- such as attending an exceptional school, getting great grades, choosing the right field of study, and landing a coveted summer internship- what should a finance resume include? Accomplishments While focusing on achievements over responsibilities is good advice for job seekers in any field, it is especially important for those seeking a career in finance, which is a competitive industry that prioritizes data and results. Consider a resume showing a proven, quantifiable track record of success a necessity. Accomplishments that can be backed up with numbers include ones related to budget management, increasing efficiency, increasing earnings, reducing costs, training or building teams or departments, works published or presented, and more. Skills and licenses Finance positions tend to require applicants to have advanced knowledge of Excel, plus experience with other specialized tools based on the role (for example, accounting roles will ask for experience with QuickBooks, NetSuite, or similar products). Instead of just claiming advanced Excel skills, as is common, job seekers should spell out  on their resumes what they can do in Excel. Adding specifics such as HLOOKUP and VLOOKUP, or pricing stock options with the Black-Scholes Formula, can help get a resume noticed by an applicant tracking system or a human hiring manager. PowerPoint skills can be nearly as desirable Excel skills. Many jobs in finance require specific licenses or certifications, and for the sake of clarity,  these belong under a header separate from technical skills. According to a study on recruiter behavior by  TheLadders, recruiters spend 6 seconds reviewing each individual resume- thus  all information needs to be relevant and easy to find.  There are numerous examinations  administered  by Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), and many finance positions require candidates to have passed one or more of them. Series 7 and Series 63 are among the most common. Though it may be tempting to save space by using abbreviations, dont rely on abbreviations alone- they arent always recognized by applicant tracking systems. Be sure to spell things out, and, to make sure all bases are covered, try to include a second mention that is abbreviated. Keywords Kim Isaacs, a resume expert with  Monster.com, has compiled an extensive list of keywords for reference for anyone writing a finance resume. Useful for a wide range of positions, it includes titles, certifications, tools, tasks, and more. GAAP, value-added analysis, PL management, and data warehouse reporting are just a few of the entries. In finance, as in all fields, it is important to pay attention to a particular job listing when choosing specific resume keywords. The presence of the right keywords is largely what gets a resume noticed by an applicant tracking system. Format Bold, attention-getting resume formats are suitable for some fields, but finance is not one of them. Colorful and unique resumes are best used in creative fields such as graphic design, or at companies with distinctly open-minded and creative  cultures. (For example, an internal applicant at Zappos successfully submitted her resume in cake form.) Sleek and traditional is the way to go when applying for jobs in finance.

Customize this Outstanding Secretary Resume Sample

Customize this Outstanding Secretary Resume Sample Customize this Outstanding Secretary Resume Sample Create Resume Objective: To get a position as Secretary and to gain further experience in this field.Experience Summary:Handled various secretarial tasks with efficiencyIntroduced work process that improved productivityShowed diligence in handling sensitive tasksProfessional Experience:Secretary, July 20XX to PresentABC Computer Hardware, IllinoisHandled customer queries, correspondence and phone requestsPlaced order for office supplies and office equipmentMaintained customer database and supervised condition of regularly used office equipmentRecorded customer details, order details and supervised delivery of hardware to customersReceptionist, July 20XX to August 20XXOcean Shipping Inc, IllinoisHandled phone calls and enquiriesScheduled appointments with clientsMaintained daily employee time sheetEducation20XX 20XX Haddows Secretarial Course, IllinoisCompleted a Comprehensive Secretarial CourseSkillsFast TypingKnowledge in using Word and Excel. Able to quickly learn new software pa ckagesReferencesFurnished upon requestCustomize Resume

A therapists tips for recognizing your own toxic behavior

A therapist's tips for recognizing your own toxic behavior A therapist's tips for recognizing your own toxic behavior Toxic  relationships aren’t as saucy and exciting as  Britney Spears  made them out to be. Being able to distinguish whether a relationship is noxious - Is your partner  gaslighting  you? Are they a  narcissist? - is actually vital to your safety and mental health. But statistically, not  everyone  can be on the receiving end of harmful actions: Many of us have problematic habits ourselves (though hopefully, they don’t equate to emotional or psychological abuse). Toxic behavior manifests in many different forms, some more severe than others, so SoCal-based psychotherapist and  Prospect Therapy  owner Sara Stanizai is here to help us spot ours and then put a stop to them.1. Get feedback from your loved onesWarning: This step is the hardest, so don’t stop reading just yet. Because honest introspection is so difficult, hearing firsthand from a person you may be hurting (whether they’re a family member, S.O., friend) about how you’re hurting them is the most direct way to dis cern your toxic habits. But you need to make it safe and comfortable for them to do so. It’s a significant step that you’re even indicating a desire to adjust your behavior, so that should be a cue to them that it’s okay to discuss this topic with you.“It’s up to them to speak up, but it’s also up to you to make it safe for them to speak up,” Stanizai tells us. “The number one way to do this is not to be defensive. Even if it’s an ‘ouch’ when they say something.”Instead, for the most productive results, process the information they’re providing you, and then express your feelings and reactions at a later time.“It takes some time because they may still be hesitant, especially if you have a habit of exploding or shutting down,” Stanizai says. “But as they see you genuinely be open to what they say, they are more likely to say it in the future and will be kind about saying it too.”2. Be open to others’ inputStanizai suggests joining a healthy relatio nships group (“I know, not for everyone,” she adds) or reading topical books. Her fave is  How to Be an Adult  by David Richo. The healthy relationships groups - which can be mixed-gender, single-gender, or religious- or age-specific, according to the therapist - cover subjects such as anger management, healthy boundaries, sex and intimacy, and finances.“What’s nice about groups is that those with more experience can help people less familiar with a topic,” Stanizai encourages. “That way, when someone with experience calls you out on your toxic behavior, you’re more likely to hear it because you’ve built a trusting relationship with that person.”Whether the advice or constructive criticism is from an author or another member of your therapy group, outsiders can typically offer a more objective perspective on a situation with “no skin off their back,” Stanizai explains, unlike a person being directly affected by your behavior.3. Start walking the walkNow that you’ve pinpointed your harmful habits, it’s time to address them. To start, this simply means making up for them - and going all out.“I’m talking, the cheesiest, most romantic things you can think of,” Stanizai says. “But make sure it’s something they would want. Some people don’t like you touching their car!”She proposes gestures such as preparing meals, buying flowers, and thanking them for everything they do for you. “It will feel silly, but it will also send a message that you’re willing to do what it takes.”Once you’ve incorporated these actions into your routine, they will likely stay there. However, the specifics of how to correct your problematic behavior (e.g., passive aggression, being controlling, being manipulative) will be on a case-by-case basis.This article was originally posted on Brit + Co.

Being a Music Supervisor

Being a Music Supervisor Being a Music Supervisor Music supervisors place music in media such as movies, television shows, video games, and commercials. They work with studios, musicians and their representatives to select appropriate music, and then secure the licenses to use it. The nature of the work makes being a music supervisor a high-stress job at times and a music supervisors pay is based on a projects budget. Music Supervisor Job Basics To understand this career, consider a music supervisor working on a movie production. First, she meets with the production team to find out what kind of music the movie needs. The producers may have specific tracks in mind or they may just have a general idea of the kind of music or feel they want. The supervisor then finds appropriate music and begins the licensing process. There may be several licenses needed per song, and the final approval cannot come until filming is complete. Music supervisors often have a small window of time to secure licensing ahead of a movies release date. Music Supervisor Salary Music supervisors typically earn flat fees for their work. The amount of money they earn is based on the size of project budgets. Most television music supervisors, for instance, get paid a few thousand per episode, while the most sought-after music supervisors earn upwards of $200,000 for their services for major movie productions. Music supervisors sometimes negotiate royalties on soundtracks and receive bonuses if the productions on which they work surpass pre-determined earnings thresholds. How to Become a Music Supervisor Like most music careers, there isnt a clear path to becoming a music supervisor. Some aspiring music supervisors take classes to become knowledgeable about music licensing rules, so to that end, music business classes can help. They may also seek music industry internship opportunities to learn the ropes, make connections and get paying work. Up-and-coming music supervisors often start out by taking low and non-paying? jobs to build their portfolios. Many music supervisors work as freelancers, so portfolios show their experience to prospective clients. Hardest Part of the Music Supervisor Job Music supervisors handle tough negotiations. Even films with multi-million-dollar budgets tend to earmark only a small amount of money for music. The musicians and rights holders usually believe that studios can pay a lot more for music, so they tend to set their prices high. In the middle is the music supervisor, who has to find a plan that works for both sides. If that isnt a tough enough position to be in, negotiations cannot conclude until a movie has wrapped. Further, each piece of music requires multiple licenses. Because of movie release dates, the turnaround time for a music supervisors work can be extremely tight. The turnaround for television productions can be even tighter. The tense negotiations and tight deadlines are not for the faint of heart, but these are the parts of the job where music supervisors earn their stripes. Those who lead a few high-profile projects to a  successful conclusion often have long and lucrative careers.

5 Reasons Your Boss Is Acting Weird and Mean - The Muse

5 Reasons Your Boss Is Acting Weird and Mean - The Muse 5 Reasons Your Boss Is Acting Weird and Mean One day you’re meeting your boss after work for happy hour drinks, the next, you’re trying to recover from yet another one of his diatribes. It’s true that work’s gotten busier in recent weeks, but you’re keeping up and more than meeting expectations. You, therefore, have no idea why your previously friendly manager has suddenly started pulling rank, treating you with less than respect, or acting completely standoffish. While being in a consistent good mood’s unrealistic, dealing with someone’s ups-and-downs is never any fun. Instead of freaking out that you’re about to lose your job because your supervisor’s decided overnight he doesn’t like you or the work you’ve been doing, slow down, take a step back, and recognize that there’s probably a bigger picture at play here. In fact, your manager might be dealing with any number of stressful things that are now trickling down to you in his tone or attitude. Such as: 1. She Got Negative Feedback You can’t remember the last time she cracked a joke, and while she’s not exactly known as the office comedian, she does have a quick wit. But these days, she barely registers a smile. Her focused and withdrawn attitude, while out of character, is not an attack on you. Her weirdness is not a result of anything you did or said (particularly if you haven’t received any recent criticisms on your work), but, rather, a result of something not-so-great going on with her. Getting a poor performance assessment or a talking-to from one of the higher-ups is one viable explanation. Assuming her attitude will pass, occupy yourself with co-workers who are feeling good about life. Don’t make the mistake of getting bogged down in her discontentment. 2. His Boss Is Stressed Out After an intense series of meetings with his manager, your boss has returned to his desk looking distraught. When you approach him about something he snaps, and when he’s not buried in the project files, he’s checking in on you every five minutes to ask for updates. Stress begets stress. He can’t help but feel his morale plummet and stress levels rise when his supervisor’s anxious. Now the pressure he’s feeling is being passed down to you because that’s the only way he knows how to deal with it. Try having a conversation with him; inquire as to whether there’s anything you can do to help. 3. She’s Facing a Restructuring Word from upper management is that the company’s restructuring, and what that corporate jargon means for your manager is that she’s got a tough decision to make. She may have been told that she can only keep two of the five team members, and even though she values all of you, she may have no choice but to downsize the group. And while hard decisions are being made, it makes sense that she’d inadvertently act a little cold. If there’s absolutely no way of you getting the information you need to figure out your next move, give yourself a timeline: How long are you willing to be on pins and needles? It’s OK if you decide that it’s not working for you and it’s time for a new job. 4. Your Team Isn’t Meeting Goal You’re all responsible for the goals the company sets, but as a person in charge of several employees, you can bet your manager feels this weight more than you. In a lot of organizations, when the team doesn’t meet the goal, the person blamed is the leader of that team. Your boss may be worried about losing his job or even just stressed about an impending difficult conversation with his supervisor. He doesn’t know how to act all cheerful like he normally is when the magnitude of this goal thing looms so large. If you suspect this is the reason for the changed demeanor, let him know that you’re doubling-down on your efforts and express confidence that the team’s going to get there. 5. She’s Job Searching Whether she’s been ducking out of the office at random hours, canceling your weekly meetings, and suggesting you email her with questions instead, there’s no denying the fact that there’s something strange going on. Your usual morning chats, once the a highlight of your day, have been replaced by a mere “Good morning.” after which she hides behind her computer screen for the rest of the day. If your supervisor’s in search of a new role, it’s an excellent explanation for her distance. While she’s in this state of limbo, she’s going to keep you at arm’s length. Don’t take it personally. And don’t assume the worst: It’s possible that a new manager could be a weak substitution for your awesome boss, but it’s also possible that her replacement could be even better. Of course, you don’t have to stick around if the change is one that makes you miserable at your job. Obviously, some of these scenarios are worse than others. But one thing is true of all of them: You have choices. If the department’s being restructured, and you’re facing a layoff, you can look at this as your opportunity to pursue a new role (maybe one with a higher salary and better perks). If your boss is continuing to be rude, you can speak up or seek out a trusted friend or person in HR; being disrespected at work doesn’t have to be tolerated. You also always have the option of asking your manager what’s going on in hopes of getting some clarity. It’s as easy as saying, “I’ve noticed that my work’s been getting a lot more feedback than usual/we’re not communicating as well as we used to and I wanted to see if there’s any reason why.” Obviously, not all managers will respond well to this line of questioning (and you probably have a sense of if yours will). But you might also gain some clarity on what can be a very confusing situation. Just remember at the end of the day, it’s not you this will help you get through what’s surely an uncomfortable situation.

5 Job Interview Deal Breakers

5 Job Interview Deal Breakers 5 Job Interview Deal Breakers */ Read the infographic text. 5 JOB INTERVIEW DEAL BREAKERS When interviewing candidates for creative roles, what do you consider to be deal breakers*? 1. Checking or answering the phone during the interview: 77% 2. Showing up late without acknowledging it: 70% 3. Not bringing items that were requested (resume, portfolio, references): 70% 4. Wearing improper interview attire: 69% 5. Speaking poorly of a past job or employer: 62% Source: The Creative Group survey of 400 advertising and marketing executives in the United States. Multiple responses were permitted. *Something a candidate says or does that will likely discount him/her from consideration. © 2015 The Creative Group. A Robert Half Company. An Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/Disability/Vet.

What You Need to Know About Working Abroad

What You Need to Know About Working Abroad What You Need to Know About Working Abroad Working abroad is something few people have the chance to experience in their careers.   Over the years I’ve had the opportunity to work overseas at different companies and in multiple roles. For those considering a career adventure overseas, the first things they tend to focus on are accommodations, transportation and money. After that, finding solutions related to taxes, healthcare and the big move comes next. The reality is that all of those items are probably the easiest things to manage in the transition from home country to overseas workplace. Many fail to foresee the challenges of working with different people and in different cultures. For those in the United States and Canada, the differences between the two countries are not a complete culture shock.   However, the broader the adventure, the greater the cultural difference one encounters.   I am often asked what it was like to work abroad. What challenges can one turn into opportunities when working overseas? Forget all the administrative items noted above.   Here are the three major pieces of advice I have for any job seeker considering a career move abroad. 1. Dip Your Toe. Don’t Dive Right In. Taking time to understand the business culture applies to any new job and certainly more so when it comes to working in new countries. Before you dive into a role, take the time to understand the team dynamics and performance expectations for you to be successful working with your new colleagues. A good piece of advice is to request a shadowing session before you make a final commitment.   If this isn’t possible, set an expectation with the new company that for the first week or so your goal will be to understand the working dynamics of the local culture. During this period you should watch and listen with a strategy in place to see how your experience and working style can be recalibrated with that of your new environment. In meetings, listen to how teams interact with each other and try to understand the decision-making process. Explore the following as you delve into the local business culture: Determine the Business Culture by observing how locals prefer to meet and interact. Make notes on whether or not the overall culture is laid back and relaxed or a more rigid and action-item focused. Take Note of Protocol and cultural differences even before you arrive. Some cultures have traditional ways of addressing colleagues by surname or varying gestures for greeting people by handshake or exchanging of formal business cards. Make sure you comply with these cultural distinctions. Observe and Respect Hierarchies within a team, company or community.   Some cultures have very open-door policies where team members can interact equally regardless of title, gender or seniority.   Others are more formal, such as when a business meeting cannot commence until the most senior attendee speaks. Understand these nuances and incorporate them into your behavior, even if they are not aligned with your past business experiences. Understand the Buy-In Expectations of the local culture for decision-making by taking note of what is needed by team members to validate ideas.   If big data in formal presentations is what people bring to the meeting to discuss issues, make sure you deliver. Listen and observe how ideas are brought to the table to get buy-in from the team. Adjust your style accordingly. Continuously Adapt Your Working Style throughout your engagement to be respectful of the local culture and business. If you sense that you may have crossed a line “culturally,” make amends quickly and don’t repeat this behavior again. The key takeaway here is to respectfully observe and listen and not enforce your style of work into the new environment.   According to John Coleman and Bill George from the Harvard Business Review, it is important to “resist that temptation by observing, listening, learning and understanding rather than judging.” They suggest that you “use your insights to improve local ways of operating but don’t rush to criticize,” which is advice that works domestically and internationally. 2. Park Your Process…But Bring Your Goals Objectives Process-driven business models are great, but they don’t work in all cultures. This is a major problem for people moving to new countries where the business lifestyle may be less structured. Before you try to enforce some great process that worked back home, remember to adapt yourself to the local business style and park your processes. I remember working in Greece a few years ago where many of the meetings involved a three-hour long casual discussion over coffee. The first 30 minutes were primarily geared towards relationship building and determining the degree of trust around the table. It was also highly unstructured. Business was discussed, then it was moved off the table to discuss local politics, and then put back on the table again before a casual discussion arose around soccer. Walking into such a meeting with a set agenda and a defined process would have been disastrous. What a team meeting in North America would have accomplished in 30 minutes took three hours in Greece. However, the overall goals of the meeting and final outcome were equally successful.   The following week I met with a group from Munich to discuss the very same business proposal and needless to say it was a very different experience.   The meeting took 20 minutes and was more of a question and answer session followed by handshakes and light discussion about the pros and cons of the newly designed Lufthansa lounge at the airport. The secret is to understand the objectives you want from the meeting and to use these as a checklist, not a road map. If you work with the flow of the local culture while mentally addressing the key topic areas- even if not in any sensible order compared to what you are accustomed to- you will be far more successful. Park the process but hang onto the meeting goals. Take the time to accommodate the local business culture needs. Don’t park you goals and objectives. Realign them around the local preference for discussing them and getting buy-in or answers. 3. Be Local and Humble I remember my first project meeting in the Caribbean back in 2001. I had arrived two days earlier, reviewed all the documentation, briefly met the team at a formal cocktail reception and began firing off meeting invites that evening. The first recurring meeting was scheduled for 10 a.m. local time, and I had the boardroom reserved. I arrived 10 minutes early, set up the projector, opened the files on my laptop and waited for the invited team members to arrive. I waited 20 minutes.   Then another 25 minutes. Fifty minutes after the original start time, the first team member arrived. The next morning I entered the project room and made an announcement. The day’s meeting was cancelled, and I wanted the team to take me “liming,” with all expenses covered by me.   We left the offices at 5 p.m. and headed out on an eight-hour tour where we went to one team member’s favorite roti shop, then to a pan yard and off to hear another team member’s band play at a soca club. I learned the difference between tourist beer and real hardworking local-man ale, got plenty of cheers when I confidently downed some scotch-bonnet laced sauces with ease and even learned some great tips for “whining” like a local. One great evening and $100 later, I went to bed to be fresh and ready for our 10 a.m. team meeting the next day. I arrived to that meeting to see that everyone had arrived on time, laptops open and ready to get to work. The lesson here is that trust and respect in a local business culture are not something you gain simply by the resume you bring with you from overseas. You have to earn it. Many people travel abroad and make the mistake of thinking that they can walk into a new culture and prove themselves with their knowledge. That simply isn’t the case. Showing a true interest in the local culture and people with a desire to learn goes a long way towards how successful you will be with your business objectives and goals abroad. Being humble and becoming “a local” will help you more than any prior business experience you bring to the table. Lastly, Balance Yourself and Your Family Needs… One additional and final item to consider is your personal mental health and family well-being. This is equally as important and plays an important role in how you will work with others in your new environment. For those who are embarking on such an adventure for the first time, Dr. Cathy Tsang-Feign’s book Living Abroad: What Every Expat Needs to Know is one I definitely recommend reading before you leave. As a psychologist and expert in expatriate and cross-cultural psychology, she provides a great resource for understanding the various emotional highs and lows you may experience as you transition into your new home abroad. Depending on the length of your assignment, you will need to adapt to the realities of the local culture and understand the pressures on yourself and your family. This book is probably one of the best resources to help you through this. So before you pack your bags, remember: flexibility and an open and healthy mind are important. Adapt to the local culture while keeping your business sensibilities in check. After all, the outcome is what is important, and the road to get there can be an   adventure. Don’t miss out on the journey.