4 Tips to Create a Video Resume

4 Tips to Create a Video Resume4 Tips to Create a Video ResumeTelecommuting jobs rely on technology like instant messaging, screen sharing, and video conferencing to keep teams communicating well. If youre looking for a telecommuting job, one of the ways to show employers that youre ready to handle all modes of virtual communication is by creating a video resume.To be sure, there are ways to make very good video resumes, and very bad video resumes. Eugene Lim has experience with both, and in a recent article, Secrets to a Stellar Video Resume, she outlines her lessons learned through trial, error, and research.Says Lim, When I was a college freshman, I made a video resume that I thought was creative. In hindsight, it was awful. There are many things I could say about it (I mean, I was wearing pigtails), but the worst part was that I robbed the employer of five minutes of his workday with aimless rambling. I didnt communicate anything that set me apart, which defeated the purpose of m aking a video in the first place.Were glad shes gone through the trial and error process so that we dont have to Here are Lims tips for why and how to create an excellent video resume.1. Show employers a different side of you.A video resume is elend a replacement of your paper resume or a dramatic reading of it. Dont waste a recruiters time by duplicating content. Instead, show something different. For instance, since actions speak louder than words, show yourself working on your latest achievement. Walk them through a past project with screenshot visuals, or show quick snapshots of you volunteering in a job-related field.2. Tailor your video resume to your specific audience. Employers are ultimately concerned with whether youd be a good fit for the role they need to fill. Just as you would tailor your paper resume for different kinds of industries or roles, make sure your video resume aligns with the employer and the specific job. Cultural alignment is important, too. As a referenc e point, if they have a recruiting video, try to match the tone they set.3. Dont beat around the bush pitch yourself.Focus on a handful of key takeaways, and say just enough to convince the employer to pursue you further because they like what they see. Be sure to have a strong closing statement. Summarize your takeaways succinctly and make a compelling argument for why the employer should talk to you further.4. Know when to use a video resume, and when NOT to.When should you NOT use a video resume?If youre not qualified for the job, not even a video resume will change thatIf youre not comfortable on camera,If the job youre applying for isnt a people-centric roleIf it doesnt add to your applicationAnd to make sure were using the latest technology to talk to you about the latest technology, heres a great video that details how to create a video resume, from Vault.comSaveSave

To Be Successful, Burn Your Boats

To Be Successful, Burn Your Boats To Be Successful, Burn Your Boats Article by Naphtali HoffIf you want to take the island, you need to burn the boats. - Tony RobbinsNearly five years ago, I welches facing an important decision - a career crossroads that, depending on its outcome, would greatly impact my professional future. I had spent the past 15 years in education as a teacher, principal, and adjunct professor. I was leaving a school principal post at the end of the school year and debating whether to seek another similar post or to transition into coaching and consulting. I left both doors open for a while before committing firmly to the latter. I hung up a shingle and got to work.The first year was tough. Compounding the fact that I was trying to build credibility, brand myself, and make meaningful connections in a new field, I was also dealing with a family relocation across the country. As you can imagine, my phone wasnt exactly ringing off the wall during the first few mo nths. But even then, when I didnt know how I was going to pay my bills, I had no regrets. I was committed to my new direction and had burned my boats. There was no looking back.The concept of burning boatsis often traced back to an apocryphal story associated with the conquest of the Aztec Empire byHernn Corts. In 1519, Corts led a large expedition to Mexico. The goal capture a magnificent treasure said to be held there.Upon arrival, Corts destroyed his ships. This sent a clear message to his men There was no turning back. They would either win, or they would perish.Within two years,Cortsand hismen had conquered the Aztec Empire.(Sometrace the concept even further back in history, to the times of Julius Caesar or even the Ancient Greeks. Regardless, themessage stands.)At its essence, burning boats represents a point of no return, a psychological commitment to crossing a line you can never turn back from. There is no hedging, no looking over your shoulder. Everything now - all thoug hts and efforts - must be focused on succeeding in this new reality.Whetheryou are facing a true crossroads or simply want to achieve great things in your careeror personal life, youmust approach your decision with a level of commitment that will drive you definitively forward. If you lead others, you must find a way to gain their commitment to ensure you all work together toward a common goal.Burning boats is a useful concept for business decisions as well, especially at times of great market and/or organizational change. Kodak, for example, had to burnitsboats to reinvent its business modelwhen it made the transition from selling film products to offering digital services, too. Darwin E. Smith, CEO of Kimberly-Clark, made a strategic decision to sell his companys paper mills and invest the money in brands like Kleenex and Huggies. At the time,Smithwas mercilessly ridiculed by the media. However, the strategy turned out to be a brilliant maneuver, as Kimberly-Clark subsequently ou tperformed Procter Gamble and gained full control of Scott Paper.Too often, we see examples of would-be entrepreneurs holding on to their jobs while trying to set up new businesses. Thissuggests a lack of faith inones own business model.Other entrepreneurs operatemultiple businessesunder the belief that if one business fails, the others will save them. ansicht choices might make sense from the perspective of holding on to a life preserver, but they minimize the likelihood of success.The same holds true in personal relationships We fear rejection, so we float around, nevertaking the risks necessary to find and sustain deep, fulfilling relationships.There are times in our lives when we need to make decisions - even when the correct path is unclear. We can only gather as many facts as we can, measure the risks, and use our best judgments and the insights of others to guide us forward. Once we make a decision, we have to be willing to stick with it. We cannot allow fear and second-gue ssing to derail us. Instead of focusing on the what-ifs, concentrate on the task at hand and the steps needed to be successful.Safety nets and escape routes can protect us from pain and injury, but they also tend to reduce the effort, focus, and commitment we invest in a process. Once you have made a choice, you have to be willing to burn the boats behind you.Trust your inner voice. Pursue your dreams. Never look back.A version of this article originally appeared onSUCCESS.com.

15 Simple Life Changes You Can Make to Become a Better Person

15 Simple Life Changes You Can Make to Become a Better Person15 Simple Life Changes You Can Make to Become a Better PersonMost of us want to be a better person- whether at home, in the office, or just when were out running errands. The problem is where exactly do you start?I realized a couple years ago that I was a jerk at times to people I worked with and to people I feel I couldnt get any value out of. Over the past couple years Ive become a much better person by working on myself.Here are some of the things Ive been implementing into my daily kenntnis to become a better person on a daily basis.1. Think Before You SpeakWords can carry a lot of weight. Think about the first time your significant other told you that he or she loved you. How awesome did that feel? However, words can also be hurtful. Have you ever told an inappropriate joke or called someone a bleeping-bleep? You probably felt pretty lousy afterward.Always take the couple extra seconds to think about the impact of your words before you say them out loud.2. Embrace ChangeChange helps us grow as individuals. Instead of resisting change, you should be open to trying new things, even if they scare you. For example, you may be nervous about trying that new Thai restaurant in town, but you might discover your new favorite restaurant.Besides embracing change, you should also advocate for positive change. You could start a food drive or recycling program at the office, which would both make your community a better place.3. Be GratefulAccording to research, those who have gratitude journals are more optimistic and feel better about their lives. Additionally, those who discuss gratitude are less envious of wealthier people, are more willing to help others, and can prevent health concerns like coronary artery disease.4. Do the Right ThingAs an adult, you should definitely know the difference between right and wrong. Lets say you dont clean up after your dog after taking it for a walk. You dont need someone to remind you that you should clean up the mess. You know that its your responsibility and that its not fair to leave it there for someone else to step in.5. Use Your StrengthsRemember, your skills and talents are a gift. Dont let them go to waste. If you know how to play the guitar, then share it with others. It will bring joy to you and the people in your life.6. Address Your WeaknessesAt the saatkorn time, you also should be aware of your weaknesses. Its another way that helps us grow as individuals. Take the time to make a list of your weaknesses and set goals to work on them.I am a hard person to deal with. I realize this. Learn to admit and address your weaknesses and then find ways to make them better.7. Take Care of YourselfExercise. Eat healthy. Get enough sleep. Youve heard that advice a thousand times before. But taking care of yourself is one of the best ways to make yourself a better person. For example, how can you go outside and play with your kids when you always fee l lethargic? How can you be more productive at work when youre exhausted? Not only will you be happier and more productive, your loved ones and colleagues will also appreciate it.8. Be a HeroThat doesnt mean that you have to put on a pair of tights and cape. It means helping an elderly neighbor with the groceries. Opening doors for others. Buying a cup of coffee for the person in front of you when her card gets declined. Listening to a friend when his relationship just ended.9. Pay Attention to OthersDoesnt it feel great when someone asks how your day went? Try and do the same for others. Even if you have to jot down reminders in your calendar, it can make all the difference in the world to someone when you follow up with them on important events.10. Stop Being WastefulJust because you can have five plates of food at an all-you-can-eat buffet doesnt mean that you have to- waste is a problem for the food service industry. You can also reduce water usage by taking shorter showers and create less trash by recycling. And, dont forget that unplugging devices when not in use can save electricity. During your part, no matter how small it may seem, can be really important for the environment.11. Be CuriousEvidence, shared via The Huffington Post, found that curiosity can help strengthen relationships, keep your brain stimulated, lessen anxiety, keep you happy, and help you learn- even uninteresting subjects.12. Forgive Yourself and OthersHumans make mistakes- even when its you who makes the mistake. And sometimes those mistakes really sting. However, instead of devoting your energy holding onto that mistake or feeling guilty, forgive that individual- or yourself- and focus on the future. Remember, revenge isnt good for your health, and the best revenge is your is success and happiness.13. Dont Be ImpatientWhen we get impatient, we get aggravated and may do something well regret. Ask yourself, how do you feel if you yelled at your child or a colleague because youre in a rush to get out the door in the morning or finish a project? By practicing patience youll not only make better decisions, youll feel better about yourself every day.14. Be YourselfWhen youre authentic, youll be more focused, build courage, establish your own identity, and be able to define your values and beliefs.15. Stop Pointing FingersIll never forget a grade school teacher telling the class, When you point one finger, there are three fingers pointing back to you. We all face obstacles in life, but you cant use that as an excuse to hold you back or to grow as person.In the words of author and motivational speaker Jack CanfieldRemember, you and you alone are responsible for maintaining your energy. Give up blaming, complaining and excuse making, and keep taking action in the direction of your goals- however mundane or lofty they may be.Part of life is growing and becoming a better person- each and every day. What steps are you working on to improve your life?More From Inc.How Pe rsonal Values Make You a Better LeaderAre You Nice or Can You Be Nice, Which One Is It?9 Awesome Things Entrepreneurs Are Too Nice to Brag AboutPhoto of happy man courtesy of Shutterstock.