Animator Resume Example Writing Guide [20+ Tips]

Animator Resume Example Writing Guide [20+ Tips] Animator Resume ExampleColin Ritmanc.ritman@gmail.com812-568-9742ObjectiveCreative and collaborative cinematic animator with 7+ years of experience working on AAA titles in a deadline-driven environment. Eager to support Konami with superb animation and problem-solving skills in its mission to deliver bleeding-edge mature games. In previous roles animated 100+ characters and was anAnnie Award 2017nominee.Work Experience3D AnimatorUbisoft, San Francisco, CA2015Created high-quality animation assets with low turnover time.Prepared keyframe animation assets and mocap materials.Animated bi- and quadrupedal characters as well as other organic and inorganic forms.Worked with motion capture technology including set-up, acting and animation cleanup.Collaborated in cross-functional teams with game designers and programmers.Key achievement:Animated 100+ characters and objects for Assassins Creed Odyssey.Nominated to Annie Awards 2017 for Outstanding Achievement for Character Animation in a Vide o GameCharacter AnimatorEpic Games, Cary, NC20112015Created stunning, responsive, cinematic animations for 3+ AAA titles.Worked closely with the design team to create immersive cinematic experiences.Implemented, troubleshot, and debugged animation systems.Collaborated with the art, engineering, and design teams to define the animation style for the project.Crafted compelling character performances, utilizing both keyframed and motion capture techniques.Communicated with the art director and animation team to establish methods to tweak the production pipeline, tools, and systems.Key achievement:Developed a unique animation workflow that effectively sped up the process by 30%.EducationBFA, Character AnimationCalArts School of Film/Video2011Key SkillsMayaAnimation principlesDynamic posing3D math skillsC++Technical knowledge of Xbox One, PlayStation 4 and PCUnreal EngineAnalytical skillsCollaboration and teamworkCommunicationCritical thinkingLanguagesSpanishAdvancedFrenchCommunicativeIn terestsPhotographyCyberpunk literature and gamesWant to save time and have your resume ready in 5 minutes? Try our resume builder. Its fast and easy to use. Plus, youll get ready-made content to add with one click. See 20+ resume templates and create your resume here.Sample Animator ResumeSee more templates and create your resume here.One of our users, Nikos, had this to say:[I used] a nice template I found on Zety. My resume is now one page long, not three. With the same stuff.Create your resume nowTargeting other jobs in creative and cultural fields? Check out our guides:Artist ResumeArtist CVGraphic Designer ResumeInterior Design ResumeUX Designer Resume UI Developer ResumeInstructional Designer ResumePhotographer ResumeVideo Editor ResumeVideographer ResumeCreative Director ResumeArt Director ResumeProduction Assistant ResumeHeres how to write an animator resume that will leave the recruiter positively animated:1. Choose the Best Format for Your Animator ResumeListenYour animat or resume needs to prod the recruiter into action.Heres how to make them call you:Put a resume name header at the top of your document. Thats the section where you put your personal information on a resume.Make sure all parts of your resume are labeled with reader-friendly headings.Most of the time the best resume format is the chronological resume layout. Why? It draws the recruiters attention to your latest achievements and experience.Remember: the best fonts for resumes arent the fancy ones, but the legible ones.Dont put too much information on your resume. Keep it succinct, and use white space.Save your resume as a PDF. PDFs are better at keeping the formatting right. Go for the Word format if youve been specifically asked to.2. Write an Animator Resume Objective or SummaryIf your animator resume has to make an instant impression on the recruiterYou need to know how to write the best profile in a resume. Its a brief section that serves as a kind of elevator pitch.Your 3D animato r resume could open with:A resume summary statement is a fantastic choice for candidates with at least 2 years of experience. A summary is all about your professional experience and key accomplishments.A job objective is a perfect opening for your fresher animator resume. A resume objective is about the skills that make you a perfect fit for the position.To make your resume profile as effective as possible, add some numbers. Numbers show how effective you really are.Pro Tip: Its the first section of your resume, but you can write it at the very end. When you have the entire document ready in front of you it will be much easier to pick out the highlights.3. Create the Perfect Animator Job Description for a ResumeIts the experience in your resume that matters most. Period.Your job description must send a clear message:You can do it way better than the rest.To send this message, you must tailor your resume to the job posting:Put your current position up top.Make sure each job entry has your job titles, dates worked, locations, and, of course, company name.Present your experience on a list of bullet points. 6-7 per job will be ok. Dont write full paragraphs.Your resume bullets should begin with powerful resume words, such as created, implemented, collaborated, crafted, etc.Try to put numbers wherever you can.Pro Tip: It may be hard to come up with numbers for each bullet point. Rather than despair, find up to 3 things you can quantify and list them in a dedicated key achievements subsection.4. Make Your Animator Resume Education Section MoveYes, your resume education section is important.Heres how to get it right in a couple of simple steps:More than 5 years of experience? Just list your graduation year, degree, school name, and location. Youre done.Less experience? Add info on your relevant coursework, extracurricular activities, academic achievements, and GPA if more than 3.5.The certifications on a resume should be listed in a separate section to make them stan d out.5. Highlight Your Animator SkillsAt the end of the day, its what you can do that really matters.The list of skills below will help you identify what youre great at.Animator ResumeSkills List3D math skills3DS MaxAnimation compression techniquesAnimation principlesBlenderBlend shapesC++Character-based VFX animationComputer vision techniquesDynamic posingFACS posesGPGPU programming (CUDA, OpenCL, etc.)GPU shadersMachine learning/deep learning (ML/DL)MayaMotion BuilderOO designOptimization and multi-threading techniquesPhotogrammetryPythonRiggingSkeletal hierarchiesSkinningTechnical knowledge of Xbox One, PlayStation 4 and PCUnreal EngineAnalytical skillsCollaboration and teamworkCommunicationCritical thinkingDecision makingProblem solvingTime managementHeres how to pick out the best skills for your animator resume:Make a big list of all your skills to put on a resume that includes your soft and hard skills, and obviously your technical strengths.Cast another glance at the job off er to see what skills it mentions specifically.Find them on your list and focus on them exclusively.Select up to 10 of your key abilities and put them in a key skills section of your resume.Place your skills strategically across the entire resume. Put some in your resume profile and job description as well.Pro Tip: Feel like your resume is not exactly what it should be but cannot put your finger on it? Read our guide with the best resume tips to take your resume to new heights.When making a resume in our builder, drag drop bullet points, skills, and auto-fill the boring stuff. Spell check? Check. Start building your resume here.Create my resume nowWhen youre done, Zetys resume builder will score your resume and tell you exactly how to make it better.6. Add Other Sections to Your Animator ResumeUse additional resume sections to show how unique you are, and that youre a cultural fit.Consider including info on your:Personal interestsVolunteer workLanguage skillsAccomplishments7. Attac h an Animator Resume Cover LetterIs a cover letter important?No.If you dont want to instantly beat half of the applicants, you dont need it.If youre planning on underdelivering to 50% of the recruiters, you dont need it either.In all other cases, follow these hints to make the best cover letter out there:Make sure your cover letter follows cover letter formatting rules.Learn to write good cover letter openings.Tell the employer what you can bring to the company. Not what you want.End your cover letter with a call to action.And make sure the length of your cover letter is just right.Pro Tip: Learn how to write a follow up email to show youre a serious candidate.Here we go!This is how you make a job-winning resume for character animator positions.Are you writing an animator resume for the first time? Or perhaps youre a seasoned pro eager to help the rookies out? Wed love to hear from you, leave your comment below!

Rules For Resume Writing - Dont Forget These

Rules For Resume Writing - Don't Forget TheseYou can always be creative in your resume writing, but you want to follow the rules for resume writing for creativity. There are certain things that you need to avoid, and not follow if you want to write a good resume.One of the most basic rules for resume writing is that you must always begin with your objective. A person's objective is the one sentence that you must have on your resume. Be careful to get it right the first time.To get your resume right, you need to know how to structure your resume correctly. Start off with your name and your contact information, then go over the next two paragraphs. The third paragraph should be your mission statement, and then you can go over the other paragraphs.One more rule for resume writing is to always leave out all the fluff and do not over do it. If you have to over write a section, then you have done something wrong. You need to avoid doing this. Remember that you are trying to impress the per son reading your resume, and they need to know that you have put some thought into the things that you say in your resume.Make sure that you use proper grammar and punctuation. If you use mistakes in these areas, your resume will be rejected. Remember that there are many different versions of the American National Dictionary on the internet, and you can even find free samples in books. You can check them out and see if you can find some that are grammatically correct.Another great tip is to always make sure that your resume is in alphabetical order. That way, the reader does not have to go back and find everything when they are trying to read through it. The alphabetization of your resume makes it easier to read. Youmay also want to have a document printer that will type your resume with the alphabetization.A rule for resume writing that you should not forget is to always ensure that your resume is specific. If you do not make it specific, then the person who is reading your resume will not know what you have to offer them. You need to make your resume as specific as possible.Your resume needs to be the best it can be. Remember the rules for resume writing so that you can get the most out of your resume and get the job you really want.

Two Tones A Black and White Resume Template Design Freebie

Two Tones â€" A Black and White Resume Template Design Freebie Two Tones â€" A Black and White Resume Template Design Freebie What do tuxedos and a little black dress have in common? Both prove that you don’t need wild colors to make a big impression in a room full of people.There’s something professional, and elegant about a well-designed resume template that sticks with basic, black and white. It shows that you have the skills, confidence, and experience needed. You don’t need loud colors to get attention. Your resume stands out on its own. Remember, there’s a reason why the most popular color for luxury cars is black. We get so many compliments from people who have landed job interviews thanks to a professional resume template from our library.Download for free, as is today. You can also add a cover letter, to make the perfect job applicant’s package. To unlock the download, simply share this post on Facebook or Twitter! You’ll be so glad you did.Are you an experienced candidate with a long employment track? Consider opting for a 2-page resume design in that case. We offer it as part of ou r Premium pack File size: 62 KB Format: .doc Downloaded 40,053 times License: Free, personal use only. Please read the license terms for resources. Download previous article When you Fall Out of Love with your Job next article What to do when you Fancy a Change of Career you might also likeFine Balance â€" A Creative and Professional Resume Template

How to Write a Profitable CFO Resume

How to Write a Profitable CFO Resume You’re a top producer   which means you need a resume that produces results too. If you are sending out your resume and not getting the desired responses, there is likely some work to be done. CFO resumes must illustrate unique value, presenting these astute business executives as being well-informed of current financial and corporate challenges.Apply these 3 strategies to raise the value of your CFO resume: 1. GET CURRENT If you haven’t conducted a job search in some time you are likely behind in modern job search trends. Today’s resumes involve strong strategies and polished presentations to stand out. Some significant tactics include:  Keep it short. A densely packed resume can do you more harm than good. Nobody wants to read a ‘career obituary’ (everything ever done and every role ever held). Think marketing tool and make every word count. Keep it focused and relevant. Eliminate lengthy job descriptions and generalized overviews; these are a given. Pinpoint pertinent career content that demonstrates a solid understanding of the role requirements. Qualify content carefully and only share details and specifics that directly address the readers needs. Keep it loaded with results. Pack in power statements with exact metrics for massive impact.   Top achievers need examples that provide the proof and front-load statements for greater punch: Raised $34M in venture and corporate funding in 3 years. Negotiated $21M acquisition with additional $6M equity investment. Generated $40M in additional cash by identifying and eliminating under-performing assets. Saved $50K in annual software maintenance and licensing fees by implementing updated software program. Negotiated 75% approval of debt  restructuring proposal with trade creditors.  2. KNOW YOUR VALUE CFO’s typically progress along a similar career track and share many skills and values, but no two are exactly alike. Why should YOU be chosen to lead financial decisions in this ‘second from the top’ corporate role?Spend time contemplating, and calculating, your ‘10% difference’.   As you are an expert with numbers this should be a breeze. ?? Drill down to identify what makes you an authority in your industry and flesh out examples of where you’ve risen to the challenge. You need to convince high-level recruiters, boards, committees, and executive management that you can make a positive financial impact to business.Provide specific profit and revenue gains, cost-savings, or streamlined efficiencies to support your statements and skills.   You cant just claim to be good at something, you must prove it. Develop a strong value proposition to summarize high-level experiences and work to support this statement throughout the document. Targeted branding or value proposition statements include: CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER STREAMLINES FINANCIAL PROCESSES FOR FORTUNE 500 COMPANIES | $300M in COST-SAVINGS | BUDGETS up to $2B or…. CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER Expert in Venture Corporate Funding | Revenue Business Expansion | MA Administration Drives operational and financial efficiency as a trusted advisor and partner, creating over $40M in annual cost-savings. Connects entrepreneurial companies with venture capital to heighten business performance. 3. SHARPEN THE PRESENTATION Top executives need distinct resumes that scream polished professional. Employ savvy layouts and design components (charts, graphs, or color) to ensure the resume impresses at first glance. Chart it. Visually represent revenue increases, profit or productivity advances, or cost-savings. Graphs or charts often  speak louder than words: Bullet it. Deliver ‘bite size’ and easily digestible points instead of heavy blocks of text. The difference can be dramatic. Here’s a comparison: Before:Sought out areas for revenue improvement and increases. Located and handled negotiation for an acquisition, valued at $6M, which ultimately produced a strong return on investment (approximately eight times the return over a five year time span).  After: Helmed $6M acquisition negotiation which produced 8 times the return on investment within 5 years, strengthening revenue potential. Bulleted content above is sharper, key details jump out, and wordiness is drastically reduced.  Finally, Color it. Subtle splashes of color throughout the resume can make key content pop and dramatically set a document apart in a pile of competitors. See these executive resume samples to learn more.   As a leading results-generator you likely lack the time to tackle a proper resume renovation, so don’t risk being passed over for a position at the top; turn your project over to a trusted professional.  A top performer like yourself understands the return on a good investment and the cost of a bad one.  Your career is too valuable to gamble with using a resume that may never work. Partner with a pro to ensure ROI: www.CareerImpressions.ca How to Write a Profitable CFO Resume You’re a top producer   which means you need a resume that produces results too. If you are sending out your resume and not getting the desired responses, there is likely some work to be done. CFO resumes must illustrate unique value, presenting these astute business executives as being well-informed of current financial and corporate challenges.Apply these 3 strategies to raise the value of your CFO resume: 1. GET CURRENT If you haven’t conducted a job search in some time you are likely behind in modern job search trends. Today’s resumes involve strong strategies and polished presentations to stand out. Some significant tactics include:  Keep it short. A densely packed resume can do you more harm than good. Nobody wants to read a ‘career obituary’ (everything ever done and every role ever held). Think marketing tool and make every word count. Keep it focused and relevant. Eliminate lengthy job descriptions and generalized overviews; these are a given. Pinpoint pertinent career content that demonstrates a solid understanding of the role requirements. Qualify content carefully and only share details and specifics that directly address the readers needs. Keep it loaded with results. Pack in power statements with exact metrics for massive impact.   Top achievers need examples that provide the proof and front-load statements for greater punch: Raised $34M in venture and corporate funding in 3 years. Negotiated $21M acquisition with additional $6M equity investment. Generated $40M in additional cash by identifying and eliminating under-performing assets. Saved $50K in annual software maintenance and licensing fees by implementing updated software program. Negotiated 75% approval of debt  restructuring proposal with trade creditors.  2. KNOW YOUR VALUE CFO’s typically progress along a similar career track and share many skills and values, but no two are exactly alike. Why should YOU be chosen to lead financial decisions in this ‘second from the top’ corporate role?Spend time contemplating, and calculating, your ‘10% difference’.   As you are an expert with numbers this should be a breeze. ?? Drill down to identify what makes you an authority in your industry and flesh out examples of where you’ve risen to the challenge. You need to convince high-level recruiters, boards, committees, and executive management that you can make a positive financial impact to business.Provide specific profit and revenue gains, cost-savings, or streamlined efficiencies to support your statements and skills.   You cant just claim to be good at something, you must prove it. Develop a strong value proposition to summarize high-level experiences and work to support this statement throughout the document. Targeted branding or value proposition statements include: CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER STREAMLINES FINANCIAL PROCESSES FOR FORTUNE 500 COMPANIES | $300M in COST-SAVINGS | BUDGETS up to $2B or…. CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER Expert in Venture Corporate Funding | Revenue Business Expansion | MA Administration Drives operational and financial efficiency as a trusted advisor and partner, creating over $40M in annual cost-savings. Connects entrepreneurial companies with venture capital to heighten business performance. 3. SHARPEN THE PRESENTATION Top executives need distinct resumes that scream polished professional. Employ savvy layouts and design components (charts, graphs, or color) to ensure the resume impresses at first glance. Chart it. Visually represent revenue increases, profit or productivity advances, or cost-savings. Graphs or charts often  speak louder than words: Bullet it. Deliver ‘bite size’ and easily digestible points instead of heavy blocks of text. The difference can be dramatic. Here’s a comparison: Before:Sought out areas for revenue improvement and increases. Located and handled negotiation for an acquisition, valued at $6M, which ultimately produced a strong return on investment (approximately eight times the return over a five year time span).  After: Helmed $6M acquisition negotiation which produced 8 times the return on investment within 5 years, strengthening revenue potential. Bulleted content above is sharper, key details jump out, and wordiness is drastically reduced.  Finally, Color it. Subtle splashes of color throughout the resume can make key content pop and dramatically set a document apart in a pile of competitors. See these executive resume samples to learn more.   As a leading results-generator you likely lack the time to tackle a proper resume renovation, so don’t risk being passed over for a position at the top; turn your project over to a trusted professional.  A top performer like yourself understands the return on a good investment and the cost of a bad one.  Your career is too valuable to gamble with using a resume that may never work. Partner with a pro to ensure ROI: www.CareerImpressions.ca How to Write a Profitable CFO Resume You’re a top producer   which means you need a resume that produces results too. If you are sending out your resume and not getting the desired responses, there is likely some work to be done. CFO resumes must illustrate unique value, presenting these astute business executives as being well-informed of current financial and corporate challenges.Apply these 3 strategies to raise the value of your CFO resume: 1. GET CURRENT If you haven’t conducted a job search in some time you are likely behind in modern job search trends. Today’s resumes involve strong strategies and polished presentations to stand out. Some significant tactics include:  Keep it short. A densely packed resume can do you more harm than good. Nobody wants to read a ‘career obituary’ (everything ever done and every role ever held). Think marketing tool and make every word count. Keep it focused and relevant. Eliminate lengthy job descriptions and generalized overviews; these are a given. Pinpoint pertinent career content that demonstrates a solid understanding of the role requirements. Qualify content carefully and only share details and specifics that directly address the readers needs. Keep it loaded with results. Pack in power statements with exact metrics for massive impact.   Top achievers need examples that provide the proof and front-load statements for greater punch: Raised $34M in venture and corporate funding in 3 years. Negotiated $21M acquisition with additional $6M equity investment. Generated $40M in additional cash by identifying and eliminating under-performing assets. Saved $50K in annual software maintenance and licensing fees by implementing updated software program. Negotiated 75% approval of debt  restructuring proposal with trade creditors.  2. KNOW YOUR VALUE CFO’s typically progress along a similar career track and share many skills and values, but no two are exactly alike. Why should YOU be chosen to lead financial decisions in this ‘second from the top’ corporate role?Spend time contemplating, and calculating, your ‘10% difference’.   As you are an expert with numbers this should be a breeze. ?? Drill down to identify what makes you an authority in your industry and flesh out examples of where you’ve risen to the challenge. You need to convince high-level recruiters, boards, committees, and executive management that you can make a positive financial impact to business.Provide specific profit and revenue gains, cost-savings, or streamlined efficiencies to support your statements and skills.   You cant just claim to be good at something, you must prove it. Develop a strong value proposition to summarize high-level experiences and work to support this statement throughout the document. Targeted branding or value proposition statements include: CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER STREAMLINES FINANCIAL PROCESSES FOR FORTUNE 500 COMPANIES | $300M in COST-SAVINGS | BUDGETS up to $2B or…. CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER Expert in Venture Corporate Funding | Revenue Business Expansion | MA Administration Drives operational and financial efficiency as a trusted advisor and partner, creating over $40M in annual cost-savings. Connects entrepreneurial companies with venture capital to heighten business performance. 3. SHARPEN THE PRESENTATION Top executives need distinct resumes that scream polished professional. Employ savvy layouts and design components (charts, graphs, or color) to ensure the resume impresses at first glance. Chart it. Visually represent revenue increases, profit or productivity advances, or cost-savings. Graphs or charts often  speak louder than words: Bullet it. Deliver ‘bite size’ and easily digestible points instead of heavy blocks of text. The difference can be dramatic. Here’s a comparison: Before:Sought out areas for revenue improvement and increases. Located and handled negotiation for an acquisition, valued at $6M, which ultimately produced a strong return on investment (approximately eight times the return over a five year time span).  After: Helmed $6M acquisition negotiation which produced 8 times the return on investment within 5 years, strengthening revenue potential. Bulleted content above is sharper, key details jump out, and wordiness is drastically reduced.  Finally, Color it. Subtle splashes of color throughout the resume can make key content pop and dramatically set a document apart in a pile of competitors. See these executive resume samples to learn more.   As a leading results-generator you likely lack the time to tackle a proper resume renovation, so don’t risk being passed over for a position at the top; turn your project over to a trusted professional.  A top performer like yourself understands the return on a good investment and the cost of a bad one.  Your career is too valuable to gamble with using a resume that may never work. Partner with a pro to ensure ROI: www.CareerImpressions.ca

Tips For Writing Resume

Tips For Writing ResumeThe internet has opened up many avenues for career seekers and after you've done your research, you may be wondering how to write a resume for the job of your dreams. When you need to research jobs for a new position, there are some simple tips that will help you do just that.The first basic tips for when writing resumes involve knowing what information to include. Be sure to make the most of your professional experience and skill sets; if you are employed in a management position, always be sure to include these along with your education and certifications.You don't limit yourself to a certain industry when writing your resume. Many online search engines allow you to type in your job field, and job postings that match your profile are displayed. You can find the right job for you by researching the available positions in your field.Before sending your resume off, have a professional review it for you. The reviewer will be able to tell if your resume is properl y formatted, clear, and informative. As a resume writer, you are responsible for your own mistakes, so hiring a professional will save you from making them yourself.Many online websites offer free resume templates. Always use a template when submitting your resume and never take it as gospel; the template is meant to show what a potential employer would see if they were to view your resume. For the best results, use different templates so that your chances of finding a job increase.One of the quickest and easiest tips for when writing a resume is simply to read through it. If you're not comfortable with writing, there are many guides on the internet that can guide you through the process. You can also ask someone else to give you a draft.Have an old resume to refer to as well. You can simply edit your old resume and rewrite it with your new resume in mind.When writing resume, keep these tips in mind. You are looking for a job, so don't make it harder than it has to be.

Talent Activation - What Does It Mean And How You Can Use It With Your Employees CareerMetis.com

Talent Activation - What Does It Mean And How You Can Use It With Your Employees All things considered, human resources are a company’s greatest and most critical asset. So, how you choose to leverage your employee’s talents and capabilities substantially determines your overall business success.Well, that might sound simple at first. But, if the recent trends are anything to go by, many companies are seemingly facing challenges when it comes to managing their employees’ talents.evalWhy is that so?Okay, let’s first lay down the facts. People are incredibly diverse. And because of that, you should expect different talents from the employees you recruit into your organization. Some might be great with communication and collaboration, while others tend to lean towards precision, empathy, self-motivation, you name it. You’ll get to discover each individual’s skills with time.Now, the good thing about this is that you can strategically capitalize on the rich talent pool to progressively boost the company’s overall productivity. But, here’s the problem- it cannot be achieved overnight. Increased talent diversity only complicates things for you.Thankfully, however, there’s a systematic process you can follow. Otherwise, by failing to manage each individual’s talents, you’ll even find it difficult to motivate your employees and keep them focused.Come to think of it, that right there would be a perfect recipe for poor sales numbers. It was revealed that 68% of consumershave dropped a brand because of poor employee attitude.So, let’s face. Close to 70% of your company’s image to consumers isn’t entirely based on your marketing ingenuity or product quality. It usually comes down to how your employees behave as well as how they conduct themselves around customers. And this largely depends on your talent strategy, among other variables.That said, employee talent handling is an extensively dynamic process. At the top, of course, is talent sourcing and recruitment. It’s then followed by talent management, under which talent a ctivation comes into play.evalWell, they say that talent activation is the secret to taking maximum advantage of your employees’ skills. That without it, you don’t stand much of a chance when it comes to generating great ROI from your workforce potential.Quite interesting, I must admit. But, what exactly is talent activation?Source-Pixabay.comWhat Is Talent Activation?To understand what talent activation is all about, let’s first take a stroll down memory lane.Previously, companies across all industries relied on traditional training approaches to develop their human resources. They hired employees and proceeded to train them on specific areas that companies thought were critical for optimizing human resource value and output.evalThe process itself was pretty straightforward. After recruiting employees, businesses typically held performance reviews every year to assess each individual’s productivity. And based on the findings, human resource managers identified specific area s that their employees would be trained to acquire new skills.Fair enough. That might seem like a decent plan for many people. But, here’s the thing- researchhas proven over and over again that boosting employee value and output requires a different approach. Instead of focusing entirely on teaching new skills, companies should be able to identify and leverage their employees’ pre-existing talents.Don’t get me wrong though. We are not trashing employee training. Far from it actually, since we acknowledge that training programs have their place. There’s no doubt about it. However, the point is, training doesn’t necessarily help you to capitalize on your employee’s talents.Fundamentally, training is all about instilling new skills plus expanding your employees’ abilities. And to be honest, that’s one thing your workforce needs from time to time. But, not at the cost of their pre-existing talents.Now that’s precisely where talent activation comes in. While training se eks to broaden skills, talent activation principally focuses on developing an individual’s skills and competencies.In essence, talent activation is all about identifying your employee’s pre-existing talents and then subsequently developing them over the long haul. The goal here is to ultimately turn each individual’s skills into real performance for your company. Or, in short, capitalizing on your employee’s talents to drive business growth and productivity.What does this mean for your company?Well, for starters, it’s time you did away with traditional processes like annual employee performance reviews and employee ranking. According to a studyconducted by Adobe, the bulk of employees today finds performance reviews stressful, time-consuming, and redundant.So, instead of investing your company resources in employee evaluation, you should instead prioritize continuous talent development plus feedback processes.evalAnd how will the company benefit from that?Benefits of Talen t ActivationBy identifying your employees’ pre-established abilities and competencies then leveraging them accordingly, you’ll increasingly enhance your company’s overall productivity as well as human resource ROI.And while you’re at it, the employees will certainly take notice of your efforts to recognize their strengths. Consequently, they’ll feel appreciated and valued as well, hence boosting their personal plus workplace satisfaction.As a matter of fact, various studieshave established that making employees feel treasured and appreciated increases your general human resource retention rate. They are bound to fully commit to the business for the long haul.4 Critical Elements of Talent ActivationThe process of talent activation entails these four critical elements:eval1) Personality AssessmentevalConsidering every person is unique in their own way, you can only identify an employee’s talents after comprehensively assessing their personality. That means analyzing not on ly how they feel and think, but also how their brain functions.But, make no mistake about it. Your employees should understand what personality assessments are all about before you proceed. Otherwise, you risk getting inaccurate results if your workers perceive the whole exercise as just another performance review.All in all, they should be able to freely communicate, raise concerns, and make inquiries.2) Competency ModelsCompetency models essentially provide a summary of the range of skills required for specific job positions in your organization. And since companies operate differently, you should have your own custom competency models, based on the organization’s structure as well as its workplace environment.The goal here is to help you identify the best positions to place each individual according to their personal strengths and talents. If you mostly work with office workers, it is important to evaluate the possibility to hire remote team members as well. Studies have shown that remote workers are even better at team collaborationso you don’t have to neglect that trend of work.3) Long-term Learning Learning is a continuous process, especially when you need to keep up with the ever-changing business trends.So, of course, the self-development journey should not end with talent activation. On the contrary, talent activation should essentially provide a foundation for progressive skill development through long-term learning.4) Leadership Development Talent activation isn’t about employees alone. Rather, it’s an all-inclusive process that should involve the management team. The responsibilities of the management teams, in this regard, include not only working with one particular employee but helping that employee become an engaged member of your team via improved collaboration. And through leadership development courses, they’ll progressively learn how to guide their employees’ talents.ConclusionBased on these pointers alone, I believe we can now agree that the secret to capitalizing on your employees is combining progressive training with strategic talent activation.

5 Resources to get you Started on Your Job Search Action Plan - CareerAlley

5 Resources to get you Started on Your Job Search Action Plan - CareerAlley We may receive compensation when you click on links to products from our partners. When I was growing up, my family used to take long driving vacations. You know, you drive for several days, stay in hotels on the road going to (or coming from) your vacation spot. Of course when I was growing up we didnt have the Internet or GPS. We had to get maps and plan out our trip. If you were lucky, your father belonged to AAA and he would have them create a triptik (little books with a page and a fold-out map for each segment of your trip Google it). Half the fun in taking these trips was following the maps. Nothing like knowing how to get where youre going. Job search is much the same. You need a job search plan (your map) to help you find the right job without getting lost. Balancing your time during a job search can be challenging to say the least. Recruiters, job search engines, company career sites, your network, where do you start? The volume of information available, compounded by automated job search engines which email long lists of matching jobs (most of which are not even close) can keep you very busy on unproductive job search activities. Its so easy to spend all of your time reading the latest job search article or sorting through hundreds of potential jobs. The fear of missing that one important bit of information or missing that importantjob lead drives most of us crazy. They key, of course, is to have a plan and to stick to it. Your plan should outline how you will spend your time across all of your job search activities. At a loss as to how to start your plan? You will need: A Job Search Checklist Your job search checklist should include: Your Resume(s) Probably more than one depending on your experience. Take a look at Cover Letters Thank You notes A list of your strengths and weaknesses Jobs you are qualified to apply for Your dream job Companies where you would like to work (including those that are in your industry) Your Network (friends, family, current and former coworkers) Recruiters for your industry/field Job search boards (we will keep this list short) References Your Job Search Plan This is your roadmap for how you will spend your time looking for a job. Much depends on whether you are not currently working (so you have much more time to conduct your job search) or if you are looking while you are working. In either case, having a plan will help you manage your time more efficiently and should help you find a job Executing on Your Job Search Plan This articleprovides an number of resources to help you createyour job search plan in this article. 50 Ways to Leave Your Job Search NOW This list of resources is from JobMob and provides a bunch (50 to be exact) of ideas and leads to help you in your job search plan. Job Search Planning Lessons Three lessons with step by step instructions to help you get started and complete your job search plan. Your Action Plan Creating a plan for your career is important. This action plan is from Temple.edus career center provides some great ideas. Career Tip of the Day:Where Will Your Goal Take You Today? Suggested Reading: Job Search Action Plan We are always eager to hear from our readers. Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions or suggestions regarding CareerAlley content. Good luck in your search,Joey Google+ Visit Joeys profile on Pinterest. what where job title, keywords or company city, state or zip jobs by What's next? Ready to take action? Choose the right tools to help you build your career. Looking for related topics? Find out how to identify and land your dream job. Subscribe and make meaningful progress on your career. It’s about time you focused on your career. Get Educated Contact Us Advertise Copyright 2020 CareerAlley. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy + Disclosure home popular resources subscribe search

How to handle nightmare interviews -

How to handle nightmare interviews - Are you afraid of nightmare interviews? These come in all shapes and sizes. Maybe your interviewer grills you for hours and hours or expects you to sit through five or six  rounds of interviews  with team after team. Or maybe your interviewer doesn’t crack a smile or provide any nonverbal feedback the entire time. Some job seekers have gone to interviews only to be kept waiting for hours to meet the potential employer. A common (and perhaps not unfounded) fear among  job seekers  is the seemingly bizarre interview question that comes out of nowhere like an apparition. For example, what if the interviewer asked:  â€œWhat would you do in the event of a zombie apocalypse?” Instead of stiffening like a zombie and bemoaning all the “normal” interview questions you prepared to answer, think about the reason for the question. Ashley Morris, CEO of Capriotti’s Sandwich Shop explains why  interviewers may ask this question  and what they’re looking for when they ask it: “This question is great, because it tends to reveal a lot about the candidate without them even knowing what they are revealing. Based on their response, we can infer whether  they  perform well under pressure and think quickly on their feet, whether they are a planner, what their priorities are and, most importantly, whether or not they had fun with the question. The last point is invaluable. The way they respond, not necessarily their verbatim response, is what indicates a fit (or not) with our own company culture  â€"  something we  value  highly. Get my free white paper:  5 Mistakes Preventing You From Landing a Job This Week   Norwegian Cruise Line is known to ask those applying for  marketing coordinator positions:  â€œDo you believe in Bigfoot?” And what if the interviewer asked you: “Would you rather fight one  giant monster or 100 small monsters?” Consider CEO of Konnect Public Relations,  Sabina Gault’s, reasoning behind this scary question: “We use this question to gauge how candidates tackle obstacles and tasks. If they say they would rather fight one giant monster, we figure they are better suited to take on bigger  projects. If they choose 100 small monsters, this usually means the candidate is good at multitasking and taking on many tasks at the same time. More than anything, we really are looking to see if the candidate has the ability to think outside of the box and on their toes. There really isn’t a right or wrong answer; we are really looking more at the candidate’s reaction to the question.” Keep these key facts in mind when  formulating  answers to  interview questions  that seem off the wall. Interviewers want to know: Are you comfortable asking questions, and can you think critically?  Don’t hesitate to ask for clarification regarding the question. For example,  Joe DeProspero,  vice president of finance at  Dave Buster’s,  explains that the company values a candidate who understands how to probe critically and get at the root of the specifics of such a question. He notes how these questions help the company, “see if someone can think critically, whether they are comfortable enough to ask probing questions and if they can think on their feet. During the hiring process, I am looking for candidates who ask important follow-up questions to my question, such as ‘Why would you want to know this?” DeProspero also explains: “Often times, in finance, what someone asks for is not necessarily what they need. by asking questions, we can help them to better understand if we recognize the underlying issue. Above all, I look for a candidate’s eagerness to answer the question, as this is the way they will approach every task given to them on the job.” If you need to reply to a  brain teaser:  Its OK to stop and think before you answer. Its also fine  to ask for clarification if there are any details you dont understand.  The interviewer is trying to learn how you would act as an employee. Try to answer the question in a way that showcases the skills you have for the job.  If the position is mathematical,  use math skills. If demonstrating your creative side is more important, go that route. When you’re prepared and know what to expect, your interview doesn’t have to be as scary as a scene from The Shining. Originally appeared on U.S. News World Report.