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☆ The 3 in-demand soft skills candidates are 'most lacking in,' according to ZipRecruiter
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-23 | by ( Morgan Smith | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Hiring managers are less and less impressed by where you went to college — or if you have a four-year degree at all. Nearly half — 45% — of companies have dropped degree requirements for some roles this year, according to new research from ZipRecruiter, which surveyed more than 2,000 U.S. employers. Instead, companies are prioritizing skills over education: 42% of companies are now explicitly using skills-related metrics to find candidates, LinkedIn told CNBC Make It in June, up 12% from a year earlier. "Employers have the perception that younger generations are no longer picking up these important soft skills at school or at college," she explains. Between 2021 and 2022, when companies were desperate to fill vacancies, many lowered their recruiting standards, hiring more "novice employees" lacking these important soft skills, says Pollak.

Persons: Julia Pollak, Marissa Morrison, Morrison, Pollak, Gen, Amanda Augustine, you've, Augustine Organizations: CNBC, Harvard Business, Glass Institute, Employers, Society for Human Resource Management, Global Locations: ZipRecruiter

☆ The No. 1 danger of using ChatGPT on your resume: 'It is going to hallucinate information'
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-29 | by ( Gili Malinsky | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

There are many benefits to using ChatGPT on your resume: It can help with grammar and spelling. And if you're starting from scratch, it can be a good way to get a first draft of your resume going. Still, there's one major problem with using it: You never know if what it spits out after a prompt is going to be true. "It is going to hallucinate information and it is going to take leaps of faith," she says. "The more blanks you fill for it," she says, "the less likely it's going to give you inaccurate information."

Persons: Amanda Augustine, Augustine, ChatGPT Organizations: CNBC, Fast, Innovation

☆ The top 3 things recruiters look for on your resume: Make it 'idiot-proof' to find them, experts say
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-27 | by ( Gili Malinsky | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Ultimately, there are three things every recruiter is looking for when they scan that document, says Amanda Augustine, career expert at Talent Inc.: accuracy, authenticity and applicability. Making sure that your resume is "an accurate representation of your skills and your experience is incredibly important," says Augustine. Authenticity refers to the extent to which your resume gives a sense of who you are as a person. The section can feature just one line listing three of your favorite things, like running marathons or writing fan fiction. The professional summary at the top of the resume can also be a good place to touch on such interests.

Persons: Amanda Augustine, Augustine Organizations: Talent Inc

☆ The 10 worst states for high-paying entry-level jobs—'they just don't have the demand'
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-30 | by ( Gili Malinsky | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Here are the 10 worst states for high-paying entry-level jobs according to their findings , including the percent of entry-level jobs that offered pay higher than the state's median salary and the median salary according to BLS. When it comes to entry-level jobs, some industries notoriously pay better than others. Hawaii, the worst state for high-paying entry-level jobs, lost 15,000 residents between April 2020 and July 2022, according to the Hawaii Census. If there are fewer jobs available overall, there are, of course, fewer high-paying entry-level jobs available as well. That, too, would hamper the availability of high-paying entry-level jobs.

Persons: Julia Pollak, Amanda Augustine Organizations: BLS, Bureau of Labor Statistics, . Census, Hospitality Locations: Texas, Hawaii, . Massachusetts, Vermont, Alaska, Michigan, Pennsylvania, York, California, Barcelona

☆ The top 10 states for high-paying entry-level jobs—New York and California aren't on the list
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-29 | by ( Gili Malinsky | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Here are the top 10 states for high-paying entry-level positions according to Resume.io, including the state's median salary according to BLS and the percent of entry-level jobs paying above it. They then ranked the states in terms of the percentage of entry-level jobs that paid above the median salary. Entry-level jobs are often the lowest-paid on the totem pole, but a variety of factors influence what salary new employees are making. "They're very closely in line with the macroeconomic indicators on overall state labor market conditions," she says. "I think your entry-level jobs are kind of the bleeding edge of the labor market," she says, "and small changes in labor market conditions translate into large changes in conditions for entry-level workers."

Persons: Resume.io, Julia Pollak, Amanda Augustine, homebuyers Organizations: BLS, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Iowa City Locations: Philadelphia, Idaho, South Dakota, Resume.io's, Montana, Iowa, Ohio, Texas

☆ A.I. can save you hundreds of dollars on professional headshots—but avoid these 2 mistakes, experts say
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-02 | by ( Rebecca Picciotto | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

These days, professional headshots can range from $25 to $2,500. That can lead to hundreds of dollars in savings for the user who gets their one-time AI headshot. Morrison agrees that the best headshot is the one that is polished yet authentic, whether it's AI-generated or not. Stay away from these two mistakes to make sure you get your AI headshot right:'Never rely solely on AI'Overall, experts agree there is a time and place for AI headshots. She also says not to take an AI headshot at face value.

Persons: Slack, Marissa Morrison, Amanda Augustine, Morrison, Amit Bhatia, Bhatia, Augustine Organizations: CNBC

☆ Avoid these 6 verbs on your resume, experts say: ‘Pinpoint exactly what you were responsible for’
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-02 | by ( Gili Malinsky | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

When it comes to putting your best foot forward on your resume, the majority of people know to use powerful action verbs like "advanced" and "spearheaded." But not all action verbs are created equal. Here are six action verbs to use sparingly on your resume. ManagedCreatedHelpedAssistedSupportedFacilitatedThe problem with verbs like "helped," "supported" and "assisted" is, even as action verbs, they're a bit passive. Instead of "managed," she suggests trying "directed," "cultivated" and "guided."

☆ How to start 'career cushioning' so you aren't screwed if you lose your job
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-26 | by ( Shana Lebowitz | Rebecca Knight | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

That's why it's wise to "career cushion" so you're not blindsided if you lose your job. Experts recommend updating your LinkedIn profile and ramping up your networking. Knowing you're prepared for a possible worst-case scenario by "career cushioning" can mitigate some of the stress you're feeling, according to Blair Heitmann, a career expert at LinkedIn. Cushioning makes you feel that you're ready "for whatever comes next in the economy and in the job market," Heitmann told Insider. Update your social-media profilesHeitmann said the first — and potentially easiest — thing to do is update your LinkedIn profile.

☆ Remove these 7 buzzwords from your resume: Having too many ‘just looks like fluff’
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-20 | by ( Gili Malinsky | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

A majority, 69%, stick to one page, according to resume writing site Kickresume, which recently analyzed 176,220 resumes written in 2022. When it comes to the content of one's resume, there are various rules to keep in mind. Another thing to remember: Avoid overusing popular buzzwords that clutter and don't necessarily help make the case for your candidacy. But "if you're using a collection of these or if you're using one of these words multiple times throughout your resume, it's not a good look." When writing your resume, consider, "What was the impact of what you did?"

☆ 7 action verbs to use on your resume: They are 'your secret sauce,' says expert
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-12 | by ( Gili Malinsky | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

There are many do's and don'ts when it comes to writing your resume, but one major do that career experts recommend is the use of action verbs like "led" and "executed." "Action verbs are your secret sauce for your resume," says Octavia Goredema, career coach and author of "PREP, PUSH, PIVOT." An overwhelming majority, 93%, of resumes include one or more action-oriented phrases, according to resume writing site Kickresume, which recently analyzed 176,220 resumes written in 2022. Here are seven action verbs experts recommend. ImprovedAdvancedSpearheadedExceededGrewBuiltDirected"The best bragging points are demonstrating what you brought forth," says Amanda Augustine, a career expert at TopResume.

☆ Remove these 8 filler words from your resume right now: They're 'taking up extra space'
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-06 | by ( Gili Malinsky | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Resume writing is an art — or, depending on who you ask, it's a science. And there are certain words and phrases that jobseekers should avoid, like filler words. Nearly half, 44% of resumes contain 10 or more filler words, according to resume writing site Kickresume, which recently analyzed more than 170,000 resumes written in 2022. If you're diving into creating your own resume, here are eight filler words to avoid. If you're using powerful action verbs like "improved" and supporting them with the numerical scope of your achievements, says Goredema, "you can't lose."

☆ Strength of 'weak ties': How casual contacts can boost your career
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-11 | by ( Chris Taylor | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

That is what researchers call “weak ties” - and they can be surprisingly critical to your career path. "Weak ties give you access to a lot more information.”Among New Year’s resolutions, finding a better job or career ranks high on many lists. Then set up informational interviews with new weak ties that result, and your job search will be cooking with gas. “Look for people who tend to run in a lot of circles, because they’re the ones who can introduce you to new weak ties,” said Augustine. REACH OUTOne barrier to leveraging weak ties is that people tend to feel uncomfortable about it.

☆ The best places to find ‘simple, no-BS’ resume templates, according to experts
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-10 | by ( Gili Malinsky | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

There's the order of things ― your education, experience, then skills if you've just graduated from college, or your experience, education, then skills if you're a few years into the workforce. Here are three expert-approved sites to get resume templates online. Harvard College bullet point resume"For a simple, no-BS resume that gets the job done, I'd recommend the Harvard College bullet point resume template," says Gorick Ng, Harvard career adviser and author of "The Unspoken Rules." Free resume templates through Google workspace"I'd recommend free templates available through Google workspace," says Angelina Darrisaw, career coach and founder and CEO of C-Suite Coach. More specifically, in Google Docs, job seekers "can access five resume templates in the template gallery, as well as several other useful templates for business (e.g.

☆ Should you get creative with your resume? Experts decide whether you're more likely to land your dream job
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-01 | by ( Sophie Kiderlin | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Morsa Images | Digitalvision | Getty ImagesWhen you're applying for your dream job, making your application stand out can be key. "It's tough to squeeze my life, experiences and skills into one, two pages, having stunning graphics can help convey my dedication and creativity much better than words would," she told CNBC's Make It. Two examples of company themed resumes, one for cosmetics company Lush and another for streaming service Netflix. However, she still thinks making creative resumes can be worth the time investment for some applicants. Professional resume writer Suzie Henriques, who is based in the U.K., told CNBC's Make It that a traditional approach is usually a safer bet.

☆ Half of US employers are planning layoffs. Here's how to start 'career cushioning' so that you aren't screwed if you lose your job.
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-10 | by ( Shana Lebowitz | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

It helps to be prepared — to "career cushion" — so you're not blindsided if you lose your job. Start by updating your LinkedIn profile, networking more creatively, and thinking about your goals. Knowing you're prepared for whatever comes next can help mitigate some of that terror. Update your social-media profilesHeitmann said the first — and potentially easiest — thing to do is update your LinkedIn profile. "It's always helped me to really think through how to be prepared," Heitmann said.

☆ Should you put your GPA on your resume? Not 'if you graduated by the skin of your teeth'
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-05 | by ( Gili Malinsky | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

When it comes to finding the right candidate for a role, hiring managers have a list of priorities. A majority, 86%, say skills top the list, according to a September 2022 TopResume survey of 330 HR professionals, followed by experience (82%) and personality (55%). That being the case, and with so little real estate on your resume to make the case for you as a candidate, should you include elements of your education like your GPA? "If you graduated by the skin of your teeth" and your GPA is pretty low, says Amanda Augustine, career expert at TopResume, "don't call attention to that." But, if your GPA was high, say, 3.5 or above, there may be instances where you could include it.

☆ This surprisingly common virtual interview mistake can cost you the job, according to new research
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-30 | by ( Morgan Smith | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

While some virtual interview mistakes are harmless, others can make a bad first impression, or even cost you the job. Between August and September, TopResume asked 330 U.S. hiring managers, recruiters and HR professionals to rank the worst offenses a candidate can commit during a virtual interview. The number one virtual interview deal-breaker that could cost you the job? "Avoiding eye contact or staring into space," according to the hiring experts interviewed for the report. But direct eye contact isn't possible for everyone

☆ The holidays are a ‘natural opening for reconnecting': Here's how to use them to network
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-25 | by ( Gili Malinsky | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

The end of 2022 is upon us, with people celebrating an array of holidays or simply looking forward to some time off. "The holidays just present a very natural opening for reconnecting with others," says Amanda Augustine, a career expert at TopResume. Here's how experts recommend taking advantage of this time of year to network. 'Take your contacts and basically group them'Who you reach out to depends on your objective. "Everyone doesn't celebrate Christmas," she says, "folks celebrate all different kinds of holidays based upon their religion."

☆ How to write an email subject line that catches a hiring manager's attention
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-14 | by ( Marguerite Ward | Allana Akhtar | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

Your email subject line could determine if a hiring manager will even consider your resume. This is especially relevant now for thousands of Americans who were recently laid off. To make your email stand out, keep your subject line short, specific, and personalized. A bad subject line can land your important note in the trash, while a well-crafted one increases open rates, a 2019 study published in Advances in Social Sciences Research Journal showed. Insider spoke with career experts including Amanda Augustine and Dmitri Leonov to learn their secrets on crafting the perfect email subject line.

Finding questions to ask your interviewer is a crucial part of preparing for any job interview. But sometimes it's tricky to think up questions to ask on the spot. In addition, she said you may get " answers to questions you didn't even know to ask but are important." 'Beyond the hard skills required to successfully perform this job, what soft skills would serve the company and position best?' Find out more about the position you're applying for'Who would I be reporting to?'

☆ Don't make these 5 virtual interview mistakes—they can 'sabotage your candidacy' and cost you a job
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-03 | by ( Morgan Smith | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Between August and September, TopResume asked 330 U.S. hiring managers, recruiters and HR professionals to rank the worst offenses a candidate can commit during a virtual interview. How do you make proper eye contact with someone on a screen? The best place to conduct a virtual interview is a room that's clean, quiet and has good acoustics, Jeff Hyman, CEO of Recruit Rockstars, says. As for decorations, "if you would think twice about having something behind you in a cubicle at an office, then you probably shouldn't have it up during a job interview," Augustine says. Surprisingly, technical difficulties did not make the list of virtual interview deal-breakers.

Don't forget to include these 8 things in your resume when you're submitting applications or just keeping it up-to-date. Contact informationThis seems obvious, but candidates sometimes forget to include basic contact information, or they bury it at the bottom. "Some people will include their home and cell numbers, for example, but I find multiple contact choices to be confusing. You should still include details about these credentials in the education and professional development section of your resume, Augustine adds. This information should be grouped with your contact information at the top of your resume.

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