February 2010

Guest Blogger Vicki Bell is a professional recruiter for FedEx Office. She has worked in Human Resources for over 20 years, including 10 years as a recruiter at FedEx.

As a professional recruiter, I’ve had quite a few resumes cross my desk over the years. When sifting through piles of applications – particularly in a tough job market like the last year – a well written and targeted resume always catches my attention. If you’re applying for jobs and need to spruce up your resume, here are a few tips to help you stand out from the crowd.

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• Be Relevant: Make sure to highlight job skills and experience that align with the job description for which you’re applying.
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• Use Bullets: Resumes are often reviewed very quickly, and short bulleted sentences help the person reading your resume to easily scan it.  
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• Include Bold Font: When used sparingly, bold font calls attention to your accomplishments and make them pop.

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Riddle me this, small business owners: What stays in one place but moves all over? A promotional vehicle magnet, of course! With this mobile advertisement, you can keep your company name top of mind and get exposure as you drive each day. This type of signage can serve you in ways that static advertising can’t, so consider adding them to your marketing strategy to pique the interest of potential customers. 

The best part is that the magnets are removable, so you can change them out and replace as often as you like! Or, if your personal car doubles as your company car, you can remove them when you’re off the clock. Depending on your business, you could even do something seasonally or offer special discounts to customers who mention seeing the promotional magnet. ...read more

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I’m just going to put this out there -- I love Valentine’s Day! I love the candy, the pink and red decorations, the hearts, the mushiness…all of it. In fact, this day holds special meaning for me because my parents got engaged on Valentine’s Day exactly 31 years ago!

Some people aren’t fans of the holiday, but I think it’s fantastic.  What better opportunity do you have to tell the people in your life that you care about them? Last year, I found these adorable cards that said, “A Valentine to show you just how nice it is to know you.” It’s that spirit that makes me love Valentine’s Day so much. So when Cupid aims his arrow today, don’t duck! 
 

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When you’re thinking about what to give for Valentine’s Day, you may be tired of the same old gift ideas — chocolates, roses, jewelry, etc. This year, consider a handmade gift for the people you love, because they always seem to be the ones that are treasured long after the holiday has passed.

An easy-to-make gift is a booklet of love coupons. The coupons themselves can be for anything – cooking a meal, doing a chore or errand for your loved one, or just a fun activity. And because it’s totally customizable you can do this for absolutely anyone – a significant other or friend, kids, parents, and more. Think of it as giving the gift of time. ...read more

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