What to Give a Retiring Executive

It takes an entire career to climb to the top, so many executives remain in their c-suite seats for as long as they can. So, when the time finally comes for a senior business leader to buy a boat and move to Florida, as it were, companies should take the time to celebrate their retirement.

But, what do you give the executive who has everything? When a leader has spent years in their company role, they probably have all the company swag they could possibly need — and then some. Here are some elevated ideas for executive retirement gifts to lavish on your soon-to-be retiree:

Engraved Pen

A retired executive probably won’t be signing quite as many documents as they did when they were working, but a pen is always a useful tool to have on hand. Engraved with the name of the company, their title before retirement and perhaps some well wishes for the years to come. You can find high-quality engraved pens available in attractive sets that are worthy to be retirement gifts. A pen is an excellent option for the executive who seems to have everything already or who tends to be sentimental and enjoys having small tokens to remember important experiences.

Personalized Travel Bag

Travel is top of mind for many retirees, who have saved up for the ultimate, unending vacation. If you know your executive is looking forward to a few weeks, months or years on the road, you should help improve their travel experience with a high-quality, personalized travel bag. Most expectant travelers have all the luggage they will need, but they can benefit from travel storage packs, which help keep smaller sets of items organized within larger bags. Then again, large duffel bags can also be more convenient for short trips. Regardless of the type of bag, you should try to make it special with a printed or embroidered name.

Their Snack or Drink of Choice

Some executives gain a reputation for enjoying a particular snack at a particular time every day. Others make their drink preferences well-known at company parties. If you are certain about a particularly well-loved treat, you might buy an overabundance of it to surprise your soon-to-be retiree. Especially if their snack or drink of choice is shelf-stable, you might fill their office to overflowing, giving them enough of their favorite treat to last at least a few months into retirement. Alternatively, you could get them swag to use when consuming their snack or drink, like a special glass or bowl designed specifically for their special treat.

High-quality Subscription Box

Subscription boxes are gifts that keep on giving. Instead of just one box to open, retirees gain as many as you offer in the subscription — a few months or even a few years. There are subscription boxes for every interest: international snacks, book-of-the-month, seasonal puzzles, painting supplies and more. A subscription box that encourages relaxation and rest, perhaps with items like candles, bath supplies, cozy blankets and good books, should be a hit with any retiree.

An Online Course

Some retirees don’t relish the idea of so much unstructured time, and they want to be sure to stay sharp even into their golden years. Gifting an online course in a subject that is interesting to your retiree — but perhaps not directly related to the role they just vacated — is a good way to keep them busy and engaged but not necessarily stressed or overburdened with work. Many retirees like to pick up new hobbies; a course in painting or photography could provide your retiree with something to do in their spare time. Then again, some retirees just like the opportunity to continue learning, so courses in uncommon fields like animal psychology or film theory could be good ideas, too.

A Local Experience

More and more often, people are interested in acquiring experiences as opposed to physical items. Experiences don’t clutter the home but rather enrich the life, providing memories that can be revisited again and again. You should look for experiences in your area that your retiree might enjoy, like a Broadway play they haven’t seen or a hot air balloon ride. You should be sure to purchase enough space in the experience for your retiree and anyone they might want to bring, like a partner or children.

Every executive must step down at some point, and for some, the prospect of a retirement celebration takes a bit of the sting away from the end of their career. The right retirement gift communicates how much you appreciate their lifetime of work and wishes them well on their future endeavors. If nothing else seems to fit, a heartfelt, handwritten card should do the trick.

4 Online MBA Programs for Boosting Your Job Prospects in 2022

Online education continues to take the world by storm. In 2019, more than 32,000 students studied for an online MBA degree. Since the start of the pandemic, it's fair to say this number has grown exponentially.

Indeed, a new brand of students is turning to online colleges and universities, enticed by flexible class schedules, lower tuition costs, and the chance to pursue an advanced degree without uprooting their lives.

New programs are constantly launching and changing to accommodate emerging trends and the needs of potential students. Whether you're just starting on a journey of self-development or are looking for a way to make a change, there are a host of MBA programs tailored to your needs.

Here are details on four online MBA programs (in no particular order) that can boost your job prospects in 2022 and beyond:

1. Operations Management

In recent years, the rapid rise of e-commerce transactions has resulted in a new type of operations management. Put simply, operations management is the practice of planning, organizing, and controlling various processes to ensure companies can deliver products and services that customers need in the right quantities and at the right time and cost. Operations departments are similar, with a focus on production, manufacturing, quality control, and other aspects of the corporate business structure.

By earning an MBA with a specialization in operations management, you'll be better positioned to make decisions using an array of data, as well as make your business operations more efficient and effective. This focused MBA degree is one of the best preparation tools for a successful career in operations, production, or supply chain management.

2. Information Technology

Over the past few decades, IT has become the most crucial element of business success. After completing an MBA with an emphasis on information technology, you can focus on developing your expertise in the field and will have opportunities to apply this knowledge in practical settings. You'll also gain access to the latest technologies, allowing you to get ahead in the world of business.

These types of programs are designed to develop technology management skills, including database management and applications, computer architecture, operations research, data mining, and knowledge management. This degree will prepare you for positions in which you will be responsible for planning, analyzing, installing, or managing business or government information systems.

3. Project Management

From the office to the shop floor, project management is a crucial aspect of how companies operate — and you can obtain the skills necessary to make those processes run more effectively by earning an MBA focused on project management.

This MBA program will allow you to learn about and master a mix of technical skills, business processes, and soft skills needed to succeed in project management. You'll also learn advanced business principles and project management concepts to translate into your career. After concluding your studies, you'll be better prepared to take the reins of managing virtually any project.

This MBA can arm you with the knowledge and experience to help you stand out, no matter what types of projects you decide to undertake.

4. Entrepreneurship and Leadership

An MBA program with a focus on entrepreneurship aims to prepare students for careers in small-business management, corporate entrepreneurship, and an array of cutting-edge, applied business disciplines.

This degree program will also teach you how to apply various business strategies in order to open and establish your own company. An MBA with a specialization in entrepreneurship focuses both on in-class learning and practical experience. This program is an excellent way of getting a comprehensive view of all the aspects of the market in terms of commercialization, trends, and opportunities.

If you're planning to start your own business and/or aspire for a leadership role in the business sector, this MBA program is right for you.

Online Degrees Have Never Been More Attainable

From the comfort of your home office, kitchen table, or couch, you can easily transition to the world of online learning to develop a host of new skills. Now, a generation of students is taking advantage of flexible class schedules, lower tuition costs, and the freedom to study anytime, anywhere. It’s never been easier to earn an MBA in a way that fits your lifestyle and to help you build the career of your dreams. Academically rigorous and grounded in real-world application, online MBA programs appeal to professionals from diverse backgrounds.

Everything You Need to Consider When Planning a Post-COVID Career Change

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed a lot of things about the world, and about our lives. Some of these things are starting to return to normal due to the vaccine, but there is definitely the feeling that some parts of life, and some industries, will never be the same again. This is particularly the case for people whose careers stopped being viable during the lockdown periods, or who work in fields that are likely to continue to suffer economically for several years. As a result of this, more people than possibly ever before are considering career changes, and looking into how to retrain for a completely different job.

Changing career paths is not only something that people are having to do in the wake of the COVID-19 crisis either. As technology moves forward, many people have concerns that their current professions may soon become obsolete, and want to seek out a second (or even third) career in a more ‘futureproof’ role. And then of course, there are people who just want a change, or who decide they would like to retrain for a different career path after starting a family.

With so many reasons why you might want to start looking into changing careers, here, we’re going to look at all of the things you need to consider in picking out a second career and planning how you are going to become trained and qualified for it:

Weighing Up Your Options

When it comes to switching careers, the first decision you need to make is whether you want to seek out employment in a new role, or whether you want to start your own business. Starting a business naturally carries more risk, but if you have a good idea and are able to test its viability with some good market research, it can also be extremely rewarding – both personally and financially. If you decide on this option, however, it doesn’t necessarily mean you wouldn’t benefit from some further training and education. Even if the service you want your business to provide is something you are already an expert in, there are so many things involved in running, marketing and scaling up a business, that it may still be beneficial to consider doing a course such as an online business degree or even an MBA.

If you want to seek out an employed career, it’s wise to weigh up things like whether the career you have in mind will offer better long-term security than the career you are leaving. There are some jobs that will always be in high demand, such as teaching and nursing, which also offer quite flexible options when it comes to retraining. You can look into online degrees including accelerated programs for people with an existing degree in another field. A lot of highly regarded online colleges offer excellent programs for fields like education, such as Marymount University. We’ll look deeper into your retraining options later in this article.

If this kind of career doesn’t appeal to you, careers in STEM are also a good choice. Working in technology means that rather than being replaced by AI, software and robots, your job will be in the industry that creates them, and there are all kinds of roles for both technical and non-technical professionals in the IT industry – from development and data analysis through to project management and admin.

Creative careers, such as in graphic design or advertising, can also be a good option if that sort of work appeals to you, and these types of jobs generally give you the option of working for a company or working for yourself on a freelance basis once you have developed the right skills. This type of work didn’t take too much of a hit during the pandemic due to the fact it can be done remotely, and creative work is also thought to be among the last things AI will be able to do just as well as humans, so it has that futureproof factor.

As you can see, there are lots of viable options, and it really comes down to where your interests and talents lie which you should choose. It can also be worth considering whether the second career you choose will allow you to bring over skills from your previous career, which will not only make retraining easier but also make you more employable when you are a new graduate in the field. You can think outside of the box a little here. If you were previously a beautician who had to close your salon during lockdown, there are skills there that could carry over into nursing. If you were the branch manager of a shop, you likely have some skills that could carry over into logistics, HR, or even accountancy. Taking an inventory of all the things you actually have experience in may surprise you, and make it clearer which types of job you could be considering.

Planning Your Career Change

Unless you happen to already have all of the skills and qualifications you need for the career change or business venture you have in mind, you are probably going to need to go through a period of retraining. There are a few ways to approach this. If your current career is still providing you with work, you could consider carrying on working and studying part time. This will take longer, and will mean you will need to be careful about time management so you don’t get burnt out from working and studying at the same time, but it will mean you won’t have to go through a period without an income while you retrain.

If this isn’t an option because your previous job no longer exists, or because you want to change to your new career as fast as possible, then you will need to plan and budget for full time study. The first step is to look at what qualifications you need to enter your chosen new career, or, if you are starting a business instead of seeking employment, which skills you need to learn. You can then investigate what training options are available to you, what the costs involved are, and how long it will take.

You may also want to check your eligibility for things like accelerated programs, which are available for some professional degree courses if you already have a degree in another field. Equally, you will also want to check you are eligible to enroll on the course you want. In some cases, you may need to do an initial course before you can meet the enrolment requirements, and so this will need to be factored into your plans.

Once you know the costs and timescale, you can start to think about the practicalities. With COVID still very much an issue, more courses than ever are available to do from home, though online degrees were actually prevalent for most professions even before the pandemic.

Online study not only keeps you safer during the current situation, but also means you don’t have to budget for things related to attending a physical college, like commuting or relocating. Some online courses do require some time spent on campus, however, due to the need for some hands-on training or the use of special equipment, so make sure you know if this is the case for your course when you are planning.

Additionally, you should have a look at the job opportunities in your chosen new career, and get an idea of how long it might take you to find a position once you are qualified, as well as what kind of salary to expect in a graduate level job. Remember to factor in whether you need to do a work placement as part of your course.

Support

Planning the time and budget for you to retrain is only part of it when it comes to strategizing for a career change. You should also look into routes for financial support if you need them. In most cases, people taking online degrees are eligible for student loans, but you may also be able to secure funding from other sources like local government initiatives, depending on the type of career you are looking to train for, and your personal circumstances.

Financial support is not the only kind of support you may need to secure before you commit to retraining for a specific job, though. If you have a partner or family, you will want to make sure they are fully on board with your plans and ready to help you as you return to studying. It may mean a big shift in lifestyle for all of you while you are completing your course; for instance, you may need to set up a work space somewhere in your home, and ask your family not to disturb you during your study sessions.

The support of the people you live with may be even more important if you are studying part time while continuing to work, because this will undoubtedly mean you will have less time to spend with them and may need more help than usual with domestic duties you normally take care of, so that you can study as much as you need to when you aren’t working.

The Practical Side

Once you have considered all of these things and know the career change you want, the courses you can take to make it happen, and you’ve worked out the budget and timeframe you need, you are essentially ready to get started and enroll. You should know from your research what the enrolment periods are for the course you want to take with the college you’ve chosen.

Now it is time to start thinking about the practical side of where and how you are going to study to complete your program within the timeframe you planned. If it is a long time since you actively studied anything full time, be aware that it may take you a few weeks to really nail down a routine that works for you, especially if you have never studied online or from home before. Don’t be too ambitious with your goals and schedules for the first couple of weeks, then, and wait until you have found a way of working that is productive for you before you start pushing things hard.

It can be good, however, to begin thinking about what a typical day will look like when you are studying full time. Where will you incorporate exercise into your day? When and what will you eat? Will you study during normal working hours, or do you prefer to start in the afternoon and work through into the evening? How will you schedule your studying around things like childcare commitments? Having an idea of the kind of routine you could fit around your life without overdoing things or neglecting other commitments can help you shape an initial schedule, which you can then tweak as you begin to discover what does and doesn’t work for you when you actually start doing your course.

One other thing you will definitely need from a practical perspective is a comfortable working environment, with a proper office chair and a good desk. While one of the advantages of an online course is that you can effectively study anywhere, including on your phone when you are out and about, you will be spending several hours of most study days sitting at your computer. This can lead to all kinds of health problems if you don’t have a good ergonomic working set-up, so if you need to invest in this stuff, get it before your course begins. You will also need a reliable internet connection and a decent computer, so if you need to upgrade these things, now is the time to do it.

Hopefully, once you have tackled all of these questions and considerations, you will be feeling positive, motivated, and ready to get started on your path towards an interesting new career. Good luck!

Which Business Degree is Right for You?

When you think about business degrees, the first type of program that comes to mind is probably the Master of Business Administration degree or MBA. The MBA has become almost synonymous with executive education, and not without good cause: MBA programs offer comprehensive, thorough formation, which is very likely to produce competent business leaders.

However, MBAs are not the only type of business degree out there. There are alternative and generalist programs, such as the Master in Management (MiM) and the Master of Business Analytics (MBAn), which may be better suited to you depending on your level of experience and on the specific kind of business leadership you have in mind. Additionally, a host of specialized business degrees has now been developed, including the Master of Health Administration (MHA), the Master of Supply Chain Management (MSCM), and the Master of Accounting (MAcc). These degrees may well be a better choice for you if you are interested in becoming an executive leader in a specific field. Here are some of the differences between these programs.

The Master of Business Administration (MBA)

The MBA is a generalist business degree geared towards those who already have several years of business leadership and are looking to accelerate their career progression. MBA students tend to be in the latter half of their twenties or in their thirties, and their goal is often to increase their income and/or to access executive roles, which will allow them to set strategic goals for their company. MBAs are also popular among managers who wish to work outside of their home country, and some universities offer dedicated International MBA programs.

As a generalist degree, the MBA educates leaders across fields of expertise, offering modules in areas such as finance, marketing, entrepreneurship, and critical thinking. If you have a few years of management experience and are itching to advance your career, an MBA may well be the right program for you.

The Master in Management (MiM)

The MiM is another generalist degree, and as such, it covers similar areas of teaching and learning to an MBA. The key difference between the two is that while the MBA targets students who already have a few years of management experience under their belt, the MiM is geared towards those who have no or little executive work experience. Applicants are generally in their early to mid-twenties and can enter many MiM programs straight after their undergraduate degree. After graduation, those who have earned a Master in Management can work in many different sectors and will have job titles which include words such as 'Consultant' or 'Analyst', whereas MBA graduates will have access to more senior leadership roles such as 'Chief Executive Officer' or 'Chief Operating Officer'.

In summary, while an MBA is a career accelerator, a MiM is a career kickstarter. If you are a recent graduate and you don't want to spend years working in entry-level and junior positions before you can progress in your career, consider enrolling in a Master in Management program.

The Master of Business Analytics (MBAn)

Data analysts are some of the most in-demand professionals in today's rapidly evolving business world. As business decisions become increasingly data-driven, a Master of Business Analytics — also sometimes called Master of Science in Business Analytics, or MSBA — will give you an edge over other candidates for business analyst, data analyst, machine learning officer, data scientist, and information technology officer jobs, among others. An MBAn is another generalist business degree in the sense that it can be applied to many different sectors, from technical services to finance to public administration and beyond. If you choose to study for an MBAn, your curriculum is likely to include business and finance education modules similar to those offered in an MBA or a MiM, alongside more specialized data-related modules such as those covering Python and other programming languages, data analysis, and machine learning.

To successfully complete an MBAn, you are likely to need an academic background in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (the so-called STEM subjects. Many programs allow you to enroll straight after completing your undergraduate degree, although some prior work experience is often recommended. An MBAn will turn you into a competitive, confident business analyst with an edge. If you have a background in a STEM subject and enjoy coding software and analyzing trends, this may well be the business education program for you.

The Master of Supply Chain Management (MSCM)

Expertise in supply chain management is likely to become increasingly sought after as the COVID-19 pandemic continues. The double whammy dealt to the global supply chain by the pandemic and the obstruction of the Suez Canal due to a stuck container ship in March of this year — and, in the United Kingdom, the additional wreckage caused by Brexit — have highlighted both the importance and the fragility of supply chains across industries. A Masters's in Supply Chain Management will give you the skills to navigate these obstacles and will make you a sought-after business manager.

Unlike an MBA or a MiM, the MSCM is considered a specialized business degree. It focuses on teaching students about the technology, strategy, and analysis methods necessary to implement successful supply chain management policies. Nevertheless, curricula also contain education in broader business knowledge, and this type of degree, like those explored above, is applicable across industries. Applicants generally need a good head for numbers, and most come from a STEM undergraduate degree. Previous work experience is often not required, as graduates typically enter the workforce at the level of a junior manager; typical job titles include 'logistics planner', 'operations manager', and 'supply chain analyst'. If you are a practical-minded person with a passion for organization, this business degree may be for you.

The Master of Healthcare Administration (MHA)

Another specialized degree with great relevance to today's world and its challenges is the Master of Health Administration or MHA. This degree will prepare you for jobs such as 'Hospital Administrator', 'Nurse Manager' or 'Group Practice Administrator', as well as any other management position in a hospital or other healthcare setting. Previous work experience in a relevant job is required for admission to some MHA programs, though others have waived that requirement and simply list work experience as 'recommended'. Nevertheless, given the highly specialized nature of this degree compared to those explored so far, it may be a good idea for you to spend some time working or volunteering in a healthcare setting prior to enrolling in an MHA program to ensure that this is the right sector for you. You don't want to spend significant time and money learning how to be a leader in an industry that you're not actually suited for!

There is an MHA vs. MBA debate raging on the Web, fuelled mainly by the fact that some universities offer MBA programs with a specialization in healthcare. The main difference between an MHA and a 'healthcare MBA' is that the MBA will offer general business, finance, and marketing modules alongside healthcare-related modules. In an MHA, all courses and case studies will be specific to healthcare. A healthcare MBA will therefore be a better option for those who think they would like to work in healthcare but also want to keep open the option to work as business leaders in other fields, whereas an MHA will suit those who are determined to have a career in healthcare administration and management.

The Master of Accounting (MAcc)

As the name suggests, a Master of Accounting will prepare you for a career in accountancy and will allow you to become a Certified Public Accountant, a chartered accountant, an auditor, or a corporate controller. Some MAcc programs are designed specifically as 'conversion courses' for those who wish to enter the accounting profession but have an undergraduate degree in another field, whereas others will require previous work experience in accountancy. MAcc degrees typically offer leadership education and encourage their students to question existing auditing practices and policies, as well as teaching more technical skills such as financial reporting, auditing, and research methods. This is the degree for you if you have your heart set on a career in accountancy and have the required mathematical and critical thinking skills.

So, which business degree is right for you?

Choosing a graduate business degree is an important step in your life that should be given appropriate consideration. A key factor that is likely to influence your final decision is the amount of previous work experience you have: if you are a recent college graduate with little experience, you will need to exclude certain programs such as most MBAs, whereas if you have several years of management work under your belt a MiM will probably be too basic for you. Furthermore, if you have your heart set on a specific field, you should consider studying for a specialized degree such as an MHA or a MAcc, whereas a more generalist degree will allow you to keep your options open.

Another factor to consider is that many universities will offer graduate executive education programs both as full-time and part-time courses. You can also choose whether to study in person or via remote learning, an option that has become more popular (and often unavoidable) during the pandemic.

In conclusion, graduate business degrees can look very different from each other. Take time to explore your options and make sure you choose the best program for your circumstances and career goals!

Skills You Need for Career Success

Do you want to have a successful career? If yes, you need to acquire knowledge and skills to stay ahead in the competition of your specific niche. In addition to your academic background, you can also learn other skills from research projects, studying abroad, and through internships. These skills are called soft or transferable skills.

The good thing about transferable skills is that you can apply them in any profession. If your goal is to have professional success, reskilling is the best solution. The following are the essential skills you need to acquire to make the best of your career.

Problem solving

Keep in mind that you will encounter different challenges in any job you have. With this, you need to enhance your problem solving and analytical thinking skills. So, you can overcome difficulties, formulate solutions and make effective decisions.

Discipline

Without discipline, any organization will not succeed. If you have the skill to discipline yourself, you can improve your performance at work. It can also help you to apply professionalism in your job.

Communication

Communication is crucial for the success and growth of any career. It involves speaking, writing, and listening. If you wish to get the career path you want, you need to effectively and clearly express your ideas and thoughts. If you’re a good communicator, you may convince others about your purpose.

As a good listener, you can better understand the emotions of others, resolve conflicts and establish strong relationships.

With your communications skills, you can deliver your messages effectively. It can avoid miscommunication which can lead to some conflicts at work.

Initiative

The initiative is also an important skill to make the best of your job. It means you can handle situations proactively and find answers to questions without authority. It can convince employers that you develop your leadership abilities and takes personal responsibility. It will show your sincerity and dedication to your work. You make sure that your tasks are done correctly.

Teamwork

Teamwork is crucial for the success of any organization. So, you should include teamwork in your reskilling process. By enhancing your teamwork skills, you can respectfully and effectively work with others, including your clients and coworkers. Note that employers want a person who brings out the best in other people.

Work ethic, professionalism

Work ethic and professionalism are essential skills if you want a successful career. Being professional means, you display personal accountability for your work habits and actions. Make sure to know the effects of your non-verbal communication. Work with others productively and show up always on time. You should learn from your mistakes and be responsible for showing ethical behavior and integrity.

Quantitative, analytical

It is important to acquire quantitative and analytical skills. Thus, a thoughtful analysis will help you create informed decisions and identify problems. These skills allow you to handle challenges positively and effectively. You can ask essential questions, assess situations, plan actions and make possible solutions. With these, you can formulate the most effective actions to produce the best results for your job.

Detail-oriented

Being a detail-oriented person is an advantage if you want to enhance your career. As a detail-oriented individual, you can complete your tasks with accuracy and thoroughness. You can double-check your work to make sure that it is error-free. It will help you convince employers that you have high standards when it comes to performing your duties and responsibilities. It means that you are very careful since you don’t want to disappoint your team.

Leadership

Leadership is another skill you need to acquire. With your leadership abilities, you can get the trust of others, including your team and clients. As a leader, you can apply your emphatic skills to organize, motivate, delegate and prioritize tasks.

Digital technology

In today’s modern generation, technology continues to evolve. That’s why it is an advantage for you to have skills in digital technology. Usually, employers offer training for job-specific software. Therefore, it is important to learn basic computer skills and technical tools efficiently.

Adaptability

Another skill you should possess is adaptability. It means that you are flexible enough to adapt to different situations as they arise. Employers want workers who can quickly adapt to new concepts for the success of their company. With your adaptability skills, you can shift plans easily to get the best results from your projects.

Why is it important to acquire these skills?

If you wish to have a successful career, acquiring the skills we mentioned above is a must. It can offer you the following benefits.

Offer more job opportunities

With these skills, you can have more job opportunities. Furthermore, you can choose the best career that suits your skills, passion, and knowledge. In addition, you can also have a chance to get higher salaries.

Professional and personal development

Reskilling can help for your personal and professional development. So, acquiring new skills can be a good investment to unlock career opportunities for you. You can learn to deal with many challenges positively and effectively.

Gain experience

As you train to acquire essential skills, you can gain experience that can offer you satisfaction. The next time you face any problem at work, you will learn how to solve them calmly.

Increase your confidence

If you learn the transferable skills, you can increase your confidence. These skills can be applied to any job, so you can make sure that you can perform your duties well. Armed with your skills, you’re confident that you can do your tasks in the best possible way.

Conclusion

With the right skills like what we mentioned in this article, you can have a successful career. It takes patience and hard work to learn the knowledge and skills you need for a job. However, it is worth it since you can perform your job effectively. Your skills also help you to establish good relationships with your team and clients.

Do you want to make the best of your career? Then, it is time to invest in reskilling now.

How to Handle References on Your Resume [Full Guide]

When applying for jobs, it’s essential to have references on your resume.

People who can vouch for you can help you win a job? By speaking to your skills and character, they’ll let your potential employer know that you’re a worthwhile hire.

If you’re curious about how to handle resume references, look no further. We’ll tell you everything you need to know, and we’ll explain what you should and shouldn’t do.

Let’s get started!

1. Carefully Select Your References

If you want to land your dream job, choose your references carefully.

The people you ask should be able to vouch for your skills as an employee. So, it’s better to ask people with whom you have a professional relationship.

That means you shouldn’t ask a family member or friend. Instead, ask a boss, co-worker, or a professor from your university to recommend you for a position.

You should also choose your references based on the job you’re applying for. It's best not to ask a boss in an industry that doesn’t line up with the kind of work you'd like to do.

But if you don’t have a lot of job experience, asking a boss in an unrelated the industry is your best option.

2. Get Accurate Contact Information

If a person agrees to be a reference, make sure you have the correct contact information.

They won’t be much help if you can’t provide a way for the hiring manager to contact them!

Here’s a list of contact info you should include on your resume:

• Their full name
• The name of the company they work for
• Their current job title
• Their business address
• Accurate contact information such as a phone number and email
• Their relationship to you.

If you haven’t spoken to a reference in a while, reach out to them. Make sure that their address and phone number haven’t changed.

It wouldn’t hurt to catch up with them, either. A past co-worker or boss might be curious about how your career is going. A quick update can give them some things to discuss when they talk to your hiring manager.

3. List References Correctly

Believe it or not, there’s actually a correct way to list references on your resume.

The the hiring manager is likely to call the person at the top of the list first. So, you should list your references in the order that you want the manager to call them.

You should also make a list specifically for private job searches (more on this below).

Put References With Outstanding Reviews on Top

At the top of your list, you should put down a few people who you know would give you a fantastic review.

Of course, if someone has already agreed to be a reference, they’re going to say good things about you. But some references may provide better reviews than others.

It’s likely a hiring manager won’t contact everyone on your list. That’s why you should list the people who will give you glowing reviews first.

Have a List of References for Private Job Searches

It’s hard to ask your boss for a reference when you’re still working at the company. If you’re uncomfortable asking your current boss, use people from past jobs.

If your boss finds out you are thinking about quitting, that could be bad news! So it’s best to keep your job search discreet by leaving your current employer out of it.

4. Send Your Resume to Your References

Even if someone agrees to be a reference, they may not know everything about you. Give them a copy of your resume to let them know about all of your accomplishments.

Yes, they can probably attest to your skills as an employee. But if they want to reference your other skills, your resume will help them to do so.

If you’ve written a strong resume, it should outline your talents, skills, and experiences. Your references can refer to it while they’re talking to your hiring manager.

In order to highlight all of your skills and accomplishments, your references need to have a copy.

Side note: If you know if a company will contact your reference soon, give them a heads up.

5. Only Provide References if Necessary

Don’t send references unless a job description asks for them. The manager won’t call them until the very end of the hiring process, so they don’t need them right now.

Once you are invited to interview for the position, then you should bring your list. If the hiring manager requests it via email, be sure to send it over in a timely fashion.

Keep in mind that a hiring manager might not ask for them during your interview. Or, they might wait until they've narrowed down their list of candidates to a few people before they reach out to references.

Regardless of the scenario, it doesn’t hurt to go into the interview prepared. But, it’s best not to offer up your references unless they ask.

In Summary

When you apply for jobs, you need to have a list of people who can vouch for you. This is how your future employer will verify that you’re a strong candidate.

Put careful thought into your choices. Based on who you select, make sure you have their correct contact information.

Strong references can help you stand out from the rest of the applicants when you’re applying for work. Even though not all companies ask for them, it never hurts to have some people lined up just in case.

Now, it’s time to get to work. Start jotting down the names of some people who are aware of your value. You’re a talented, hard-working professional, so they’ll have no problem putting in a good word for you!

Author Bio:

Angus Flynn has five years of Property Management experience. His ability to consistently deliver white-glove service to his residents and prospects has propelled him into a successful career that now finds him leading the team at 837 Harvard.

5 Networking Ideas To Give Your Professional Career A Kickstart in 2020

There’s no doubt that networking is a great way to fast track your career. When you network, you increase the likelihood of being hired and receiving promotions. However, finding appropriate networking opportunities isn’t always as straightforward as it seems. If you attempt to network in the wrong way or in the wrong place, the repercussions could move your career backward instead of forward. Here are five networking ideas to give your professional career a kickstart in 2020.

1. Feel More Comfortable

If you’re uncomfortable at networking events, you may avoid attending in the first place. Learn to feel more comfortable by adjusting how you think about networking. Networking has a long history. From the very beginning of commerce, people have wanted to be in business with others that they know and trust. If they didn’t know someone personally, that person would offer a reference — a name that was familiar to both of them. That’s networking in its purest form. Essentially, networking is just a meet and greet where people congregate to find things in common with other career-minded people. Hopefully, this will make you feel more comfortable about the whole networking process.

2. Choose Appropriate Networking Venues

The next order of business is to make a list of good networking venues. You can find local events specifically dedicated to networking in your city event calendar and on sites such as Meetup.com. You’ll also want to leverage your own private memberships. For example, if you belong to the country club and golf in Brooksville, you can use your visits to network with fellow members.

3. Listen and Learn

One of the most common mistakes that inexperienced networkers make is to talk too much about their own projects. A successful networker understands that others are more impressed if you can demonstrate that you are a good listener. Strive to listen more than you speak. You’ll learn more that way and you’ll make a better impression on fellow attendees.

4. Follow Through on Promises

It’s no use making new connections unless you follow through on your promises to them. When you meet new people at the networking event, you’ll probably tell them that you’ll get in touch at some point in the future. Make sure that you do so. As soon as you get back home, organize all the business cards you’ve collected. Enter dates into your calendar so you can be sure to get back to your new contacts in a timely manner. Following through on your promises is an integral part of proper networking etiquette. It will show people that you are reliable and dependable.

5. Host Your Own Networking Event

Another great way to give your professional career a kickstart in 2020 is to host your own networking event. Doing so will establish you as a leader rather than a follower. To host your own networking event, determine the theme and size of the event. Once you’ve decided on a theme, rent out a venue and send out invitations. The beauty of this idea is that you can invite attendees you haven’t personally met yet, which will increase your own networking circle.

These five networking ideas will give your professional career a kickstart in 2020. Remember, the first step is to make the decision to attend more networking events. Once you do that, the rest will fall into place.

7 Resume Formatting Tips to Double Your Chances of Being Noticed

Hate your boss? Looking to make a career change? Moving to a new city?

Whatever your reason, if you’re looking for a new job, there’s one thing you’ll need:

A strong resume.

Whether you have an old resume that needs polishing or wants to create a brand-new one, keep reading. Here are seven resume formatting tips to double your chances of being noticed!

1. Keep It Clean

While resume formats vary slightly from industry to industry, there’s one rule that holds true for all:

It must be easy to read.

Don’t get fancy with your fonts or styling. Stick to one or two professional, easy-to-read fonts like Calibri, Cambria, Garamond, or Book Antiqua.

Keep your headers simple as well: Education, Experience, Summary, and Skills. You want the person reading it to be able to identify each section with ease.

If you’re starting from scratch or if your resume is a bit outdated, choose a modern template. Just make sure that it’s appropriate for your field or profession.

2. Focus on the Top Third of Page One

The top third of the first page is going to get the most attention. So, make sure it is clear, concise, and inclusive of all of your most important information.

This part of your resume should include your contact info, career summary, and the details of your most recent job. Be sure to include some bold, attention-grabbing phrases!

If you have a resume from ten years ago that you’re looking to polish, there’s a good chance it includes an “objective” portion at the top. It goes without saying that your objective is to get the job, so ditch that in favor of a career summary.

3. Add a Skills Section

The more resumes an employer receives, the more likely it is that they will scan them looking for relevant information.

Highlighting your skills allows them to do exactly that.

Without having to read through all of your previous job experiences, a skills section lets the employer know exactly what you bring to the table.

You can detail your skills in a bulleted list or create subsections with specific skills listed in different categories.

For example, if you’re a marketing manager, you may want a subsection that looks like this:

Digital Marketing (SEO, affiliate marketing, PPC advertising)

An IT professional might have one that looks like this:

Software Development (CSS, HTML, Javascript)

The trick to creating a powerful skills section is to make it specific. List both hard and soft skills, and mention any software programs or systems that you know. (Just don’t include the obvious, such as Microsoft Word.)

4. Show Your Accomplishments

If you’ve received awards or special recognition at previous jobs, mention them. Including specific accomplishments is a great way to show that you have been a valued employee in the past (and that you’re likely to be one in the future).

Whenever possible, back up your claims and accolades with numbers and metrics.

For example, don’t just say you were recognized as the top salesperson in your territory. Instead, say that you were recognized as the top salesperson in your territory for doing $10 million in sales last quarter.

5. Use Page Two

There’s nothing wrong with including a second page, as long as your experience warrants it.

A second page is perfectly acceptable if you have an extensive work history. And if you are applying for a managerial or executive-level position, it’s actually expected.

Just as you shouldn’t pad your resume with useless info, you also shouldn’t omit relevant information because it doesn’t fit on the first page.

And don’t use a super small font in the hopes of saving space, either.

To make your resume easy to read, use a font that's no smaller than 10 points and leave some white space between sections. These elements are much more important than cramming all of your information onto one hard-to-read page.

6. Include Links

Adding links to your resume offers your potential employer a chance to learn more about you. Include a link to your LinkedIn profile and a link to your personal website if you have one.

If you’re applying for a creative position, include a link to your online portfolio as well.

You can make your resume stands out even more by including a video link. Just make sure that the video is brief (one to two minutes long), professional, and focuses on why you are the best candidate for the job.

Any links that you include should be in the header section of your resume.

7. Add Some Color

While it’s best to print your resume in black ink on white paper, there’s nothing wrong with adding a little color. In fact, a small touch of color is a great way to make your resume stand out and get noticed.

We’re not talking about adding bold, bright colors or multicolored text. We’re talking about the addition of subtle colors such as light blue, light green, or pale yellow. You can use these colors to highlight certain sections of your resume or create header boxes for each subsection.

Don’t feel comfortable adding color to your resume? Something as simple as a light grey header box can help your resume stand out in a large pile.

In Summary

Regardless of the job you’re applying for, you can be sure that you’ll have plenty of competition. So make sure your resume is formatted to attract attention (in the right way, of course).

• Keep the fonts simple and easy to read
• Make sure the top third of the first page includes all of your most important information
• Add a skills section to highlight your experience
• Mention any special accomplishments or awards you’ve received from previous employers
• Include a second page if you can’t fit your relevant experience on page one
• Include links to your personal website, online portfolio, and LinkedIn account
• Add some color by highlighting header boxes or specific sections

Apply these formatting tips to your resume and you’ll have a much better chance of securing an interview. And that’s where you’ll really be able to impress!  

Author bio:

Working with Broadstone Market Station, Angus Flynn has more than five years of experience in the multifamily housing industry. In his free time, you will find him enjoying life on the Lake and spending time with friends.