7 Tips for Finding the Perfect Business Name

7 Tips for Finding the Perfect Business Name Never underestimate the power of a brand name. The name of your business is going to play a role in forming your customers’ first impressions, and will help define the nature and identity of your brand. Unfortunately, too many business owners neglect this stage of the process, choosing the first business name that comes to mind or failing to see the negative connotations of the name they chose. So what’s the right way to come up with a business name? Tips for Getting the Perfect Name Assuming you’ve already written your business plan and you know what your business is about, these tips can help you find the perfect name: Be prepared to generate lots of options. It’s unlikely that you’ll find the perfect business name in a flash of inspiration, or in a bid to come up with the perfect idea in a single brainstorming session. Instead, it’s more likely you’ll come across something that fits only after generating dozens, if not hundreds of candidates. Be prepared to generate lots of names before you finalize your decision. Do your research. You’ll also need to do your research in advance. You can start by looking at companies like yours that already exist, and study their names. You can’t copy these names, obviously, but you can take inspiration from them. Which features seem to work? Which features don’t? When you come up with name ideas, you’ll also need to look them up to see if they’re already taken in your state. That way, you can avoid investing too heavily in a name that’s already been used. Get creative. Try to make your business’s name unique. If it sounds too much like a hundred other businesses that are already in existence, it isn’t going to be memorable. And depending on the industry, if you just use your name as the title of the business, people might think you’re boring. Get experimental, and come up with something original. Make it simple. At the same time, it’s wise to keep your business name simple. The shorter your name is, the easier it will be to remember and replicate. Plus, it will probably be easier to spell, so you can have fewer miscommunications and ensure your brand isn’t misrepresented in publications. Having a brand name that’s easy and intuitive to pronounce is also beneficial. Translate and check. If you’ve come up with a unique name, it’s a good idea to see how it translates to other languages, so you can proactively avoid a PR disaster. In some cases, your unique business name might translate to a profane or confusing word in another language. In other cases, the direct translation of your business name (or its tagline) could cause problems in other markets. If you’re focusing on English speakers in the United States, it may not be much of a problem, but it’s worth warding off these potential issues ahead of time. Be careful with puns and jokes. You might be tempted to come up with a clever pun or a play on words for your business, but exercise caution here. An inventive, genuinely funny, and charming play on words can make your business even more appealing. But if you go too over-the-top, people might not take you seriously. Depending on the joke, you may seem unoriginal, or you may seem too gimmicky for the average customer. Test the name. Once you have a handful of name candidates in mind, start testing them out with your target demographics. Ask people to tell you what they think the business does after only hearing the name, and ask them if they have any positive or negative connotations upon hearing it. After a few rounds of testing, you should either have a frontrunner, or be motivated to go back to the drawing board with more information about how your demographics think. Claiming Your Name Once you have the perfect name for your business, it’s time to start claiming. If you’re starting an LLC or a corporation, you may need to register your formal business name with your state. You may also want to claim your domain name as early as possible, to avoid someone else poaching it. From there, you’ll want to claim your handles and profiles on social media. While it’s possible to change your business’s name in the future, for most entrepreneurs, this is the name you’ll stick with indefinitely. Make sure it’s a good one.

Great Resume Writing Tips

Great Resume Writing TipsThere are many things to consider when it comes to great resume writing. Your personal details, your work history and job interview experience are all important when you go out to get your resume. All of this can be on top of the resume itself, and you want to make sure that everything is accounted for.The first thing that you need to consider is a great resume cover letter. You want your resume to stand out when other people look at it. A well-written cover letter will do just that. It will help you get an interview.However, there are certain things that you need to know about resume writing. One of these is that people will judge your resume by how much you've written about yourself. You will want to ensure that you write in general terms.After this, it's important to make sure that you include your work history and any personal information that you have on your resume. Keep your accomplishments specific, but keep them general. Also remember to use the word 'job'job reference number' in all of your work listings. This will help you differentiate yourself from other people with the same job title.Finally, you should know that you want to make sure that your resume is not too long. You also want to be able to be competitive when you are applying for a job. People are much more likely to send your resume if they think that you have something really amazing to offer them.Most importantly, when you are writing your resume, you should make sure that you are choosing a few key keywords and phrases. These key words will help you stand out from the crowd and they will also make it easier for the people that are reviewing your resume to find what you have to offer. Be sure that you stick to your topic of expertise when you are creating your resume, but be flexible when it comes to using your keywords.Finally, you should make sure that you make your resume as good as possible. This can be accomplished by using different fonts and bolding or unde rlining certain sections. It can also be done by making sure that your resume is properly formatted.With all of these tips in mind, you will be able to go out and begin getting great resume writing done. Just make sure that you are aware of the importance of good resume writing. You should also make sure that you are prepared to go out and get a job interview when you are trying to get your resume written.

Lost in Your Career Figure it out FAST

Lost in Your Career Figure it out FAST Lost in Your Career Figure it out FAST I get it. You’re stuck. You don’t know what you want to do next and it’s blocking you from finding a job. Well, you know what? There are ways to figure it out. Time to get over that hurdle and move into job search mode. Get out of “goal-land” and into the active pursuit of your next career chapter. Some motivating principles for you: It’s not a life sentence. Your next move is not a life sentence. You can try something new and if you don’t like that, you can re-group later. Oh, and don’t focus on 5-year goals or what you want to do in 10 years. Just think about what you like and don’t like for your next gig. You’ll never be sure. You’ll never be 100% sure it’s the right move until you’ve been in your next role for at least two years. And give it that much time. Year one is just learning. Year two is when you can really make an impact and gauge if you are satisfied. You’re not alone. There are many people in the same boat you are. However, will you be the one who picks something and gets off the boat? Or the one who sits in the boat, using the same old, “I don’t know what I want,” excuse for not looking for a job? You’ve got choices. Look at the process of picking your next career move as if it were a shopping experience. You get to “window shop” at multiple opportunities, and then pick a few career targets for your next experience to “try on.” You CAN take two. It’s okay to have two job search goals. I don’t recommend more than that. One of my clients today, Michael, is aiming at two quite different career changes. One, an information technology (IT) applications specialist and, two, a customer-facing consultant. They are very discreet and we are separating his search efforts by these two goals. He is applying to positions in both and we’ll see where he lands soon. Have a Plan B.Imagine a dartboard. Draw one. First, define the position that is smack in the middle, the bull’s eye. Now have a career goal that is in the second circle, as well. Call them Plan A and Plan B. You have many choices to accelerate your career move decisions. After all, the sooner you resolve what you want to do next, the sooner you can search more effectively and begin working at your new position, right? Books such as my own Cut the Crap, Get a Job! and many others are designed to share insights to help you assess your goal and then reach that goal via a more effective job search process. Read many job descriptions. Hundreds. It’s simple and fun, so block some chunks of time. Try this exercise on picking your goal:Go to any of the big job boards such as Monster.com, Indeed.com, Glassdoor.com. Don’t be selective about city location or industry or company. Focus on function (roles, responsibilities) to figure out what you would enjoy doing eight-to-five.Make a “Yes” pile and a “No” pile no “maybe” pile based on the descriptions and key words you read and envision yourself in each job. If you enjoy helping customers, then look at sales and customer service roles. You will find many different titles and roles within each function. For example, within sales, you will see inside sales, outside sales, sales operations, etc. Learn about them and identify the titles and job descriptions you will apply for in the future. Coaches. While we coaches are an investment, we can accelerate the time to complete your goal-determination process. I quickly guide my clients through the steps to define their goals; then we head immediately into job search mode. How do you know when you are there? You’re on track when you can fill in the following blanks: I am looking for a position in the [fill in blank] or in [fill in blank] . Example: I am looking for a customer service job in the banking or consumer goods industries in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Kudos to you for recognizing you need to resolve your goal barrier. Now you can start searching with a lot more confidence, conviction, and energy!

The Top 5 Things You Must Remember for Your Interview - CareerAlley

The Top 5 Things You Must Remember for Your Interview - CareerAlley We may receive compensation when you click on links to products from our partners. The other day I was asked to interview someone at the last minute because the hiring manager was called into a meeting. It takes a lot of time and effort to land an interview and the last thing you want to do is to blow it. Well, thats exactly what this guy did. He was a really nice guy, but he just seemed to make one blunder after another. So many, in fact, that he was the inspiration for todays post. We all know the basics make a great first impression, make sure the hiring manager knows that you have what it takes to do the job and do your research on the company and the interviewers. Lets face it, we all make mistakes and sometimes things dont go as planned. But todays post is not about the human errors we sometimes make, its about being prepared. So rather than focus on all of the things this guy did wrong (that is a topic for another post), I thought I would focus on the top things you should remember when preparing for your interview. So what do you need to remember to help ensure you are at your best? Read on. 1. Dont be late: I am a fanatic about getting to interviews on time. I make sure I know where Im going and how long it should take to get there. If I have time, I do a trial run to the location. Once I know how long it should take me to get there, I add 30 minutes on so that Im there early. There is always the unexpected traffic jam or maybe mass transportation is late. In most buildings these days, you have to sign in to security and that could take awhile if there is a line. No matter how early I am, I dont let anyone know Im there until 5-10 minutes before the interview. Getting there too early can be disruptive as well. 2. Research the company and the interviewer(s): Whether or not your[easyazon_link asin=1118112903 locale=US new_window=default nofollow=default tag=caree07-20 add_to_cart=default cloaking=default localization=default popups=default]interview[/easyazon_link] is at a company that was on your list, you should know everything you can about the company. What they do, how many employees they have why it would (or wouldnt) be a good fit for you. LinkedIn is a great tool for this, but you can also look at sites like Fortune.com and Forbes.com to get more information on the company. Dont forget to look at the LinkedIn profile of the interviewer(s). Lastly, leverage LinkedIn to find people you know who work there (or used to work there) to get the inside scoop. 3. Read the Job Description: Sounds pretty basic, but youd be surprised how many people go into an interview without fully reading and understanding the job description. To the interviewer, not knowing the job description will look like you dont care (or are not qualified). Design your[easyazon_link asin=159863853X locale=US new_window=default nofollow=default tag=caree07-20 add_to_cart=default cloaking=default localization=default popups=default]interview questions[/easyazon_link] (and answers to questions) around the job description, focusing on why you are the right person for the job. Reference specific job description terminology and tie this to your relevant experience. Ensure your questions are not repetitive and do not cover material already discussed in the interview. 4. Communications: Following on from #3 above, communications is a two way street and you need to leverage both your listening and speaking skills. But communications is not limited to the spoken word, non-verbal communications can be as or more important than verbal communications. Body language, facial expressions and shaking hands are all an important part of the process. Last, but not least, is eye contact. Look your interviewer(s) in the eyes, do not look away when answering questions. Be confident in our ability and conviction that you are the best candidate for the job. 5. Prepare Your Sales Pitch: Lets face it, an interview is a sales pitch. You are selling you and your ability as the best candidate for the job. At some point in the interview, you are likely to have a question regarding your background. Use this time to deliver your pitch. As mentioned in #3 above, include accomplishments that compliment the job description. There needs to be a delicate balance between selling and over-sell. Practice your sales pitch with friends and family prior to your interview. Another good technique is to practice in the mirror. One last piece of advice, record your sales pitch and listen back. You are likely to hear things that you will want to adjust before your real performance (and yes, it is a performance). Take a look at Job Search Marketing Toolkit Your Elevator Speech. Above all, try to relax in your interview. This will show that you are confident you your abilities and experience. 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 what where job title, keywords or company city, state or zip jobs by

The Golden Handcuffs Only Get Tighter - Hallie Crawford

The Golden Handcuffs Only Get Tighter I really enjoy the clients I get to know and the stories that I hear in my group coaching calls. In one of my calls last week, my client Lori, shared with us that her job had gotten better for her. Over holidays last year she even received a raise.   Throughout our coaching she has taken action steps to help honor her values in life, and as a result she is beginning to feel a little bit more fulfilled at work. However, she says this isnt the ideal job for her long-term. The risk here is that she could become complacent, and slack off in her search for the ideal job. This happens to a lot of people because it can be more comfortable in some ways to stay put. Lori wouldn’t have a problem if her job was a long-term fit for her, but she knows it isnt and eventually would like to find an ideal career that can be long-term. Even if she isnt moving forward as quickly as before in her search, I have suggested to her that she keeps the momentum going. It is better to have a plan, even if you dont execute it, than settle and find yourself stuck there for another 5 years! This happened to me by the way. I got stuck in my transition job for 8 more months than I had planned to because I got too comfortable and complacent! I joke with people that I feel like the dentist; too many people wait to contact me when theyre in extreme pain and ready to quit. I wish everyone would contact me well before they are in crisis. The transition is so much easier when you have the time and space to plan. Dont let this be you. Think about your 6 month dentist cleanings (that you might be skipping…); there is a reason why the dentist wants to see you every 6 months. He doesn’t want you waiting until you have a big problem and are hurting. Another group coaching client, Joe, said it best on our call that day to Lori: The golden handcuffs only get tighter. Click here to watch my YouTube video on this topic. Career Coach P.S. Contact us for a complimentary phone consultation if you’d like help identifying your ideal career.

Writing a Professional Engineering Resume

Writing a Professional Engineering ResumeA recent study conducted by a union and the Engineering Student Professional Association revealed that about twenty-five percent of all engineering graduates who have graduated from colleges and universities in the last few years are employed. If you are an engineer who has completed your undergraduate or master's degree in engineering and currently job hunting, you may want to consider including your resume as part of your search. Your resume is your key to a better career. Unfortunately, many employers won't even see your resume unless they ask for it, so make sure you include it in your job hunt.You can also find employment placement services that will guide you through the interviewing process and give you professional resume tips. Your resume is going to be a very important part of your job hunt. It can literally open the door to a better future. You want to have a professional resume that sets you apart from the other candidates.Building a new career can be a major undertaking, but in order to get started, you need a plan to move forward. Your resume is going to be your roadmap to success. You need to make sure you present your resume in a professional manner.A resume is your most important tool when it comes to getting a job. There are hundreds of thousands of different resumes being submitted every day, so it is important to choose one that is appropriate for your specific situation. Since you are applying for a job in engineering, this means you will need to write a resume that shows your strengths and skills in engineering and presents your future plans. A good engineering resume that includes relevant educational information and accomplishments is the best way to get your first job.Another great way to get your resume noticed is to submit it to a few engineering jobs or as many as possible's online job posting. When you post your resume on one of these sites, you can build a reputation in the industry. This wi ll allow you to know that you are someone who is not just listing themselves as an engineer but are really doing something that is considered to be valuable and a professional in the industry.Join some online communities and get a feel for what others are looking for. Use networking to get noticed as well. The more networking you do, the more job you will get.Now that you know how important your resume is, think about how it can help you achieve your realistic career goals. A professional engineer resume will get you noticed and is the only way to get your dream job.

The Number One Article on Resume Writing Gaurantee

The Number One Article on Resume Writing Gaurantee Your own personal return to author is merely an email away. Use the above mentioned letter to earn your work simpler. Nowadays you tell the remainder of the best of your story. You also ought to tailor your resume to demonstrate the way your work experience specifically meets the requirements of the job which you're applying for. On the flip side, once the work applicant has strong experience, there is not any need to depend on the academic training any longer and it doesn't need to get mentioned. Taking the opportunity to work on your resume is vital. For instance, if your education history isn't specifically linked to the job, put it toward the conclusion of your resume, behind the info that's linked to the job. It's crucial that you customize each cover letter to the job that you're applying. It's therefore imperative to customized your application to the work announcement as, contrary to the majority of civilian busine sses, the Federal Government is extremely strict in regard to candidates closely matching qualifications. For people who chose the RUSH option, the very first draft was delivered the next moment. The Unexpected Truth About Resume Writing Gaurantee So once you're contemplating how to compose a resume, don't forget that you need to be selling your abilities and accomplishments, not only listing your work history and your old responsibilities. Our talent is to assist you to sell your talents. Once you are aware of how to compose a great resume, you can find the interview that you dream about. The objective of your resume is to secure you a work interview. Among the benefits of pursuing a resume service over the internet is the ease of call. The easy-to-use on-line tool makes it quick and hassle-free to produce your very own personalized perfect resume. The attractiveness of ordering a resume service on the internet is that you're leveraging the simplicity and ease of email and the net. Then you will get access to our online resume desktop by which you are able to contact customer service to receive your 12-hour rush. Who Else Wants to Learn About Resume Writing Gaurantee? You have to tailor your resume to each work application so that it responds to the particular demands of the job which you're applying for. Some resume formats conform to a particular kind of employment. After you determine the skills you need to concentrate on, do a bit of research and see whether they line up with job requirements listed for the positions you're seeking. At times the Skills and Accomplishments section is an individual section.