Tag Archives: career

The Significance of Submitting Your Resignation Properly

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Welcome back to another edition of the ComputerPeople Staffing blog! In the professional world, transitions are inevitable. Whether it’s a new job opportunity, a career change, or personal reasons, leaving a job is a common experience. One of the most important steps in this process is giving your employer a two-week notice. This standard practice is crucial for several reasons, and deviating from it—either by giving more or less notice—can have significant implications.

Why Two Weeks?

The two-week notice period has become a widely accepted norm in many industries, especially in the IT industry. It provides a balance between giving your employer enough time to find a replacement or redistribute your responsibilities, and allowing you to transition smoothly to your next chapter. Here are a few key reasons why this period is so important:

  • Professional Courtesy: Giving two weeks’ notice shows respect for your employer and colleagues. It acknowledges that your departure will have an impact and provides them with time to adjust.
  • Maintaining Relationships: The professional world is surprisingly small, especially in cities like Buffalo. Future opportunities often arise through networks and references. Leaving on good terms can preserve positive relationships that might benefit you later.
  • Smoother Transition: Two weeks gives both you and your employer time to ensure a smooth handover of your responsibilities. This can include training your replacement, completing ongoing projects, or documenting your tasks.
  • Protecting Your Reputation: Your professional reputation is one of your most valuable assets. Leaving abruptly or giving too much notice can negatively affect how future employers perceive you.

The Pitfalls of Giving Less Than Two Weeks’ Notice

While it might be tempting to leave immediately or give only a few days’ notice, doing so can have several negative consequences:

  • Burning Bridges: Leaving with short notice can frustrate and inconvenience your employer and colleagues, potentially damaging your professional relationships.
  • Legal and Contractual Obligations: Some employment contracts stipulate a notice period. Failing to comply can result in legal issues or loss of benefits.
  • Negative References: Employers may view a hasty departure as unprofessional, which can lead to unfavorable references that impact your future job prospects.
  • Unfinished Business: Leaving too soon might leave important projects incomplete or colleagues unprepared to take over your duties, reflecting poorly on your work ethic.

The Drawbacks of Giving More Than Two Weeks’ Notice

While more notice might seem courteous, it can also present challenges:

  • Awkward Work Environment: Knowing you’re leaving can create an uncomfortable atmosphere. Colleagues might treat you differently, and you might feel disconnected from ongoing work.
  • Productivity Decline: Employers might not assign new tasks to you, anticipating your departure. This can lead to a decline in productivity and job satisfaction.
  • Potential for Resentment: If your employer is unable to find a replacement quickly, a longer notice period can lead to frustration and resentment on both sides.

How to Give Your Two-Week Notice

When the time comes to resign, it’s important to do so professionally. Here are some steps to follow:

  • Write a Formal Letter: Draft a concise, polite resignation letter stating your intention to leave and your last working day. Express gratitude for the opportunity and experiences gained.
  • Speak to Your Supervisor/Manager: Schedule a meeting with your supervisor to deliver the news in person. This shows respect and allows for a direct conversation about the transition.
  • Be Prepared for Reactions: Your employer might try to persuade you to stay or express disappointment. Stay firm but respectful in your decision.
  • Offer Assistance: Show your commitment to a smooth transition by offering to help train your replacement or complete key projects before you leave.
  • Stay Professional: Continue to perform your duties to the best of your ability during the notice period. Leaving on a high note will reinforce your professional reputation.

In conclusion, giving a two-week notice is more than just a formality; it’s a crucial aspect of professional etiquette that benefits both you and your employer. By adhering to this practice, you demonstrate respect, protect your reputation, and ensure a smoother transition for everyone involved. Remember, the way you leave a job can be just as important as the way you start one. So, when the time comes, give your notice thoughtfully and professionally.

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Thanks for reading! If you are a business looking to fill your important IT roles, visit us at cpstaffing.com to learn more!

If you are a candidate and are looking for dream role, visit us at jobs.cpstaffing.com for our latest job postings!

And don’t forget to follow us on LinkedIn for new jobs, insights, blog posts and more! https://www.linkedin.com/company/computerpeoplestaffing

Written by Jeff Weiss

ComputerPeople Staffing Featured Candidates

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ComputerPeople invites you to take a look at our featured candidates. Please note that this list updates frequently and is active. We recommend you bookmark this tab so you can view our latest additions.

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CANDIDATE #48337

JOB CATEGORY: Network / System Admin / Engineer 

JOB TITLE:   Network Analyst, Network Engineer, Network Security

TOP SKILLS:   Cisco & Meraki products, Aruba, AWS, SDWAN platform, Fortinet, Checkpoint, Routing protocols (BGP/EIGRP)

JOB TYPE:     Direct Hire, Hybrid, On-Site, Remote        

SALARY:       115k  

EDUCATION:     High School Diploma 

EXPERIENCE:     20 Years of Technical Experience

20+ Years of experience working in enterprise technical environments, with a progressive approach to technical platforms and hybrid cloud infrastructure deliveries. Strong background in network security, network administration, engineering and business solution outcomes.

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CANDIDATE #5322  

JOB CATEGORY: Database Reporting and Administration 

JOB TITLE:   Sr. Database and Reporting Analyst 

TOP SKILLS:   SQL, SSRS, ETL, Power BI, SharePoint 

JOB TYPE:     Direct Hire, Onsite, Remote, Hybrid         

SALARY:       90k – 100k  

EDUCATION:     High School Diploma 

EXPERIENCE:     30+ Years

Seasoned Database Administrator and Reporting Analyst with expert level SQL and SSRS Reporting skills. Candidate has Managerial experience but is also open to a high-level contributor role. Outstanding communications skills and exceptional collaborator. Strongly prefers Remote but is open to Hybrid or Onsite for the right fit.

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CANDIDATE #64414  

JOB CATEGORY: Network / System Admin / Engineer 

JOB TITLE:   Assistant System Administrator 

TOP SKILLS:   Active Directory, Azure/Entra , Server Management, Microsoft 365 (Exchange, Teams, SharePoint), Microsoft Intune 

JOB TYPE:     Direct Hire, Onsite, Remote, Hybrid       

SALARY:       75k  

EDUCATION:     High School Diploma 

EXPERIENCE:     4 Years

Mid-level System Administrator with strong skills related to Microsoft technologies.  Seeking a team-oriented, collaborative environment where he can gain experience and sharpen skills.  Proficient with On-prem Active Directory, Azure Entra for hybrid deployment (MFA, SSO), and Office 365.   

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CANDIDATE #8588

JOB CATEGORY: Project/Program Manager 

JOB TITLE:   Sr. IT Project Manager    

TOP SKILLS:   ERP Implementations ( esp. SAP), Azure Dev/Ops, Agile / Waterfall

JOB TYPE:     Direct Hire or Contract, Remote, Hybrid     

SALARY:       170k+   

EDUCATION:     BS

EXPERIENCE:     20 Years

Outstanding communicator and presentation skills!  3+ years of consulting experience working for SAP implementation partner.  Will easily build relationships necessary to remove obstacles and get things done.  

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CANDIDATE #8162

JOB CATEGORY: Product Manager 

JOB TITLE:   IT Product Manager        

TOP SKILLS:   Product & Project Management, Agile Methodology & Tools, Scrum

 JOB TYPE:     Direct Hire, Hybrid, Remote  

SALARY:       150k   

EDUCATION:     BS

EXPERIENCE:     20 Years

Solid career in Project Management that transitioned to Scrum Master and Product Manager.  Strong foundation in Agile with expertise in Atlassian suite of tools (Jira, Trello, Confluence, etc.) as user & administrator.  Team manager, leads ceremonies, PI Planning, strategy and roadmap development.  Fast learner, excellent communicator- smart & gets things done! 

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CANDIDATE #4537

JOB CATEGORY: Help Desk/ IT Support

JOB TITLE:   IT Hardware & Software Support Specialist        

TOP SKILLS:   Help Desk , Computer Set Up, Imaging  

JOB TYPE:     Contract Only (full or part time), on site, hybrid, remote 

SALARY:       35-40 / hr    

EDUCATION:     College Coursework     

EXPERIENCE:     30 Years

Candidate has been a repeat contractor for us for many years with glowing reviews!   Semi-Retired Systems Engineer with extensive MSP experience – you get experience, reliability and maturity for a great value!   Good experience in Microsoft Windows OS, AD, laptop/PC/printer Hardware setup & support, ticketing systems (esp. ConnectWise), server/desktop upgrades, imaging, project planning & management.

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CANDIDATE #64427

JOB CATEGORY: Program/Project Management

JOB TITLE:   Program Manager      

TOP SKILLS:   IIoT, Operations, Program/Project Management, B2B technology-based products, software & Services, New Product delivery, Business Process Change

JOB TYPE:     Contract, Part Time, Full Time

SALARY:       200K (Hourly rate is $100 per hour)   

EDUCATION:     MBA  

EXPERIENCE:     25 years

Our candidate would be open to a part-time or full-time, contract related role, dealing with process changes, business operations initiatives, project/program management. She has successfully led cross-organizational initiatives for new product delivery, opportunity assessment and deployment of business/process change. She is looking for a project that she can stand behind.

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CANDIDATE #47749

JOB CATEGORY: Management

JOB TITLE:   IT Manager /Security Compliance      

TOP SKILLS:   NIST, HIPAA, SOC, Endpoint management, Azure, MS365, Disaster Response, Healthcare Industry knowledge, AI

JOB TYPE:     Direct Hire

SALARY:       140K      

EDUCATION:     Bachelor’s Degree  

EXPERIENCE:     5 Years 

Our candidate has a lot of experience in the Healthcare space, dealing with long and short term IT strategy planning. They have experience improving and creating systems, leading company-wide disaster response planning events, assessing risk, including compliance with HIPAA, NIST and SOC 2 Type audits.

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CANDIDATE #64421

JOB CATEGORY: Software Development

JOB TITLE:   Junior Software Developer         

TOP SKILLS:   HTML, CSS, MySQL, JavaScript, Java, Python, Agile Methodology 

JOB TYPE:     Contract, Direct Hire, Remote, Hybrid, Onsite- Open to all     

SALARY:        50K         

EDUCATION:     Pursing bachelor’s degree in computer science Online    

EXPERIENCE:     Less than 1 

Up and coming Junior Developer with some great internship and project experience.  Currently working on an AI app utilizing Python.  Strong front end development skills as well as SQL database. Would love to join a development team in WNY that will mentor him and allow him more exposure to other languages and frameworks.  

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CANDIDATE #64420

JOB CATEGORY: Network/Sys Admin/Engineer

JOB TITLE:   Infrastructure/Network/Systems Engineer         

TOP SKILLS:   Azure Tenant, Azure Cloud, Cisco Meraki, Endpoint management, SharePoint migrations, Intune, SD-WAN, Manufacturing environment, Linux Operating System, MS

JOB TYPE:     Direct Hire   

SALARY:        120K         

EDUCATION:     Bachelor of Science: Information Systems & CCNP   

EXPERIENCE:     15 Years   

This candidate has manufacturing and enterprise IT experience, with a strong desire to continue working in a Networking or Engineering position. Has experience working with unique infrastructure and IT Projects.  

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CANDIDATE #7694

JOB CATEGORY: Business Analyst 

JOB TITLE:   Sr. Business Analyst        

TOP SKILLS:   Billing, Payroll, Cognos reporting, SQL, Audits, IAM   

JOB TYPE:     Contract, Direct Hire , Remote, Hybrid, Onsite   

SALARY:        105K-110K          

EDUCATION:     BS – Computer Information Systems        

EXPERIENCE:     18 Years 

Enterprise level BA with strong accounting/payroll/billing/claims background.  Adept at requirements gathering, data analysis, SQL for mapping/reporting, UAT, strong troubleshooting skills.  Agile experience and prior roles in Applications Security Administration / IAM.    

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CANDIDATE #64396   

JOB CATEGORY: Management

JOB TITLE:   BI / SQL Developer         

TOP SKILLS:   SQL, Power BI, Python, Excel     

JOB TYPE:     Direct Hire      

SALARY:        100k          

EDUCATION:     Bachelor’s Degree        

EXPERIENCE:     2+ years   

Candidate is currently the IT Director for a small company and has a strong interest in Data Analytics / Business Intelligence. Implemented Power BI in current role and handles all of the Data Analytics, BI, Reporting, and SQL Programming. Candidate and is open to onsite/hybrid/remote Direct Hire opportunities. 

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CANDIDATE #64407  

JOB CATEGORY:  Business Intelligence / Data Analytics

JOB TITLE:   Power BI Developer          

TOP SKILLS:   Power BI, SQL, Snowflake, KPI’s, ETL, Data Analysis    

JOB TYPE:     Direct Hire Only     

SALARY:        95k          

EDUCATION:     Some College         

EXPERIENCE:     4 Years    

Committed and driven analyst with 4 years of experience in Power BI development, SQL, DAX, table management, sales optimization and varied business intelligence. Built and maintained numerous datasets and reporting suites with target audiences varying from entry level associates to senior management. Strong presentation skills, critical thinking ability, and the drive to grow and thrive when presented with new challenges.

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CANDIDATE #64401

JOB CATEGORY: Help Desk / IT Support

JOB TITLE:   IT Specialist           

TOP SKILLS:   Support Issues, Virtualization, Microsoft Azure, Legacy Systems    

JOB TYPE:     Direct Hire Only     

SALARY:        65k          

EDUCATION:   Studying for CCNA now        

EXPERIENCE:     1 Year of IT experience (Career change from Electrician)     

Candidate is leaning towards a career in networking, viewing it as fundamental to IT. They are completing their CCNA certification for more hands-on experience. They are open to exploring different opportunities but want to ensure a smooth transition from their current employer. 

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CANDIDATE #9137  

JOB CATEGORY:    Management     

JOB TITLE:     Director / VP / CIO / Portfolio Manager           

TOP SKILLS:    Business Process Re-engineering, ERP Implementations, BI/Analytics, Portfolio/Project Mgmt, Manufacturing         

JOB TYPE:     Contract, Direct Hire , Remote, Hybrid, Onsite         

SALARY:          170k+        

EDUCATION:       BS     

EXPERIENCE:       20+ 

Impressive career in large, international manufacturing company with oversight for technology transformation and strategy around ERP systems, BI & Analytics and Business Process Re-engineering. 

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CANDIDATE #64355

JOB CATEGORY: Network/Sys Admin/Engineer

JOB TITLE:             Systems Administrator     

TOP SKILLS:        Linux, AWS Cloud, Oracle Cloud 

JOB TYPE:     Contract, Direct Hire, Remote, Hybrid, Onsite      

SALARY:           75k      

EDUCATION:        Associates Degree in Information Technology  

EXPERIENCE:       10 + Years    

Great candidate that has only had two jobs in the last 15 years. Capable of growing and advancing in your IT Department. This candidate is willing to take a step backwards, to learn other technology. Candidate has done Technical Support, NOC, Systems Administration. Our candidate has configured, deployed, and supported high-availability enterprise environments. 

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CANDIDATE #48250

JOB CATEGORY: IT Security

JOB TITLE:                     Cybersecurity Risk Analyst

TOP SKILLS:                  Governance, Risk, Compliance, Identity and Access Management

JOB TYPE:                      Direct Hire  

SALARY:                         85K+ 

EDUCATION:                BS Computer Information Systems 

EXPERIENCE:               5+ years        

Candidate possesses excellent interpersonal skills and has 5+ years of professional Cybersecurity experience.  Seeking a Threat Analyst, Security Analyst, or Identity and Access Management (IAM) role. Our candidate is only open to Direct Hire opportunities. 

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CANDIDATE #11519

JOB CATEGORY: Network/Sys Admin/Engineer

JOB TITLE:                     Network Security Engineer

TOP SKILLS:                 Cisco Networking, Cisco ISE, VLANS, Firewalls, Fortinet 

JOB TYPE:                     Contract, Direct Hire , Remote, Hybrid, Onsite

SALARY:                        85k- 120k

EDUCATION:               Bachelor’s Degree 

EXPERIENCE:               20 Years         

Proficient in Cisco networking, LAN/WAN, VoIP solutions, technical communication, and leadership. Maintaining Cisco ISE, implementing network segmentation, using Nexpose vulnerability scanner, and managing Fortinet systems.  Extensive experience in maintaining Cisco environments, upgrading systems, implementing network security measures, and project management for infrastructure upgrades.

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CANDIDATE #53237

JOB CATEGORY: Help Desk / IT Support

JOB TITLE:                      Lead Information Technology Analyst  

TOP SKILLS:                  Active Directory, VMware, Microsoft Azure, Intune, ServiceNow  

JOB TYPE:                      Direct Hire 

SALARY:                         70k 

EDUCATION:                Master’s Degree -Information Security and Digital Forensics

EXPERIENCE:               2 Years        

Candidate is a recent college grad but has been working in IT while obtaining his Master’s Degree. Would like to work more towards a role in Cyber Security or a Systems Administrator role.  

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CANDIDATE #63758 

JOB CATEGORY: IT Security

JOB TITLE:                      Information Security Analyst 

TOP SKILLS:                  IAM, MFA, Active Directory 

JOB TYPE:                      Direct Hire 

SALARY:                         65K+ 

EDUCATION:                BS Computer Science 

CERTIFICATIONS:      CompTIA Security+ 

EXPERIENCE:               4+ years         

Candidate has excellent interpersonal skills and a strong Identity Access Management (IAM) background.  Familiar with authentication methods such as Single sign-on (SSO) and Multi-factor authentication (MFA).  Seeking a Direct Hire position related to IT Security/IAM.   

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CANDIDATE #64237

JOB CATEGORY: Project / Program Management

JOB TITLE:                     Director, Information Technology 

TOP SKILLS:                  Leadership, IT Strategic Planning, Project/Program Management 

JOB TYPE:                      Direct Hire OR Contract 

SALARY:                         175K+ OR 75+/hour 

EDUCATION:                BS Business Administration / MBA (In Progress) 

CERTIFICATIONS:      ITIL, SIX SIGMA GREEN BELT, CSPO, CSM 

EXPERIENCE:               20+ years 

Candidate possesses strong leadership skills and has 20+ years’ professional experience.  Has successfully led and managed countless Enterprise IT Infrastructure initiatives.  Seeking an IT Director/Manager role or something in the Project/Program Management space.  Open to both Direct Hire and Contract opportunities. 

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CANDIDATE #22898 

JOB CATEGORY:    Network/Sys Admin/Engineer

JOB TITLE:           Systems /Network Engineer      

TOP SKILLS:        Server Administration, Network and Server Infrastructure, Cisco Routers, Virtualization    

JOB TYPE:     Contract, Direct Hire , Remote, Hybrid, Onsite       

SALARY:                 80k 

EDUCATION:          Associates of Computer Networking Systems  

EXPERIENCE:        13+ Years     

Specializes in managing network and server infrastructure, providing help desk support, researching and implementing new products for productivity and security. Experienced in Cisco routers, HP managed switches, server administration, VOIP systems, software and hardware troubleshooting, PC setup, Citrix Hosted Desktop, email systems, and wireless access points. 

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CANDIDATE #64200

JOB CATEGORY: Business Intelligence / Data Analytics

JOB TITLE:   Data Engineer / Sr. Programmer Analyst              

TOP SKILLS:    Azure Data Factory / Databricks,  API, SQL, VB, PIM, SAP, TIBCO 

JOB TYPE:     Direct Hire, Contract, Onsite, Hybrid  

SALARY:    100K – 120K               

EDUCATION:   BS – Computer Information Systems         

EXPERIENCE:    20 years 

Extensive experience in ERP Systems Integration & Administration (SAP, PIM, Tibco). Recent experience as Data Engineer for Azure Platform (ETL, Datawarehouse, Python) – Agile environment. Strong programming in SQL (Oracle/MS SQL), VB 6.0.

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CANDIDATE #49289

JOB CATEGORY: Software Development

JOB TITLE:               Software Developer

TOP SKILLS:            Restful API, SQL, Agile Methodologies

JOB TYPE:                Direct Hire

SALARY:                  100k – 110k

EDUCATION:          BS Computer Science

EXPERIENCE:         6+ years     

Developer with a background mainly in C# / .NET, that has experience in console applications and simple web user interfaces in both a team and individual setting. Looking for new challenges that will allow them to gain new knowledge or deepen the knowledge that they have previously gained.

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If you are interested in one of our hot candidates, please email us directly at dmichaud@cpstaffing.com.

Don’t see the right fit? Let us know and we can find you another candidate with different qualifications and skills!

And don’t forget to follow us on LinkedIn for new jobs, insights, blog posts and more! https://www.linkedin.com/company/computerpeoplestaffing

What Happens When You Have a Personal Mission Statement

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From our early stages of life, usually we all have goals and dreams. Some of our goals may change along our journey, some may remain the same, but depending on what they are and who you are, these can be very versatile. One thing that can always remain constant, however, is something we often forget to even define for ourselves: our personal mission statement.

I was listening to a radio talk show a little while ago, and while the main topic of that discussion has slipped from my mind, one thing from the conversation did stick with me. Someone was asked what their company’s mission statement was, and afterwards they were asked, “and what is your personal mission statement?” That’s when it hit me: a defined, personal mission statement can be a very powerful thing, and here’s why you should know what yours is.

  1. Your mission statement is your guide.

    Here at CP Staffing, our mission statement is
    “CP Staffing Solutions is committed to being the clear partner of choice to our client employers and the individuals that we represent.  This is achieved by working tirelessly to understand our client’s needs and delivering staffing solutions that improve their competitiveness.  We strive to serve as a lifetime source of career management for the individuals we represent.”

    This statement is what drives everything we work towards, and how we get there. My point: your personal mission statement does the same thing; it’s where all your goals and aspirations will come from in the first place – what drives you to do what you do. Once you know what you want your life to represent, what you want to stand for (what you’d like your legacy to be), it becomes easier to map out your life goals in order to abide by your mission.

  2. Your mission statement keeps you on track.

    Because your statement is your guide, it means that when you’re going the wrong way, taking a look at your mission statement can sound off the alarm. A lot of times we’ll make goals for ourselves, want things, or make decisions that seem great at first, but can hinder us instead of move us forward. Just because we fit in somewhere, it doesn’t mean that’s where we belong. Having a mission statement can help you determine not only where you fit in, but where you actually belong, because of what you want to represent. So, when you start to steer off your personal road, your guide is there to lead you back in the right direction.

  3. Your mission statement helps clarify your purpose.

    Ah, there’s that tricky subject of “purpose” again. Some people believe wholeheartedly that we all have a purpose in life, while others firmly believe that we’re just passing by, with no real intent in the universe. Well, no matter where you fall on the spectrum, your life certainly is not meant to be wasted. If you’re having difficulty figuring out what you’re meant to do while you’re walking this earth, then figuring out and writing a personal mission statement can help you live your life with meaning. It can help you make better decisions at work, in difficult situations, and in everyday encounters. Even if you’re not fond of the word “purpose,” no harm can come from finding a way to always try and show what you consider to be your best self!

What’s your mission statement? 

One thing that the special guest on that talk show said was that, when it comes to mission statements, it’s probably best to have no more than 20 words; this can help prevent you from wandering away from it in the first place. So, there’s a start – you can go ahead and figure out a 20-word sentence or phrase of what you’d like your life to represent: your personal mission statement. And hey, if the 20-word limit isn’t for you, then feel free to add more and find whatever works best. Go ahead and give it a go! If and when you figure it out, please share with us what your personal mission statement is!

Featured image: created on Piktochart

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Written By Nayadee Wilson

“If Your Resume is More Than a Page Long, They Won’t Even Look at It”

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A few weeks ago, maybe even a few months ago, I responded to a Facebook post of a friend who was asking for advice on the appropriate length of a resume. She was particularly interested in knowing if having a resume longer than one page would actually hurt her chances of getting a job. As I was skimming through the answers that she was being given, it amazed me how many people have such a misconception about resumes. I was seeing things such as “It should always be one page,” and “Nope! If it’s more than one page they won’t even look at it.” That last one actually made my eye twitch, because there was a time where I, too, fell for that lie. Part of what I do involves looking over and adjusting resumes for a lot of candidates, making them appropriate and relevant for our clients to see. So I can be the first one to tell you that a one page resume is not the be-all and end-all of resumes. Since I am still learning myself, I decided to do a quick survey around the office with some of our top recruiters in order to find out what is really essential within a resume. Here are some key things you should consider when putting together your resume.

  1. How many pages?
    The truth is: it depends. Although it truly bugged me when I heard someone say that if your resume is more than one page “no one will look at it,” there are situations in which your resume should in fact be no longer than one page. But in most cases, it can be. After my survey, we can safely come to the conclusion that the magic number, if you will, is two pages, but never more than three. But don’t take it from me; take a look at some of our recruiters’ responses:

    “It really depends on the years of experience the candidate has worked in a related field and their area of expertise.  In Finance & Accounting, a resume really should not be more than 2 pages.” – Debbie Kriess, Managing Partner at FinancialPeople Staffing – Pittsburgh.

     “Length depends on experience level.  Someone with five or less years of experience could probably get it on one page.  In IT, it’s not uncommon for someone to have a three page resume but I really don’t recommend any longer than that. For someone with 10-20 years of experience, I would expect a two page resume.” – Brooke DeLucia, Technical Recruiter / Manager at ComputerPeople Staffing.

    “A new college grad/entry level candidate: one page.  Someone with 10+ years of relevant experience: 2-3 pages. Beyond three you risk losing the attention of the reader.” – Kara Bermingham, Managing Partner at MedicalPeople Staffing.

     “A recent college graduate should most likely have a one page resume, where as an experienced professional (10+ yrs.) could very well have a three page resume. I do believe, however that three should be the limit.” – Faith Drew, Research Analyst at FinancialPeople Staffing.

    “A one page resume is perfect for early to mid-career employees but a two page resume is fine for people who are further along in their career. Except for rare exceptions, a three page or longer resume usually is not a good idea.” – Beth Courtney, Sr. Technical Sourcing Specialist at ComputerPeople Staffing.

  2. How should it be written?

    Too often I’ve come across a lot of resumes that look either too cluttered, have too much space, are not formatted properly or are just plain difficult to read. This would also include having too much jargon or words that seem out of place; i.e. words to make you sound “smarter.” Founder and CEO of Human Workplace, Liz Ryan, talks about this aspect and explains how your resume should have a “human voice,” and should not be laid out as if it’s some form of legal document. What you want to do is make sure that your resume is easy to read by organizing it appropriately, having a proper format, have a “human voice,” and being precise. Here are some tips from our recruiters:

     “Most people scan resumes – you want it to flow and have bolded or underlined words that highlight the important parts such as job title and company.” – Faith Drew.

     “Drop the objective! Use a summary style paragraph that pinpoints the role you are looking for along with your areas of expertise and what you can bring to the table. It’s like a quick “sell” that is meant to draw the reader in and make them want to learn more about you.” – Brooke DeLucia.

    “If a resume has long paragraphs without a break, it’s very unappealing to read and I often skip over that section. I like to see bullets (but not too many) and enough white space between sections that it’s easy to read. I’d much rather read a well-spaced 2 page resume than a one pager that’s all crammed together. Also VERY important to check for typos and remember that spell-check doesn’t catch everything. Have someone else proofread your resume for typos, misspellings, etc. ” – Beth Courtney.

  3. What should I put in it?
    So now you have an idea of how long your resume should be and how it should be written, but you’re not sure what exactly you should actually put in it. A lot of people, myself included, have believed the notion that you should put all of your experience on your resume, explaining what your responsibilities were during each position. However, while this is important, I will say that something we often forget is to include results in our resumes. A results-oriented resume will be a lot more appealing to a recruiter than a resume that simply states “I was in charge of accounts receivables.” Showing results, such as “I increased sales profit by 10% using procedure ABC,” shows the recruiters not only what you’re capable of but also what makes you valuable. Here are some additional tips from our recruiters on content:

    “(These are specific to a Technical resume), Skills section containing keywords/skills – Allows me to quickly skim the resume to see if the candidate has the basic skill set for a specific position. Highlight Accomplishments – To me this is important because it shows how the candidate differentiated themselves from their peers.” – Kevin Pyle, Technical Recruiter at ComputerPeople Staffing.

    “chronological work history, is usually the best way to go unless you are trying to change careers.  If so, a transitional resume which highlights skills may be the preferred way to go, just be sure to include work history at the bottom.” – Beth

    “For Technical resumes, it’s important to list the relevant technology ‘buzzwords’ in context with each job.  It’s good to have a Technical Skills section as a general overview but you still need to show where you used a particular skill and what you did with it.  Try framing your bullets as ‘Project, Action, Result,’ (saved or made the company money, saved time, improved a process or service)”. – Brooke DeLucia

    “Don’t forget accomplishments!  Does your resume sound like a generic HR job description? Your resume should set you apart from your competition and be very personal to you and the unique attributes and accomplishments you bring to the table.” – Brooke DeLucia

    “A resume should include key technical skills, and should be a mix of accomplishments and tactical day to day responsibilities” – Debbie Kriess

    “Dates – resumes that do not have dates of employment are a huge red flag. I want to see when you worked at certain companies, take note of any gaps in employment, and know if you are currently employed or unemployed” – Faith Drew

Now that you’ve gotten some tips, you can go ahead and make sure that your resume is in top shape. Make sure that you have someone else proof-read your resume, to ensure that all typos and inconsistencies are taken care of, and don’t forget to include important elements such as achievements and skills! Happy writing! 🙂

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By Nayadee Wilson