EditNY

EditNY's Book Review Service

2011-10-25T20:27:00.002-04:00

EditNY invites authors to submit their manuscripts for thorough critiquing followed by an extensive book review which will be posted on the book review blog, EditNY Book Reviews.

Further posting of the book review will include EditNY's Facebook, Twitter, and MySpace pages, and anywhere else the author wishes to have exposure.

EditNY offers an invaluable service to authors finally realizing their dream of book publication!

EditNY will read the manuscript and provide feedback based on the author's designation of specific themes, character development, etc. to focus on, as well as offer a general critique and other helpful observations, including consistency.
EditNY will write a thorough book review.
EditNY will post this book review on the EditNY Book Reviews blog as well as the major social networking sites and anywhere else the author deems essential to getting that critical exposure.

....a package deal all for one low price!

Go ahead and read a review and then inquire about a very special introductory package rate.

If you just want a book review, that's fine too!

Gift Ideas for Administrative Professionals Day, April 27

2011-03-26T10:16:00.001-04:00

Administrative Professionals Day is right around the corner. Don't scramble in the last minute and get a cop-out gift. Get her or him something nice to show your appreciation for all their hard work in keeping the office running smoothly.

For the superstar executive or administrative assistant, nothing says "Thank you" better than with a Grand Thank You gift basket jam-packed full of goodies. The "basket" is actually a beautiful antique-finished planter.

For the chocolate lover in your administrative assistant or office staff, this chocolatey spa set blends chocolate with other serene ingredients to offer a soothing spa-like experience.

Is your administrative assistant diabetic? Show you care with this carefully chosen gift basket especially for diabetics.

Gift baskets last longer than flowers and offer so much more. They're a real treat!

Christmas Gift Baskets for the Book Reader

2010-10-27T16:29:00.000-04:00

Here's to another holiday season. Gift-buying is already under way. Take an easier approach to crossing folks off your list this year by 1) shopping online, and 2) buying appropriate gifts. Since you've landed on EditNY, it is safe to assume you're looking for gifts for the book lover in your life. Firstly, have you checked out the Amazon Kindle Wireless Reader? This new Kindle reader is lighter than previous models and affordable considering the cost of books in a store. Books cost a fraction with the Kindle Wireless Reader than what they would in bookstores.

Now back to traditional but still lovely gift ideas. Check out the unique gift baskets we found:
*Note on pictures: they are not links; please click on bolded text links.

The first gift idea is the Bookworm Gift Club. Book-based gift clubs are great if you know your reader's favorite genre. You can select the length of the membership.

Actually, this next gift, a coffee gift set (pictured below), is probably better for the writer (rather than the reader) in your life, as they tend to thrive on caffeine while writing (helps keep the creativity flowing).

Women need to slow down and be reminded to take time out for themselves. Here's a wonderful book gift set for a woman, a Just For Her Book Basket (pictured below). You choose the bestselling book. Scrumptious accompanying snacks include: Chai Tea, Gourmet Lemon Cookies, Almond Crunch Popcorn and Lemon Taffy Chews.

Help inspire your reader to a warm evening inside curled up with a good book, enjoying delicious snacks with this Curl Up Book Basket (pictured below).

More Christmas Gift Ideas for Readers and Writers.

Happy Holidays from EditNY

Consider Professional Resume Writing

2010-09-08T21:44:00.001-04:00

Whether you're just starting out in the highly demanding and competitive world of employment or you are a seasoned professional or executive, one of the best investments you can make (besides a good suit with matching accessories) is to have your resume speak for you in the most effective way. I have written of resume services before and would like to emphasize that in order to stand out among hundreds of applicants for a single job posting, it is imperative that your resume reflects what you can bring to the employer with regard to a specific job posting or industry in general.

A professional resume writing service, such as cbResume, brings clarity to your resume that you can only get from someone on the outside. That someone will be highly skilled, specializing in the industry you're pursuing and quite simply, specializing in resumes. Before a potential employer even sees your face (assuming it's not plastered all over the internet), you will be judged by how a piece of paper shows who you are and what you can bring in terms of problem solving and more. Don't shy away from receiving constructive criticism on what might seem a most basic document. You'd be surprised at how much a resume speaks about you - and if it's constructed most effectively to deliver the most punch, then you will get that first interview.

It's time to go beyond the spell check tool and upgrade your resume. Customize your resume for each and every position you want. You will find that you can then focus your energy on getting the positions you really want rather than applying for any and every one out there. Because when you do end up getting a job, it better be the one you really want to spend 40+ hours a week at. Check out cbResume and let me know what you think about it.

Editing/Proofreading or Administrative Assistant Svs

2010-04-25T21:14:00.000-04:00

Choose EditNY for your editing or proofreading needs as well as administrative assistance. I have recently completed refresher classes in editing and grammar (April 2010). I have broad experience in financial services (in global investment banks), having supported top management, and have extensive experience with MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook. Contact me.

The New Job Discrimination Against Working Mothers and Other Professionals?

2010-04-10T14:13:00.002-04:00

Just as food manufacturers cleverly disguise trans fats in the form of "mono- and tri- glycerides" on food labels, so have hiring employers figured out a clever way to get around hiring working mothers (and fathers), older professionals, or anyone who values their "free" time, actually. Secretarial and administrative assistant positions have traditionally offered fixed and normal hours making them suitable for working moms, dads, and other people who don't feel guilty (nor should they) for leaving at 5:00p.m. Some large corporations, at least, offer job sharing so that a full work day plus extra time (e.g., 8:00a.m. to 7:00p.m.) is shared by another employee for the same position, allowing both employees to have fixed hours.

But have you noticed the job descriptions lately? They seem to indicate that it is becoming the norm to work beyond 35-40 hours per week, automatically excluding working mothers that need (and should) be home with their children in the evening.

Here are some examples from employment ads on Craigslist:

"Hours are Monday - Friday, 9am-6pm, with possible expansion of hours and responsibilities."

"Hours: 8 AM - 4 PM, with flexibility for OT as needed."

"Flexibility in scheduling is a must."

"Total hours per week vary from four to eight (or more) as needed. Work hours and DAYS entirely flexible." - I capitalized the word, days, for emphasis.

"Flexibility and willingness to work overtime."

And that one-hour lunch break? That has all but gone out the window for these companies stating their needs above.

You know what these statements basically tell me? That these companies are disorganized and do not have any sense of boundaries (some might say this to be true in the directors' own lives).

Another ad states the hours are from "8am to 5pm"; it is not clear if they pay overtime on the extra hour (a requirement in New York).

I love those ads that say the hours are "8am to 6pm, with additional required overtime". You gotta love what they can get away with. Or this one which was the absolute kicker: 9am to 7pm! And when am I supposed to travel home, cook, clean, go to the gym, and oh, I don't know, maybe do something enjoyable?

Another recent phenomenon is the requirement that an applicant be a recent college graduate. I have even seen some ads state that you need to have graduated from an ivy league school just to apply for an entry-level receptionist and administrative assistant position. The salary of this type of position would hardly allow any recent grad to pay off their college tuition in a timely manner, let alone an ivy school tuition. And unless you live in one of the outer boroughs and can tolerate a long commute, the rent in Manhattan will put significant strain on a new grad. Here are some examples:

"Recent college grads needed for Entry-Level spots: Administrative Assistants and Receptionists in Finance / Hedge Funds and law firms. Must be either a 2008 or 2009 grad. Must have good GPA and have an interest in either Hedge Funds or legal. $40-$45K."
- This is actually a decent salary; but again, it's all relative based on where you live and how much debt you graduate with. I've seen salaries in the 20s for the same requirements as this ad is asking for.

"Prestigious NYC based Hedge Fund seeks a Polished Outgoing Front Desk Administrator for their exciting office. Candidate must be a college grad from a top school with a GPA of 3.0 or greater. $40-45k."
- It's about time these hedge funds get regulated; they have historically been able to get away with breaking employment laws due to lack of transparency and high base salaries to keep employees quiet. A "Front Desk Administrator"? Can you say, "Receptionist"?

Another ad doesn't state "recent" college grad but they do specify that the applicant must have attended a "top tier school." They repeat this again at the end of the paragraph.

No wonder moms have tried to start their own businesses. If these trends continue, the administrative assistant position, as we know it, will cease to exist. Companies are trying and succeeding in pushing the envelope with what they can "stuff" into a position that, prior to the feminist movement, was merely a secretarial position that allowed one to have great freedom to pursue their own interests after work. Sometimes, it is better to leave something alone. Oh, sure, there are still some "9-5" jobs out there, but they barely pay anyone's rent these days, let alone afford you the ability to buy property. You can forget that.

Laughing All the Way to Work: A Survival Guide for Today's Administrative Assistant

Administrative Assistant and Secretary's Handbook

Craigslist Job Posting Scam

2010-01-27T21:46:00.001-05:00

By now, most of you are aware of the common spam emails you get from your posted resumes on Craigslist.org or some other job hunting site. I wanted to alert you to another, potentially more serious job search email scam that I have recently encountered on Craigslist. You may already know about it. When you reply to a job posting that seems legitimate, you might have received a reply email where the person is posing as a Human Resources professional and asks for personal information. Information, such as your telephone number, might seem harmless to provide. Plus, the emails are typically well-written that you would not suspect it was a spamster.

However, when you are directed to a website and asked to input your personal information there, note that this is not legitimate. Also, if you receive links from said "Human Resources professionals" for information on your credit score, this is definitely spam. Please do not click on these links or provide any information!

These spamsters are out to get your personal information or perhaps they are out to get a valid email address, as usual. Whatever the case, they are getting good at posting real-looking ads too so be on heightened alert when you receive a strange request such as those above. Use your common sense and refrain from clicking on any links in any emails unless you know for a fact that it is a company website that you recognize or can google first without clicking on it.

If at all possible, return to the ad on Craigslist and "flag" the job post (if you can recall which it was). These cleverly-written ads and equally cleverly-written emails can fool even the seasoned job hunter so beware the next time you receive an email in response to the job posting you contacted. Oh, and I hope that by posting your resume on Craigslist, you are omitting your name/address/telephone #/email!

Post Your FREE Resume Today to Attract Top Employers!

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New Year, Renewed Job Search Effort

2010-01-10T16:49:00.000-05:00

Having recovered from the holiday season, you can now begin to refocus your efforts on the job search. The New Year brings hope for a recovering job market. With a sense of renewal and energy, you can tackle the search for a job confidently and with much determination.

Take a look at some of the articles on my blog. I recommend starting with The Online Job Search Checklist, assuming you have a well-written resume already. If not, then one of the very first things you should do is put together an outstanding resume.

Some key articles I've written about resumes are: Five Tips for Resumes, Resume Editing Tips, a System for Tracking Your Customized Resumes, and Creating Speaking Points from Your Resume (for the job interview).

I also edit resumes as well as create them from scratch. So if this is something of interest to you, then please contact me at EditNY at yahoo dot com. I am quite affordable. Here's another alternative to a professionally written resume.

Once your resume is in order, consult my article, The Online Job Search Checklist to effectively begin your job search. When dealing with employment agents, and you most likely will, check out the article on Maximizing Your Relationship with Employment Agents.

I've written these articles based on my own experience. I hope they will be of help to you. Subscribe to this blog and get more articles and helpful job search, resume editing, and career information delivered to your inbox. It will be an interesting year! Good luck to you all!

Post Your FREE Resume Today to Attract Top Employers!

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Christmas Gift Ideas and Special Savings for Corporate, Readers, & Writers

2009-12-18T20:31:00.000-05:00

EditNY recommends the following gift ideas for readers, writers, and folks in the business world, including administrative assistants.

Book summaries. They are short and sweet, to the point, and enhance your vocabulary in less time than it takes to read an entire book. This is especially useful to anyone in the business world. Check out this unique gift idea by reading a sample summary. Enter SAVE20 at the end of the checkout process and take $20 OFF a Premium Online subscription or a Premium Audio Subscription!

For the writer who loves their coffee or the reader who savors warm coffee through their reading experience, get them a holiday tumbler: Gold Glitter Holiday Tumbler and Red Bean Holiday Tumbler. Also makes a great gift for the office professional who can't leave his or her desk to get fresh, hot coffee, these tumblers will keep their coffee warm. Note: Picture is not a link, click on text link above.

If someone you know is in the job market, they could stand to benefit immensely from a professionally written resume. Getting them this service will boost their confidence and help them to get a job. Check it out here: Resume services. It's a win-win!

For the refined coffee drinker, this festive silver illy gift tin with 3 illy espresso coffees of your choosing make for a great gift. Another fun gift idea from illy is this illy Espresso, Cappuccino or Coffee signature logo cup gift tin (pictured below). Enjoy FREE Shipping on all orders over $50! This includes all coffee machines. Ends 12/24/09. Note: Picture is not a link, click on text link above.

My next pick: Gift baskets designed with the reader in mind. For him and her. Order easy and you're done! Save 10% off $40 or more. Use promo code 725796. Ends 12/31/09. Pictured below. Note: Picture is not a link, click on text link above.

Birthstone paperweights are fun and whimsical. Other home office helpers gift ideas are writer's block mind stimulation books, such as brain games. Exclusive 2010 Calendars at great prices!

Christmas is right around the corner. It's not too late to get something if you act now! Happy Holidays!

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Personalized Christmas Gifts for the Business Professional

2009-12-10T17:15:00.000-05:00

Personalization is easy and takes minimal effort and cost. It might seem like it could be a hassle to go through the process of getting something personalized as a means of adding a personal touch to a gift, but companies offering these gifts make it quite simple. Check out my Christmas gift ideas below.

Note: the pictures are not links, please click on bolded text links.

I like this personalized file and document holder (pictured below) made of wood which is perfect for someone's home office or office professional. It features brass hardware. Get the cover or inside engraved in an elegant and simple manner. It will make a lasting impression on the gift recipient. Get it on sale for $59.49, saving 15%, for a limited time.

This elegant, silvery monogrammed letter opener (pictured below) is the perfect stocking stuffer for a loved one or just the right gift for a coworker.

Check out this sassy light pink business card case (pictured below), a wonderful gift idea for the self-employed. Monogram with the recipient's initial.

Another small but thoughtful gift for its practicality is this personalized mousepad which you can have personalized with the gift recipient's name.

FREE Shipping on any orders of $40+

Check out these gift ideas for the avid reader in your life.

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Black Friday & Cyber Monday Deals and Christmas Gift Ideas for Readers, Writers, and Business

2009-11-20T17:25:00.003-05:00

Black Friday and Cyber Monday fever has already begun! Enjoy top savings now through 11/30/09. EditNY recommends the following gift ideas for readers, writers, and folks in the business world, including administrative assistants.

Book summaries. They are short and sweet, to the point, and enhance your vocabulary in less time than it takes to read an entire book. This is especially useful to anyone in the business world. Check out this unique gift idea by reading a sample summary. Enter SAVE15 to take $15 off ANY one-year subscription!

For the writer who loves their coffee or the reader who savors warm coffee through their reading experience, get them a holiday tumbler: Gold Glitter Holiday Tumbler and Red Bean Holiday Tumbler. Also makes a great gift for the office professional who can't leave his or her desk to get fresh, hot coffee, these tumblers will keep their coffee warm.

My next pick: Gift baskets designed with the reader in mind. For him and her. Order easy and you're done! Save 10% off $40 or more. Use promo code 725796. Pictured below.

Birthstone paperweights are fun and whimsical. Other home office helpers gift ideas are writer's block mind stimulation books, such as brain games. FREE Shipping on any orders of $40+

Christmas is around the corner. These specials are good through 11/30/09. Happy Holidays!

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Long-Term Temping Equals Potential Employment

2009-11-13T12:58:00.000-05:00

I used to steer clear of temping when looking for a new job, as I didn't want to lose out on benefits (is health insurance really a benefit? Seems like a necessity to me). However, when you are unemployed and the market is in the hands of employers, long-term temping suddenly seems like a wonderful strategy to land a job. Aside from earning money, you get to demonstrate the skills on your resume and let your potential employer get a sense of how great you are.

Another reason for taking the temping route is for your own sanity. Instead of jumping at the first job with the great salary, temping lets you try the company out. You will quickly find out whether you like working for a small company or a large one as well as other factors that you may not think about in your job search, such as work environment, culture, and so forth.

In addition, some staffing agencies actually offer health insurance to long-term temps as long as you pay a premium. This alleviates a lot of the stress of being without benefits which may propel you into the wrong job for you. Yet another benefit to long-term temping is the networking factor. If your assignment does not lead to permanent employment for one reason or another, and you have proven to be a good potential employee, then perhaps your manager can recommend you to some of his or her peers in other organizations.

Better to take the time now to figure out your long-term goals and find something that you can foresee doing career-wise than to take the first job that comes along out of fear of not finding another one. Long-term temping is one such avenue by which to find a suitable job.

Get The Job You Want: Practical Strategies For Your Job Search Campaign

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Unique Christmas Gift Ideas for the Avid Reader

2009-11-02T15:32:00.003-05:00

Readers want to be pampered as much as anyone else. Christmas gifts geared for the reader can be unique and interesting. Here are EditNY's picks.

For men, consider this Book Gift Chest that comes with a book of your choosing. Delicious snacks include almond crunch popcorn, cheese straws, pretzels, dry roasted peanuts and chocolate chip cookies. Personalize it for the optimal effect.

For women, this delightful Just For Her Book Basket will be appreciated. Choose the perfect book for it. Goodies include dessert tea, gourmet cookies, a biscotti stick and lemon hard candies.

Secret Storage Books. Trick the reader with a hollow book containing a secret compartment inside. Perfect for the coffee table and very private. Choose from a wide variety of topics and styles.

For on-the-go reading, the Kindle 2 is a great wireless reading device that is light and extremely portable. Read virtually any book and never worry about carrying too much stuff around. It is light and thin as a magazine. Read more about the Kindle.

A membership to an online book rental service. Rent books and save valuable living space as well as money (includes college textbooks).

My personal favorite idea: A membership to an online book summary service. Sound smarter and more intelligent with top business books. Read professionally written summaries to glean the most important highlights and aspects from these books. Enter SAVE20 at the end of the checkout process and take $20 OFF a Premium Online subscription or a Premium Audio Subscription! Ends 12/31/09

Check out these personalized gift ideas for the avid reader or writer in your life.

Share your book reader Christmas gift ideas with us. Leave a comment!

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The Unscary Job Hunt

2009-10-24T15:33:00.000-04:00

Monsters and ghosts are scary. The job hunt should not be. Planning your search for a job is perhaps the most important part to succeeding. Oftentimes, this vital component is overlooked in the haste to post your online resume and respond to recruiting agents' and employers' listings and emails without properly customizing your resume and without sticking to your defined ideal job aspects. We all know the saying, "Haste makes waste." There is so much truth in this statement and it bears emphasizing. Let's breakdown the job hunt into easy, manageable tasks that will benefit you by cutting down on time and effort wasted.

Define your ideal job. Go ahead and list the important criteria for your next job. But beware. Just like buying a house or finding the ideal relationship, it is nearly impossible to find a job that will satisfy 10 different aspects that you would like in your next job. For instance, your "wishlist" may include a short commute time and a normal workweek of set hours as well as a host of other must-haves. You will want to prioritize these criteria and create a "top 5" list as well as the 1-3 job aspects that you simply will not negotiate on, such as location. This will serve to keep your job search organized and not have you spinning around applying to every job posting when you really would not want that job if you got it.
Create your online job profile. Technology is wonderful because now, when you upload your resume into a company's online job site, their software will automatically fill in the application fields. Most of the time, it requires only a little tweaking on your part to correct some fields or enter more information into fields, such as salary history and expectations as well as location preference. Make the most of your online job profile by filling in all the fields completely and without abbreviating, as the database contains hundreds if not thousands of applicants and searches are often conducted by searching keywords from these very fields.
Peruse an online job site's tools. From salary guides to negotiation strategies to interview tips, one of the best partners in your job search is the use of these tools.
Customize your resume. Let's go back to the second bullet point for a minute. General job sites, like Monster, are wonderful sites for comprehensive job listings and tools. The companies and recruiting agents that post listings on these sites may have you apply through their own website, however. This is where your defined job criteria list comes in handy. After you have selected a number of jobs that you would consider, it is time to thoroughly read those job descriptions and then customize your resume to that particular position. This need not be tedious work if it is organized. During a recession, you are understandably more flexible than during normal market conditions, and will therefore be applying to many more jobs out of your desired range. Applying this technique is equally important then to getting you a job in a tough market.
Organize your job hunt wardrobe. Have at least two interview-ready suits hanging in your closet with a protective layer over them. Polished shoes and appropriate accessories are just as vital to your presentation. Always be ready to interview at a moment's notice.
Meeting with recruiting agents. Develop a relationship with your agent(s). They meet hundreds of applicants and in order to keep your resume on top of the heap of other resumes, keep in touch with your agent on a weekly basis. When an agent contacts you about your online resume, they may or may not have a specific job listing to consider you for at the time. This is your opportunity to establish a relationship and maintain regular contact providing an updated resume from time to time should your skillset increase (by taking a class, for instance). Treat a meeting with an agent like an interview, dress up!
The art of communication. Always follow up with a thank you note (via email is fine) thanking the interviewer for his or her valuable time. This is like the post-cover letter where you get to emphasize a skillset that you might not have pinpointed on during the meeting with your agent or interview with a prospective employer.

A job hunt is a job in itself. Preparation and planning are necessary to an efficient and organized search. Taking the time in the beginning of a job search to organize yourself will lead to less headache down the road.

Win 'Em Over! Get Hired!: Job Interviews That Produce Job Offers

Be Hunted! 12 Secrets to Getting on the Headhunter's Radar Screen

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Book Summaries Are a Smart Way to Get Ahead

2009-10-16T18:19:00.001-04:00

You or your boss could become avid readers of business books without the amount of time it takes to actually read the whole book. Book summaries can have you reading up on all the latest business books on the market in order to keep up with new business and management challenges. These books, in turn, make great client gifts.

With topics ranging from leadership to marketing and small business, reading book summaries is beneficial to someone with a hectic schedule. Even as your boss is on a plane to London for a company or client meeting, they could be reading book summaries and still catch up on other important reading material. Getting the summary in different formats is also an efficient way for your manager to read. Instead of the print format which could weigh your manager down with materials, consider the CD or online format. Take the green initiative with these formats. Read a sample summary here.

Popular titles such as, Profit From the Core and the best-selling Good to Great, are lengthy and analytical. They can take a while to get through. Get just the titles your manager is interested in or get a subscription (current special offer: Get 5 free summaries).

These are also great learning tools for the administrative assistant on a career track. You will sound more intelligent, increase your business vocabulary, and spark up a lively conversation with colleagues and clients, thereby establishing rapport. There are hundreds of titles to choose from.

Special coupon: Enter SAVE20 to take $20 off a 2-year subscription (ends 10/31/09)

NEW COUPON (EXP 11/30/09) Enter SAVE15 to take $15 off ANY one-year subscription!

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Business Writing Basics for Administrative Assistants

2009-10-08T22:44:00.002-04:00

As is typical, your skills as an Administrative Assistant are weighed at the end of the year during your performance review. It is noted in your meeting which skills you improved on, which new skills you acquired, and which you should continue to build. One of those skills is likely to be business writing which entails drafting of correspondence, composing emails (e.g., to senior management on behalf of your boss, to clients and vendors), and creating PowerPoint presentations to name a few. There are some basic tips you can follow to enhance this skill so vital in business communication.

In the rush of the moment, it's easy to send off a lengthy email without taking a few minutes to look it over and read it quietly to yourself for correctness, clarity, and tone. Spelling mistakes are not always caught by the system's spellchecker, e.g., "their" versus "there" versus "they're." Make sure your sentences are closed with either a period or a question mark. Usage of exclamation points should be strictly limited, especially in the workplace. Beware of semicolons that might result in a run-on sentence. It's best to just steer clear of these.

Take note about the tone of the piece. If, after reading it aloud to yourself (quietly, though), a sentence sounds harsh or demanding, revise it. Should such a tone be warranted, it's best to let the boss change it up to reflect it. As an Administrative Assistant representing your manager, it's your job to consistently be tactful and diplomatic in all your communications, written and verbal. Try not to use words such as "really," "always," and "never." They serve little purpose and do not add much to the message.

Vocabulary and usage in business is another area with which to be cautious. In particular, it is wise to stay away from cliches, e.g., get one's feet wet, food for thought, too little too late. You get the idea. Especially in today's global marketplace, it is critical to keep the lines of communication open and flowing by avoiding phrases that might not be understood by a client or representative of your global company from another country. Similarly, in writing as in speech, it is important to apply caution to the proper use of political correctness. It has been overstated but it bears emphasizing. There is no easier way to disrupt the flow of positive and forward communications by incorrectly referring to someone or something.

These tips may or may not come across as redundant to you. However, we could all use a reminder during our busy workday that crafting a superior written document is as important as meeting a deadline to submit said document. The consequences of missing a step in either one could be substantial. At the end of the year, during performance reviews, these factors are taken into account by your manager. You will either be revered as a careful employee who takes attention to detail to a heightened level or you will be asked to improve upon this skill. This is the perfect time to invest in yourself, both on a professional and personal level.

What other business writing tips did I miss?

Communication Secrets to Change Your Life

Administrative Assistant and Secretary's Handbook

Microsoft® Office PowerPoint® 2007 Step by Step

The Business Style Handbook

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Benefits of Online Book Rentals

2009-09-30T09:29:00.002-04:00

A fairly recent phenomenon following the Netflix model for renting movies online has emerged to be quite a beneficial service for book lovers and even college students wanting to save money by renting college textbooks.

Libraries are receiving limited funding and are struggling to stock titles. There are long waitlists for top sellers and new releases. Return a book late and now you are also paying late fees for that book you waited weeks to read. To read an e-book on the go, you need to purchase a reader, such as the Kindle. If your budget does not allow for gadgets like this where buying ebooks are necessary in order to read them, then you might consider renting a book online. Buying books can also add up over time, and then you have the issue of space. Selling your used books is automatically a loss.

Much the same way Netflix works, when you rent a book online, it gets delivered directly to you. Forget about library late fees, as with renting movies online, these fees are also non-existent. Keep the book or books for as long as you want. College students can save hundreds of dollars by renting textbooks.

Membership rates start around $9.99/month. Look for special deals and promotions and you could save even more.

Search books by ISBN, title, or by author and never be on another waiting list for another new release or bestseller.

Headhunters, Employment Agencies - Maximizing the Relationship

2009-09-20T17:01:00.004-04:00

As you are contacted by headhunters or employment agencies regarding your online resume, you wonder if they are contacting you about a "real" position that fits what you are more or less looking for, or if they are simply trying to bring in candidates as a way to meet their quota (if such a thing exists). Unlike real estate where the apartment seeker pays the fee, at least in dealing with an agent of the job variety, the fee is the hiring employer's burden. This arrangement understandably makes the employer the agent's top priority. It would be nice if we received the same treatment from real estate agents to whom we pay a fee; and yet, it sometimes feels as though their main concern is the landlord. However, moving on...

Nevertheless, as a job seeker, you must graciously respond to the employment agent reaching out to you. It is now your job to delve deeper into his/her job listing and to communicate your skill set and certain preferences, such as a large company versus a small company, etc. Maximizing the relationship with your employment agent(s) will get you remembered for that next job listing that just came in this morning.

One important way to maximize this relationship is to keep in touch with your agent (subsequent to your initial meeting) at least on a weekly basis. Some agents, if they do not hear from you after a while, will assume you found a job and will no longer consider you in the running for newly opened positions. These days, with the amount of job candidates on the market, if you are not a stellar performer, you will likely be forgotten. So definitely do your part to keep the relationship fresh.

As you probably will not see your agent in person anymore after the initial meeting, make sure to create a super first impression. During the meeting, wearing a suit is a must and touting an appropriate bag as well as the right jewelry and shoes (no sneakers!) are equally vital. If you dress casually and tell the agent you are prepared to wear a suit on the actual job interview, in the end, a visual is what will stick in the agent's mind. If the agent can remember how professional and polished you looked as well as how you presented yourself during the meeting, then you have a stronger chance of being referred to the human resources department of the hiring employer. Also, if you are dressed for an actual job interview and there happens to be an appropriate job for you, the agent may go ahead and set up the interview for that day.

Headhunters and employment agents are professionals that can help you navigate the complex world of employment. It is easy to say you will take any job, but in the end, just because the salary is great, does not mean you will be happy. During the meeting with the employment agent, be as candid and honest as you can be, professionally speaking. If you are a seasoned employee and have worked for several companies in the past, then by now you know whether or not you wish to work for a small or large company. You also know the distance you are willing to travel for a job. Even in these tough times, it is important to relay this information to the agent with the understanding that you are open to any position that fits your skills and qualifications. Have references ready in hand as well as copies of your resume.

It is said that opportunity equals luck and preparation. You cannot manage luck but you can definitely prepare yourself! Only then will opportunity come knocking.

Here's a handy article to help you manage all those relationships as well as the actual job interviews.

Be Hunted! 12 Secrets to Getting on the Headhunter's Radar Screen

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The Online Job Search Checklist

2009-08-23T22:43:00.004-04:00

You know it is critical that you maximize your use of online job sites to speed up the potential for finding a job. Simply putting up your resume and not utilizing any of the site's other features might not be good enough in this competitive job climate. Taking advantage of all the free assistance a top quality online job search site offers is smart.

If you are not yet signed up with one of several high quality job sites, the first step is to set up a free job search account.
After signing up for your account, set up your profile filling in all the fields, including and especially current and past job history, skills and qualifications, education, and desired salary, location and job type (e.g., contract, part-time, full-time). Note that in most cases you can set your current job information to private to reveal when you are ready. Also, you will be able to keep your name and address private to be disclosed at your discretion.
The good online job sites will offer free resume and cover letter templates, allowing you to customize a number of resumes for each type of job you apply for. All of this information gets saved in your profile for easy follow-up and continuous use, so be sure to set your resumes up. If you need resume assistance, these sites will offer resume writing services for a fee. Alternatively, you could contact EditNY and get a resume edited for as little as $10.
After uploading your resume, it is time to start searching for a job in your chosen geographic location. Your search will be saved in your profile for easy access the next time you log in. Another important feature to utilize in order to get the most out of the time you spend on these job search sites is their ability to track the jobs you apply to, including saving the customized cover letter you sent along. So be sure to consistently revisit this information when applying to future job applications.
Peruse the job site's career advice in your particular field. This is useful especially when keeping on top of trends and for learning about a new field you are interested in.
Career tools should be plentiful on these sites and will include information on expected salary in your chosen field, other benchmarking reports, profiles on specific careers to give a good picture of what the job is like, and much more.
Equally important to visit on these sites is their career advice ranging from resumes to cover letters to interview preparation and salary negotiation.

Online job search sites are increasingly building themselves as a one-stop shop for job hunting. Employers and recruiters rely on these sites for quality resume searches, so be sure to set up an online job search account and be proactive in searching for employer and recruiter job postings.

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Social Networking: Good for the Job Seeker?

2009-08-16T09:32:00.002-04:00

The age of online social networking has arrived and will be here for some time to come. Whether or not it is a truly helpful tool, especially when looking for a job, is a question that needs to be addressed.

The current big three of social networking, Facebook, Myspace and Twitter, each serve their own purpose, sort of. Facebook and Myspace are constantly competing with each other to unite old and current classmates and colleagues. Facebook has the more professional interface though. Many companies have taken to these sites as well, utilizing them as a marketing tool. Twitter is still being experimented with by many folks who haven't yet figured out its best purpose. It's fun and easy to add hundreds and thousands of followers on Twitter, but at the end of the day, are these "followers" going to be benefit you? One of the criteria for effectiveness on Twitter is that you add appropriate followers, those interested in your updates.

Other social networking sites that have popped up in recent years include LinkedIn, a professional network of past and current colleagues. If you are in the job market, I would highly recommend setting up a LinkedIn account, as recruiters and employers may look you up as a preliminary background screening. Plaxo is one site I haven't quite figured out yet. They look to be as professional as LinkedIn, however. Actually, they're more of a cross between LinkedIn and Facebook. Then there's Classmates which if you join with a Gold membership, you have just spent money you didn't need to. It's a great site for reconnecting with folks from school but its two biggest competitors are Facebook and Myspace.

If you are in the job market, it makes sense to set up professional networking accounts, as opposed to social networking accounts. So forget Myspace and Facebook, as you don't want your words on someone's wall getting misconstrued by the discerning recruiter. There is enough talent out there that makes it easy to skip to the next candidate, so do not give them a reason. If you already have a Myspace or Facebook account under your real name, then hide the profile or temporarily disable the account. Even if you think your pages are "clean," this is always a subjective point of view. With Twitter, folks don't generally use their real name. If you did do this, however, make your updates private.

I am not denouncing social networking by any means. However, for the purposes of seeking a job, it's more in your best interest to seek out the professional networking sites, as mentioned above.

What do you think?

The Social Media Bible: Tactics, Tools, and Strategies for Business Success
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In the Office, Internal Customer Service is Important

2009-08-14T20:49:00.005-04:00

When we think of customer service, we associate it with retail stores, service companies and their 800 numbers. In the office, customer service exists in the form of clients. Administrative assistants are on the front line after the receptionist in answering their or their boss' phone and greeting clients in person ahead of a scheduled meeting. However, companies in recent years have placed increased importance on internal customer service as well.

In large corporations, calls to IT and other internal service departments are followed-up with surveys to the caller afterwards asking for response times and call resolution. This practice has significantly increased productivity and streamlined what was once a "call and wait" operation. Now, the administrative assistant has unfreed some of her resources to concentrate on the boss' tasks at hand without constantly having to follow-up on a ticket opened or request submitted.

Do you agree with this?

Update from EditNY

2009-07-20T23:24:00.003-04:00

Summer is here, and despite the lousy economy, I hope you are all enjoying the nice weather with your family and friends. I will be posting again soon hopefully on a regular basis. In the meantime, if you have any questions or anything, feel free to contact me at EditNY.

I am available to assist in editing and proofreading projects. Remember, I offer competitive resume rates. Feel free to peruse the blog for helpful resume and job search tips.

Happy Summer!

Your Job Search Needs Comprehensive Attention

2009-06-05T19:43:00.004-04:00

There are many job search sites available but finding one that is comprehensive and well-rounded, almost holistic in its offerings, makes your job search more effective. Anything but simply a job search database, a site that offers resume and cover letter templates and storage as well as advice on interviews and salary negotiation is an invaluable companion.

You want to be able to house your employment, salary, and skills data for future use if you are not in the job market, as well. These days, it's wise to have a resume ready to go at a moment's notice should an unforeseen opportunity arise that could propel your career in the direction you want it to go. Prepare yourself by creating your job search profile and organize your career.

Since resumes require a great deal of attention to detail when preparing them, some folks might be more comfortable having someone else write their resumes. That same job search site should offer resume writing services, Even if just to have someone look over your resume for anything you might have missed, it's comforting to know this service exists from a source that already has all of the required information from your profile.

Stand out from the crowd with a professionally written resume.

Also check out:
No-Nonsense Resumes: The Essential Guide to Creating Attention-Grabbing Resumes That Get Interviews & Job Offers

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I'd love to hear from you! Comments / questions welcome. You can email too.

Time for Some Resume Humor

2009-05-17T11:49:00.003-04:00

Take a break from the full time job of looking for a job and be amused at these resume blunders from JobMob.co.il:

Enjoy!

Application: How large was the department you worked in with your last company? “A: 3 stories.” (Resumania)
A resume listed a skill as “being bi-lingual in three languages” (Ask Annie’s)
Background: “28 dog years of experience in sales (four human).” (Resumania)
In the section that read “Emergency Contact Number” she wrote “911.” (Ask Annie’s)
Candidate drew a picture of a car on the outside of the envelope and said it was the hiring manager’s gift. (Careerbuilder.com)
Languages: “Fluent in English. Also I have been heard muttering Gibberish in my sleep.” (Resumania)
“Directed $25 million anal shipping and receiving operations.” (ResumePower.com)
On one of our applications, a girl wrote ” I’m 16, I’m pregnant and I can do anything.” At the same time she turned in her application, her boyfriend handed in his. On his: “Felony for breaking and entering.” (Ask Annie’s)
“One candidate included clipart on their resume of two cartoons shaking hands.” (Ask Annie’s)
Application: “On the line that asked what “sex” he was, he wrote “occassionally”.” (Ask Annie’s)

If you liked these hilarious blunders, get more!

Resumes from Hell: How (Not) to Write a Resume and Succeed in Your Job Search by Learning from Career-Killing Blunders

Editing Your Resume is Important

2009-05-05T18:40:00.003-04:00

Simply writing up a resume is not enough. It's best not to write a resume when you are stressed for time or see a job post that you'd like to hurry up and submit your resume to. Although a resume is not difficult to write, you should take the time to edit a couple of drafts and fine tune your document as much as possible. Hiring employers may scan your resume for job compatibility which may lead you to believe that since they don't fully read a resume, it is not necessary to thoroughly edit one. On the contrary, mistakes appear louder than all of your skills combined. Investing the time to edit your resume will result in a more professional appearance even before the employer invites you for that initial interview.

Oftentimes, when we are pressured to complete a task, we may not cover all of our bases in hopes of getting it done. When writing up your resume, give yourself time to write the first draft but be prepared to revise it at least two more times. That job post that you eagerly want to submit your resume to should be taken as seriously as a job interview. The first impression counts. And the resume is the first impression. This is especially true if the job description is highly specialized in your field in which case you would need to take the extra time to customize your resume for that specific posting for greater chances of being called.

Editing a resume thoroughly is also significant because even the slightest error will stand out to the hiring employer in the scanning process of your resume more so than your skills, and it will distract him or her and will likely cause them to move on to the next resume (as there are hundreds). Consistency in formatting, spelling, grammar and usage (especially in the tense that is being used) are all key elements to keep in mind when crafting your resume. Adhere to this in your editing process or be prepared to submit your resume to many more job postings.

Your resume is your key selling point just like sales material is often the first impression a salesperson has to make on a potential client. If it is not perfect in every way, it is natural to doubt the person's abilities or perceive them to be lazy. This is human nature. We look for and expect things to be right, to work, and above all to be correct. Seek out a quiet place and a couple of hours to work on your resume. Your final product will be a professional one, and that will greatly impress the hiring employer thus increasing your chances many times over for a job interview.

If you didn't think editing your resume was important before, after considering the above points, it now becomes an essential part of the job search process which is by no means an easy one to navigate through in today's tough times.

Suggested reading:
Resume Magic: Trade Secrets of a Professional Resume Writer

No-Nonsense Resumes: The Essential Guide to Creating Attention-Grabbing Resumes That Get Interviews & Job Offers

The Damn Good Resume Guide: A Crash Course in Resume Writing

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