8 Reasons You Were Rejected For a Job

By Erin Kennedy

Leaving a job interview knowing that you did not do everything in your power to get it can be demoralizing.

But, it’s also a learning experience. What went wrong? How can I correct this problem? What is holding me back?

There are some things you should examine about your resume and how you showcase yourself. Here are some tips to updating your resume and getting that job interview to go in your favor.

1. Include your contact information whenever you send out emails.

A quick fix, adding an email signature.

2. Forgetting to attach your resume or documents to your emails.

As soon as you write, “attached” make sure you attach the document. Gmail actually has a function that asks if you want to attach something when you write “attach”.

3. Sending an email before you’re ready.

Try sending it to yourself before sending it to HR managers. This way you can proof your email and make sure that it’s exactly what you want to send.

4. Leaving odd, incomplete or incoherent phone messages.

Nothing sounds worse than being rushed or fumbling through your words as you leave a message, “Umm, Hi. What? Oh, Hi, this is John… ” What if the voicemail server doesn’t have a redo function? Now you look a little silly. Speak slowly so that you can gather your words and leave a smart, coherent message. Leave your name at the beginning and end with your name and phone number.

5. Lying on your LinkedIn or Facebook profiles.

Saying that you’re a consultant when you’ve been out of work for 2 years does not look good. People will think you’re employed and look over you for prospective positions. Instead, say that you’re looking for “new opportunities” or “a change of pace”.

6. Not telling people that you are looking for a job.

Send an email to your friends and family and let them know that you’re actively seeking a job. You would be surprised at the amount of people who will come to you with new opportunities. Update your LinkedIn profile to let people know that you are looking for a job. The more people who know that you’re looking, the higher your chances of landing a job.

7. Forgetting to use your most current email address.

Many people leave older email address on their resume and fail to check their mail as they move on to new servers. You can solve this problem by email all of your contacts from your new email address, as well as updating your resume with the most up-to-date information. Make sure your online profiles include your email address as well.

8. Check your email messages for grammar or spelling errors.

Nothing is worse than crafting a thought out email, sending it and then realizing that you’ve misspelled “Marketnig”. It’s a dead giveaway that you do not possess the eye for detail you claim. Spell check before you send that message.

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6 Great Smartphone Apps

Smartphones continue to be a popular piece of consumer technology, but it’s the apps that help keep them interesting. Here are six new Smartphone apps that are changing the way people work and play on the go.
Draw Something
Doodling is entertaining for all ages, and the Draw Something app introduces a little Pictionary®-style competition into the mix. Players draw something on the Smartphone screen then send it off to an opponent to be deciphered. This addictive game is free with ads and also comes in a $2.99, ad-free version. Check it out at:  Draw Something
TED
The popular TED lecture series website is a go-to source for many who want to get inspired or learn something new. The site now offers an app that brings the lectures right to your Smartphone. It’s free and provides viewers with more than a thousand videos that can easily be browsed and searched by theme, tags or rating. Check it out at: TED

Facebook Camera
Like apps, social networking has contributed to the popularity of Smartphones. Facebook, which brought together millions of people from around the world with its website, has created an app that lets you instantly upload photos to your account. To learn more about the free Facebook Camera app, visit: Facebook Camera

iTranslate Voice
There are numerous translation apps, but many of them require users to type words into the app to see the written translation. iTranslate Voice allows you to talk into your Smartphone and then hear the word or phrase in another language. More than 30 languages are supported by the app, and users can download it for 99 cents.
Google Drive
Storing information on “the cloud” has become a common way for consumers to manage their electronic files. Numerous backup services exist, and various companies provide cloud-based drives where people can get files on the go. The free Google Drive app allows Smartphone users to access their files from literally anywhere. For details, visit: Google Drive

Bike Race
For many consumers, the Smartphone’s true appeal is its games. App-based games number in the thousands, and developers are constantly looking for new ways to build on popular ideas. Bike Race is a physics-based game that puts a bike on a complicated track filled with loops and jumps. It’s quickly gaining popularity and available for free. Check it out at:  Bike Race

Today, the Smartphone has become a way to communicate, conduct business and be entertained. New apps are always being released, and software companies are scrambling to meet the demands of consumers. While Smartphones are a key part of today’s technological lifestyle, it’s the apps that keep them fun and fresh.

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Dealing With Stress

Maybe you’ve had headaches or stomach pain. Or you’ve found yourself snapping at family members and tossing and turning at night, unable to fall asleep.

The cause of all these different symptoms could be the same problem — stress. Not only can stress result in a number of short-term issues like the ones above, if left unchecked, it can also do long-term damage to your health.

What is stress?

Stress is the body’s way of reacting to a potentially dangerous situation. The rush of adrenaline that accompanies your body’s stress response is good news out in the wilderness where you might need a burst of energy to outrun a bear, according to the Mayo Clinic. But in a modern environment when the source of stress is the evening commute or work pressure, that same physical response can be harmful, particularly when it is chronic.

Chronic stress can harm your body and produce numerous aches and pains, including the following:

Recognizing stress

So, how do you know when you’re too stressed out? The following are some signs to look for, according to the American Academy of Family Physicians.

Take control of stress

If these sound like symptoms you’re experiencing, it’s time to take action. There are a number of things you can do to manage chronic stress, according to The National Institute of Mental Health.

First, it’s important to take care of yourself physically. Make sure you are getting enough sleep, eating properly and exercising. It’s also important to focus on your mental well-being. Look to friends and family as a support system or seek out a mental health professional. You can also take time to do things you enjoy, such as listening to music, writing poetry or taking a long walk on the beach, according to the Cleveland Clinic. And practice some relaxation skills, such as deep breathing or meditation.

If you recognize and learn how to manage stress, you can help prevent it from taking a physical and mental toll on your body.

For further reading

Check out the following resources for more information on handling stress:

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