My Sales Associate Resume Needs Work, What Can I Do

My Sales Associate Resume Needs Work, What Can I Do33The job market for sale associates is estimated to expand by 5% over the next eight years in the US alone. While you might have the best skills for the job, this isnt the aspect applicants struggle with. The difficulty lies in creating a resume that balances length, buzzwords, the right resume headings, and deciding on what experience you should include, and how you should describe it. Polishing up on all of these aspects will bring you closer to getting the interview you know you can ace. So take a look at our actionable tips below Who are ausverkauf associates? Try asking yourself this question when recruiters think of a schlussverkauf associate, do I line up with their expectation? Impactful sales associates can identify consumer needs and utilise their product-knowledge to present problem-solutions and and recommend, market, and sell appropriate products. Youre the customers first point-of-contact with many skills involved in c ustomer support typically coming into play too.This expectation gives you a checklist of criteria to meet in your resumeDemonstrate any previous experience in retail / working with the public Convey your humanity and approachability Detail any educational background in business, sales, or marketing Tell the recruiter who you are, more than just what you do Top 5 sections for your sales associate resume (no matter your background)1. Resume header Hiring managers often sift through dozens of resumes in minutes. Having six-seconds to make an impression on the person reviewing your resume can be difficult, but not impossible. Your resume header is the first thing a recruiter will look to and therefore should be perfected as much as possible. You should include your name, contact details (including a phone number and email address) and any links to your personal website or LinkedIn. Remember to update your voicemail and keep your email address professional. Tip To give the manager an ins ight into your personality, you can customize your resume website with quotes from former colleagues and include a personal photo should this be permissible where you live. 2. StrengthsIf you cant tell the hiring manager what youre skilled in, then why should they consider you? Detailing your top strengths gives a succinct account of what the manager can expect of your ability. Choose strengths and skills that are relevant to the role of sales associate to make the greatest impact. Some strengths you may consider are Human-relations Personal sales Cash handling Problem-solving Merchandising Personal shopping Customer service In Hannahs server resume, she described her greatest strengths in customer service. Tip To make your impact greater, quantify your strengths as you go along with some previous experience. With an Enhancv resume, you can choose an icon to accompany your strengths to guide the hiring managers attention too. Give our resume builder a try 3. EducationA trap you migh t fall into is thinking your education isnt relevant to your role, or you dont have the right education. Rest assured, education comes in multiple forms. You dont typically need a university degree to secure a sales associate job, nor do you need formalised education on related subject matter. If youve taken an online course on marketing, if you have a degree in business, or if you took advanced math in high school, these are all relevant. Niamh mentions her background in psychology and describes how this plays into her understanding of customer relations in her retail resume. 4. TechnologiesIn todays world, jobs that involve no technology are few-and-far between. Whether its navigating POS systems, handling the till at checkout, or using Excel to track stock, your experience with informational systems is relevant to your position as a sales associate. 5. My TimeThe My Time section is an Enhancv exclusive. If youve never come across it before, it can seem peculiar. Why would a hirin g manager care how I spent my time relative to my position as a sales associate? Well, sales associates often wear many hats. There are various tasks youll be responsible for, and an inability to prioritize and manage your time will inhibit your ability to do this. Describing how you spend your time gives insight into your ability to juggle many things at once.In his sales resume, Adam described how his time is divided during a typical work-day. Tip As a student or recent graduate, you can detail how you split your time between coursework, studying, volunteering, and more. Common sales associate resume mistakes you can avoidRepeating the same information Nothing reads worse than an applicant repeating the same information over again in different words. Look at your sales associate resume as a whole. Make a list of things you wish to mention prior to sitting down to write it out to ensure you mention the best examples, and hit all of the points the recruiter is hoping to hear about. Forgetting to quantify your experience Weve all heard the saying You can talk-the-talk, but can you walk-the-walk? This concept is particularly relevant when it comes to the quantification of your experience. You increased sales in your last job. You improved customer solutions. You applied yourself to new situations in volunteering. Thats great but, how did you do those things? You increased sales by 5% by introducing a novel marketing strategy. You improved customer solutions, which doubled customer retention. You learned X new skill after experincing Y scenario in your last job. See how much more of an impact quantification makes? Lacking specificity The days of the general resume are over. With the sheer volume of resumes hiring managers are tasked to go through with their tight schedule, having a general resume that reads as if it could have been submitted to hundreds of places will reduce your chances of getting called for an interview. Look into the type of products the comp any sells, match the color on your resume to their branding, read the job description and use your resume as the answer booklet.Further tips to improve your sales associate resume Format your resume by priority If youve ever looked into formats for your sales associate resume, you may have come across suggestions such as a reverse-chronological resume or hybrid resume. When it comes down to it, the best decision you can make is placing the fruchtwein important parts of your resume first, and creating a funnel of priority for deciding on the next part. If the job description emphasises prior experience, your experience should be firs. If skills are mentioned more than anything else, reference your skills first. With the exception of your resume header coming first, there are no rules you have to follow. Place yourself in the hiring managers shoes, what would you want to see first? Tip With Enhancvs resume builder, you can easily move sections around according to priority without comp romising aesthetics. Our simple rearrange feature means you can moves sections like pieces of a puzzle. Deciding on length The rule-of-thumb when it comes to resume length is one page per ten years of experience. For most sales associate roles, one page will be plenty to discuss your experience and value. Going beyond one page is more likely to bore the recruiter. Theres no guarantee theyll make it to your second page before putting your resume in the No pile. Aiming for a focused one page resume will do wonders for your chances of getting called for an interview. Sales associate action verbsA struggle many applicants have to overcome is how to describe your past work. One way to do this is using action verbs that have real meaning, generate intrigue, and have an impact. Some verbs you can use to catch the recruiters attention are UpsoldIdentified SolvedDoubled MerchandisedSoldReplenishedInitiatedAssisted Conceptualised Augmented Retained Educated Coordinated CalculatedOrganisedRein ventedRelated (to customers)Conduct a resume review No resume is complete without reviewing your content. Your sales associate resume is no different. To complete a resume review, read your resume backwards, print it out, send it on to a colleague to read, or better yet, do all three. Tip With Enhancv, you can avail of our built-in referral link which allows you to send your resume to friends and colleagues for constructive feedback. You can get that sales associate job With the right resume sections, controlling for common mistakes, and some extra advice on how to stand out from the crowd, youre one step closer to getting the job in associate sales youve always wanted. Remember, be specific, quantify your experience, conduct a resume review, and make use of sales associate-specific action verbs Use Enhancvs resume builder to create a resume as aesthetically-pleasing and easy-to-make as all of the examples you see above.

Headphones at Work A Productivity Hack or Hinderance

Headphones at Work A Productivity Hack or Hinderance Audiophiles, those who enjoy white noise when they work and people who appreciate the noise-canceling benefits of headphones, will often tell you that their headphones are an essential part of their work setup. However, headphones detractors argue that theyre distracting, make it difficult to get coworkers attention and can even pose a threat to safety in certain environments.Learn about the advantages and disadvantages of headphones and how best to determine how you can (and cant) incorporate headphones into your work environment.Pros of headphones at work.First, and most importantly, wearing headphones at work can boost focus and productivity. Many people find that controlling the background noise in their environment helps them focus on the task at hand and get work done more quickly. This is likely to be especially true for workers in open-plan offices, which tend to be a bit noisier and, therefore, distraction-filled than oth er types of offices.Boosting employee productivity is good for both workers and companies. Workers who are able to focus on their work get more done, which helps them avoid burning the midnight oil and their employers, who dont have to pay overtime or deal with burnt-out, stressed-out employees, benefit as well.If youre listening to music through your headphones, you may also find that your creative thinking gets a boost. Teresa Lesiuk, an assistant professor in the music therapy program at the University of Miami, explains that music can help people break out of just thinking one way. Lesiuks research shows that music listeners not only complete tasks more quickly but also come up with better ideas than non-music listeners.The right background music or programming can also boost your mood and help relieve stress. Given that the workplace can be a stressful, hectic place, this could be a pretty significant benefit of headphones for many workers.Cons of headphones at work.The most ob vious downside of headphones is linked to their most obvious upside. While headphones can lager out distracting noise and help wearers focus on the work at hand, they can also isolate their wearers and make it difficult for coworkers to get wearers attention. They also eliminate the opportunity for spontaneous creativity, exchange of ideas and casual interactions between coworkers.Theres also some risk that music could be a distraction, rather than a focus-booster, if the listener gets too caught up in the lyrics to the detriment of their actual work. Additionally, if a headphone wearer plays their music too loudly, it could be heard by and become distracting to the people next to them.Its also worth bearing in mind that certain work environments, particularly those involving very detail-oriented tasks or dangerous situations, are poorly suited to wearing headphones. If your job demands that you be as attuned as possible to your environment, headphones are likely a poor choice at work.Finally, the potential health effects of playing music too loudly via headphones must be mentioned. Playing music or other audio at high volumes through ones headphones can lead to hearing damage and even deafness over time.(When) should HR intervene?If an employees headphone use interferes with their own or others work, its time for HR to intervene. This can be handled via an individual conversation with the employee in question. Discussing the issue directly and working with the employee in question to address it should suffice in these cases.However, if theres a broader need for a company-wide policy on appropriate headphone use or a desire to have a company-wide policy on this issue, then its appropriate for HR to take the lead in crafting such a policy and disseminating it to employees. The employee handbook is a good place for such a policy.Some issues that might be covered in a company policy on headphone use includeAllowable types of headphones (over-ear, noise-cancelin g, earbuds, etc.)Whether employees should wear one or two headphonesAppropriate volume levelsA reminder not to sing along or otherwise distract colleaguesTo prevent employees from keeping their headphones on at all times, a company could also consider restricting headphone use to only certain parts of the office, times of day or when completing certain tasks.When crafting a company policy on headphone usage, its important to keep the two competing issues in play in mind on the one hand, its important to ensure that people are able to adjust their work environments to suit their working styles and facilitate productivity, which may mean headphones are a necessity for some employees. On the other hand, its equally important to ensure that employees have opportunities to work together and collaborate on ideas, which isnt possible if everyone has their headphones on all the time.Striking the right balance between these competing objectives in both company policy and individual employee behavior is the best way to ensure that headphones are used responsibly and appropriately in an office environment.Lorelei Yang is a New York-based consultant and freelance writer/researcher. Find her on Twitter and LinkedIn.

Nice Guys Finish First Dave Kerpen on the Power of People Skills

Nice Guys Finish First Dave Kerpen on the Power of People Skills Conjure in your mind the image of an archetypal businessperson. Theyre probably kind of a jerk, right? The kind of person who would do anything and stab anyone in the back to get ahead?Contrary to ourreceived wisdom, being a heartless sleazebag isnt going to get you very far in life. Thats according to Dave Kerpen, the CEO of Likeable Localand the author ofThe species of People 11 Simple People Skills That Will Get You Everything You Want.In fact, Kerpen believes that if you want to be successful in business today and life in general you need to cultivate great people skills.Kerpen first realized this after writing his first two books,Likeable Social MediaandLikeable Business.I realized that the principles I wrote about in those books things like listening and authenticity they dont just apply to social media and business. They apply to all career and life skills when it comes to g etting what you want, Kerpen says. So I wroteThe Art of Peopleto help people get what they want out of life.The book is divided into 11 categories of skills, and across those categories it presents 53 tips on how to put these skills into practice.Back in April, I had the chance to speak with Kerpen about his book. What follows is a brief transcript of that conversation, minimally edited for style and clarity.Recruiter.comIf I were to ask you, What is this book about?, how would you answer?David Kerpen Id sayIts about how to get better at your people skills, communicate better with others, and get what you want out of life based on getting people to do things for you.RCOne of the major ideas in the book is that the people who win in life are the people who have the best people skills not the cutthroat competitivetypes. How did you reach this conclusion?DKIts based on my own experiences and having the privilege of knowing some very successful entrepreneurs. I believe that nice guys r eally do finish first, and by treating people well, thats how you end up on top. Countless people have demonstrated that, and I write about some of those people in the book.RCIs this a recent development, something that is specific to our cultural moment? Or has it always been this way?DK I think its always been this way, but the importance of people skills hasbeen magnified recently because the Internet and social media in particular has rendered the world smaller and mora connected than ever before.It used to be that you could get away with treating people less kindly or building a culture at your company that isnt worth raving about. Now, people talk. People are more connected than ever before. People havealways talked, but now, when you post something onLinkedInor Facebook, word spreads a lot faster and a lot wider. Thats why people skills are more important now than ever before.RCThe book explores a number of critical people skills. Can you give us an example of one or two?DK Well, it has some wider skills, like listening, but also some very practical tips, like Always take the water when youre offered water at an interview or meeting.RCInteresting why is that? Why should you always take the water?DKYou want to put the other people at ease. Sometimes, you refuse to take the water because you dont want to put people out, but if someone came over to your house and you offered them water, you would want them to say Yes. It would make you feel like a better host if they said Yes.For that same reason, you should always say Yes when people offer you water or coffee when you meet them in a professional setting.RCFor job seekers who might pick up this book, whats the major takeaway?DKIts not about you. Its about the other person. In a job-seeking scenario, its less about selling yourself and more about understanding the other person interviewing you what they want to accomplish and how you can help them accomplish that.RCWould you say that the same kind of thi nking applies to recruiters?DKYes. Recruiters should think less about themselves and how awesome they are, and more about the business theyre working with. What are the businesss needs and how can they help?

Rotary Snow Plow Joins ASME Landmark Roster

Rotary Snow Plow Joins ASME Landmark Roster Rotary Snow Plow Joins ASME Landmark Roster Rotary Snow Plow Joins ASME Landmark RosterThe Northern Pacific Rotary Snow Plow No. 2, the first machine to reliably remove deeply packed snow from railroad tracks, was designated as an ASME historic mechanical engineering landmark in a ceremony held in Duluth, Minn., on April 16. (Photos by Wil Haywood, ASME Public Information)The Northern Pacific Rotary Snow Plow No. 2, the oldest rotary snow plow still in existence, became ASMEs 257th historic mechanical engineering landmark in a ceremony held in Duluth, Minn., on April 16. The designation ceremony, which was held at the Lake oben liegend Railroad Museum, was attended by members of the Minnesota Section and University of Minnesota-Duluth Student Section as well as enthusiasts and representatives and trustees from the museum.The first machine to reliably remove deeply packed snow from railroad tracks, the now retired Snow Plow No. 2 is on perma nent display at the railroad museum. Powered by a locomotive-type steam engine, the Northern Pacific Rotary Snow Plow No. 2 employed a bi-directional rotating wheel with blades, and was propelled by several locomotives. ASME Past President Richard J. Goldstein (pictured) presented the bronze landmark plaque to Timothy Schandel, curator of the Lake Superior Railroad Museum, during the ceremony. The plow, which was built in 1887 by Cooke Locomotive Machine Works of Patterson, N.J. remained in service for 81 years, originally serving in the Cascade Mountain region of the western North America before it was moved east to clear railroad tracks in Minnesota and North Dakota.The Northern Pacific Rotary Snow Plow No. 2 was nominated for ASME landmark position by the University of Minnesota-Duluth Student Section, and championed by student section member Adam Broderius, who led the yearlong effort to have the plow designated as an ASME landmark.The bronze landmark plaque was presented to Timothy Schandel, curator of the Lake Superior Railroad Museum, by ASME Past President Richard J. Goldstein during the designation ceremony. Goldstein, an ASME Fellow and Honorary Member, served as ASMEs 115th president from 1996 to 1997. ASME History and Heritage Representative Herman Viegas also attended the April 16 event. Herman Viegas, ASME History and Heritage representative, at the April 16 landmark designation ceremony. The Northern Pacific Rotary Snow Plow No. 2 was the second ASME landmark to be designated in the state of Minnesota, following the Thermo King Refrigeration Unit, which was named an ASME landmark in 1996.For more information on the ASME History and Heritage Landmarks Program, and to view the complete list of ASME mechanical engineering landmarks, visit www.asme.org/about-asme/engineering-history/landmarks/about-the-landmarks-program.

Email Etiquette Tips for Job Seekers

Email Etiquette Tips for Job SeekersEmail Etiquette Tips for Job SeekersWhen you are job searching, youll likely use schmelzglasle for a number of reasons. You might send anschmelzglasle asking about job openings, or anschmelzglas titelbild letter with a resumeattached. You might send networking emailles asking contacts for help with your job search. You will likely also send email thank-you messages after interviews. When you use email to job search, its important that all your communications are as professional as they would be if you were writing an old-fashioned paper letter. Heres information on all you need to know about job search email etiquette,includingwhat to put in your job search emails, how to format your emails, and how to make sure your email messages are read. Email Etiquette Tips for Job Seekers Set Up a job search email account.When youre looking for a job, its a good idea to set up an email account just for job searching. That way your professional email wont get mixed in with your personal mail. There are a variety of free web-based email services, like Gmail and Yahoo, that you can use. Youll be able to check your email online from any computer, so using webmail is a good way to stay on top of your job search. Be sure you have an email account name that is appropriate for business use, i.e. firstname.lastnamegmail.com rather than cutegirlhotmail.com. Once youve set up the account, send yourself a few test messages to make sure you can send and receive mail. Use this email account for all your job search communications to apply for jobs, post your resume, and connect with your contacts. Be sure to check your account frequently so that you can respond immediately to employers who are interested in hiring you. Also set up your job search email on your smartphone so you can get notifications instantly. Dont use your work email account.Many companies monitor email communications, and you dont want to get caughtjob searching from work. Dont use your work email address for job searching or networking. Dont send resumes and cover letters from your work email account or use that email address when you apply for jobs online. Send your email to a specific person.When possible, send your email to a contact person, rather than a general email box. Send a copy to yourself, so you have a record of the emails you have sent and the jobs youve applied to. Use a clear subject line.Your email message needs asubject line. If you leave the subject blank, the email isprobably going to end up in a spam mailbox or be deleted. Make sure you list the position you are applying for in thesubject lineof your email message, so the employer knows what job you are applying for. You might want to include your name in the subject as well. Below are two examples of appropriate subject lines Subject Line Communications Director PositionSubject Line Marketing Associate Position / Your Name Choose a simplefont.Avoid ornate, difficult-to-read fonts. Us e abasic fontlike Times New Roman, Arial, or Cambria. Dont use color in your text, either. Use size 10 or 12 point, so that the email is easy to read, without being too big. Write like its a business letter.In general, your email messages should look a lot likebusiness letters. They should include words, not acronyms, slang or emoticons. The email letters should be written in full sentences and paragraphs. Begin with a salutation, and end with a send-off and yoursignature. The only difference between an email and a business letter is that in an email you dont need to include the employers contact information, the date, and your information in the top left corner. Keep it brief.People tend to skim, or even ignore,very long emails. Keep your email brief and to the point. Include a signature.Include anemail signaturewith your contact information, so its easy for the hiring manager to get in touch with you. Including a link to your LinkedIn profile is a good way to give the hiring manag er more information on your skills and abilities. Below is a sample email signature FirstName LastNameEmail AddressPhoneLinkedIn Profile URL (Optional) Edit, edit, edit.Make sure you proofread your email for grammar and spelling errors. Clear writingis just as important in an email as it is in a business letter. Send a test message.Before you send your email, send the message to yourself to check that the formatting works. Also, make sure that any files you attached are easy to open. If everything looks good, resend the email to the employer. Email Message Content If you have a contact person, address your email to Dear Mr./Ms. LastName. If you dont, address your email to Dear Hiring Manager or simply start with the first paragraph of your message. When youapply for a job via email, copy and paste yourcover letter into the email messageor write your cover letter in the body of an email message. If the job posting asks you to send your resume as an attachment, send your resume as a PDF or a Word document. No matter your purpose for emailing, be clear about why you are writing and the purpose of your email message. Include this information early on in the email. The reader is much more likely to respond if they know, at a glance, why youre reaching out to them.

Important Job Skills for Legal Secretaries

Important Job Skills for Legal SecretariesImportant Job Skills for Legal SecretariesNot to be confused with paralegals, legal secretaries fill vital roles in law firms across the country. While paralegals often perform attorney duties under supervision from an attorney, legal secretaries must keep track of all details circling the law firm. Law has been and always will be a world of red tape and semantics. Attorneys must be fully prepared for each and every legal proceeding. As such, attorneys and paralegals alike depend heavily on their legal secretaries. What Kind of Skills Do You Need to Be a Legal Secretary? The role oflegal secretaries, also known as attorney administrative assistants or legal assistants, has evolved in the past two decades. As with everything else, technology continues to transform the traditional law sekretariat. Legal secretaries must transcend conventional roles of typing and answering phones to overseeing high-value activities between attorneys and clie nts and with regards to legal proceedings. Legal secretaries do what any administrative assistant might do, except that the legal world is a bit more convoluted. All deadlines are priority, and a minor detail overlooked could jeopardize the case of a client or merit legal action from opposing attorneys. Types of Legal Secretary Skills Legal secretary roles have evolved over time. These skills will help you succeed in single attorney offices and law firms. Technology Skills Manyattorneyshave neither the time nor expertise to operate law office technology well. They rely on tech-savvy legal secretaries to perform a variety of computer-based tasks such as building spreadsheets, preparing presentations, auditing timesheets, managing invoices, creating/typing documents, maintaining calendars, and tracking deadlines. Therefore, legal secretaries who are proficient in a variety of computer software applications will have the mostcareer opportunities. Some of the most common technol ogies that legal secretaries must master include Word Processing SoftwareMicrosoft Office SuitePresentationInformation ManagementDigital File OrganizationData Backup SoftwareBillingInvoicingTranscriptionDesktop PublishingVideoconferencingEmail Management Interpersonal Skills Legal secretaries interact daily with attorneys, paralegals, staff, clients, opposing counsel, judicial personnel, vendors, and more. Therefore, top-notch interpersonal andcommunication skillsare essential. In addition to face-to-face contact, secretaries communicate by email, telephone, and video conferencing systems. ReceptionPhone EtiquetteOral CommunicationEmotional IntelligenceInitiativeFormalityBearing Written Communication Do you think that attorneys compose their own written correspondence?Think again. Legal secretaries are frequently responsible for drafting routine correspondence and file memos, in addition to proofreading legal documents for pleadings, briefs, discovery, and transactional purp oses. Writing is an integral part of the legal secretarys job those that develop strong writing skills will become indispensable to the attorneys they assist. Email CompositionFollowing Strict Document FormatsAttention to DetailCover LettersStrong Grammar SkillsTranscription Organizational Skills Attorneys are notoriously disorganized. Since legal secretaries are the attorneys right-hand man or woman,organizational skillsare essential to efficiently manage a law practice orcorporate legal department. Legal secretaries must maintain paper and electronic files, manage projects, track multiple deadlines, maintain calendars, schedule meetings, organize events and keep everything orderly and accessible. Attention to DetailCalendar ManagementFile ManagementConfidential Information ManagementTranscriptionProcess of Packaging and Sending Legal DocumentsReceiving and Organizing AffidavitsNote Taking Transcription Skills Transcription skills are foundational to secretarial practice.In addition to a fast typing speed (employer requirements vary from 50 to 100 words per minute), active listening skills are required tocomprehend voice dictation files. Strong grammar, spelling, vocabulary, and language skills are necessary as well an understanding of legal terminology. As mentioned above, secretaries must be proficient in word processing applications and transcription equipment. Active ListeningTypingWord Processing SoftwareAudio Recording DevicesMemoryWritten Communication Attention to Detail Attention to detail is critical in the legal profession. For example, typing $600,000 in a settlement offer instead of $60,000 could cost your firm a client. Legal secretaries handle the minutiae of daily law practice, and attention to detail is important in nearly every secretarial task from drafting and proofreading documents to scheduling meetings and calendaring deadlines. Note TakingAttentiveAuditingInductive ReasoningDeductive ReasoningData EntryAccuracyProactive Familiarity With Legal Documents and Terminology Whats the difference between a secretary and alegalsecretary?Legal secretaries are familiar with all things pertaining to law and court proceedings. Terms like subpoena,pro se, andvoir dire dont confuse legal secretaries. They understand the nuance of legal procedure and know how to create and format pleadings,discovery and transactional documents. Trial BriefAmicus BriefAppellate BriefReply BriefInterrogatoriesAppeals ProcessWills TestamentsLegal Complaints, Appeals, AnswersQuitclaim DeedWarranty DeedRequesting Subpoenas Teamwork Teamwork is crucial to the role of legal secretaries in delivering legal services. In all practice settings- from large corporate legal departments to solo practitioners- legal secretaries must team with attorneys, paralegals, secretaries,file clerks, vendors, and others to deliver legal services effectively. The most efficient legal secretaries know how to get along with co-workers and collaborate wi th third parties to get the job done. Active ListeningOral CommunicationWritten CommunicationProblem SensitivityCollaboration Multitasking Skills Most legal secretaries work for more than one person on more than one file. Performing multiple tasks simultaneously should be second-nature to a competent legal secretary. They know how to juggle multiple assignments and competing priorities and how to manage growing workloads in todays busy law office where one person frequently performs the job ofthree. Attention to DetailTime ManagementPrioritizationDelegationSchedulingStress Tolerance Research Skills Legal secretaries perform Internet research for a multitude of tasks such as finding directions, gathering client information, researching the competition and locating expert witnesses. Many legal secretaries, particularly those in small law offices, also performparalegalduties, including legal research, cite checking and tracking down case law. Learning legal research platforms s uch as Westlaw or Lexis/Nexis can give you a competitive edge. Reading ComprehensionInterviewingNote TakingNoticing TrendsData AnalysisInductive ReasoningDeductive ReasoningResearch Law Software More Legal Secretary Skills TroubleshootingSocial Media ManagementProofreadingRevisingDraftingSpellingProper Use of Search EnginesReport WritingFinal Manuscript ProductionMark-upsDevelop and Maintain Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)DeadlinesMultilingualFriendlinessAdaptabilityEfficiencyCritical ThinkingComplianceBookkeepingProfessionalismCustomer ServiceResiliencePretrial AgreementsFax MachinesMaintain Law LibrariesManage Case FilesLexisNexisPACER How to Make Your Skills Stand Out Add Relevant Skills to Your ResumeBe sure tohighlight the skills above in your summaryand work history. Law firms care about your experience and attention to detail, particularly in how you construct your resume.Highlight Skills in Your Cover LetterDo not waste words in your letter. Since creating cover let ters is a significant part of your job as legal assistant, stick to the point anddemonstrate your ability to be clear and direct.Use Skill Words in Your Job InterviewBe prepared to discuss types of projects youve managed in other roles without violating a clients confidentiality at other law firms. Do not be afraid to describe how you used the skills above in other roles outside of the legal world if the scenario is applicable to the role you seek.

What a Music Publishing Company Does

What a Music Publishing Company DoesWhat a Music Publishing Company DoesIf you are a songwriter and you have a publishing deal, the music publishing companies will manage your songs and make sure that all of the royalties to which you are entitled are being collected. They will usually actively move to make your songs work harder. In exchange, the music publisherbei will get a cut of income generated by your songs. Role of a Music Publishing Company First off, dont confuse a music publishing company with a record label. While both share many of the same goals for their songwriters, publishers provide a wider array of services. A music publishers role is to make deals with songwriters, promote the songs their songwriters compose to musicians and anyone else who may need a song for whatever reason (advertising, a movie, a promotional campaign, etc.), issue licenses for the use of the songs they represent and collect licensing fees. This work is usually referred to as the administra tion of a song. Different Styles Some publishing companies are extremely hands-on and get involved in everything from the creative process to heavy promotion. For instance, many publishing companies have a partie/department devoted to providing feedback to songwriters on their work, making suggestions for new directions and matching songwriters up for collaborative efforts they think may produce interesting results. The companies that get deeply involved with the creative process are also the ones who tend to be significantly proactive when it comes to placing their songwriters work and soliciting new opportunities for their rosters. Other publishing companies are far less engaged with their clients. They tend to evaluate a composition, make a decision about its profitability potential and then purchase a chunk of its royalties. These companies offer little, if any, creative support to their songwriters and are more reactive than proactive when it comes to seeking licensing oppo rtunities. Although they will still handle the administration of the songs on their rosters, they tend to respond to offers rather than going out and trying to generate them. Types of Companies In addition to there being different styles of music publishing, there are also different types of publishing companies. These mirror the different types of record labels that exist, and in fact, many publishing companies are associated with or own record labels. The types of music publishing companies are Major - These are the big boys, associated with the Big ThreelabelsMajor Affiliated - These are the independent publishing companies that have deals with the majors to handle their licensing administration. Think of these like major distributed independent record labels.Independent - These publishing companies handle their own administration in-house without the aid of one of the majors. They are also self-funded.Writer-Publishers - It is not uncommon for a songwriter to handle his or h er own publishing. If the workload demands, they may hire someone to handle to handle their song administration for them, but this person is an employee of the songwriter who gets a salary/hourly rate/flat fee for their work - not a representative from a publishing company that takes a cut of the income generated by a song. How They Make Money For music publishers, earning money is all about licensing fees and royalties. There are several different royalty streams of which a publisher will get a cut, but some of these royalties are not exclusive to them. Depending on the circumstances, they may share a royalty with the master owner. In terms of song ownership, a publisher usually gets a 50 percent stake in a track. In other words, theoriginal copyright owner (the songwriter) assigns the publisher a portion of the copyright for a song to the publisher. Making a Deal As a songwriter, a deal with a good publishing company can significantly increase your earning potential. Howe ver, publishing deals can be complicated and signing the wrong deal can leave you burned for many years to come. Always seek legal advice before making a publishing deal.