Are You a Sales Professional or an Accidental Poser - Your Career Intel

Are You a sale Professional or an Accidental Poser - Your Career IntelAm I a true schlussverkauf professional or am I an accidental poser?To those of you who feel this question is overly harsh, Im probably talking to you. But dont despair. Dont head to LinkedIn and start searching for a new career. And dont stop reading. This is leid about condemnation its about improvement and growth. Its about recognizing the pieces of yourself that might be unternehmensverbund you back from true sales greatnessand tackling them head-on.Begin by considering five questionsHow many sales articles/blogs do you read in an average week?How long has it been since you listened to/watched a sales skills webinar?How many sales books have you read in the past 12 months?Have you attended any in-person professional training seminars in the past 24 months?When was the last time you took a workout, DIY, cooking or other personal improvement class?Howd you do? The first and last questions might have come easily. 1 only takes a few passive minutes at your desk and 5 is driven by personal interests and self-satisfaction.Remember Under Armours RuleYourself ad with Curry, Spieth and Copeland? What about Rory McIlroys latest EnjoyTheChase spot for Nike? While few mortals follow the brutal regimens of a world class athlete, theres one clear and direct comparison we should each remembertheyre professionals, and as such, theyre committed to building strengths, mitigating weaknesses and improving their probabilities of winning.In an interview years ago, Will Smith spoke powerfully about the separation of talent and skill as one of our greatest misunderstood concepts. Talent, he said, comes naturally but skill is only developed by hours and hours and hours of beating on your craft.Athletes. Actors. Sales professionals. To be the best at whatever your career, the process seems the same. What if sales professionals trained like athletes and engaged the same 4 rules of readiness? Lets see how the crosso ver appliesBuild Mental Stamina. Youre going to be told Noprobably a lot. While stats shift slightly by industry, the average sales person hears No 65% of the time. In an earlier post I talked about how a winners mentality keeps you bullish regardless of your current status. Sales will challenge your mental endurance. Building mental toughness means facing hits, getting knocked down and standing back up.Study Film. New products. New competitors. New buyers. Business doesnt stand still. From industry news to professional best practices, staying abreast of your field is critical. In football, Mondays are dedicated to studying filmnot only to review and assess past performance but also to plan and prepare for whats ahead. Reading Selling Power, The Sales Management Association and other professional pubs can keep you fresh and informed, but its not enough. Schedule time to attend webinars. Read books like Fanatical Prospecting. Invest in in-person training seminars. Take advantage of s ales clinics and networking events and deliberately practice your voice, pitch, cadence and physical presence. Stretch yourself to go beyond the easy. Look for deeper opportunities to learn, apply ideas and grow your sales skills.Workout Train. Ive known sales people who spend more time picking out a steak place to wine-and-dine prospective customers than they do honing and improving their craft. Its like a golfspieler transfixed on the color of their ball towel. Perhaps important on some superstitious level, but nothing compared to the regimen of skills training and tactical improvements theyll need to win. The golfer will hit a thousand balls in a single session, fine-tuning and adjusting with every swing. Sales professionals should do the same. Practice cold calling. Leave and analyze voicemails. Rehearse objection pivots and prepare rejection responses. Role play. Whatever the game, skipping practice never leads to championships.Fuel Yourself. Tomorrows the big presentation. Yo uve researched, prepared, practiced and nailed the delivery. Youve considered every conceivable question or roadblock. Youre ready. In anticipation of the celebration certain to come, you enjoy the extra drink (or 2, or 3) the night before. You sleep a bit late and skip breakfast on your way out the door. Youve sabotage yourself by default. Clearly not every day equates to a major sales pitch, but think about if you treated it like it was. Skipped breakfast and worked through lunch? Expect a midday crash. Eat well. Get some exercise. Sleep. Your mind and energy will follow your bodys cues. Fuel it well.By its very nature, sales is a career of highs and lows. An accidental sales poser can, and will, close deals. Theyll have hot streaks, producing a banner quarter or maybe even a killer year. Theyll feel the satisfaction of winning. Until it stops. Until the roller coaster reaches its inevitable tipping point, and in that stalled moment, they realize their pipeline is dry and theyre u nsure of what to do next.Dont get on that ride. You can avoid the unsettled and unpredictable path of an accidental sales poser. You can choose to build a career as a genuine sales professional.The Summer Olympics are coming and its always fun to watch as the best of the best compete for that top spot on the podium. And from the Womens Gymnastics Team to Michael Phelps, theres no doubt those professionals are determined to rule their rides. Maybe theres a bit of athlete in you, too.

5 Things You Should Never Do When Starting a New Job

5 Things You Should Never Do When Starting a New Job Thinking of making a career move?Therecan benumerous upsides to starting a new job afresh culture, new relationships and colleagues, and (hopefully)exciting pay and benefits. There are plenty of things to do on your first day at a new job to set yourself up for success, too. However, its important to remember that new beginningsrequire a fresh perspective, too.For instance,you may haveformed bad habits at your previous job. Maybe you got too comfortable, or maybe you started getting lazy towards the end of it because your morale was low. Whatever the case, anew position is the perfect opportunity to do away with those habits and have a fresh start.What Should Avoid When Starting a New Job?There are several obvious things you shouldnt do a new job like complain about your old job, gossip, come in late, etc. But there are also some not-so-obvious behaviors you should avoid, too. Avoiding the following five behaviors will help set yo u up for success earlier on in your new job.1. Acting ImpulsivelyLanding a new job is exciting, but sometimes it can embolden us to make poor, impulsive decisions.You may, for instance, feel tempted to announce your new job immediately.However, its better to wait on these announcements, especially incontract positions.After all, you might receive a counter-offer, oryou may realize thenew position isnt what you expected.If youre wondering if you shouldgivenoticebefore leaving, the answer is a resounding yes. Why? Well, if you dont, youre kissing that professional reference goodbye. Secondly, proper notice promotes stability for your coworkers and manager. Burning bridges, however tempting, isnt the answer. Plus, you may need those bridges in the future.2. Forming Immediate RelationshipsProfessional friendships are undoubtedly important, and workplaces with strong communities are thought to be moreproductive and engaged. So, you may be ready tobecome friends with peopleon the first da y at your new job.Dontat least, not yet. Work should be yourhighestpriority when starting a new job, because those first few weeks will really prove whether or not youre a good fit. The compromise?Meet your colleagues, show youre a diligent worker, and let friendships form organically.This is also good advice for workplaces with a political nature. After all, you never know whatpolitics are at play when youstart a new job. Bepolite, and spend time learing about everyones roles.Youll naturally find yourflow in the company culture.3. Not Asking for HelpAsking for help feels uncomfortable, but it is crucial in any position. Although were eager to show our expertise, theres nothing wrong with vulnerability. Youll never know everything about a new position, so why pretend?Asking for help will allow you to form relationships with your team built on understanding and trust. If you dont know who to consult, or if you have specific goals in mind, considerfinding a mentor. Allow yourself to g row your existing skillsets as well asnew ones.4. OversharingEven if youre an open book with friends, you shouldnt be quite so candid at work, especially with yourbossorbosses. You want your leaders to look at you professionally. If youre constantly bringing personal issues to the office, however, your managers may feel youcant adequately handle responsibility. There are just some things you shouldnt share about yourself at work.On the other hand, if youre managing employees, its important to remember they are working for you, instead of looking for a friend. By all means, listen to your employees and give them advice, but as a manager, you havea responsibility to avoid oversharing. Even if your words seem harmless, consider first if they could be perceived in a negative way. Remember, your employees are trusting you to treat them withdignity and respect.5. TakingAdvantageWith the Internet, jobs are far more flexible than theyve ever been. Many positions give us the freedomof a heal thywork-life balancethrough nontraditional benefits.While you should never take advantage of employee privileges, you certainly dont want toover-utilize your benefitswhen you begin a new job. Many privileges are created for special circumstances (e.g. remote capabilities, unlimited paid leave, flexible hours, etc.), so its important to appreciate these freedoms, rather than abuse them. Then, when you really need them, theyll be available.The Bottom LineYou may feel youve made mistakes in previous positions. Weve all done things we could have done differently, but mistakes do allow us to revise and go into the next job with a renewed sense of self.If youre about to start a new job, take the lessons youve learned and the tips weve discussed today, and apply them to your new position. Start your dream job on the right foot.--Kaitlin Westbrook is a content writer forVecteezy.com. She covers business, creative content, professional writing, and more. When shes not writing, she enjoys mov ies, baking, and her Pomeranian. You can connect with her onTwitter.

Australian culture, values and customs

Australian culture, values and customs Australian Culture, Values And CustomsPosted October 13, 2011, by Andrea RiddellMany people, tourists, students and migrants alike, are drawn to the diverse and welcoming culture of Australia - a product of a rich, multicultural society. When planning to live, work, study or visit a diverse country such as Australia, being aware of the culture is extremely important to ensure you get the most out of your travel, while respecting the values of your host country. With a unique landscape - as varied as the inhabitants - Australia has attracted a cultural bed of international students, travellers, workers and migrants. There are over 200 different languages and dialects, including 45 indigenous languages, spoken in Australia, with English the national language. In order to adapt to this tolerant and diverse society, you will need to be aware of some of the common social values and customs.Australian Values StatementPermanent visas and some temporar y visas require you to read or be familiar with the government-provided book Life in Australia before you sign the Australian Values Statement. By signing this statement you are saying that you will respect and abide by the customs and laws of Australia. All visa applicants must sign this statement if they are 18 years old or over. If you refuse to sign the Values Statement, your visa application may be delayed or even declined.The Australian values includeRespect for the equal worth, dignity and freedom of the individualFreedom of speechFreedom of associationFreedom of religion and secular governmentSupport for parliamentary democracy and the rule of lawEquality under the lawEquality of men and womenEquality of opportunity, regardless of race, religion or ethnic backgroundA spirit of egalitarianism that embraces mutual respect, tolerance, fair play, compassion for those in need and pursuit of the public goodAlthough these values are bedrngnis exclusive to Australia, they are inhere nt to the Australian way of life and are ingrained in history. Australians believe in freedom bound by law. This means that although Australians are entitled to a number of fundamental freedoms, they have a civil duty to obey the law while taking advantage of them. Indigenous communityThe Aboriginal and Torres Strait people were the first inhabitants of Australia, and have lived in Australia for up to 60 000 years. Indigenous Australians have their own unique beliefs, traditions and reverence of the land. This can differ according to where they lived. Aboriginals and Torres Strait Islanders are an important part of Australias history, culture and national identity, and have made valuable contributions across many fields, including the arts, media, business and sport. While Australias Indigenous history has been a turbulent journey, today the government is committed to improving equality, health, education and employment opportunities for all Indigenous communities. Around 16 per cent of Australian land is owned or controlled by Indigenous people. This land, usually found in remote or regional areas, is linked to their culture and beliefs and is considered sacred. Some sacred sites have specific traditions or rules, so be aware of any cultural and social customs when youre travelling. City versus countryAustralia has the lowest population density per square kilometre of any country, due to the large tracts of sparsely inhabited land in the interior. The outback - remote, inland areas - makes up a large part of Australias geography, history and identity. There are many employment opportunities in regional Australia. Living in a regional or rural area can allow you to experience a different side of the Australian way of life, and regional centres have strong cultural diversity and great support systems. They are also less expensive than the cities when it comes to cost of living. DressAustralian dress codes can differ according to situation and location. Work places usually have dress codes depending on what type of environment it is. Office jobs generally require you to dress neatly, cleanly and modestly, even if the dress code is business casual or smart casual. Jobs that require labour or construction may have dress requirements such as steel-cap shoes and hard hats, to ensure safety. In the general public, there are no laws or rules regarding clothing. Many people will dress to suit their style, express themselves, or for the weather or situation. During the warmer months, beaches can be a popular location for all Australians, and people tend to dress accordingly - think bathers, shorts and thongs. Wearing your national dress for religious or customary purposes is also widely accepted in Australia. Greetings and polite behaviourIt is polite in Australia to shake someones right hand when you meet him or her for the first time. This is also customary for business practices. Amongst close friends, it is becoming increasingly common to greet each other with a kiss on the cheek. If you are talking with someone who you have met for the first time, it is polite not to talk about personal matters. It is also a social custom to look someone in the eye when you are talking to them, but staring at someone for a long period of time is considered rude. Australians tend to be fairly informal in their everyday interactions and it is common practice to call someone by their first name only. You can address someone by their title and their family name, but this is considered unnecessary and overly formal for most situations. People do, however, tend to be more formal in business and professional situations. It is also customary to use words like please, thank you, sorry and excuse me when talking with strangers as well as friends. These words are also commonly used when making purchases and in other business transactions. Australians are famous for using a lot of slang, which can be unintelligible even to native Eng lish speakers from around the world. Here are some colourful examples of Aussie slang.Celebrations/holidaysAustralians celebrate a number of holidays and special events. Some recognised days hold national meaning or commemorate a past event and are remembered with a public holiday. Most states and territories celebrate public holidays on the same day. Small businesses may close on public holidays. Some of the main public holidays, apart from Christmas and Easter, include Australia Day and Anzac Day. Australia Day is celebrated on 26 January and commemorates the arrival of the European settlers. It is a time to celebrate Australia as a united and strong nation. Australia Day is a time when many Australians get together with friends to go out or have a picnic or BBQ - and Australians do like any excuse to be festive Anzac Day is celebrated on 25 April and honours the day the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) landed at Gallipoli during World War I in 1915. Today Anzac D ay is a time to remember those who lost their lives fighting for Australia, not only in World War I but also in subsequent wars. Anzac Day is celebrated with marches and parades. A ceremony also takes places at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra. ResourcesMy first resumeCover letter for my first jobCareer Insider StoriesShelley Lask - Body Positive Health & FitnessInterested in becoming a?Human Resources OfficerGeneral ManagerBusiness ManagerAccountantOffice AdministratorPopular Career Searchestips for surviving university life11 top tips for effective time managementtips for online learnersaustralian job opportunitiestips for first year university students CoursesBachelor of Social WorkEnquire Online Enquire OnlineCertificate III in Health AdministrationEnquire Online Enquire OnlineBachelor of Criminal JusticeEnquire Online Enquire OnlineCertificate III in Allied Health AssistanceEnquire Online Enquire OnlineAndrea RiddellRelated ArticlesBrowse moreCareer progressionOnline stu dyBoosting qualifications and skills is key to your employment futureAustralia may landsee the creation of up to 9.3 million new jobs over the next 15 years, according to projections set out by Skills Australia in a recent report.High schoolUniversityA Dozen Things I Wish Id Known Before I Started UniO-Week is approaching and that excitement you had is quickly being replaced by anxiety. How will you meet people? Did you choose the right course? Marni shares her experience so you dont have to stress.Career AdvisorsJob hunting tipsWhy Should I Hire a Resume Writer?Struggling to land an interview? Your resume could need some attention. A resume writer can help you elevate your resume to a new level. Learn what resume writers do, how they can help, how much they cost, and how to find a good one in this quick read.

Aviation Glossary

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Grocery Bagger Job Description Overview

Grocery Bagger Job Description OverviewGrocery Bagger Job Description OverviewDespite the green retailing and sustainability trends that have eliminated plastic grocery bags from individual retail stores and the cities in which they operate, the Retail Grocery Bagger is still an entry-level job that launches retail career paths.The reason why baggers still exist in the largest U.S. retail chains after plastic bags have disappeared is that Retail Grocery Store Baggers are about much more than bagging merchandise. This job description highlights the expanded role of baggers in any both grocery stores and other retail operations and how much they contribute to the retail customer experience every day. Overview of a Retail Store Bagger Position Those working in the bagger standort contribute to the profitability of a retail operation by enhancing customer tafelgeschirr satisfaction and strengthening customer loyalty. A retail operation employs baggers solely for the purpose of improv ing their customers purchase experience at the point of sale. Therefore, in addition to increasing the speed and efficiency of the checkout process, baggers are a key point of customer contact. By interacting with customers in a polite, friendly and accommodating manner, baggers help create the best possible last impression with each customer. Key Responsibilities Baggers are integral members of the team, providing support to both customers and staff members. Merchandise handling is just one aspect of a baggers responsibilities. Baggers also perform tasks that contribute significantly to customer service and the smooth operation of the store in general. Merchandise Handling Responsibilities The primary task of the bagger is to package each customers purchases so that they can be transported safely and easily between the store and the customers home. Merchandise needs to be handled with care to preserve the quality and value of each purchase. Bags and boxes must be thoughtful ly chosen for the size, shape, and weight of the purchases, and items should be wrapped for protection when appropriate. Baggers are experts in product transportation. Merchandise integrity, customer convenience, and company costs must all be considered as baggers make decisions and perform their duties. Customer Service Responsibilities A store that employs baggers values customer care and efficiency. Baggers must be proficient in their tasks, but it is equally important for them to interact with customers using eye contact, smiles, and polite conversation. Knowing the location of merchandise is essential for baggers. In addition to answering customer questions, baggers will be checking prices, retrieving merchandise, and returning unwanted items to the shelves. When appropriate, baggers will help customers take purchases to their vehicles. It is vital that this last impression is positive, and whenever possible, memorable. General Store Operations Responsibilities Operatio nal duties start in the checkout area where you will be expected to keep things clean, organized and well stocked. As a bagger, you will also assist with restocking, straightening, fronting, facing, and dusting merchandise shelves and displays. Other general housekeeping duties might include sweeping, mopping, and cleaning restrooms. While performing tasks, baggers should be aware of customer needs and offer assistance proactively. Often baggers will be responsible for tending to the stores exterior, retrieving carts, and removing debris from the parking lot and sidewalks. Prior Experience Required The bagger position is an entry-level joband requires no prior work experience. Employers will sometimes even hire you for a bagger job before you are 16, with an appropriate work permit and parental permission. Necessary Qualifications Retail employers want people who are friendly, diligent, and upbeat for this position. Organization, efficiency, and enthusiasm are needed for bag gers to succeed in a fast-paced environment. Good verbal communication and reading skills are essential for frequent customer and employee interactions. You must also take directions well and be dependable in this job. Physical Requirements The bagger position is physically demanding, and you will be expected to be able to stand and walk for your entire scheduled shift. Also, depending on the type of merchandise the store sells, you may be expected to bend frequently, twist, reach, stretch, kneel, squat, push, pull, and lift up items that may weigh up to 75 pounds. You may also be exposed to extreme temperature changes as you frequently travel between indoor and outdoor environments. Additional and Education Requirements The bagger position is generally a part-time position, and employers will usually be flexible with scheduling to accommodate school and other family obligations. Baggers can expect to work weekends when shopping traffic is heavy. It will be essential for you to demonstrate good hygiene when working as a bagger and have a neat and clean appearance at all times to make the best possible impression on the customers. There are no educational requirements, and often people work as baggers while attending high school or college. Compensation Because it is an entry-level position requiring no previous experience, baggers are often paid an hourly minimum wage. The bagger job is usually a part-time position, and therefore, there are few, if any, benefits offered. Generally, you will receive some type of employee discount when you purchase merchandise from the store.

5 ways to walk into a performance review with your eyes wide open

5 ways to walk into a performance review with your eyes wide open5 ways to walk into a performance review with your eyes wide openWe all know that performance reviews can be especially nerve-wracking - especially when you run the risk of getting unexpected bad news or youre already on thin ice with your boss.But whether youre on shaky ground or not, heres what to do to to make koranvers youre prepared for your next one.Go in with a planBernard Marr, a speaker, author and advisor, writes on his website that when getting ready for a yearly performance review, you should aim to drive the discussion.Before you head into your review, make a short list of topics that you would like to cover with your manager. Your annual review is a perfect opportunity to talk about anything that might be on your mind with regard to your career trajectory, team, projects, and so on. Take the opportunity to make the review work for you, he writes.Do your own performance review firstThis can help take the e dge off once the meeting with your boss finally rolls around.Shawn Kent Hayashi, the founder of The Professional Development Group and the author of Conversations for Creating Star Performers, told The New York Times that the first thing you should do is write out your duties at work and come up with your own assessment of each.Thinking through how youve done will prevent you from overreacting to feedback because you know what to expect, she told the media outlet.Brace yourself for potential curveballsNo one likes these, but its best to mentally prepare beforehand just in case.Chrissy Scivicque of EatYourCareer.com writes in U.S. News World Report that your should prepare for hard truths.Even top performers have room for improvement. No matter how well youre doing, you have to prepare yourself mentally for a few hard truths. After all, you cant grow as a professional if you dont know where youre currently falling short.What are your weaknesses? What mistakes or negative things coul d come out during this discussion and how will you address them? Scivicque writes.She goes on to add that getting overly emotional is sure to backfire, to keep your ears open, write things down. and ask questions, among other points.Be ready to own where you standThis in the same vein.Dave Johnson writes on CBS MoneyWatch that you should be honest about yourself.Dont lie, or even exaggerate. Your manager (probably) isnt an idiot. If you take leistungspunkt for someone elses work or inflate the value of what you accomplished, odds are that your boss will notice. And from that point on he or she will second-guess everything you write in your review. Your review (and the list of accomplishments you submit in advance) should be clear, honest and squeaky-clean. Moreover, you should call out challenges that arose during the year. Its OK, and probably even a good idea, to highlight one or two things that went wrong, especially if you can cite ways you grew as a result, Johnson writes.Come prepared with questionsThe Robert Half Blog explains why you should seize this chance to ask about what you really want to know about.The annual review process is your opportunity to get direct feedback regarding your performance and future with the company. This is your chance to ask for whatever it is you need or want from your employer (as appropriate). It can be difficult to bring up these subjects with a superior face-to-face - whether youre asking for a raise, a promotion, recognition or simply more insights about your expected career path - so it may be helpful to make a bulleted list of what youd like to bring up during your talk, the blog says.

6 Things Hiring Managers Never Want to See on a Resume

6 Things Hiring Managers Never Want to See on a Resume 6 Things Hiring Managers Never Want to See on a Resume Asproviders of professional career services, we at ResumeSpice knowwhat hiring managers, human resources departments, and recruiting professionals do and dont want to see on candidates resumes.Especially in todays competitive job market, its important to keep your resume in the running by avoiding a few critical, but unfortunately common, mistakes.Here are six things no hiring manager ever wants to see on a resume1. MisinformationThere are many reasons why misrepresenting your skills and experience is never okay. Aside from the obvious ethical issue, its likely you will be caught. leid only do hiring managers routinely cross-reference candidates resumes with their LinkedIn profiles to see if key information matches, but they also leverage their industry connections to verify every bit of information listed on your resume.Chances are the hiring manager probably knows anoth er talent acquisition specialist or manager from at least one of the companies listed on your resume. A simple phone call to this contact can uncover costly misinformation. Did you move an end date on one of your jobs to cover up a resume gap? Youre better off explaining that gap in your cover letter than taking the risk that you get caught.Even if you do get the job with an inaccurate resume, your employer will likely let you go as soon as it is discovered that you misrepresented yourself. See such high-profile cases asYahoo CEO Scott Thompson Out After Resume ScandalVeritas CFO Quits Amid Resume RoilNotre Dame Coach Resigns After 5 Days and a Few LiesUnfortunately, the list goes on and ifyou dont tell the whole truth on your resume, your name will be added to it.2. Typos, Poor Grammar, andOther Simple ErrorsNothing will ruin your credibility more quicklythan errors on your resume. Spelling mistakes, grammar errors, and even sloppy formatting can remove your resume from considerat ion. For some positions, hiring managers receive thousands of resumes. If you make asimple mistake, you give them an excuse to rule yours out.Wealways recommend askinga few trusted colleagues or friends to look over your resume before you submit it. Pick two or threepeople whom you know have strong grammar skills. It also helps if you read your resume out loud. Your ear will usually pick up on errors that you might miss while reading silently.3. Objective StatementsResume objectives are no longer in fashion. Theyre typically generic votums that dont say much about you as a professional or add much value to your candidacy and they can actively hurt you in a few ways.First, hiring managers already know why youve submittedyour resume. They assume you feel youre qualified for the role. Furthermore,an objective statement covers your objective, but when youre applying for a job, its all abouthow you can help the employer reach its objectives.Second, if your objective doesnt exactly match what the employer is looking for, youve just unnecessarily ruled yourself out. Weve yet to hear about a candidate getting a role because of their objective statement, but weve seen manylose outbecause of it.Lastly, objectives are usually placed at the very top of a resume. Thats prime real estate Use that space for the meat of your resume, not generic statements.4. Comical, Quirky, or Otherwise Inappropriate Email AddressesThis one should go without saying. Unfortunately, it doesnt.If youre on the job hunt, you need a professional emailaddress. This is neither the time nor the place to express yourself oryourpersonality. Addresses like ladiesmanor sexybunny55 willquickly land your resume in the no way pile. For your job-seeking email address, go with some variation of your first andlast name, like John.Smithgmail.com.5.Too Much Detail About Very Old PositionsHiring managers are fruchtwein interested in what youve done lately After all, how youve been spending your time most recentl y should bemost reflective of your current skill set.If youre a professional with more than 15 years of experience, youll want to privilege your most recent role or two over the ones that came before. If the last 10-15 years of experience dont qualify you for the role towhich youre applying, its very unlikely that a job you had for three years 18 years ago is going to do the trick.6. Unexplained GapsGaps happen, whether because of an unanticipated layoff or a move for a spouses career. Hiring managers understand that most careers are not completely linear.However, when agap is longer than a month, hiring managers want to know how youve used your time and remained productive. A good place to address a resume gap is in your cover letter.For gaps longer than six months, it becomes even more important to address gaps, and we recommend doing so in both your cover letter and your resume. If youve been volunteering, taking classes, and/or doing freelance work, use that information to fill in the gap. Thats now a job you can put down with supporting bullets instead of a blank space without any explanation or context.A version of this article originally appeared onResumeSpice.Savannah Ober is a resume expert atResumeSpice.Master the art of closing deals and making placements. Take our Recruiter Certification Program today. Were SHRM certified. Learn at your own pace during this 12-week program. Access over 20 courses. Great for those who want to break into recruiting, or recruiters who want to further their career.