Posts Tagged ‘Nelly Tonchev’

Personal Branding: How to build and maintain strong online presence

July 1st, 2010

By Nelly Tonchev

Nowadays fewer people will ask for your phone or email, they will Google your name to learn information about you and connect online …. are you online?   In this day and age if you are not active on social networks you are in danger to being “out of loop”.  Social Networks are wonderful tools that can reinforce your personal brand and also your job search.  You can make new contacts, share information, promote your services and expertise and extend your brand reach. But to make the most of the social networking you need to have a good plan and make sure your privacy is protected.

Here are few simple steps:

  • Spread the same professional picture (Avatar) across all networks: blogs, web sites, etc… Using clowns or cartoons are poor way to present your self and your business in professional manner
  • Create complete and consistent Profile across all networks: name, summary, description, education, interests, web sites, Avatar (picture), this is your virtual resume, keep the information consistent and professional
  • Join only trusted networks and relevant to your interest or situation to overcome the social media overload » Read more: Personal Branding: How to build and maintain strong online presence

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Resumes: The buzz about keywords and Applicant Tracking Systems

April 19th, 2010

By Nelly Tonchev

Nelly TonchevNowadays at most companies, applicant tracking system (ATS) software uses keywords to filter resumes before a human ever reviews them. Search results are sorted in a list from 100% match to 0% and if your resume is ranked as a 100% match, then you have 10 seconds to make the impression that you are the right candidate for the job. How do you get in the top 100%? What is the secret behind the term “keywords”?

I have heard many stories from people and how they are using keywords in their resume: hiding words by changing the font color to white, using summary to embed keywords or the footer of their resume as keywords depository. I think there are a few simple steps every person can take without hiring a professional resume writer to improve the resume and make it 100% Applicant Tracking System proof. If you are unemployed, I am sure you can use the $500-$600 for other things.

Part I – Identifying Keywords

  1. First make sure you know what type of position you are looking for: for example, I have accountant skills and want to look for job as an accountant. Go online and search for job: Accountant. Don’t limit your search with local positions; I am sure even in Dallas an accountant does similar tasks as an accountant in Boston. Our goal is to find at least 3 jobs that are » Read more: Resumes: The buzz about keywords and Applicant Tracking Systems

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Personal Branding: You have a blog, so now what?

March 8th, 2010

By Nelly Tonchev

Nelly Tonchev

Each year we make New Year’s resolutions: lose weight, find a new job with a boss we like, make this wonderful trip we dreamed about for the last few years. The list can go on and on…

With the emerging of a new phenomenon known as Social Networking there is one more item on our New Year’s resolution list: start a blog and promote our brand online.

Last month while I was looking through the pages of Boston Metro, a short article from Dan Schawbel caught my eyes and especially a single quote on how important it is in 2010 to build a strong online brand. I am sure each of you has seen similar articles online advising people to join at least two networking sites, open a Twitter account, find followers and publish your own blog.

Nowadays it is easy to find a provider and set up your own blog for free, but the most important question to ask yourself before you start is “What I am going to blog about?”  Believe it or not most people fail to emerge as successful bloggers as they don’t know what they want to write in their blog!! Which means they truly don’t know what they are passionate about.

I think the first important step to take before you start your blog is to ask yourself:

“What am I going to blog about? What is my passion? What type of blog?”

Sit down grab piece of paper and pencil and write down your ideas:

  • Will the blog be used as your online resume? Showcasing your expertise and knowledge of your industry or profession is an excellent way to build your career brand. Good news: Blogging is good for your career. But be careful and make sure your blog is well executed; write quality articles so people will return for more.

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