This is the life you are missing (here and now)

This is the life you are missing (here and now)This is the life you are missing (here and now)Paul McCartney had a dream that would change his life and career forever.In retrospective, it seems it happened at the right moment and time. However, it welches Paul who created the proper condition he paid attention.No one is immune to external pressure. In the early 70s, the English rock band The Beatles welches going through a tumultuous moment. Fatigue and stress caused by unhealthy rivalry were tearing the band apart.That tense period welches taking a toll on McCartney. Until his mother paid him a visit while he was sleeping.It will be all right, just let it be. - she told him.Pauls mother had died of cancer when he was fourteen - her night visit inspired him to write the song Let it Be.So I woke up and was, What was that? She said, Let it be. Thats kind of good. So I wrote the song Let it be, but it was her positivity. I felt like everything was going to be great. - Paul McCartney sh ared the story leaving James Corden in tears.Those words of wisdom inspired McCartney to compose one of the most successful songs by The Beatles. Most importantly, they helped him reconnect with the power of living in the here and now.The life you are missingPast and future are in the mind only - I am now. - Sri Nisargadatta MaharajYour life happens in the present the rest is an illusion.When you speculate about what might be and what might have been, you are ignoring what is happening now. You worry. And stop paying attention.Time travel is a useless practice - you cant not modify the past, you cant predict the future either. No matter how much effort you put into it, the only space and moment you can affect are the here and now.Anticipation is caused by tunnel vision you are looking far ahead instead of noticing whats going on around you. Anxiety about the outcome keeps your mind busy - you are not leaving room to enjoy the present.Rumination, chewing sad experiences or convers ations again and again, gets you stuck in the sand. Watching the same movie over and over wont change how it ends.We are busy keeping our lives busy - we cant appreciate the present because we are always doing something else.As Buddhist scholar B. Alan Wallace says Were living in a world that contributes in a major way to mental fragmentation, disintegration, distraction, decoherence.Life is dynamic, but it shouldnt be a moving target. When your mind is in constant transition - from one place to another, from one moment to another - its hard to find focus.Why do you avoid focusing on the here?The challenge of being nowhereMost of the places we visit dont exist, according to Marc Aug.The French Anthropologist coined the term Non-places to refer to spaces where human beings remain anonymous - they do not hold enough significance to be regarded as places.Airports, highways, shopping malls, public waiting rooms, and lobbies are perfect examples of non-places. Thousands of individual stories converge for a moment in a physical space however, people are unaware of each other.Augs An Introduction to Supermodernity was initially published in 2009, but now it makes mora sense than ever. The author analyzes the anthropology of the near everyday life. He promotes an anthropological shift from analyzing remote societies to understanding whats happening closer to home - an invitation to focus on the here and now.Traditionally, a culture was presumed to be inextricably located within a specific place and time. The shifts of modern life, exponentially accelerated by the Internet, have eroded most boundaries - the planet is shrinking.Culture happens everywhere and nowhere.We spend more and more time transitioning from one space to another - the notion of here is hard to grasp. Non-spaces fill a place between places. They preserve our anonymity and loneliness as we move around.Public spaces have a clear goal. People gather at a church, synagogue or mosque to pray. We go to a park to play sports, spend time with our kids or just have a walk. Conversely, non-places are a means to an end. Going to the airport is not a desired destination - you go there because you have to travel.The paradox of non-places is, though we have a lot of free time, we get more distracted rather than focusing on the here and now. The places that obsessively scrutinize your identity effectively strip your inner-self away.American sociologist Benjamin Bratton said Airports are a critical cohabitation of security and entertainment. It is where assekuranzpolice deep-scan your person while blending you a delicious smoothie, without irony or affect.Being in permanent transition doesnt mean that your mind has to be in that same state too. Non-places provide an excellent opportunity to reconnect with your life in the present.Regulate your transitioning speedDo you have a hard time focusing on the now?An event becomes history as soon as we live it. Waiting makes us anxious. We wan t to escape feeling bored - thats why our mind anticipates events.Boredom has nothing to do with the environment. Its not external boredom is how you engage with the world.The desire to evade an unwanted situation or moment accelerates our inner speed. Our mind goes faster and faster when we cant adapt to transitional places or moments. People feel the need to look in a hurry while they are waiting in a non-place, even though it serves them no purpose.Rushing into the airport line wont get you a better a seat they are pre-assigned already. Standing up as soon as the plane lands, wont do you any favor either. You wont be able to get off the aircraft until the people in the previous lines do so.Leo Tolstoy said Remember then there is only one time that is important - Now It is the most important time because it is the only time when we have any power.What drives your need to be in a hurry?Seth Godin defines being in a hurry as a state of mind. He explains that, at the airport, peopl e in a hurry are stressed, distracted and no more likely to make their flight. At work, people in a hurry avoid getting sidetracked and more likely to leap.The author recommends two strategiesRedefine in a hurry to be a version of your best self. So that hurry isnt a crutch, or an excuse, but an asset.Turn on hurry whenever you need it, and turn it off when you dont.Regulating your transition speed can help you reconnect with the here and now. When you realize that, most of the times, theres no need to be running, its easier to start living in the present.Embrace a let it be attitudeMindfulness is the art of living in the moment. Its a state of active, open, intentional attention on the present as is - you are letting life be.As Henry David Thoreau said In any weather, at any hour of the day or night, I have been anxious to improve the nick of time, and notch it on my stick too to stand on the meeting of two eternities, the past and future, which is precisely the present moment to toe that line.1. Everything will be all rightWhen you worry, you stop paying attention to whats happening around you. You dont need to wait for Paul McCartneys mother to visit you in your dreams. Everything will be all right because it always does. With perspective, all our lifes events make sense - all moments end falling in the right place.When you stop worrying, you make room to appreciate what is happening now.Worry keeps you busy by inaction. John Lennon said Life is what happens to you while you are busy making other plans.McCartney stopped fighting reality and let go of worrying. Let it be was the last single by The Beatles. After they released an album under the same name, the band split. Both McCartney and Lennon became very successful in their solo careers.Dont fight life, let it be. Youll never know whats on the other side of your comfort zone until you give it a try.2. Minimize distractionsWhen we are waiting, we tend to look for distractions to avoid feeling bored. The paradox is that, the more you stimulate your mind, the more bored youll get. Stop fighting boredom. Start by mimizing distractions.If you are at a non-place, disconnect your WiFi. Focus your time on doing one activity that will help you relax. Listen to music, practice some deep breathing exercises, follow a guided meditation, or just read a book.Train your mind to be okay with doing one single thing at-a-time.This part is essential. Most people fail at removing distractions because they shift from multitasking to no-tasking thus, creating an empty space that drives more anxiety.3. Turn your transitional time into a pauseTake control of your speed by purposefully deciding when to be in a hurry or not. Life is a marathon, not a sprint. Resilience and continuity are more important than speed.Regain the value of pausing. Reconnect with your feelings and emotions. If something is bothering you, why is it? Acknowledge your positive emotions too. Celebrate your recent achievements, no ma tter how small. Reflect on your behaviors, what can you improve?Turn your transitional time in a moment for reflection or generation.If you are facing problems at work, pausing provides room to understand why and to create potential solutions.4. Embrace your own companySolitude drives most of our anxiety. We are not used to be on our own. Transitional places isolate us more - they are full of people, but we are all anonymous.Some people socialize as a distraction. You can always meet new people in unpredictable places. However, many opt to chit chat as a way to avoid their inner voice. Considering how invasive and distractive our society has become, having time for yourself is a luxury. Learn to protect that right.Turn yourself in someone you want to spend time with.See your inner-self from a distance. The Observing-Self is like the sky. Your thoughts and emotions are like the weather. No matter how strong the storms, they cant damage the sky. Check out this exercise to train your observing self.5. Celebrate every moment of lifeYour expectations are stealing your now-ness. This moment, as is happening now, will never again return. Every experience is unique. When you stop appreciating whats happening, you are missing a moment that you wont be able to recover.Living in the here and now is a celebration of whats happening, not of what you wish it happens.As Thoreau said, the present is the meeting of two eternities, the past and future.- - - Life is continually evolving. We spend most of our time transitioning - rather than wasting those moments, embrace their uniqueness.Instead of resisting the discomfort turn transitional places and moments into an opportunity to value your present time.Life happens in the here and now.Let it be.This article first appeared on Medium.

Customize this Outstanding Entry Level Security Guards and Surveillance Officers Resume Template

Customize this Outstanding Entry Level Security Guards and Surveillance Officers Resume TemplateCustomize this Outstanding Entry Level Security Guards and Surveillance Officers Resume TemplateCreating a custom resume that shows you at your best is a proven way to gain the attention of hiring managers. The design and content of your resume let prospective employers see at a glance the professionalism you bring, even to an entry-level job.When youre seeking an entry-level ort as a security guard or surveillance officer, you need to highlight any experience you have working security, including acting as a bouncer or ID checker. Make sure to include your education as well as your ability to work as an effective team member and to handle crowds of people courteously.Review the entry-level security guard and surveillance officer resume template below to understand the best way to present your experience to a hiring manager. Create ResumeSavannah Sullivan100 Main Street, Cityplace, CA, 9101 9Home (555) 322-7337Cell (555) 322-7337example-emailexample.comObjectiveLooking for a position as a Security Guard where I can apply my years of experience in order to provide a secure environment for the public.HighlightsKnowledge of effective crowd control and resolving conflict.Commitment to working well as a team.Understanding of and responsibility towards crowd control.SummaryResponsible for the security of the staff and public.Experienced in ID checking.Prevented incidents before they escalated.ExperienceJune 2009 to CurrentDusk Nightclub Atlantic City, New Jersey Security SpecialistProvide security for patrons and staff members.April 2001 to August 2010Deja Vu Nightclub Atlantic City, NJ Ambassador of GoodwillHead of Security from Jan. 2007 Aug 2010As head of security my job was to oversee all security activities such as scheduling, call outs, hires, terminations, and making final decisions for all security matters.June 2007 to September 2007Platinum Playground Gentlemans Club Hammonton, NJ DoormanMaintaining a secure environment for the female staff.Walking female staff members to their vehicles at the end of their shift.January 2002 to December 2003Carousel Gentlemans Club Atlantic City, NJ DoormanChecked IDs and collect cover charge.Maintaining a secure environment for the female staff.Walking female staff members to their vehicles at the end of their shift.Education2002Mainland Regional High SchoolLinwood, NJ, USA Basic StudiesHigh School DiplomaReferencesTara Guirate, Medical Assistant at Reliance Medical Group 609-927-2017William Sanchez, Manager of Crazy Horse Gentlemans Club 609-214-2339Jay Macrina, Lockheed Martin, 609-980-9122Customize ResumeSecurity Resume Questions1. Whats the best length for a security resume?In general, any resume needs to stay around one page in length. This is a good length that allows you to provide the essential information while not overwhelming the hiring manager reading it. Look to the security resume sample f or inspiration. You may also use our resume builder. It takes you step by step through the process, allowing you to create a resume of the right length effortlessly.2. Which skills are the best to list on a security resume?Security positions require attention to detail, a strong ability to communicate, and physical fitness, to name a few of the skills. You want to include skills that relate to the job on your resume. Avoid mentioning traits that have no application in the position. The security resume sample gives good insight into the aptitudes needed for this profession. You also should include keyword skills listed in the job description, using the same terms and wording as the employer.3. If youve never held a security job before, how do you make a security resume?Everyone starts somewhere when it comes to their career, so do not worry if this is your first security job. Capitalize on the skills and previous work experience you have that relate to this field. Customize your resu me to fit the security industry even if you have never actually held a security position. Take a look at the information in the security resume sample. The chances are good that you have similar skills and past experience that connect to this profession. For example, if you worked as a personal trainer, this relates to security because it shows you have the physical fitness and stamina required. You also want to draw attention to specific training or education you have in the field, which shows you have knowledge of the industry.4. How do you write a summary stellungnahme for a security resume?Because it starts your resume and is the first thing the hiring manager reads, your summary statement must be strong. It should include the most important information about you and your skills. It paints the picture of who you are as an employee and applicant. The summary statement could make or break your chances at the job, so reference your top skills and accomplishments here. Keep it brief and to the point, just like the security resume sample.5. What goes in the header of a security resume?The header of your resume is the centered portion at the top that lists your name and contact information. See the security resume sample for an example. The header is important because it gives the hiring manager the information he or she needs to contact you to set up an interview or offer you the job. Make sure you include your full name, phone number, and email address. You may also give your physical address.More Law Enforcement and Security ResumesSecurity Guards and Surveillance Officers Resume Templates

Important Job Skills for Data Scientists

Important Job Skills for Data Scientists Important Job Skills for Data Scientists Data science is an emerging field, and those with the right data scientist skills are doing. According to the  Bureau of Labor Statistics, career opportunities in this field are anticipated to grow 19% by 2026, much faster than average. While not all successful data scientists have college degrees, a majority of them have at least a bachelor’s degree in the data science field. Many of them also have graduate degrees, including master’s, Ph.D., and/or graduate certifications. What Kind of Skills Do You Need to Be a Data Scientist? “Data scientist” is a broad term that can refer to a number of different careers. Generally, a data scientist analyzes data to learn about scientific processes, market trends, and risk management. Some  job titles  in data science include data analyst, data engineer, computer and information research scientist, operations research analyst, and computer systems analyst. Data scientists work in a variety of industries, ranging from tech to medicine to government agencies. The qualifications for a job in data science vary because the title is so broad. However, there are certain skills employers look for in almost every data scientist.  For example, data scientists need strong statistical, analytical, reporting skills, and more. Types of Data Scientist Skills Analytical Skills Perhaps the most important skill for a data scientist is to be able to analyze information. Data scientists have to look at, and make sense of, large amounts of data. They have to be able to see patterns and trends and have an idea of what those patterns mean. All of this takes strong  analytical  skills. Big DataConstructing Predictive ModelsCreating Controls to Assure Accuracy of DataCritical ThinkingData AnalysisData AnalyticsData ManipulationData WranglingData Science Tools / Data ToolsData MiningEvaluating New Analytical MethodologiesInterpreting DataMetricsModeling DataModeling ToolsProducing Data VisualizationsResearchRisk ModelingTesting Hypotheses Open-Mindedness Being a good data scientist also means being creative. First, you have to have an open mind in order to spot trends in data. Secondly, you  need to make connections between data that might seem unrelated to someone that is biased. This takes a lot of open-mindedness. Finally, you need to explain this data in ways that are clear to the executives at your company. This often requires creative analogies and explanations. AdaptabilityConveying Technical Information to Non-Technical PeopleDecision MakingDecision TreesCreativityExecuting in a Fast-Paced EnvironmentLogical ThinkingProblem SolvingWorking Independently Communication Data scientists not only have to analyze data, but they also have to explain that data to others. They must be able to  communicate  data to people of different skill sets, explain the importance of patterns in the data, and suggest solutions. This involves explaining complex technical issues in a way that is easy to understand. Often, communicating data requires visual, oral, and written communication skills. AssertivenessCollaborationConsultingDocumentingDrawing ConsensusFacilitating MeetingsLeadershipMentoringPresentationProviding Guidelines to IT ProfessionalsReportingSupervisory SkillsTrainingVerbal CommunicationsWritten Communication Mathematics While  soft skills  like analysis, creativity, and communication are important,  hard skills  are also critical to the job. A data scientist needs strong math skills, particularly in multivariable calculus and linear algebra. Identifying AlgorithmsCreating and Maintaining AlgorithmsInformation Retrieval Data SetsLinear AlgebraMachine Learning ModelsMachine Learning TechniquesMultivariable CalculusStatisticsStatistical Learning ModelsStatistical Modeling Programming and Technical Proficiencies Data scientists require basic computer skills, but programming skills are particularly important. Being able to code is critical to almost any data scientist position. Knowledge of programming languages such as Java, R, Python, or SQL is essential. CComputer SkillsJavaMatlabMicrosoft ExcelPerlPythonReporting Tool SoftwareSQLNoSQLTableau More Data Scientist Skills Mining Social Media DataTables and QueriesProject ManagementProject TimelinesCultivating Relationships with Internal and External StakeholdersCustomer ServiceAppEngineAmazon Web Services (AWS)CouchDBjsECLFlareGoogle Visualization APIHadoopHBaseRSASScripting LanguagesMobile DevicesMicrosoft Office SuiteSaaSArtificial Intelligence (AI)Apache SparkCuriosityBusiness IntelligenceInnovation How to Make Your Skills Stand Out Add Relevant Skills to Your Resume: Include your skills in your  resume  â€" in an initial summary of qualifications, in your work history section, or in a tech table describing your hardware and software skills.Highlight Skills in Your Cover Letter: You should also describe your command of the most important of these skills in your  cover letter.Use Skill Words in Your Job Interview: In your  interview, be sure to enhance your responses with examples of your skills.

Think Beyond Employee Engagement and Start Wooing

Think Beyond Employee Engagement and Start Wooing Think Beyond Employee Engagement and Start Wooing Think Beyond Employee Engagement and Start Wooing Matuson Its February that time of year when red roses sell out and boxes of chocolates abound. If nothing else, Valentines Day is a reminder that everyone needs to feel loved, including your employees. That makes this the perfect time of the year to think beyond employee engagement and start wooing workers who are the heart and soul of your business. Gallup recently reported stagnant employee engagement, with a majority of employees reporting they were not engaged. Surely we can do a better job of engaging employees. Heres how: Deliver on Sweet Dreams Sweet dreams can turn into nightmares for workers who feel the luster of their job quickly tarnishing. Ask each of your workers the following question. What were your hopes and dreams when you took this job? By doing so, youll gain insight as to how to best keep each employee engaged. The mere idea that someone is truly concerned about your welfare is often enough to spark a renewed feeling of mutual admiration. Then be prepared to take action. If your employee feels their hopes and dreams are no longer a reality, go the extra step and ask why. Then do what you can to have them fall in love with their job again. Celebrate your Workers on a Daily Basis It takes a lot of work to keep a relationship fresh and healthy. What it doesnt take is a lot of money. Make it a point every day to re-recruit your employees. Stop by your employees desk and thank him or her for a job well done. In doing so, be sure to be specific about what has pleased you. This way they will be able to repeat this great feat time and time again. Those of you with large departments should make it a point to buy a different employee each day a cup of coffee or a tea. If time permits, take a walk with them to your local coffee shop and spend ten minutes of alone time to hear how they are doing. Be consistent so no one feels left out. Its time well spent. Be Demonstrativewith your Appreciation Engaged workers are those who will go above and beyond the call of duty and expect nothing in return. Thats exactly why you should show some love the moment the feeling strikes. For example, suppose you have an employee who volunteered to work the weekend in order to meet a rapidly approaching deadline. You know this employee is a real movie buff. Instead of simply saying, Thanks for coming in this weekend, and walking away, provide this employee with movie passes to the local cinema. If the timing is right, give them the rest of the day off so they can attend a matinee. Whatever you do, make it personal. Giving an employee tickets for tonights football game may do little to impress them, especially if they arent a sports fan or they have a newborn at home that requires a babysitter. In this situation, you (and them) would be better served with a gift certificate to a local restaurant that happens to dish up great meals and delivers! Listen More than You Speak How good are your listening skills? If youve ever been in a relationship where the other person does most of the talking, you know what its like to never feel heard. This scenario seems to play out a lot in todays workplace. The boss oftenends up doing all the talking and the employee does all the listening. Todays employees wanta voice in how their work gets done. When an employee offers a suggestion, thank them for their idea and then take time to consider their recommendation. If you are unable to implement their idea, let them know why and encourage them to continue to suggest new ways of approaching work. In meetings, let someone else take the lead. Make it a point to be the last person in the room to speak, so that others feel comfortable sharing their ideas freely. Make People Feel Special In an effort to be fair, many companies treat people the same. While their intentions may be good, the results can quickly shift an engaged workforce to the dark side of employee engagement a world of disgruntled disengagement. Equal isnt always fair. Think about the superstars in your organization that are doing the lions share of the work. Is it fair when they receive the same raise as those who are barely contributing? Should your A players be required to work in the office every day, along with everyone else, because you dont trust your B players to perform unless they are closely monitored? Dont be afraid to treat your best employees a little differently. Those who perform should be assigned plum projects and be given access to development opportunities. This will help increase employee commitment among those employees you wish to keep. Wooing employees shouldnt be an idea that is reserved for special holidays or certain times of the year. By showing your love all year long, it wont be long before you have engaged the hearts and minds of your people as well as your customers.

Most Admired Professions

Most Admired Professions Most Admired Professions As the old saying goes, when you love what you do you’ll never work a day in your life. The sage advice is all well and good, but for those starting out along the career-choosing path, it can be difficult to pick a specific field that’s guaranteed to create a case of warm and fuzzies.   A great place to start when choosing a job or career that guarantees lifelong happiness are those professions that seem to garner a higher level of admiration and respect among your peers.  Everyone loves to be appreciated, after all, so it only makes sense that admired professions would be desirable and potentially more fulfilling for those practicing within them.  With that in mind, we’ve compiled a list of some of the most admired professions.  Peruse our selections and potentially kickstart your journey along the road to career happiness. Military Ranking highly in most annual surveys of fields that garner instant respect, a career in the military certainly will lead towards admiration in addition to certain bonus perks.  Military service can often lead to free or reduced cost higher education, lower mortgage rates when you eventually buy a home and an increased interest by civilian employers who appreciate your service and skills once you’ve left active duty.  Salaries of active duty military servicemembers will range depending on duties, rank and combat designation.  In addition to the regular pay, you’ll pick up valuable skills and experiences unavailable to the majority of civilians.   Teaching Few professions have as great an impact on the future of our society and culture than the teachers who help instruct and mold young minds.  While the importance of those who choose the path of instruction has never gone unappreciated, in recent years teachers have also inched upwards on the list of most admired professions.  Median salaries will range depending on public or private institutions, grade level, and specialty, but starting out you can expect to earn $45,000 $53,000 per year.  All teacher positions require at least an associate’s degree and come with pretty hefty background check requirements.  Jump through these simple hoops and you can expect to join the ranks of those instructing future generations. A Career in Medicine It will probably come as no surprise that those in the habit of helping people get and stay healthy also rank up there on lists of the most admired professions.  Doctors, nurses and other medical support staff make up the bulk of our general category of a career in medical fields.  If you’re looking to jump right into the thick of things, qualifying as a practicing doctor will take you 7 or more years of post-secondary education along with a host of certifications, exams, and residency requirements.  The payoff on all that investment is a starting salary just north of $160k.  Nursing school has less stringent requirements but will be equally as fulfilling for someone looking for a career in aiding others.  Salaries for nurses start at around $50k but can go much higher depending on experience and specialized positions. Scientists Sure, having a career wearing a white lab coat may not jump to the top of your list of rockstar jobs, but it turns out that working as a scientist is on the rise for lists of the most prestigious positions.  Scientists play a large part in developing new technologies, researching medical and engineering problems and generally delving into the mysteries of our everyday world.  Depending on your area of expertise, becoming a scientist requires at least an advanced degree in math, science or a related field, in addition to many hours spent interning and learning practical skills from your peers.  The payoff for all that hard work?  Starting salaries come in just north of $75k, with that number increasing rapidly for specialized fields.   Engineering While you may have heard of engineers as a job title, you may be confused as to the fields this diverse position can cover.  From software development and roll out to design and construction of buildings, bridges, infrastructure projects and more, engineers are the individuals that keep the heart of commerce and development progressing. With a wide array of responsibilities and individual specialties, starting and median salaries can vary wildly, with entry-level positions averaging around $50k and higher advanced roles topping out around $150 175k.  While this may seem a large range, the flexibility of the position allows for people with diverse backgrounds to work in the field.  No matter your calling, you will more than likely find an engineering position that suits your skills and abilities. If your desired profession didn’t make our list of most admired jobs, never fear.  There are countless career fields that people admire and only a limited amount of blog space.  Focus on being innovative and helpful and strive for excellence in your career path and prestige is sure to follow.

Unify Index Finds Large Number of Employees Would Choose Flex Work Over Pay Raise

Unify Index Finds Large Number of Employees Would Choose Flex Work Over Pay Raise Unify Index Finds Large Number of Employees Would Choose Flex Work Over Pay Raise Employees are serious about flex work, said Bill Hurley, Chief Marketing Officer at Unify. In addition to nearly half of all employees preferring flex work over a pay raise, nearly one third said they would change employers if offered flexible work elsewhere. It is time to get on board- business leaders who ignore the Flex Work Imperative could find themselves suffering the loss of their best employees. In the full report, Unify provides best practices for how businesses can successfully implement flex work. It emphasizes how many employees would be satisfied with a few days per week working from home; or the ability to work in the office for part of the day, and then finish at home. Additionally, businesses can establish and document a virtual team code of conduct that outlines the things employees must do in order to make flex work successful.

How to Write a Great Interior Design Resume

How to Write a Great Interior Design Resume How to Write a Great Interior Design Resume Are you struggling with your resume? Finding it hard to come up with creative ideas, even though that’s what you do for a living every day? Don’t worry â€" you’re far from alone in this. Most interior designers struggle to sell themselves effectively. But your lack of a killer resume is hurting your career and ensuring that you are being passed over for people who are often less qualified. I specialize in resume writing for creative professions, and in this post I want to show you my top 5 secrets for creating a killer interior design resume. Interior Design Resume Secret #1: Know Your Target Audience When working on a design for a commercial interior, you begin with a focus on the ultimate customer â€" the person who will work in the office, visit the store, or rent a flat in the property. You work to understand what will appeal to him and then you create your design with that in mind. If you’re designing a client’s home, you go through the same process â€" what is important to her? How does she use her home? What are her interests and values? The same principle applies when you’re writing a resume. If you know who will be reading it, you can shape the message accordingly. To do this, you need to think about the type of company you want to work for. Is it a large firm where you will be one of a team of designers? Or would you prefer a smaller company where you might be the sole creative? Is the culture entrepreneurial and energetic? Or is it traditional and structured? Once you have built a picture of the ideal company, you can carefully target your resume. You’ll know what skills or traits to highlight, what words to use, and which parts of your background will be most interesting to readers. Interior Design Resume Secret #2: What’s Your Unique Value? You have a unique blend of skills, characteristics and experiences that make you different from every other designer looking for a job. In order to write a truly effective resume, you need to define exactly what this unique blend is â€" we’ll call this your value proposition. Ask yourself what separates you from other designers? Is it your innate sense of colour? Perhaps it’s the results you’ve achieved in designing successful restaurants? Or maybe it’s that you have a natural talent for multi-tasking in fast-paced, somewhat crazy environments. You can see why knowing your ideal company is so important. Your value proposition may be completely different depending on the types of companies you’re targeting. Once you know your unique value, you can write a fabulous resume summary that immediately grabs attention. Interior Design Resume Secret #3: Develop a Strategy Now that you know your target companies, and have identified what makes you uniquely appealing to them, it’s time to plan exactly how you’re going to communicate that. Here are some of the things to think about: What is the best resume structure in order to showcase your unique value? What keywords must you include given your knowledge of your ideal company? How can you demonstrate your unique value through success stories? What is the best resume design to reinforce your message? You must make all these decisions before you start writing. That way, you can be sure that when they your ideal employer reads your resume, he or she will immediately understand why they should hire you. Interior Design Resume Secret #4: Include Client Testimonials Hopefully you have letters or emails from happy clients and these make a powerful addition to your resume. Marketers use testimonials frequently because they know how effective they are. After all, if company x raves about their product, you will probably discount what they say because they are self-interested. But if you hear a series of rave reviews for the same product, you will take them much more seriously. The same applies to using testimonial quotes on your resume. (Heres more on why quotes are so powerful) and here is an interior designer resume that makes excellent use of quotes. Interior Designer Resume Secret #5: Make sure your resume includes important keywords. Most employers now use applicant tracking systems to screen out candidates before the resume is even seen by a human being. The computer system scans each resume for relevant keywords (predetermined by the recruiter) and then either “passes” or “fails” the candidates. This means you must include all the right keywords in your resume. To do this, list every interior design skill you have â€" be as detailed as you possibly can â€" don’t worry if the list gets very long. Once you have a complete list, make a section on your resume called ‘technical skills’ or ‘interior design skills’ and include them all. Note: if you know the job you’re applying for, you can streamline the list by including only the relevant keywords. It’s all about making the right impression instantly As an interior designer, you’re in the business of creating instant impressions and this is exactly what you need to do with your resume. Follow these 5 tips and you’ll be much more likely to wow the recruiters and hiring managers at your target companies. [Click here to see an interior designer resume makeover, with before and after shots.] A strong resume makes all the difference to your job search. If you’re ready to crush your job search competition, join our free email resume writing course. You’ll get detailed strategies to transform your resume and you can learn at your own pace.