While writing your resume, remember that a prospective employer is not going to look at what you have already done, but what you can do

Making a resume? If the answer is yes, here are some angles that you may want to consider…

First, there is a great deal of difference between a standard CV and an executive’s resume. As an executive, there will be much more riding on you, much more that is expected of you and your resume has to reflect that you are up to the challenge to deliver the goods. This way it will position you in the mind of the employer who is ready to groom you.

In writing an executive resume, therefore, remember that your prospective employer is not going to look at what you have already done, but you can do. Therefore, your major focus must not be on past achievements. Instead, start with a summary or positioning statement that announces what you have going got you that could make a difference to new company.

Keep the resume short and to the point. Two pages is enough. Make it easy to read: no fancy fonts please. Resumes are scanned in les than 50 seconds, so you want most of it to make the right impression.

A lot of headhunters recommended that you do more than talk about your accomplishments. An employer is looking for very specific, qualified background information. So you could present a proposal in addition to your resume that outlines your ideas to take the company further.

This kind of resume, say experts, carries a lot more weight as it shows that you have done some homework about the company and were interested enough to do so!

Sleep tight and notice the difference to your stress as well as your work levels

Do you know the best way to keep stress from creeping up on you? The answer is sleep. So, if you are cranky, impatient, frustrated, short-tempered and out of sorts, take a nap and see if these emotions don’t take a back seat

When exhausted, you don’t have the mental or physical stamina to meet your daily demands. What you are doing is driving an already over stretched body above its limits. So your work output is slow and unimaginative. Your poor performance at the workplace could eventually get you into trouble.

The whole thing is that the busier we get, the more we tend to give up on the one thing that could help us – sleep. Find out how much sleep you need. Some people require six hours; others, eight. It’s a manner that is purely individual. Determine your optional amount of sleep and then sick to it.

If may be very tempting to stay up later than you should, but you pay dearly for it the next day. You have to get into the habit of giving your mind and body enough sleep, so that you can reap the rewards. You will feel more energetic, be able to concentrate better, accomplish more in less time and avoid feeling stressed out. So start your day right, end it right, sleep tight and notice the difference to your stress as well as your work levels.

A top editor of a B2B publication giant in Mumbai hardly asks prospective employees to get their bio-data. He asks them only what their hobbies are and what they are interested in. That is the secret of his loyal staff. He has never lost a good worker unless a very tempting offer comes in the way.

At a time, when attrition is the buzz word in many top multinational companies, BPOs and even smaller companies there are lessons beyond the manuals that help leaders to motivate your team. Sometimes what a bio-data cannot achieve, a motivated employ can work wonders despite lack of experience on the job. There are no secrets of keeping the staff motivated to do their work. Yes, increments, words of encouragement and regular picnics do help. But inspiring staff is much more than that. There are little things that make a great difference to the way people work for each other (and not under strain). Like children, even adults need regular praise and recognition in their work. People spend more time in their offices than at home. So getting to make the office atmosphere more amiable and encouraging proves to be useful. Most employees moonlight on the sly so they really do not want to see the color of money every now and then as a raise. What they want is appreciation and praise. How many managers or employers are expressive enough to do these little things that make a difference?

Many companies have innovate ideas to keep loyal employees on their payrolls- Seasonal and annual gifts during festive season, mention in the corporate news letter on achieving targets, even taking them out for movies for great team building! The equations have changed in today’s world. Independent thinkers are capable of putting in their papers for more lucrative landmarks in their personal careers. Office politics can get vicious and boring after a time. Some employees stay motivated only till the time their friends remain or the pretty operator in the lobby. Employers need not look beyond their own cabins to motivate their team. In some offices abroad, office romances are being encouraged to retain staff and keep them working overtime. Now that is a radical way, but it has worked for some!

There are advantages of team motivation. For starters, the sense of achieving targets, creativity and improving results can keep everyone on a high. Young leaders have inspired their old employees to work for them. This has virtually made the Birlas a force to reckon with when a young Aditya Birla walked in to take charge from the old vanguard from illustrious G K Birla. A dynamic leader, a good communicator and providing challenges have helped many employers to keep a team stimulated at work. In the last 75 years, Reliance Industries has remained motivated despite the demise of the patriarch Dhirubhai Ambani. Gone are the days when a hire and fire policy worked. Today raise and praise do a better job.