What is ECDL

What is ECDL by Amber Rolfe Think you’re good with computers? You might be surprised…Although most of us use tech on a daily basis, many of us don’t have a formal qualification to prove our level of ability. So how can you show employers how IT literate you are? Luckily, there’s a globally recognised course designed to do exactly that.If you’re looking to expand your knowledge, here’s everything you need to know about ECDL:What does ECDL  stand for?ECDL stands for the European Computer Driving License (ECDL).What is ECDL? ECDL  is a worldwide recognised computer literacy certification programme.It provides students with the IT skills and abilities needed to build on existing knowledge, motivate further learning, and improve their employability in a wide range of fields and industries.It’s accredited by the Chartered Institute of IT (BCS) as an ITQ and is classed as a flexible qualification.New ECDLIntroduced in 2013, the new ECDL framework is split over three levels, with a total of 18 modules. These include:Base modules. Teaches fundamental tech skills, including computer and online essentials, as well as word processing and spreadsheets.Intermediate modules. This level has nine modules to choose from, which teach everything from databases and IT security, to image/web editing and digital marketing.It’s classed as the equivalent to a GCSE A*-C.Advanced modules. Allows students to build on basic skills, with modules based around advanced word processing, spreadsheets, database, and presentation. It’s classed as the equivalent to an A level.Each module counts as its own qualification â€" and although the modules you pick are entirely up to you, there are 3 recommended combinations designed to suit different skill levels, interests, and needs.These include:Base profile. Includes 4 base modules.Standard profile (equivalent to a GCSE A*-C). Includes 4 base modules and 3 intermediate modules.Expert profile (equivalent to an A level). Includes 4 advanced modules.All available modules are as follows:Original ECDL  Although the syllabus has now changed, some providers may still use the previous format â€" which was made up of a total of 7 modules.The syllabus is commonly broken down into the following units:ECDL Essentials. This level 1 ITQ introduction to IT teaches the basics of computing â€" including security for IT users (module 1), IT user fundamentals (module 2), and internet and email (module 7).ECDL Extra. Builds on basic knowledge, and helps to improve students’ understanding of a variety of software packages â€" as well as improving productivity using IT (module 8). The course also includes word processing (module 3), spreadsheets (module 4), and presentations (module 6), and is a level 2 ITQ award.ECDL Core. This course includes modules 1-7, teaching everything from word processing to database software.As it is the most comprehensive unit, it’s recognised by employers as proof of IT competency.Each unit consists of:  What is ICDL?ICDL is what ECDL is referred to outside of Europe, and stands for International Computer Driving License.The course contents and qualification are equivalent to each other.  Are there any entry requirements to study ECDL? There are no specific entry requirements to study ECDL.You can be any age, and all you need is a basic understanding of computers and an enthusiasm to learn.So whether you want to study it alongside your GCSEs, you need specific IT competencies for career progression, or you’re just looking to quantify your IT skills â€" an ECDL qualification is well within your reach.  What are the benefits of gaining an ECDL?Over 14 million people have enrolled on an ECDL course, proving it a popular way to gain and develop essential IT skills.If you’re wondering whether an ECDL is right for you, here are a few of the key benefits of studying:It’s the world’s leading computer skills programmeIt offers a flexible working programme, allowing you to pick the t opics suitable to your needsIt requires no previous expertiseIt’s widely recognised by employersIt could open up new opportunitiesCan I study ECDL online?You can usually study ECDL online, although some providers may offer classroom courses.If youre studying from home, support will normally be available via email and you may need to go to a testing centre to take your exams.For more specific details on where youll take the course, simply check with the provider directly.  Ready to start learning? View all available ECDL courses nowFind a job What Where Search JobsSign up for more Career AdviceSign up for moreCareer Advice Please enter a valid email addressmessage hereBy clicking Submit you agree to the

How to Make Your Resume For Certifications On Resume More Visible

How to Make Your Resume For Certifications On Resume More VisibleIn order to land the job, a person with certifications on resume will be looked as one of the most competent. This also means that the employer will be aware of all the qualifications a candidate has to do a particular job. A person who works from home or even with a small business will have certain certifications on resume. In this article, we will be talking about some of the more important things to include on resume.To get this done, you must have a thorough understanding of what the employer is looking for in resumes. The most basic idea is to include the details related to the type of work you do. Are you an expert in a certain subject? Or, maybe you are a master of computer programming or something. You must have all these and more on your resume in order to give an insight about what you can really do.When it comes to certifications, a company always wants to know the actual kind of qualifications a person has. Some people are good at some things, but not good at other things. You will need to include all the types of certifications that you have in your resume, along with the type of employer that they belong to.In addition to this, the certifications on resume should be brief and to the point. If you are a student in college and you have gotten all the degrees that you had been planning to earn, do not be too proud to include the details about all of them. As long as you are a student, employers will be happy to know that you are still in school and still working towards further studies.Even though certifications on resume is the most important thing to include, do not overlook the details of your work experience. Employers are looking for people who are good at what they do. An accountant who has worked as a financial planner might be a better option than an accountant who had only worked in a supermarket. Companies look for experience, not just certification.Once you have prepared all the details of your certifications, it is time to put in some simple information. You will need to list the certifications that you have in your resume along with the employer of the certifications. Do not forget to include the dates that you received the certifications and if you are still going to use them. Include the details of each certification that you have and put down the date that you received it.Your resume should be prepared well before you are actually applying for the job. You should have all the details on hand including certifications on resume and the employer. This way, when you are ready to apply, you will already have everything in place.You will find that a resume that has all the details about certifications on resume will be far better than one that does not. Employers always look for people who are well-educated and can complete the duties of a certain job.

Leave Me Workout Advice Enter to Win Our Summer Giveaway

Leave Me Workout Advice Enter to Win Our Summer Giveaway I spent part of my day at work yesterday researching motivational content for my  online goal setting  client. I came across lots of advice about  exercise, clean eating and making the most of your Mondays. I discovered a few too many motivational Pinterest memes  along the way too All of this health fitness advice led [me to force] Hubby and I to do our first run in a while after work.  As expected, the run was great and it made me want to get back into our [long lost] exercise routine. The problem is, I have NO idea how to start or how to keep it goingespecially in the summer. So, like all social media addicts, I turned to another blog.  Meet  KathyKaehler   celebrity personal trainer, author, Mom and healthy living prep advocate. My favorite thing about Kathys blog is her Sunday Setup Club.  Kathy is a big fan of planning ahead. Her Sunday Setup Club helps people prep healthy meals and plan workouts before the week even starts so that no matter what it brings, you are  guaranteed  a fool-proof health fitness regime. Here are some other interesting summer work out tips from Kathy: Be careful when exercising in the summer. The combination of exercise and heat increases your core body temperature and decreases the blood circulation to the muscles you’re using. Because of this strain and potential dehydration, you may get headaches more frequently. Be flexible with your outdoor workouts because  too much heat, direct sunlight and/or humidity can cause post-workout headaches. Wear sunglasses or a baseball cap when exercising outside. Try to refrain from drinking beverages that leave you parched, such as soda  and excessive amounts of caffeine or alcohol. These tips are great if I was working out regularly. Any tips on getting back into a workout routine?   A little  background on  Hubby and me: Our jobs come first, which means if we need to go into work early or stay late, working out gets the boot. When we arent working, we travel and go out a lot.  We dont prioritize  exercise  as we should, but its time that we do.  Another excuse I find myself making is that we live in the city which means lugging a gym bag to and from work on the el can be annoying enough to skip it all together. Summer Giveaway As a thank you for your tips advice, I will select one commenter who will receive the below summer giveaway package compliments of  Excedrin ® Extra Strength a brand Im very thankful for! The giveaway includes a beach bag, towel, exercise headband and a water misting fan. I am a paid Excedrin ® Extra Strength blog ambassador. Compensation has been provided by Novartis Consumer Health, Inc., the makers of Excedrin ® Extra Strength; my journey for a headache-free experience  is my own.

Should I Do An Internship - VocationVillage

Should I Do An Internship - VocationVillage Dear Dr. Civitelli,I just saw the legal ruling where a federal judge said that many unpaid internships are illegal if offered by a for-profit company. My college career advisor said that to maximize my marketability, I should do an internship whether it is paid or not. What do you recommend?Signed, Confused College StudentDear Confused College Student,I dont know if this legal ruling will be upheld and I have mixed feelings about it. Unpaid internships can be a form of exploitation and thats bad. However, these unpaid experiences can also be a way for college students to gain experience in competitive fields and to make industry connections that yield opportunities for decades to come.It isnt as simple, either, as looking at whether the internship is paid vs. unpaid. A paid internship where you dont get good opportunities to learn and make connections is of questionable value. By contrast, an unpaid internship can be very beneficial if you learn a lot and meet people in the career field you are exploring.A couple of years ago, I interviewed college students who leveraged their internships into terrific full-time jobs. While this doesnt happen for everyone who completes an internship, read their stories and see what you think.Victoria Whyte, PR Manager, Ludus ToursRabia H. Mir, Research Analyst, Public HealthAnsley Fous, Publicist, Fashion IndustryShane Arman, Brand Marketing, Burson-MarstellerJulia Dalton, VP of Product Development Marketing, Juggle.comStephanie Cobian, Television IndustryJessica A. Zaloom, Advertising IndustryLeigh Peterson, Creative PR / Virtual Assistance .I hope this helps you to decide!

Resume Tips - How to Write an Effective Resume

Resume Tips - How to Write an Effective ResumeWriting a resume is not that difficult but you can make it more effective if you follow some resume tips. One of the first things that you need to remember when writing a resume is that it should be short and concise. In order to avoid clutter on your resume, you must limit the amount of information contained in the entire document. Also, you should only list the most essential and relevant information.Make sure that you mention all the accurate facts about yourself on your resume. The following resume tips will help you make your resume an effective means of your job search. This way, it will prove helpful in boosting your career opportunities.Most employers prefer candidates who are honest, detail-oriented and able to accurately list all the important details. Your resume must clearly describe your career goals and ambitions. When you do so, you will be able to come across as a very dedicated professional. Include your greatest achievem ents and your personal traits that your employer needs to know about.You must include a clear direction on how you would like your letter to end. It is always good to create a resume that could be made interesting by including bullet points. Use these bullets to structure your summary.You need to highlight all the career goals that you have and you should also put a brief summary about them. It will be useful to include this summary in your resume so that your employer can easily understand it. When you are writing a cover letter, you need to make sure that it focuses on the most important features of the position you are applying for. Use this letter to provide a detailed description of why you are the best candidate for the job.By highlighting the most important parts of your resume, it will be easy for you to summarize what your resume is all about. This way, your employer will easily get to know your career goals.Always remember that your goal should always be to give a solution to a specific problem of your employer. You have to show your potential employer that you are the right person for the job. If you are able to deliver to your employer what you promised, you will surely get the job.Following these resume tips will make it easier for you to craft a great resume. They will make your resume more attractive and you will surely get it approved and hired by your potential employer. You will be able to get a new job with the right resume.

Four Ways to Go the Extra Mile and Get Hired

Four Ways to Go the Extra Mile and Get Hired Originally posted herePhotocredit â€" Virginiafrancoresumes.comNo doubt about it â€" job hunting is rough. While the economy is improving my anecdotal observation is the landscape still favors employers and not applicants.Gone are the days where a quick online submission will get you a job. Today’s job seeker must go the extra mile to stand out, get noticed and GET HIRED!Go the Extra Mile : EmailevalevalWhen an application calls for you to submit your resume via email, expect the company to be overwhelmed with responses. So much so that less than 25% will ever be viewed.Prioritize or rank the Top 25% of positions/companies that really intrigue you â€" and do some cyber-sleuthing to uncover names of decision makers. This is your best shot for bypassing HR screening entities and to get your resume in front of the actual hiring manager.Go the Extra Mile : LinkedInIn those industries inundated with applicants, an up to date LinkedIn profile just isn’t going to cut it. You need to act ively engage your audience and expand your network.Get active on LinkedIn by posting at least one weekly if not more often. This can be as little as “liking” an article of interest, sharing what others have written, or posting something yourself. The more you post, the more your profile will appear at the tops of the feeds of your connections.Shoot for 250 connections although 500+ is ideal to maximize your second and third-degree connections.Go the Extra Mile : Online Job BoardsApplying online offers a poor return on your investment Focus on building relationships with HR departments or decision makers from your top-ranked companies of interest. This may require calls, emails and LinkedIn outreach to get their attention. However you connect, be sure to showcase your value proposition.Joining groups on LinkedIn is a great way to share ideas and get noticed â€" and also offers a “side door,” so-to-speak, to send an InMail to someone who is not a connection but who is a common member of your group.Go the Extra Mile : Job Seach DiversificationevalI’ve had plenty of clients get jobs by simply clicking “submit.” These lucky folks are not the norm. Time and time again, those with a great resume and active LinkedIn profile who dive right in with leg work that includes email, phone calls, the Internet and networking, usually land jobs.

Winning Tips For Your Interview Checklist - Pathfinder Careers

Winning Tips For Your Interview Checklist - Pathfinder Careers Winning Tips For Your Interview Checklist Congratulations! You just got the call for an interview. In all of the accompanying excitement and bustle, many people don’t do a good job on focusing what they need to do in advance of the interview. Preparation in advance will lead to CONFIDENCE in the interview. I guarantee it! Coming up with a standardized interview checklist is a good way to make sure you stay on track, are fully prepared and organized, and are ready to present yourself in the best light possible. Here are some tips to make yourself stand out on your big day: Attire/ Appearance: 1) Dress conservatively. Solid, muted colors are best for most interviews, unless, of course, you are applying for a highly creative field where colorful attire might play well with your audience. 2) Dress one step above your career position. Know the corporate culture where you are going, and wear clothing styled above the norm for every day office work there. This will subliminally communicate respect and professionalism to the interviewer. Remember, you might be able to wear shorts once you get the job, but you can never go back from first impressions! Don’t cut yourself out of the running by wearing inappropriate attire. 3) Leave the bling and the perfume / cologne at home. These might be part of your personal ‘signature’ look or aura, but in an interview, these two areas can end up being downright distracting. 4) Conduct an image audit. Are your shoes scuffed? Nails clean and clipped? Facial hair trimmed or shaved? Do you have good breath? Attention to the small details can improve your self image and your interview confidence. Take off any politically-motivated buttons or pins, and don’t use a portfolio that has any stickers on it that could be misconstrued against you. Preparation: 1) Bring the full contact information of the interviewer. One time in a million, an accident can happen to you enroute to an interview. If you can do so (safely), call the interviewer as a courtesy to let them know that you had a flat tire, etc. just so you don’t leave them hanging. 2) Arrive early. Use Mapquest or another mapping feature to get a precise location on your interview destination. Budget plenty of time for traffic tie-ups. Bring enough change for parking meters if you need to use one. I always suggest arriving 15-20 minutes early to your parking spot, and spend five minutes ‘staging’ yourself before arriving ten minutes prior to your interview at the destination company. 3) Key materials to bring: The resume you submitted to the company, your cover letter, a list of references, notepad /portfolio, two pens, copy of the job description, a business card (if you have one), relevant work samples, and any background research you’ve been able to dig up. 4) Research the target company. A friend of mine actually brings a three-ring binder of her research on a company. She uses one of the clear-sleeve ones and drops a big copy of the interviewing company’s logo in the front, so it stands out. So now, she is walking into an interview with a big book on that company, and that always perks up the attention of the interviewers! They want to know what that notebook is all about. By spending the time on this research process, you are not only a subject matter expert on their company, but also the target position. Knowledge is extremely powerful and confidence-building. 5) TURN OFF YOUR PHONE! It is always an expectation that you should have turned off your phone, but we are all human and forget from time to time before going into an important appointment. But nothing can put interviewer’s teeth on edge than a candidate’s phone going off in the middle of the interview. 6) No food, drink, or gum. Eat or drink something before or after the interview, but never during. (Yes, I have actually seen someone bring a sandwich to an interview… we were all aghast!) This boycott includes not bringing a soda drink to the waiting room. If you are offered water, you can accept; some people get so nervous that they get dry mouth during interviews and need a drink of water. If the employer offers, it is fine to accept this. But be careful about fidgeting with the glass on the table during the interview. And if you have bad breath, chew the gum on the way to the interview, then remove it before entering the building. In the interview: 1) Smile and make eye contact. That directly communicates confidence and enthusiasm. Let’s put it this way- would you want to hire someone who couldn’t look you in the eye? 2) Break the ice. The most awkward phase of the interview is the beginning. They don’t know you and you don’t know them. Generally, you’ll be ushered into a room and asked to take a seat. Break the ice by saying something like,”Oh, is this the ‘hot seat’? Is all warmed up for me? I’m ready!!” which usually elicits a laugh and starts things flowing, breaking the stiffness of the moment. 3) Write down the names of your interviewer(s). You’ll need that information to refer to them later during the interview (nothing communicates confidence if you use that person’s name when addressing them), and also for your follow up thank you note either mailed or emailed to EACH interviewer. 4) Ask questions back. Many times, interviewers will ask you at some point whether you have any questions. You ABSOLUTELY need to have some questions prepared in advance. I recommend having at least 10 things to ask (both generic and company-specific) because sometimes things get covered in the interview, so you’ll need some backup. Smart questions to ask include: a. What are some of the biggest challenges that your company is facing, and why? b. If you could name some of the top successes that have happened in the last two years, what would those be? c. What types of professional development does your company offer? d. If I were hired tomorrow, what are the top five things I’d need to know to hit the ground running? e. Based on your observations in the interview today, do you have any concerns about hiring me? f. When can I expect to hear back? (Asking permission for a follow up is an important tool!) 5) Thank the interviewer(s) at the end. Showing appreciation goes a long way! Keeping focused on the goal and then working through these details can help you have a successful interview!

Career Direction Whats Your Pot of Gold - Hallie Crawford

Career Direction What’s Your Pot of Gold Through my work, I’ve encountered many people who struggle with their career direction, and I believe there are even more of them out there. These people spend years bouncing from job to job or industry to industry. Some try to learn from past experience, and that’s a good thing. But where they falter is that they didn’t take the needed self-reflective time and space in the beginning to evaluate what they really wanted. They didn’t define what their pot of gold at the end of the rainbow looks like. That pot of gold is your vision. “If you dont know where you are going, you will probably end up somewhere else.” Lawrence J. Peter I know this seems obvious. But I can’t tell you how many people understand it rationally, yet respond emotionally. Tanya, for instance, had three jobs in six years. She kept having problems at work and was let go each time. It was obvious the jobs were not a fit and that she had no vision for what she wanted instead. How do you create a vision? For starters, what gets you excited or elicits an emotional response? Is it working with children, being a writer, managing people? Is it something you’ve wanted to do from an early age? Or something you’ve just discovered? Vision is that answer that pops into your head without thought when the above question is asked. It’s a big picture sort of thing. And it is absolutely necessary to develop such a vision for what you want in a dream job. A job that is rewarding for the rest of your life. You probably wouldn’t choose a partner or spouse based on two weeks of dating, so why would you choose a career that quickly? In both instances, taking time to think things through usually results in better outcomes. In a nutshell: Most of success is knowing where you want to go in the first place from a visionary point of view. is a certified career coach and founder of HallieCrawford.com. Her team of coaches helps people find their dream job and make it a reality. She is regularly featured as an expert in the media including the Wall Street Journal, CNN, and US News World Report. Visit her website at  www.HallieCrawford.com  for more information about her teams career coaching services and to sign up for a complimentary consultation. Schedule a free consult with HallieCrawford.com today