8 Tips for Writing a Business Resume

It only takes seconds to make a first impression. Make a good first impression with the human resources manager when they review your resume. The business industry can be competitive so it is important to write a good resume and stand out from the crowd. Consider these 8 tips for writing a business resume and landing your next telephone interview.

#1 Include Personal Information at the Top

You want it to be easy for the human resources manager to know your name and contact information so they can contact you for a telephone interview. As a business professional, you must sell yourself and that starts with your name and contact information. Make sure to include your name, full address, phone number and email address so the human resources manager can contact you.

#2 Start with an Impactful Summary (instead of an objective)

Use the beginning of your resume to summarize why you are perfect for the business position. This is considered an “elevator pitch.” Consider the fact that you only have one sentence to persuade the human resources manager to decide whether to invite you for a telephone interview or not. When writing the summary:

  • Start by using the job title of the job you are applying for
  • Include how many years’ experience you have in the industry
  • Include the skills or characteristics that make you perfect for this position

#3 Tailor Your Business Resume to the Company and Industry

Don’t just send out a templated resume to ever employer. Read the job description and try to pick out phrases and skills they are looking for. Add these phrases and skills to your resume so the human resources manager picks you for a telephone interview.

Another reason to include keyword phrases is to allow business managers to find you on job submission websites. Most job websites have an algorithm that offers search results for business managers that are looking for candidates with specific phrases. By including those phrases the business manager is looking for, your resume will come up in the search results.

#4 Keep Your Business Resume to One Page

The human resources manager only has a minute to review your resume and decide if they want to move forward with the interview. Make sure to keep your resume to one page so it is not daunting to read. If you have more than 10 years’ experience than you can consider a second page so you don’t show any gaps in your work experience.

#5 Use Bullet Points to List Accomplishments

Include the position you held, the company’s name and date of the work experience. Make sure to add a few bullet points that explain your accomplishments while working at the business. Instead of just listing your responsibilities use results to explain your responsibilities as accomplishments. Include three to five bullet points that best explain how you helped the business and what you will bring to the table at the company you are applying to. Also, add numbers to your accomplishments to explain the impact you made at your previous company. Did you increase sales, manage a certain number of employees or a specific budget? Make sure they know what you did and how you will help the new company.

#6 Don’t Waste Space with Your Education Information

Add the vocational school name, degree or diploma obtained, and the year you graduated. If you are a recent graduate, replace work experience with a bullet list of course work relevant to the position you are applying for. Focus your resume on why you can help the new company and what you have done to prove yourself worthy.

#7 Hold References for the Final Interview

Save references for the end of the hiring process when the employer asks for them. This is usually a good sign as the employer is considering hiring you but just wants one last confirmation that you are the right candidate for the job. Also, some employers will use references to better understand how to manage and train you, if they have already decided to hire you.

#8 Create a Linkedin Profile

Your Linkedin profile can be as important as your resume. Ask colleagues to share your skills and write references on your Linkedin profile. Request current and old colleagues to add you to their network. Add photos, videos and articles to show off your skills. Include all your previous work experience and education to complete your profile. Try to tell a story instead of just cutting and pasting the information from your resume.

Do these 8 tips for writing a business resume interest you? The Associate of Science Degree in Business is designed to provide Gwinnett College students with the knowledge and practical skills to function in the ever-changing business world. Gwinnett College graduates are awarded an Associate of Science Degree in Business and can seek entry-level positions based upon their areas of concentration. Gwinnett College students can select a concentration in computer information technology, medical office administration, or massage therapy. 

 

5 Facts You Should Know about Gwinnett College and Institute’s Business Degree

Ready to become a business professional with an emphasis in information technology, medical office administration or massage therapy? The Associate of Science Degree in Business is focused on general business and business technology. The business degree is offered at the Lilburn, GA campus. There are 5 facts you should know about Gwinnett College and Institute’s Business Degree. Gwinnett College and Institute is fully accredited by accrediting bodies and state agencies, there are day and evening classes available, the student can choose from three concentrations, the program focuses on Microsoft Office and the massage therapy concentration offers business mastery courses.

#1 Fully Accredited

Gwinnett College and Institute is fully accredited by accrediting bodies and state agencies.

Gwinnett College; Lilburn, GA – Accredited by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS) and authorized by the State of Georgia Nonpublic Postsecondary Education Commission.

#2 Day and Evening Classes Available

Think you don’t have the time to complete the business degree? Have other obligations that you must attend to during the day. The business degree at the Gwinnett College and Institute can be completed in as little as 18 months and evening classes are available. The Associate of Science Degree in Business takes as little as 18 months for full-time classes during the day and 24 months for full-time classes in the evening.

#3 Three Concentrations Available

The Associate of Science Degree in Business has three concentrations that include computer information technology, medical office administration and massage therapy.

Computer Information Technology – provides students with the training needed to seek entry-level employment as a help desk technician, computer operator, PC maintenance technician or document processor.

Medical Office Administration – focuses on the skills needed for students to seek entry-level position as a medical office administrator, biller and coder, patient intake representative, medical records clerk or accounting specialist.

Massage Therapy – focuses on a variety of techniques including chair massage, Oriental medicine and neuromuscular therapy.

#4 Focus on Microsoft Office

The Associate of Science Degree in Business includes two courses on Microsoft Office that focus on Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Access. The computer information technology concentration offers advanced Microsoft Office classes for the graduate to perform help desk tasks at an organization.

Microsoft Word – a graphical word processing program that users can type with to create memos, correspondence and collateral materials.

Microsoft Excel – a spreadsheet program that features calculations, graphing tools, pivot tables and a macro programming language. Microsoft Excel can be used to store and retrieve numerical data in a grid format of columns and rows.

Microsoft PowerPoint – a complete presentation program to help create professional-looking presentations. Microsoft PowerPoint offers word processing, outlining, drawing, graphing, and presentation management tools.

Microsoft Access – a database management system with a graphical user interface and software-development tools. Microsoft Access is used to create forms and reports while storing tables and possible queries on the database server.

#5 Business Mastery

The Associate of Science Degree in Business, Massage Therapy concentration, offers business mastery classes in business organization, business management, and marketing. These classes will help the self-employed massage therapist run the day to day operations of a business.

Business Organization – students learn about group dynamics and motivational strategies, performance management, training, conflict resolution, and leadership strategies.

Business Management – students learn about overseeing operations, reviewing contracts and helping employees reach their full potential. Some of the business organization areas of study will include markets, customers, finance, operations, communication, information technology and business strategy.

Marketing – students learn about how businesses promote and sell products and services. As a student of business, you will learn the process of teaching consumers why they should choose your products or services over the competition.

Do these 5 facts about the Business Degree at Gwinnett College and Institute interest you? The Associate of Science Degree in Business is designed to provide Gwinnett College students with the knowledge and practical skills to function in the ever-changing business world. Gwinnett College graduates are awarded an Associate of Science Degree in Business and can seek entry-level positions based upon their areas of concentration. Gwinnett College students can select a concentration in computer information technology, medical office administration, or massage therapy. 

 

The Important Duties of a Paralegal

The paralegal plays an important role on any legal team. They help support lawyers during trial and to prepare for cases. The paralegal is the heart of a law firm as they are taking on more duties formerly given to legal secretaries and entry-level lawyers.

The increase need for paralegals and legal assistants is partially due to an increase in incarceration and the need for Internet savvy individuals. Become a paralegal or legal assistant and start a rewarding career helping others while being an integral member of a legal team.

Paralegal Duties

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, paralegals and legal assistants help lawyers prepare for hearings, trials, and corporate meetings. Paralegals use computer software for managing and organizing the increasing number of documents collected during a case. Paralegals investigate cases, conduct research, organize documents, gather evidence, summarize reports, draft correspondence, get affidavits, file legal documents and communicate with people involved with the case.

Paralegals’ Increased Duties

Paralegals and legal assistants are increasingly performing not only traditional paralegal duties but also some of the tasks previously assigned to legal secretaries. Also, paralegals can be a less costly alternative to lawyers despite performing a wide variety of tasks once done by entry-level lawyers.

Growth Rate of Paralegal Jobs

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of paralegals and legal assistants is projected to grow 10 percent from 2019 to 2029, about as fast as the average for all occupations. Many things are increasing the need for paralegals including an increase in incarceration and the Internet as a tool for research.

Increase in Incarceration

According to the National Academy of Sciences, the incarceration rate of prisoners in US jails has increased four times since 1972. The total number of prisoners in 2012 was 2.23 million, the highest in the world. The biggest increase has been seen in federal prison where they house people for federal crimes including robbery, fraud, drugs, weapons and immigration. This increase in incarceration has spurred the need for more legal assistance, lawyers, public defenders and paralegals.

The War on Drugs

One of the main drivers of the increased incarceration rate was the war on drugs that has changed legislation causing harsher penalties for drug abusers. According to the Drug Policy Alliance, trends in drug arrests grew sharply in the 1980s, when the federal government declared a war on drugs. “The number of people behind bars for nonviolent drug law offenses increased from 50,000 in 1980 to over 400,000 by 1997.”In the late 1980s, a political hysteria about drugs led to the passage of severe penalties that rapidly increased the prison population. We still see the effects of these harsher prison sentences today. This increase in drug arrests helped drive the need for legal assistance and paralegals.

Internet and the Law

Nonprofits and government entities have put almost all of the raw materials of American law online. Google is making that law easier to find. With more access to legal regulations and law, paralegals are expanding their skill set to Internet professional.

The increase of virtual law firms has also spiked the demand for paralegals. Much of what the virtual law firm needs is research, administrative support and client interface. More companies like Legalzoom and RocketLawyer have pushed the envelope on virtual law firms and the increased need for paralegals.

Both companies are usually hiring paralegals to join the company. What the paralegal position does at Legalzoom:

  • Thorough review and analysis of commercial contracts.
  • Implementation, management, and maintenance of the company’s contract management system.
  • Ability to review, understand, and synthesize common contract provisions.
  • Maintenance of legal department forms and contract clause library.
  • Work closely with technology, finance, and marketing to initiate, negotiate, and complete contracts and administer other legal department operations.
  • Craft summaries and communications for core corporate functions.
  • Assistance with production and organization of subpoena response materials.
  • Monitoring and assistance with regulatory filings
  • Assistance with regulatory compliance, due diligence, and legal support for our finance team
  • Letter preparation and event coordination

Final Thoughts

Now is the time to learn about the duties and responsibilities of paralegals. Whether it be the increase in incarceration rates or the increase in technology, there is a growing need for paralegals that will continue over the next 10 years.

Interested in learning more about the duties of a paralegal or legal assistant? The Gwinnett College diploma and degree programs in paralegal studies provides students with the theoretical and practical knowledge and the legal skills necessary to perform many paralegal functions including research, writing, investigation, and interviewing.  Paralegal studies students gain knowledge of the paralegal and legal assistant’s role in areas such as tort law, litigation, criminal law, civil law, real estate, bankruptcy, wills/trusts & estates, and domestic relations. Theoretical and practical knowledge of how a traditional legal office operates on a day-to-day basis is also included as part of the training.  Contact us today to learn more about becoming a paralegal or legal assistant.

The Vital Role of a Registered Nurse

Registered nurses are in high demand and the increased population of the elderly and diagnosis of disorders will only increase the need. As the population ages, not only are their more elderly patients but registered nurses will be retiring causing a need for additional registered nurses to take their place.

What a Registered Nurse Does on a Day-To-Day Basis

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, registered nurses (RNs) provide and coordinate patient care, educate patients about various health conditions, and provide emotional support to patients and their families. Registered nurses typically do the following:

  • Record patients’ medical histories, treatments and symptoms
  • Administer patients’ medicines
  • Set up plans for patients’ care
  • Observe patients and record their observations
  • Consult and collaborate with doctors and colleagues
  • Help perform diagnostic tests and analyze the results
  • Teach patients and their families how to manage and prevent illnesses or injuries

The Growth of Nursing

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of registered nurses is projected to grow 16 percent from 2014 to 2024, much faster than the average for all occupations. Demand for healthcare services will increase because of the aging population. Registered nurses also will be needed to educate and care for patients with various elderly chronic conditions including arthritis, dementia, stroke, diabetes, and obesity. The increased diagnosis of disorders will also increase the need for additional registered nurses.

The Aging Population

As the population of baby boomers begins to age more of the elderly will need the assistance of registered nurses. Registered nurses will be needed to help with elderly patients as they have a higher rate of illness and disease.  According to the National Council on Aging, about 80% of older adults have at least one chronic disease, and 68% have at least two. Some of the typical illnesses and diseases include osteoarthritis, stroke, heart attack, Alzheimer’s disease, depression, diabetes, cancer and Parkinson’s disease.

Osteoarthritis – the degeneration of joint cartilage and the underlying bone. Osteoarthritis causes pain and stiffness in the hip, knee and thumb joints.

Stroke – occurs when blood flow is cut off to the brain. The brain cells need oxygen and glucose to survive.

Heart Attack – occurs when the blood flow that brings oxygen to the heart is severely reduced. A buildup of fat, cholesterol and plaque narrows the coronary arteries that supply the heart with blood and can cause a heart attack.

Alzheimer’s Disease – a type of dementia that causes problems with memory, thinking and behavior.

Depression – feelings of helpless, hopeless and worthlessness. Depression can happen with a reduction in physical activity in the elderly.

Diabetes – as a body gets older the eating patterns of humans begins to put a strain on the regulation of blood sugar and insulin. Adult-onset diabetes can also put the elderly at risk for heart disease, problems with the circulatory system and many other issues brought on by diabetes.

Cancer – the term used for diseases were abnormal cells divide without control and invade other tissue. Early screening for cervical and colorectal cancers is recommended and can be carried out by additional registered nurses. The human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine helps prevent most cervical cancers and hepatitis B vaccine can lower the risk of liver cancer.

Parkinson’s Disease – a progressive disorder of the nervous system that affects movement. Parkinson’s disease has more than doubled in older men from 1976 to 2005 according to studies.

Not only are registered nurses needed to treat the aging population but the registered nurses themselves are beginning to retire in bigger numbers. As many as 1 million registered nurses may retire in the next 10 to 15 years. More registered nurses will be needed to replace those that are retiring

Increased Diagnosis of Disorders

More doctors and registered nurses will be needed to treat disorders that have increased in diagnosis over the last 10 to 20 years. Some of those disorders include Autism, ADHD and Asthma.

Autism – one in six children is diagnosed with some form of Autism, whether high functioning or low functioning. Some argue that Autism is a rare gene mutation that is triggered by environmental factors. Others say that doctors are just better at diagnosing Autism. Others target the survival of pre-term babies as a pre-cursor to Autism. Regardless of the cause, more children are being diagnosed with Autism and will require additional doctors and registered nurses to treat these patients.

ADHD – attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is one of the most common neurodevelopmental disorders of childhood, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Common risk factors for ADHD include genetics, brain injury, alcohol and tobacco use during pregnancy, premature delivery and low birth weight. Registered nurses will be needed to offer families and newly pregnant women education and resources to stay away from the common risk factors of ADHD.

Asthma – The American Academy of Allergy Asthma & Immunology is seeing an increase rate of asthma. Some research points to the increase use of certain medications as a cause for the increase in asthma. An increase in obesity causes a restriction in breathing and may lead to higher rates of asthma.

All of these factors are increasing the need for registered nurses. Are you interested in becoming a registered nurse? The Associate of Science in Nursing degree program provides training to prepare college graduates to enter the nursing profession as a registered nurse. Upon graduation and licensure, college graduates will be eligible to seek employment in hospitals, clinics, private duty, urgent and acute care centers, and various other medical or business facilities requiring the services of registered nurses. Contact us today to learn more about the Associates of Science in Nursing degree program at Gwinnett College.

Where can I Work as a Massage Therapist?

Are you tired of the 9 to 5? Massage therapists can work in very interesting locations on their own time table. All they need is a diploma in massage therapy and the ambition to become a successful massage therapist.

Where can I Work as a Massage Therapist?

Massage Franchises – Franchise organizations that offer massage to patrons in local communities employ massage therapists to work with customers. This type of employment can offer more stable work than self-employment. One of the bigger massage franchises is Massage Envy. Massage Envy has 11 locations in the greater Atlanta area and 14 locations in the Raleigh-Durham area (Where Gwinnett College’s campuses are located).

Spas, Hotels & Resorts – Many massage therapists will take a traditional position at a spa or resort and have the ability to work with a steady amount of clientele. Some travel may be involved if you work for a chain of hotel or resorts.

Hospitals & Clinics – Patients are in need of massage therapy. Some massage therapist will work in hospitals and clinics to help those with patients that have strains or need elder care. Other places for massage therapist to work include sports therapy clinics and sports rehab.

Business Offices – Some organizations offer special perks that include free massages. They employ massage therapists to help employees relax during long days and in high stress environments.

Casinos – Many casinos employ massage therapist to work in resorts and spas. Another exciting job is to roam the casino floor offering poker players the opportunity to a massage after playing for many hours in one position. Working in this environment can be exciting and lucrative.

On A Cruise Ship – Love traveling and want a great way to pay for the trip? Be a massage therapist aboard a cruise ship. You can take the time to enjoy the locales you visit while paying for your trip as a massage therapist.

Malls & Conventions – Customers of massage therapists are on their feet much of the day and are shopping at malls or attending conventions. The massage therapist can set up a booth to offer massages to fellow shoppers to help them relax after a long day of standing.

Gyms & Fitness Centers – Gym members often work out rigorously and need a massage therapist to recondition muscles to allow them to recover. Some high-end gyms employ massage therapists directly while others allow freelance massage therapist to make appointments with gym members after their workout.

At Clients’ Homes – Massage therapists can work for themselves or an organization and make house calls. As a self-employed massage therapist, clients will allow you to travel to their home and offer payment for massage therapist services. No overhead is needed so start-up costs are minimal.

American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA)

The American Massage Therapy Association offers guidance in workplace options for massage therapists. Their guides talk more about working at a franchise, at fitness and sports massage locations, at medical and health care related settings, in spas and as a self-employed massage therapist.

Ready to become a massage therapist and work in an exciting new setting? Upon graduation, Massage Therapy Program students will receive diplomas and be qualified to seek entry-level positions as clinical, medical, or deep tissue massage therapists in wellness clinics and centers, spa environments including resorts and franchises, and self-employment.

How to Start an Entry-Level Accounting Career

What Bookkeepers and Accounting Clerks Do Day-To-Day

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, bookkeeping and accounting clerks produce financial records for organizations. They record financial transactions, update statements, and check financial records for accuracy. Bookkeeping, and accounting clerks typically do the following on a day-to-day basis:

  • Use bookkeeping software, online spreadsheets, and databases
  • Post financial transactions into the appropriate accounting software
  • Receive and record cash, checks, and vouchers
  • Put debits and credits into the accounting software, assigning each to an appropriate account
  • Produce reports including balance sheets, income statements, and totals by account
  • Check for accuracy in figures, postings, and reports
  • Reconcile or note and report any differences they find in the records

Bookkeepers often are responsible for an organization’s accounts, known as the general ledger. Bookkeepers record all transactions and post debits and credits. Bookkeepers also create financial statements and other reports for supervisors and managers. Bookkeepers also prepare bank deposits by compiling data from cashiers, verifying receipts, and sending cash, checks, or other forms of payment to the bank.

Accounting clerks can work for larger companies and have more specialized tasks. An accounting clerks’ titles, accounts payable clerk or accounts receivable clerk, often reflect the type of accounting they do. Entry-level accounting clerks may post details of transactions, add up accounts, and determine interest charges. They also may monitor loans and accounts to ensure that payments are up to date.

Skills of a Successful Accountant and Bookkeeper

Computer skills. Bookkeeping and accounting clerks need to be comfortable using computer spreadsheets and bookkeeping software including QuickBooks and Microsoft Office.

Detail oriented. Bookkeeping and accounting clerks are responsible for producing accurate financial records. They must pay attention to detail in order to avoid making errors and recognize errors that others have made.

Integrity. Bookkeeping and accounting clerks have control of an organization’s financial documentation, which they must keep confidential. It is vital that the bookkeeper and accounting clerks keep records transparent and guard against misappropriating an organization’s funds.

Math skills. Bookkeeping and accounting clerks deal with numbers daily and should be comfortable with basic arithmetic.

How To Become a Bookkeeper or Accounting Clerk

Step #1 – Enroll in a Career College

2 years of higher education are required by almost all employers. Career colleges provide career focused education for the purpose of gaining entry-level employment and advancement opportunities.

Step #2 – Master Accounting & Bookkeeping Software

Some of the software an accounting and bookkeeping clerk uses every day include Microsoft Office and QuickBooks.

Microsoft Office is an office suite of applications, servers, and services developed by Microsoft. Microsoft Office includes Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint & Outlook. Microsoft Office can be used with both Microsoft Windows and Apple Macintosh operating systems.

QuickBooks is an accounting software package designed to manage payroll, inventory, sales and other accounting needs of a business.

Step #3 – Get an Externship at a Local Business

The Bookkeeping and Accounting Program student should spend at least 120 hours in a typical accounting office setting. An externship will offer real-world experience and the ability to network, helping the student get a job after graduation.

Step #4 – Graduate from an Accredited Career College

Once you graduate from the career college, you will have a diploma showing your potential employer that you spent 2 years learning about your field of study. It is confirmation that you are skilled in the disciplines of bookkeeping and accounting.

Step #5 – Start an Entry-Level Position as a Bookkeeper or Accounting Clerk

Many career colleges offer career services to students and graduates to assist them in obtaining in-field employment. Career Services offers assistance with career portfolio building, resume writing, interview skill development, grooming, networking skills and effective job search training. Career College career services work closely with the employment community to help students find an in-field job after graduation.

Ready to take the first step in your new career as a bookkeeper or accounting clerk? The Gwinnett College accounting diploma program is designed to prepare college graduates to seek entry-level positions in the accounting and bookkeeping fields. The Gwinnett College graduate may work as an accounts receivable or accounts payable clerk, bookkeeper, payroll clerk, accounting assistant or inventory control clerk.

7 Study Tips to Help You Learn More

Want to get prepared for your next test? Here are 7 study tips to help you learn more when you study. The study tips include starting to study right away, creating a study group, organizing your study space, snacking on brain food, taking regular breaks, getting enough sleep and exercising while studying.

Study Tip #1 – Start Studying Right Away

Do not cram before a test. Organize multiple study sessions spaced out between a period of days. The brain remembers the first information and last information studied better than the middle. Make sure to stop and start studying on a regular basis and you will retain more information from your study time.

Study Tip #2 – Create a Study Group

Working in a group to study for a test is a great idea. Each person can be responsible for a different section of the curriculum and when the group comes back together they can share their notes. Things like studying for a test or working out can be easier when you have someone to do it with as you feel obligated to that person to do your part.

Study Tip #3 – Organize Your Study Space

Start by decluttering your space so you can keep your mind fresh. Throw out the trash on your desk and get everything you need to study without getting distracted.

Organize your study space like you organize your brain. Our brains are made up of three main compartments for storing information.

Working Memory – information we’re currently working with that doesn’t necessarily need to be stored.

Short-Term Memory – information we hold for a few days. If it is important, the brain will store it into long-term memory.

Long-Term Memory – information that is stored permanently.

The working memory could be a whiteboard of topics or information you are working on right now. The short-term memory can include post-it notes that you keep for remembering something coming up tomorrow or the next day. Long-term memory may be the information you store in your computer for later use.

Study Tip #4 – Snack on Brain Food

Your brain performs better when you eat good. Fruits and vegetables are good for long-term brain focus rather than sugar and caffeine. You may get a quick boost from caffeine but the downside of the high can really effect your focus when studying.

There are many brain foods that will improve your focus and concentration, according to A Life of Productivity. Many of these foods are called superfoods. A superfood is a nutrient-rich food considered to be especially beneficial for health and well-being.

Blueberries – studies show that blueberries boost concentration and memory because of antioxidants that stimulate the flow of blood and oxygen to your brain.

Leafy Green Vegetables – are full of antioxidants and carotenoids, that help boost brain power and protect the brain. They also contain folic acid, which improves mental clarity.

Fatty Fish – Omega-3 fatty acids aid memory, mental performance and behavioral function.

Water – Staying hydrated gives the brain the electrical energy for all brain functions including thought and memory processes.

Study Tip #5 – Take Regular Breaks

Look up to refocus your eyes every five minutes so you don’t have to strain when you are studying. Get up and walk around every 45 minutes to get any energy out of your body and reset your mind so you can come back fresh and ready to tackle the next chapter.

Study Tip #6 – Get Enough Sleep

Nothing is worse than taking a test when you are tired. You need your full concentration so get a good nights’ sleep before taking a test.

Also, newly learned concepts are more easily recalled after sleeping since retroactive interference occurs. Retroactive interference is when a student has difficulty recalling old information because of newly learned information.

Study Tip #7 – Exercise & Study at The Same Time

Get your notes in order or create flash cards. Then start walking around the neighborhood or campus while you review your notes. Humans have a hard-wired survival instinct to retain information while in motion, from the days of running away from danger. Exercise will also increase oxygen flow to the brain for better concentration.

Once you have your study skills set and ready to find the right career college, learn more about Gwinnett Colleges & Institute. We feel studying is key to success in anyone of our 14 programs at our 6 campuses in Georgia, Florida & North Carolina.

7 Tips for Writing a Business Resume That Stands Out

The job market in the US is competitive and writing a good business resume will give you a leg up on the competition. If you are looking for a job in business after graduating from a career college, here are 7 tips for writing a business resume that stands out.

Tip #1 – Format the Business Resume for Easy Viewing

A human resources manager only has 20 seconds to scan your business resume before taking the time to read it fully. The business resume should only be one page long as multiple pages will not only seem overwhelming to the human resources manager but shows that you are not concise with your communication.

Use headers to emphasize important information and bullet points for key accomplishments. Bold and italic type can help guide the human resources manager’s eyes properly through the business resume. Make sure the business resume is readable, organized and visually appealing.

Also, clearly state your name and contact information at the top of the business resume. Don’t give the human resources manager any reason not to contact you for an interview.

Tip #2 – Tailor Your Business Resume to The Company You Are Applying To

Human Resource Managers and Hiring Managers will see hundreds of resumes per position and you want to stand out from the crowd. A good way to stand out is by tailoring your business resume to the company you are applying to. Don’t just send in a catch all business resume, personalize it to the company and industry.

When writing a cover letter, try using the human resource manager’s name in the salutation. Insert the company name were applicable. Focus on the companies needs by reviewing the job description and tailor your business resume to the job you are applying for.

Tip #3 – Optimize Your Business Resume for Keywords

Many new resume services like Indeed will rank your business resume by relevance when a hiring manager is searching for job candidates. Other resume services will give the hiring manager the ability to weed out business resumes by ranking them by keyword saturation, much like a search engine. Make sure your business resume includes all the words that the hiring manager may be looking for by understanding the job description and position you are applying for.

Tip #4 – Write a Career Summary instead of an Objective

Take the opportunity to make a good first impression. The career summary is the first thing the hiring manager will read when looking at your business resume. Everyone wants to work for a good company that is challenging but not everyone has the career experience you bring to the table. Present yourself as the solution to the hiring managers problem.

Tip #5 – Accomplishments, not Job Descriptions

You are telling a story with your business resume. Use bullet points to call out the tasks you performed on a job but put the tasks in the form of accomplishments. Quantify your accomplishments and avoid using industry jargon. Instead of saying I proofread articles at my last job say that you had a 99% accuracy when reviewing and submitting articles to the key stakeholders. Use this section of the business resume to sell yourself and the accomplishments you will bring to this new job.

Tip #6 – Proofread Your Business Resume

Nothing will get your business resume rejected quicker than spelling and grammatical errors. When a hiring manager sees these errors, they feel like the candidate is not taking the process seriously. Have a friend or family member read over your business resume for a second set of eyes. Many times, they may see errors that you may not.

Tip #7 – Include Social Media Links

Do you already have a Linkedin profile? Take the time to write a tailored business resume but also include a link to your Linkedin profile. Get endorsements from colleagues, former employers and teachers that may enhance your list of references. Share your featured skills with the hiring manager to confirm the business skills you have match that of the job description.

Don’t forget that the human resources manager will look at your social media accounts before sending the resume to the hiring manager. Make sure you don’t have anything on your social media that will disqualify you or impact the decision of the human resources manager from adding you to the list of prospective candidates.

Ready to start your journey as a business student? Gwinnett College can help you prepare for a career in business. Gwinnett College students that graduate from the business program can also select a concentration in computer information technology, medical office administration, or massage therapy.  Gwinnett College graduates are awarded an Associate of Science Degree in Business and can seek entry-level positions based upon their areas of concentration.

Get Microsoft Office Training: Become an Office Administrator or Accounting Clerk

Want to become an Office Administrator or Accounting Clerk? The most important training you can obtain includes office procedure training and use of Microsoft Office programs. Get training in Microsoft Office to take your career to the next level.

What is Microsoft Office?

Microsoft Office is an office suite of applications, servers, and services developed by Microsoft. Microsoft Office includes Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint & Outlook. Microsoft Office can be used with both Microsoft Windows and Apple Macintosh operating systems.

Microsoft Word

A word processor developed by Microsoft. Microsoft Word offers enhanced features to create professional-quality documents, easier ways to work together with people, and almost-anywhere access to your files.

Microsoft Word helps you organize and write your documents more efficiently. In addition, you can save documents online and access, edit, and share them from almost any Web browser.

Top Functionality of Microsoft Word

Smart Art – Clip art, shapes, diagrams and charts are offered on Microsoft Word. SmartArt is a comprehensive business diagram tool.

Visual Charts – Create charts in Microsoft Word with the chart engine.

Add Hyperlinks – in Microsoft Word, you can insert hyperlinks on images and text to make documents interactive. Very useful when sending documents with Microsoft Outlook.

Headers & Footers – Add logos, images and page numbers in the header and footer of a Microsoft Word document.

Find & Replace – Find particular words in Microsoft Word to replace on a grand scale. Make sure to also use Spell Check to make sure you replaced the word with the correct spelling.

Spell & Grammar Check – Microsoft Word 2016 has a robust spelling and grammar check tool that can even offer keyword definitions if you are in doubt about which spelling or term to use.

Create PDFs – You don’t need a PDF creator since Microsoft Word can save any document into a PDF. Make a document available without letting users make changes.

Microsoft Excel

A spreadsheet program used to store and retrieve numerical data in a grid format of columns and rows. Microsoft Excel is ideal for entering, calculating and analyzing company data.

Top Functionality of Microsoft Excel

Formulas – use formulas to manipulate data within a group of cells in Microsoft Excel. Some of the more common formulas include merge, trim, word length, if/then statements, and count formulas. Over 100 formulas in all included in Microsoft Excel 2016.

Charts & Graphs – make visual charts and graphs in Microsoft Excel. Charts included in Microsoft Excel include bar graphs, line graphs, pie charts, scatter graphs, bubble graphs, waterfall graphs and surface graphs to visually represent data.

Conditional Formatting – format Microsoft Excel spreadsheets with colors, bold and italics to emphasize different data. Microsoft Excel also allows you to remove duplicates from a column.

Hyperlink Insertion – add hyperlinks to the cells for users to easily get additional information.

PivotCharts & PivotTables – A pivot table, in Microsoft Excel, allows you to reorganize and summarize selected columns and rows of data in a spreadsheet or database table to obtain a desired report. A pivot chart is the visual representation of a pivot table in Microsoft Excel. Pivot charts and pivot tables are connected with each other.

Spell Check & Thesaurus – Use Microsoft Excel to make sure you are using the correct spelling or a word or if there is a synonym that offers a more powerful meaning.

Microsoft Access

Microsoft Access is a database management system that serves as an electronic filing system. With Microsoft Access, the user is easily able to modify any data within the database, produce reports from the database and submit queries about all information stored into it.

Top Functionality of Microsoft Access

Create Tables & SharePoint lists – A SharePoint list is a container for information, similar to a very simple database or spreadsheet. Using a list is the most common way to manage information in a SharePoint site. In a list, data is gathered in rows, and each row is known as a list item.

Compatible with Microsoft Office – You can upload data or create an excel spreadsheet from a Microsoft Access database.

Microsoft PowerPoint

A presentation program created by Microsoft. The presentation is made up of a series of slides. The slides that you create using Microsoft PowerPoint can also be presented as overhead transparencies or 35mm slides. In addition to slides, you can print audience handouts, outlines, and speaker’s notes.

Top Functionality of Microsoft PowerPoint

Animations – add some animation to your presentation to keep viewers visually active with Microsoft PowerPoint.

Edit Graphics – Microsoft PowerPoint gives you the option to resize, crop and group images with overlays to create pictures for use in presentations, on websites and in other Microsoft Office programs.

SmartArt – Create templatized diagrams and charts to visual data in your Microsoft PowerPoint presentations.

Notes – Add notes to the slideshow that only you can see while you are presenting with Microsoft PowerPoint.

Microsoft Outlook

Microsoft Outlook is a personal information manager from Microsoft, available as a part of the Microsoft Office suite. Although often used mainly as an email application, it also includes a calendar, task manager, contact manager, note taking, journal, and web browsing.

Top Functionality of Microsoft Outlook

Calendar – Get meeting alerts and keep track of anything using the calendar on Microsoft Outlook.

Task Manager – Remember to do that word document or presentation by creating a task in Microsoft Outlook.

Contact Manager – Keep track of your contacts’ name, email address and other important information within the contact manager of Microsoft Outlook.

Email Management – Create folders, set out-of-office vacation auto-replies, create signatures and manage third-party mail servers including Yahoo! Mail and Gmail. You can also flag specific emails as important or unread using Microsoft Outlook.

The use of Microsoft Office is integral in the everyday tasks of an Office Administrator and Accounting Clerk. Training in Microsoft Office is important for every Office Administrator and Accounting Clerk to master. The following explains what an Office Administrator and Accounting Clerk does on a day-to-day basis in addition to using Microsoft Office.

What does an Office Administrator Do?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the Office Administrator performs clerical and administrative duties. The Office Administrator organizes files, prepares documents, schedules appointments, and supports the staff. Office Administrator typically do the following:

  • Use Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Access, Microsoft PowerPoint and Microsoft Outlook
  • Answer telephones and take messages
  • Schedule office appointments and update event calendars
  • Arrange company staff meetings
  • Handle all mail and faxes
  • Prepare memos, invoices, or reports
  • Edit documents and spreadsheets
  • Maintain databases and filing systems
  • Perform basic bookkeeping and accounting

What does an Accounting Clerk Do?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks produce financial records for organizations. They record financial transactions, update statements, and check financial records for accuracy. Bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks typically do the following:

  • Use Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Access, Microsoft PowerPoint and Microsoft Outlook
  • Use bookkeeping software, databases and online spreadsheets
  • Enter financial transactions into the computer software
  • Receive and record cash, checks, and vouchers
  • Put costs and income into the software, assigning each to an appropriate account
  • Produce reports, balance sheets, income statements, and totals by account
  • Check for accuracy in figures, postings, and reports
  • Reconcile and report any differences they find in the records

Upon completion of the Computer Operations diploma program at Gwinnett College, college graduates will be able to seek entry-level positions as office administrators, accounting clerks, and document processors. Gwinnett College graduates from the Computer Operations diploma program can transfer all of their credits into the Associate of Science Degree in Business, Computer Information concentration training program and complete their associate degree in three additional quarters. Learn more about computer training now.