? Online Job Applications All You Really Need To Know

? Online Job Applications All You Really Need To Know 219 How to apply for a job online and get it. Photo by Ben White This is a guest post by Dean Giles. Have you heard it lately? Ask just about anywhere how to apply for a job there, and you will hear, “You have to apply online. If they are interested in your application, they will call you.” And some people say that applying for jobs online doesn't work. Why? Because online job application puts all of the power in the hands of the employerâ€"and it cuts down the time and money needed to handle job applicants, because employees don't see most of the applications. You see, when you fill out the online job application, your application enters a database of applications, also called an applicant tracking system (ATS), other times called “the resume black hole.” How many times have you heard of people filling out dozens or even hundreds of online applications without even getting one response back? Automated systems sort and process the applications. If your application isn’t processed and brought to the top of the list of applications, it simply won’t even be reviewed by human beings. In your experience, is it possible to find a job without submitting job applications online? Yes No View Results How to get through the automated filters So the question iswhat do you need to get to the top of the automated list, and get past the autobot filters designed to weed out applicants before HR or anyone else needs to spend any time on it? You will need three things: Use exact keywords and phrases Find job openings that closely match your skills and abilities And a system that works in reverseâ€"a system that only has you apply for a job after you have gotten the response. Yes, you heard me right. To succeed with the online job application, you need only apply for the jobs that you already have a response for. The experts and gurus will tell you that you need to apply for a lot of jobs. The logic is: the chances of getting a job goes up with every application you submit. But I don't buy it. You spend hours getting the resume and application just right. You fight with the submission process, then you wait. And for what? Intense silence on the other side. Your hopes are actually dashed with every online resume that you fill out. You can't hold out real expectations when you haven't had a response from the last 35 applications you have submitted, now can you? Then pretty soon you are looking for ways how to fill out job applications out faster. You are cutting corners sending the same resume to every offer, leaving every field blank that isn't expressly required. But what will an employer see if they actually do look at that application? Someone who can't even complete a whole form? Will that application actually help your chances of getting hired, or would it just hurt them? What would your chances of being hired actually be like if you knew your application would be reviewed by a real person? How much more time and detail could you put into the application, and how much better would it be? Contemplate those questions while we address the other two things that you need to get your resume seen by real people. 1) Use exact keywords and phrases If you don’t have the exact keywords and phrases that the automated system is looking for, your application will fail. It is that simple. For an example, I will assume most everyone has done a Google search before. In the Google search window, a person will type in a search term and Google will deliver a list of possible sites that relate to the term that you typed in. Although the algorithms are different, the automated applicant tracking systems have, at their heart, the very same mechanisms and return to the employer’s agent, the HR person or company recruiter, a list of applications that have all of the specific keywords and phrases that they are looking for. The irony here is that many people will have the experience and prerequisites expected, but will not be in this list of top qualified candidates because the automated systems just won’t find their application. Use the job description to get the exact keywords that are being searched for. 2) Find job openings that closely match your skills and abilities As was pointed out, the automated systems are looking for specific keywords and phrases, it is easiest to match those keywords when you are applying for jobs that you really do qualify for. But, where do you find those perfect jobs that you are looking for? Finding the right jobs requires knowing where to look, and how to get the right help finding the job opportunities. It is estimated that the big job boards such as Monster, CareerBuilder, and etc. only account for 4 to 8 percent of all hires in the US. What that means is that the majority of the jobs available are not on the big job boards. You can learn exactly where to look for the right jobs, and how to access the “hidden job market” where the competition is significantly less, and odds are much greater in your favor for getting hired. The secret is in networking and the right tactics to find the people inside that are influencers and can help you. Finding just the right job opportunities will cut down the frustration factors immensely and actually improve your chances of interviews and job offers. 3) Only apply for the jobs that you already have a response from The process that works is actually the reverse of the common logic. Don't apply until someone there is expecting your application. Most people think that online job application means that you can’t contact the company, and that there won’t be any human interaction until you win the job application lottery and your name is chosen. Frankly, this attitude keeps most people from making the short list at the companies that they are interested in. If you have the first two things mentioned above, then you need to let a real person know it. Companies often hire people who are a known entity. They are friends of someone in the company, or have worked with someone in the past. This is where the saying comes from, “who you know matters more that what you know” No place is that more evident than when it comes to getting hired. As it turns out, knowing who to contact and how to contact them is a key component to becoming that known entity, and gaining a foot up on your competition. Most people go about contacting someone in the company in a completely wrong way. They hear this phrase again and again, “if they choose your resume, you will get a phone call from them.” That is usually the last thing anyone hears from the potential employer’s company. Finding the right people to contact and contacting them in the right way will make a big difference with the employer interest in your online job application. The real problems of today’s job search happen to be in the new online job application process and all of the baggage that it introduces, rather than in the lack of jobs or the current economic conditions. The prevailing system for getting hired simply doesn't work. When you reverse that equation and start by contacting someone at the company, you can start seeing results immediately. Question of the article Are online job applications a necessary evil for job seekers? Tell us your online job application story in the comments. READ NEXT:  ?? How Smart Job Seekers Do Resume Keyword Research About the Author Twenty one years as a Project Manager gave Dean Giles a lot of experience on the interviewing and hiring end of the job market. One company acquisition and a subsequent reduction-in-force, put him on the opposite end of that equation. He quickly found that the automated online job application mechanisms had pretty much high-jacked the hiring processes. He found that the hiring process for most people is completely broken and that what he had learned over 21 years had to be applied in new and creative ways. Dean now strives to help people find employment and use the new technologies to their advantage. This article was originally part of the Over $6000 in Prizes: It’s The 6th Annual JobMob Guest Blogging Contest, which was made possible thanks in large part to our sponsors: WebHostingBuzz is a reliable web hosting company with the servers hosted at multiple US and Europe locations and over 30,000 happy customers worldwide.

Academic Writing and Scholarly Articles on Writing a Teacher Resume

Academic Writing and Scholarly Articles on Writing a Teacher ResumeA student will do their best to write a teacher resume that provides them with the most benefit from the situation. Writing a good teacher resume, however, requires a student to approach it differently. In addition, a student must also be willing to work within the constraints of the situation that they are in, while still learning from it.Because the teacher resume is more of a work of art than a simple resume, the student should take it seriously. By getting into a situation that is in-demand, the student will have a greater opportunity to provide an exceptional resume. This is true whether the student is a freshman in college or a graduate who has spent several years in the teaching profession.If the teacher is about to begin a new school year, it is important for the student to gain a little experience before the school year begins. In order to accomplish this, the student can take on a peer tutoring assignment. B y working closely with one or two other students, the student can gain valuable insight from them about the subject matter of their new class.Using a peer tutor, however, does not mean that the student will be pressured to finish their assignments on time. Instead, the peer tutor will provide the student with an opportunity to put their academic writing skills to use. This allows the student to begin to develop the habits of academic writing that will be needed throughout the school year.The peer tutoring assignment can also help students learn from another student and become better writers, if it is combined with the ability to listen to advice from good college teachers. In this way, the student will learn how to build on their strengths and continue to improve their writing skills. The process will take some time, but this is an excellent way to get started.While taking on this peer tutoring, the student should also find time to read up on the subject matter of their new class. T his allows the student to fully grasp the new ideas being introduced to the class. In addition, this allows the student to get a better understanding of the context in which they are working and the information that they need to relay to the class.The power of academic writing is only as strong as the student who is presenting it. For this reason, it is essential that the student work hard to master the skills necessary to write a great teacher resume. Studying academic articles and using scholarly articles on writing a teacher resume will go a long way toward helping the student develop their skills as a teacher.In addition, by reading up on academic writing and putting those articles to work as reference material, the student will also begin to acquire a better idea of what is required to present a good curriculum vitae. These skills can be used when a job interview comes along. It is these skills that will serve the student well in all situations.

Staying Positive When Career Envy Strikes Marla Gottschalk

Staying Positive When Career Envy Strikes Marla Gottschalk Photo by Artem Bali on Unsplash Careers can deliver more than a few difficult moments. Goals can remain elusive. Opportunities may wither and fade. Clients and colleagues can disappoint. Reclaiming a positive mental state â€" so the next wave of opportunity is not overlooked is vital. However, this can prove to be quite challenging. Often rest and time are often powerful healers. However a cycle of negative rumination can set in. One common emotion, which can erupt as we compare our paths to those who appear to be thriving, is envy â€" and it is particularly destructive. Envy can literally tilt how we view situations, people and ourselves â€" causing what I call a temporary blindness and extreme bias. Researchers examining envy in the workplace have shown that envy can not only affect how we feel about people, but the ideas they bring forward, which is quite perilous. In fact, the closer the source of the idea to us, the less likely we are to feel positively toward it. (For example, an idea created within the organizations vs. brought to the organization.) Envy can be a destructive career force. In fact, when envy exists a number of counter-productive elements can take hold: Invalidating thoughts about your own gifts and potential. A tendency to overlook or devalue your own opportunities. A closed mindset â€" where we cannot learn from others who have been successful. A lack of motivation to continue your journey (Networking, professional events, skill development, etc). A tendency to back away from challenge for fear that outcomes will not weigh in your favor. Undermining or devaluing the person who is the focus of your envy. Handling your emotions can be tricky. Try to identify the particular envy source â€" the a single element that you might covet in another individuals path. Is it respect? Financial success? Exposure or opportunities? Explore how can you bring more of these elements into your world with a mentor or career coach. Also remind yourself of the following: You are an individual â€" and your journey will also be unique. Consider the skills that differentiate you from the pack in a positive way. Ask yourself: How would someone who thinks well of you describe you to others? Create a list of the possible paths that would bring desired elements toward you. Identify 1 or 2 steps to bring this to fruition. Bring positive people/situations into your career life to balance negative thoughts â€" and make this a habit. For example, seek team experiences that affirm the strengths of   all team members. Has envy affected your career? How did you overcome the emotion? Dr. Marla Gottschalk is an Industrial/Organizational Psychologist. She is a charter member of the LinkedIn Influencer Program. Her thoughts on work life have appeared in various outlets including Talent Zoo, Forbes, Quartz and The Huffington Post.

10 Ways To Make Moving Organized and Meaningful

10 Ways To Make Moving Organized and Meaningful I love moving. I know, the day of is a sweaty, chaotic, stressful cluster, but…I totally dig it. When my landlord called me and told me that she was selling her condo and wanted to offer me first dibs, I (thought about it and then called her back and) said no, thank you. I don’t want to buy a downtown condo. I want to buy a house with a HUGE yard so I can run and play. But not right this second. My daily stalking of Hot Pads, Zillow, and Craigslist paid off when I found a townhouse just south of my current spot. With a little over a month to prepare, I excitedly thought  about my moving checklist and why I enjoy this process. Acquire boxes, bubble wrap, tape, and markers. Wardrobe boxes are your friends as your dresses and skirts and suits can stay on hangers and just go closet to closet. Ask your moving company if they offer these before buying them. You can order moving supplies online or pick them up from local stores like Home Depot, U-Haul, or Lowes. CAUTION: If the tape gets stuck in the dispenser, do not pull the jammed, stuck-together tape towards the direction of the very sharp blade or you will end up wondering if you need stitches. (I didn’t, btw, whew.) Bask in an Anti-Hoarders Dream + Give To A Cause = WIN WIN. In my family we have the Hoarders and the Anti-Hoarders. I am one of the Anti-Hoarders. I feel sweet sweet relief every time I get rid of something. When I am moving, I keep a box for Goodwill at all times. I have already filled four and I have one that is half-full right now. Sometimes when I am getting ready to go out and I don’t feel 100% amazing in a top or a skirt I will toss it in the box. If you don’t feel fabulous in it, get rid of it so someone else can! Paint your nails/foam roll/stretch while on hold contacting utilities. You are likely to be captive on the phone for a long time while disconnecting/reconnecting your electric, cable, and other services. Why not manage your patience with an additional activity? Update your address with your post office, bank, employer, credit card companies, stationary, family and close friends. If it’s a new city you are acclimating to, check out these tips from my previous post on why change is good for the soul. Sheets and shower supplies. By moving day evening, you will be craving a shower and some sleep. To prepare, a few days before your move wash a second set of sheets and pack them in a “first night at the new place” box or bag with a shower curtain, towels, and bar of soap. DAY-OF MUST DOs Dress accordingly. This is not the time for open-toed shoes and your favorite lulu tank! Wear stuff that you don’t care if you ever see again. Drink plenty of H2O yourself and offer to your moving crew. Tip your movers. If your movers are friends - beer and pizza. If a professional company is relocating your belongings, plan on tipping each person that helped. There are websites with guidance. I tend to over-tip as I have many shoes. Realize that you do not have to unpack ALL of the boxes today. (This will be my eighth move in the past 10 years and this concept is still difficult for me to comprehend). Alas, tomorrow you’ll wake up sore in new muscle groups and it will be your first morning in your new place! If you are a driven task-master like me, you will try to unpack all of your boxes the day after your move. Some people are one-room per day or one-box per day people. (These people are probably really good at yoga and meditating ?? Go at whatever pace that suits you. Make it you. Your home is an expression of your personality. Being an earth sign, I like to rock a rustic chic vibe. You can check out my fellow columnist’s post on decorating for high impact with low cost and these bathroom facelift tips. Whatever color, texture, or pattern you decide on, ensure it makes you smile so you can continue to be the lady that lights up the room. What  can we add to the  checklist? Tell us  @mscareergirl! Columnist Archive Image

The Role of a CareerBuilder Resume Writing Service

The Role of a CareerBuilder Resume Writing ServiceJobseekers know how important it is to get a well-written resume. In this search, many people resort to getting the services of a career builder resume writing service for assistance. A writer may be a specialist or an all-in-one professional, but the demand for skilled writers remains high, even for the growing technology industry.For writers, the role of a career builder resume writing service is a lot more than just to pen the perfect resume for the job seeking client. A writer will need to put himself or herself in the role of a perfect pitch man, personality or sales person. When a writer needs to discuss topics that are often confusing, the writer must be able to have a thorough understanding of the particular field of work in order to present a good case.Most of the time, a resume will be reviewed in the office and either passed over or placed on the 'to do' list for discussion with the prospective employer. While writing a res ume that will convince a hiring manager to look at a particular candidate over another is quite challenging, it is not nearly as difficult as attempting to come up with a professional resume in an online environment. Instead of having a writing specialist to create the resume, many services offer custom services that can help a job seeker to submit a resume that contains the proper content.A resume can be the first step toward landing the job you want, so the service that writes your resume must be well established and reputable. The company should have a portfolio of work, whether it is new or used. The best resume writing service will be flexible enough to provide templates, samples, and assistance in creating your own resume. In addition, the best services will encourage you to customize your resume.A well established and respected writing service should have the skills to compose the resume that the hiring manager wants. The writing service should be able to focus on the specifi c content of the resume, and not spend a great deal of time on formatting. In addition, the best services will encourage you to make suggestions about topics, which can save the hiring manager time, and allows them to focus on more important aspects of the resume, such as its relevancy to the position.While there is no single method for writing a resume, several steps should be taken to ensure that the best resume is written, edited, and distributed. A professionally prepared resume will include all the necessary information to help a potential employer to learn about the person seeking employment. This includes a detailed biography, contact information, education, and even any awards and recognitions gained while in the position you are applying for.During the writing process, the resume will be the focal point of attention. Job seekers should put in their best effort to keep their resume relevant to the position you are seeking. Every client will have different experiences and wil l require a resume that presents the right information at the right time.You should always be sure to choose a writing service that focuses on the specific information you need. Make sure the services you choose to have expertise in the type of resume you are writing. It is also important to read reviews and testimonials from previous clients, and find out what types of improvements they have seen in the quality of their work.

5 Smart Ways to Impress a Hiring Manager Online CareerMetis.com

5 Smart Ways to Impress a Hiring Manager Online Most of us already know that first impressions are a huge deal when it comes to job interviews.In fact, first-impression traits are the most criticalfor job seekers to prepare for as they all can be evaluated by a recruiter or hiring manager within the first 30 seconds of meeting a candidate.evalYou may be sitting down right now stressing on how to make a great first impression for that big interview you have in the coming weeks. But did you stop to think about your digital first impression?In this day and age, first impressions no longer happen in the interview room alone.The first thing any employer is going to do when you catch their interest in this internet-savvy age is to run a Google search on you.That’s right. Employers, friends, your fans, secret crushes, stalkers, exes â€" they all have access to the internet and social media. And all it takes them to find you on the internet is your full name.And as a job seeker, it is worth asking yourself just what are they going to se e when they find you on the internet? Will they even find you on the internet?Why is this so important?Because first impressions â€" whether they take place in the interview room or on the internet â€" they will affect the long term perception of you in the eyes of the interviewer.evalWhen we talk about first impressions, we are talking about this deeply ingrained image of yours in another person that forms within the first 10 seconds or less of when someone meets you. And as they say, ‘first impression is the last impression’, nothing is going to change the overall impression of another person’s personality over time.This is both true in-person and online. Take for example, if someone is quickly going through your public profile on the internet for the first time and they find you tedious, boring, or offensive or just sloppy in every regard, that impression is going to stay with them for a long time to come.The reality is very simple â€" in this day and age, your resume is on ly half of the data that recruiters will use to decide whether you are capable enough to work for them or not. Much of their judgment will be based on your web presence.This is why having a solid online presence is crucial for you. It allows you to grab the attention of a hiring manager early in the hiring process. And this then helps you stand out in their minds before they meet any other candidates.evalLet me show you 5 smart ways that you can impress hiring managers before you even walk in the interview door, using just the internet.1) Score an Insider RecommendationevalIf you already know someone in the company you are applying to, then you can use their recommendation for your advantage.Even if the individual doesn’t work in the department you are aiming to work in, they can still put out a referral for you. And mind you, an inside referral has a powerful impact on a hiring manager. After all, they are getting a good opinion about you from someone they trust.If you don’t al ready have a connection inside the company, there are many ways you can find one.For starters, check your LinkedIn connectionsto see if the hiring manager and you have any mutual connections.Once you find this person, you obviously shouldn’t message them abruptly asking for their kind recommendation. Here are some good templates you can use to ask for their referral.And if you are still unable to find a connection on the inside, you can consider trying to set an informational interview with someone inside the department where you have applied. Just make sure you come prepared to impress them and they will be more than willing to put a good word for you.2) Demo Your Talents with a Sample ProjectInstead of talking about what you can do for the company, why not show the hiring manager what you are capable of? Do a sample project for the company and make sure that it is made to impress. This is a great way to put yourself on top of all the other applicants.And if you are unsure what a good sample project looks like, research the company and come up with a few ideas on how you can improve their services. For example, if you are seeking a job as a software developer in the company, you could study one of their software’s and pitch an idea to improve it further.evalAnd if you are unable to find much about the company, or frankly, don’t have enough time to consider making a full sample project, at least make sure that the most relevant work samples are easy for the hiring managers to find. You have to make sure the sample work you provide has something to do with the job you’re applying to. This will help them see how your skills can benefit them.3) Display Your Industry LeadershipIf you really want to stimulate the interest of the hiring manager, then show that you are an active member of the industry. To do this, you are going to have to make an effort and start engaging with people who exist in your line of work.There are hundreds of online forums, Facebook groups, and other open discussion platforms like Reddit where you can easily find like-minded people and indulge in discussions about your work.Talk about your recent projects, discuss the troubles you faced, or tell people about the takeaways from a recent conference you attended. Anything that proves you have deep knowledge and understanding of the work you do will automatically translate into a genuinely good opinion when a hiring manager sees it.Photo Credit â€" Pixabay.com4) Get Mr.Google to Promote Your QualificationsLet me be very straight, hiring managers are immediately going to Google you when they see your resume. And when they finally find you, would you rather them find your casual Facebook profile or a collection of thoughtful topics written on a professional blog by you?evalThus you need to learn the basics of SEO search engine optimizationfor your personal brand â€" You!To make sure that they reach the right place, you could also start a blog about your work. Write thoughtful content, help others understand the difficulties of your work or just teach them a workaround to something difficult and Google will automatically increase your reach.Next up you need to make sure that you appear on the top of Google search results when your name is searched for. To do this, make sure your personal website is after your full name and under this website you can write all about your work experience, the projects you have completed and links to other places where you can be found online.Make sure all of your social media profiles are up to date and professional. Try not to include your personal Facebook profile in the links â€" focus on getting your Twitter, LinkedIn and Google+ profiles on the top.eval5) Shine on LinkedInDid you know that nearly 87% of employers who hire through internet recruiting, go to LinkedIn first to search and source for candidates that fit their job requisition requirements? You need to make sure that your profile on this social med ia website is the best.To make sure that a hiring manager lands on your profile, you need to have as many connections as possible on the site. You also need to make sure that you are using the exact phrase of who you are everywhere in your profile. So for example, if you are a ‘software developer’, make sure each and every section you make on your profile has this phrase in it.Next up you need to make sure your profile gives an excellent first impression. To do this, do the following â€"Have a charismatic profile photoUse an attention-grabbing headlineMake sure your profile is 100% completePost only quality-eccentric content related to your industry (share your blog posts!)Take part in discussions on the siteGet as many recommendations as possibleThese simple but crucial steps will help you not only show up to hiring managers of the company but also get their undivided attention. They’ll be so engrossed in you that they’ll want to meet you in person.ConclusionThere is absolu tely no doubt that your resume and cover letter play an important role in helping you secure an interview. But they aren’t the only ones that help you land the job, at least not in 2019.If you ignore the internet, and the extra steps mentioned above to make a solid first impression before you even walk in the interview door, you might never get through the shortlisting phase.Every job you apply for will have hundreds of other applicants. And I can’t help but emphasize how important it is for you to stand apart from them. So next time you want to land the job of your dreams, make sure you are taking these additional steps and I guarantee things will be different for you.

Career Success Radio Career Advice from Down Under

Career Success Radio Career Advice from Down Under Keith Keller and Annemarie Cross have decided to take career success into their own hands. The two have a weekly radio show on Blog Talk Radio that focuses on positive, inspirational messages for people who are out of work or unhappy in their careers. Their show can be heard across the globe including such far reaching countries as India and China. They have also garnered a following here in the States and one of their USsuccess stories was recently profiled by a Chinese television show(story starts about 1 minute into video and is in English). I was honored to be a guest earlier this week on their showCareer Success Radio focusing on my Soul Search, Research and Job Search approach and how to use it to Discover Your Passion, Purpose and Potential. Key to the conversation were the fears that keep people in jobs they dont like:Ill have to start over at the bottom.Ill lose my lifestyle if I change careers.Ill have to go back to school and I dont want to have to go into debt.With Keith and Annemarie, we busted these common career change myths. For starters, transferrable skills such as project management, strong communication skills and the ability to work well with others enable many people to make lateral moves into new careers so they dont have to start over. As for lifestyle, a financial plan is a key part of any career change strategy. Take my client Laura Rolands. She took a voluntary severance package from her employer Chrysler so she could have the financial freedom to invest in her coaching practice for ADHD. Chrysler later declared bankruptcy so Lauras proactive approach paid off! As for school, dont assume that you have to get a new set of credentials to change careers. To know for sure, get the facts of education requirements from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook. You might already have all the education you need.Listen to my fullinterview on Career Success Radioand read more on why I believe now is the perfect time to make a career change! What do you think? Are you ready for a career change? Share your comments and ideas on what youd love to have happen in your career. Share your concerns too and Ill help you overcome the obstacles getting in the way. And join me this Wed at 4pm EST on Making a Living with Maggie where I profile a successful career changer! Get a free 7-day trial of SIRIUS.

How to manage mistakes at work -

How to manage mistakes at work - We all make mistakes.  You no doubt heard that mantra many times growing up to assuage your feelings about messing something up. However, it isnt a phrase often heard at work. Just because no one volunteers to soothe your ego after a goof at work doesnt mean those mistakes dont happen.   The key to managing a mistake at work is to handle it with some humility. Were all bound to make a mistake at some point. It doesnt necessarily mean youre going to be  fired. Here are some tips to keep in mind when its your turn. Admit the error. Everyone knows someone who is never wrong. Dont be that person. When you realize youve made an error at work, the best approach is to bring it to your bosss attention before he or she points it out to you. Unless theres a reason you cannot admit the mistake in person (such as your boss is out of the country), your best bet is to speak face-to-face. If you email your superior in the office down the hall to let her know about the problem, you will look like a coward who made a mistake. When you notice your own error and alert people who need to know, you help diffuse the situation, and end the potential wait for someone to call you on your blunder. On the other hand, if you wait to admit the mistake, you could cause a  bad situation  to get even worse. Dont make excuses.   Excuses may fly on the playground, but they land flat at work and make a  bad impression. I was tired. I got the project late from Sue and didnt have time to double check it. Bob didnt tell me I needed to fix those numbers. When you start to come up with a list of reasons you messed up, not only do you appear immature, you risk inadvertently blaming someone else for your error, and thats not going to win you any friends. I made a mistake is the best way to inform people of your error. Own the problem, avoid the blame game and apologize. Most people will admire you for being forthright and youll be on your way to making amends. Make a plan to ensure you never make that mistake again.   Depending on the nature of the error, you may want to share your plan with your colleagues and boss, but the most important thing is to be sure you dont wind up in this situation next time. Volunteer to help fix the mistake on your own time. If there is any way that you can address the error, make sure you volunteer to handle it on your own time. If it means coming in early, staying late or making phone calls to affected parties to apologize or address the error, you should step up and take responsibility. Move on.   The phrase, Everyone makes mistakes echoes in your ears because it is true. Dont dwell or obsess about the error. Even if it was a serious mistake, dont start writing your  resignationunless someones given you an indication that your mistake was so egregious that theres no way to rectify it. Be positive and use the situation as a lesson that will help you avoid errors at work in the future. More from Miriam Salpeter How to make yourself essential at work Is your boss out to get you? Signs youre in a dead-end job Originally appeared on AOLJobs.com.