New Website for PCS

I’ve worked with PCS for several years now.  Their owner is a friend of mine and incredibly hard worker.  As a favor to him and to broaden my web design portfolio I endeavored to create for him a new Web 2.0 logo and site design for his business, Principle Construction Services.  (He gave me an iPad2 as a thank you!)

This site includes:

• A new Web 2.0 version of the PCS logo
• Dynamic slider on homepage that the client can edit through a [wikipop]Content Management System[/wikipop]
• Full integration with all of their social media profiles, including set up and tutelage for Twitter, Facebook, Flickr, LinkedIn and YouTube
• Randomized testimonial plug-in that serves up fresh client reviews
• At least 3 “calls to action” on every page
• Linked portfolios in the services section that are tied into a Flickr account (This allows easy updates through the photo service [wikipop]Flickr[/wikipop] and carries with it benefits for Search Engine Optimization.)
• A customized contact page with [wikipop]Google Maps[/wikipop] plug-in for driving directions
• [wikipop]Blog[/wikipop] platform for company news, updates and promotions – this is completely editable on the client’s side through a [wikipop]Content Management System[/wikipop]
• [wikipop]Google Analytics[/wikipop] integration so the client can tell how much internet traffic they are getting and where it’s coming from.
• The Content Management System also allows PCS to edit any information on any of the pages anytime they want without having to wait on me.

Please let me know what you think of it.  I’m happy to report he was exceedingly proud of his new site!  :)

I’m looking to get into more elaborate and artistic sites that are more conceptually based.  Straightforward marketing sites like the one I’ve done here for PCS are very much needed by many businesses though.  If you or someone you know is interested in a site like this, the ball park for pricing is around $1,500 – $3,500 depending upon content provided, strength of current design, necessary functionality etc.  Feel free to call anytime: 202-503-9417

Vat O’ Creative Inspiration

Here’s a bit of what inspires me… I did have this as an on-going page, but I’m changing things up a ton on both the site and blog and decided this would work better as a post. I’ll be continuing to post many more groovy and creative things here in the future.

Companies I like…

BrightHouse

An incredible Idea machine built off the idea of building ideas for other folks. I. LOVE. IT.

Boone Oakley

WOW! Check out their YouTube based website approach… I love examples of taking simple, free tools to create complex and brilliant things. Well done!

Wexley School for Girls

A fount of guerrilla advertising genius, this company brings a message to the people in some really creative ways, check out their work.

Great reading to get inspired by…

Incredible forward thinking…

The fun theory by VW

Resume Ruminations

There are many great resources for resume tips out there on the web.  When it’s time for you to freshen up your resume, peruse them all.  Here are the tips, tidbits and trade secrets regarding resumes I find the most helpful.  (Note:  I will be adding to this list periodically.)

1. Remember your resume is a self-marketing piece not a detailed account of your previous job descriptions.  Don’t get too bogged down in whether or not you collated, processed or filed.  Focus on  accomplishments, not tasks.
2. Use the objective section wisely.  Don’t use too much business-speak… everyone loves a highly motivated, detail oriented, multitasking, team player… just put it into believable terms.
3. For each job in your career history use 1-2 sentences describing the company and position, then give the rest as bullet points regarding your achievements and accomplishments in that role.
4. Show them the trees not the forest.  (see #1)
5. When listing your previous jobs use any advantageous company details to your benefit.  If it was a Fortune 500 company say so, large annual revenues can be boasted, high ranking in their industry etc… Even small company details can be exalted.
6. All business is numbers at some point.  Use numbers to describe the company, your role and your achievements.
7. Consider if you’ve won any recognition from your peers or superiors and mention it.  This includes everything from employee of the month awards to being selected project lead for nearly anything.  Everyone has them, spend plenty of time considering yours.
8. If you’ve trained, mentored, coached or hired any co-workers, mention it and tell how many (see #6).
9. Your resume must stand out visually.  It doesn’t have to have pictures and flashy design elements, but it should sit pleasingly on the page in a way that attracts others to read it.  Every job opening is bound to have dozens if not hundreds of applicants in this market.  Make sure your resume is not easy to ignore.
10. If you print it, use nice paper.  If you print it on watermarked paper, make sure the watermark is facing correctly.
11. If you share your resume electronically via email, use .PDF or some other file type aside from a Word Doc unless specifically requested.  Word Docs show all of your foibles grammatically and spacing-wise, even if they are intentional.
12. Your resume must be perfect.  You have as much time to work on it as you want before submitting it to potential employers.  Spelling errors, grammatical mistakes, punctuation inconsistencies, and incorrect formatting should not be tolerated.
13. Be creative.  Don’t just say you are, find ways to show it.
14. Show a bit of personality.  Read over it… does it sound like the best you possible?  If not, change it.

Here’s one of the best spots for good resume writing tips at DailyWritingTips.com: http://www.dailywritingtips.com/resume-writing-tips/ They tend to be a bit too black and white for me, but all the most important basics are covered… I would say there is more room for individuality in some job markets than they allow for though.