CareerAlley » Job Hunting

Reader’s Choice – Job Search Resources

CareerAlley — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 05:01:02 +0000

“Ch-ch-Changes
Just gonna have to be a different man
Time may change me
But I can’t trace time” – David Bowie

Every so often I cover suggestions/recommendations from CareerAlley readers. The following are resources &/or articles recommended via email. Enjoy and please keep the recommendations coming.

Resources:

Resumesimo – This site focuses on helping you build a better resume (in less than 10 minutes according to the site) – for free. You can download a free eBook with lots of great resources. To get started, click “get started” in the middle of the page. Next, you will see a number of templates (pick one). Once you choose the template, fill in your information (basic info, work history, education, etc.). It’s as easy as that. Give it a try and let us know what you think.

CRCC Asia Announces Temporary Solution for Unemployed US Youth – If you are looking for an internship, take a look at this link. There are some great opportunities to work as an intern in China.

How to Job Hunt – Dick Bolles, author of What Color is Your Parachute? – Some interesting short job-tip videos from Dick Bolles (Dick Bolles is a highly esteemed job-hunting/career-changing expert, best known for his best-selling book, What Color is Your Parachute?). The videos give job-seekers practical tips to help them land careers they love and start the new year off right. Take a look at this and Dick’s other videos.

50 Hottest Twitter Hashtags for Job Seekers – Put Twitter to work for you in your job search. This article tells you how to leverage Twitter to find a job. Who’s hiring, who has posted job openings and lots of other great hashtags. Take a look.

Job / Career Articles:

8 Great Pep Talks for Generation Jobless – A very interesting article, the topic of which I’ve seen first hand. If you are a recent college grad (or about to become one), take a read. Generation Jobless is a very real phenomenon. Take a look at some of the other articles on the site.

The Ultimate Unemployment Reading List – 65 or so great links for those who are unemployed. Some of the articles are focused on personal growth while others focus on job hunting and many of the resources you will need to successfully complete your job search. Lots of great links, take a look.

Good luck in your search.

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How to Answer the Most Terrifying Job Interview Questions

CareerAlley — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 05:01:37 +0000

“It’s not the hours you put in your work that count, it’s work you put in the hours.” – Sam Ewing

When you’re going to a job interview there are a number of interview questions you can naturally expect. “What are your strengths?” is simply a chance to recite the best parts of your CV. “Why do you want this job?” is just a way of checking you’ve actually read the job description. With these questions you just need to project a confident, relaxed exterior and remember to keep your answers specific.

Of course, in amongst those questions, there is the occasional blindside or questions that, even if you’re expecting them, you’re also secretly dreading. These questions aren’t included just to terrify you, however, and there are ways to answer them without being reduced to a gibbering wreck. Here are a few of the more intimidating interview questions and answers that will help you through them.

What are your salary requirements?
This seems like a pretty innocuous question, but it does put you in an awkward position. You don’t want to price yourself out of the market, but you don’t want to sell yourself too cheap either. Here, ideally, you want to let your interview show their hand.
The best way forward is to simply tell the interviewer what you are earning right now, or in your last job, while explaining that you’re less focused on salary than finding a job where you can directly impact your employer’s bottom line.

Ideally, you don’t want to discuss salary any more than that until you get to the offer stage, when you’ll be in a better position to negotiate.

I notice there’s quite a gap in your CV. Could you tell me about what you were doing during that period?
The job market has been tough for a while now, and plenty of us have had to spend at least a couple of months between jobs at some point. Having this come up at interview can really knock you for six. It’s tempting to become defensive at a time like, but resist that urge.
It’s fine to acknowledge that it’s been tough finding a job- anybody who’s seen the news in the last three years will know that is true. The trick is to be able to say what you’ve been doing while looking for a job. If you’ve done any voluntary work while unemployed, now is a great time to bring it up. Likewise, if you’ve been learned or improving any skills, whether they’re related to the job you’re applying for or not. So long as you can demonstrate that you have been using your time, rather than spending it on the sofa watching daytime TV in your pyjamas, you can turn this question into a plus for you.

Why did you leave your last employer?
The golden rule here is never slag off your previous employer. It can be tempting- Lord knows it can be tempting, but the interviewer is going to hear every bad word about your last boss as future-you talking about them.

If you’re unemployed, it should be enough to say that your employer was making cuts to the workforce due the economic situation. If you’re in a job that you’re looking to leave, it’s enough to say that you’re looking for new challenges.

Aren’t you overqualified for this position?
This can be a particularly tricky question at a time when graduate jobs are thin on the ground and many applicants are just looking to get whatever form of income they can. An interviewer looking at your CV may be concerned that you’re only taking this job until a better opportunity comes along (possibly because it’s true).

What you need to do here is come up with specific, convincing sounding reasons why you want to work for this company, and give the impression that you will be there for the long haul and open to promotions.

What would you say is your biggest weakness?
This question always feels just a little bit like cheating, doesn’t it? Surely they can’t just up and ask why they shouldn’t give you the job?

Unfortunately, yeah they are. When it comes to the “your biggest weakness” question, there are two popular schools of thought. The first is the false-weakness, or “bragplaining”. This would be, for instance: “I’m just too much of a perfectionist” or “Often people say I work far too hard”. Be warned, your interviewer will see right through this with no trouble whatsoever.
The other school of thought is to pick a genuine, carefully judged weakness somewhere in the middle ground between “My professionalism is just too exemplary” and “I often forget to come to work on account of how much I drink”. A good one might be “I have trouble being assertive in group situations” (assuming of course, that being assertive in group situations isn’t at the top of your job description). However, at the same time you tell the interviewer this weakness, also tell them what you are doing to overcome that weakness- for instance, taking part in more group activities to overcome your shyness.

This approach will have you come across as honest, while at the same time showing that you’re dedicated to self improvement.

Even for the very hardest interview questions, it’s not too hard to figure out which ones are going to come up in interview ahead of time. So long as you practice your answers with a friend, and research the employer thoroughly in advance, you should be confident enough to take n the interview with ease.

Guest post written by Sam Wright. Sam is the founder of Blink, a leading web content agency.

Good luck in your search.

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Reinvent Your Career and Job Search – Part 1

CareerAlley — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 05:01:24 +0000

“Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life.” – Confucius

I ran into an old friend (metaphorically speaking) that I used to work with very early in my career. We hadn’t been in contact for probably 12 years or so even though we spent 11 years (across two companies) working together way back when. When we worked together, he was not your average guy. He was a very successful business man, near the top of his field. A typical “type A” personality, but if he liked you he would go out of his way to help you. Anyway, long story short, I spotted him on LinkedIn and he then sent a message letting me know the new things he was doing (very different from what he was doing when we worked together). I pressed him a bit for more information on one of his new ventures (because it seemed so different from what I would expect) and he told me that every so often you need to reinvent yourself. And you know what? He’s right. Sometimes we are forced to reinvent ourselves (industries change, companies disappear, skill sets become irrelevant due to changes in technology, etc.) and sometimes change is just part of our natural progression. So, whether you’re reinventing yourself because of your own personal “evolution” or are changing due to a forced “revolution”, take some time to map out the best way to get to your destination.

Reinvent Your Career: Before you reinvent anything, the first question you should ask is “why?”. There are millions of reasons why, but in the interest of time, I’ve tried to narrow it down to some of the most common reasons. The second question you should ask is “how?” and there are a few links below to cover that as well.

Why?

Career Regrets: Maybe your career choice has not turned out as you expected. Or, perhaps your career has not progressed in the way you had planned. Or it could just be that, now that you have experience, you would just like to do something different. No matter what the reason, if you’ve come to that conclusion it is time for a change.

Industry Downturn (or Worse): Could be that your industry has taken a turn for the worse (like my example of typewriters). It could be on its way out (like DVD rentals), depressed (like the Newspaper industry) or the product could just plain be gone (like Hummers).

Your Company is Gone or You’ve Lost Your Job: Sometimes a career change opportunity (have to think on the positive side) presents itself. Maybe your company has been acquired or has gone out of business. Or, maybe you lost your job (does not matter why). Forced job change is a good time to reassess your career and decide if you should continue as planned or look for a new path.

Moving House: Sometimes an unplanned move to another city, state or country will force an unplanned career review. As with job loss, this is the perfect time to take a pause and review your career situation

The “Grass is Greener on the Other Side of the Job Market” Syndrome: Maybe other careers look more exciting, more interesting or pay more money. Sometimes an opportunity presents itself and that means a career change.

How?

Make a List: A list can help you put things in perspective. What do you like about your current job/career? What do you hate? What would you change? If you could define the “perfect job”, what would it be?

What are You Good at (and Bad at)?: Okay, no sense in trying to take on a different career if you don’t have the skills. Make a list (yes, another list) of what you are good at, what you are bad at and what you don’t want to do.

What Do You Want to Do? If you already know what you want to do, skip to the next bullet. If you don’t, take some free career aptitude tests (see some of the links below). This will help you figure out what you are good at (or not). See how this matches up to the lists you’ve created.

New Career Requirements: Take all of the stuff you learned from the prior steps and see how this matches to the requirements for your preferred career. What do you need to do to fill the gaps?

Some links to help you get started are included below. Part 2 (Reinvent Your Job Search) will be published in a future post.

Resource Links:

Career Assessment:

Career Tests:

Career Planning:

Good luck in your search.

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Securing the Right Job or Career Transition in the New Economy – part III

CareerAlley — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 05:01:44 +0000

“We are ready for any unforeseen event which may or may not happen.” – George W. Bush

Author Byline: D. Lawton
Author Website: http://www.CareerConnected.com

Securing the Right Job or Career Transition in the New Economy – part III

Part III – A Method to Make your Job Search More Productive
Part III of a 4 part discussion on the job market

In your quest for the right job or new career, haven’t you asked yourself:

“Is there a way to break from the pack and secure opportunities from the 90% of unpublished job listings?”

For the answer, consider how job counselors and outplacement firms help displaced workers to shorten their unemployment cycle. These groups of former employees are provided tools to directly target companies, create and promote a persuasive resume package and target decision-makers and hiring managers, It all adds up to positive results!

Step One: The Planning Stage

Make a list of your most marketable skills and identify how your skills or job history may have contributed to a company’s financial success or productivity increase.

Leverage your work history. If you have recently developed skills in an in-demand occupation, think about how you can leverage your work history to provoke discussions of employment.

Put yourself in the position of a hiring manager. Think about how you can potentially change or improve the way a firm has done business.

Why is an in-demand skill so important?

If your major job skill or occupation has lost its market appeal or if there is a shrinking market for your job, the length of time it may take to secure a position with your mix of skills can be more challenging than expected! For example, if you were skilled in a technology that has become obsolete, do you have an in-demand skill? Only you can honestly answer this question. If this is your profile, then it may be time to consider a plan B, which may entail rebuilding your skill mix with more marketable, in-demand skills. With the new marketability comes the need to re-strategize your approach to connecting with hiring managers.

What if you are a recent college graduate?

If you’re a recent college graduate you may want to target companies that hire entry-level workers. Perhaps you can leverage the experiences you learned at an internship or extra-curricular activity to give you an edge in the occupation you are pursuing.

Step Two: Connect with your Resume

Now it’s time to get connected with business contacts! Create your cover [sales] letter and include a compelling yet brief discussion of how you have positively contributed to the success of a prior employer. Remember to include a brief statement that persuasively explains why you are in a job search.

Know and Stick to your Target

Should you consider resume blasting? Never! Why use an elephant gun to shoot a mosquito? Instead, do your research and send resumes only to those companies that fit your target profile. Here’s the method:

1. Assemble your targeted company profile: Selectively choose companies in an industry vertical that allows you to leverage your strengths, ambitions, and passions.

2. Research. Take the time to study the company’s web site and press releases. Find some key attribute about the company that you can talk about in an interview. Show a prospective employer that you have taken the time to understand key issues relating to their business.

3. Seek an introduction. Find out if you know a friend, friend-of-a-friend, relative, business, civic or secular associate that works at the firm, is a trusted vendor, or a board member. In short, try to secure an inside contact.

4. Kick the tires. Use financial websites to check the health of a prospective employer. Is the company in an expansion mode? That may indicate an eagerness to hire new productive talent! Are they in a hold mode? Perhaps you have a specialized know-how that may enable them to replace a vacated position.

5. Polish your pitch. Always be ready to talk about how you can contribute to a company’s profits or leadership in their industry. Put together a 30-second “elevator pitch” that highlights your successes.

Direct Mailing and Emailing of Resumes

A common formula for persons in a job search is to mail and/or email 1,000 to 1,500 resume packages per $50,000 in income.A worker who once earned $100,000 or above is eager to send out 2,000 to 2,500 resume packages to rescue their career and secure a salary close to their prior level! Be prepared to make follow calls for the correspondence that you have sent out. Show job contacts that you are a serious candidate for employment.

Other factors that influence how many contacts you may need to make in order to
generate interviews and a job offer:

The position and occupation desired
Salary needs and current market conditions
Industry Indicators: trends that impact employment growth in your job sector

Additional factors to consider:

Age, sex or national origin discrimination.
U.S. sponsorship requirements.
Switching career paths or industries.
Past history of being downsized or fired

Anatomy of a Job Search

Consider this sample job search: To obtain 10 interview requests:

Send mail/emails to a 1000 job contacts. Average response rate = 1%
With your ten responses, success in creating three interview opportunities.
Work hard to convert an opportunity into an offer.
If the above fails, start again.

Cost of Unemployment and Mitigating Factors

[$40,000 salary example]

Three months out of work = $ 10,000.00.
Six months out of work = $ 20,000.00.
Nine months out of work $ 30,000.00.
Twelve months out of work $40,000.00.
Debt builds up.
Savings dissolve.
Skills may go obsolete with extended unemployment.

How can a jobseeker effectively deal with all these challenges and meet their goal of obtaining new, well-suited, well-paying employment in a timely and efficient manner? CareerWizPro can help!

Part IV – http://www.careerconnected.com//gnews/articles/11-Securing-the-Right-Job-or-Career-Transition-in-the-New-Economy.asp

Article courtesy of the Recruiting Blogswap, a content exchange service sponsored by CollegeRecruiter.com, a leading site for college students looking for internships and recent graduates searching for entry level jobs and other career opportunities.

Good luck in your search.

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The Rewards—And Risks—of Truck Driving

CareerAlley — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 05:01:06 +0000

“There is more credit and satisfaction in being a first-rate truck driver than a tenth-rate executive.” – B. C. Forbes

America needs truck drivers. Most truck driving jobs don’t require a degree, but they do require specialized training and specific licensing. In the current economic climate, jobs in many sectors are scarce. But if you’re willing to make some compromises, you may be able to quickly and easily find a job driving a truck.

Truck driving is one of the most important jobs in our country. Every item you find in a grocery store was brought in on a truck. When you buy a new car, you can bet it was brought to the dealership on a truck. The gas you pump into your car is transported by truck. Our everyday lives are affected—and made easier—by truck drivers.

In addition to all those goods that are moved through many states, new discoveries of oil in areas like North Dakota are increasing the demand to transport oil to other parts of the country. The need to transport oil and gasoline is constant, so these types of trucking jobs are almost always available.
Aside from the satisfaction of getting consumer goods where they need to go, a lot of truck drivers earn respectable incomes. In some cases, truck drivers are paid by the mile, so there’s incentive to drive longer and farther, while adhering to truck driving time limits put in place for safety. But some industries pay salaries. It takes a little homework to find the type of truck driving job you feel would suit your needs.

Anyone considering a career as a truck driver must keep a few things in mind. It’s a job that requires long hours, sometimes driving 10 to 12 hours a day. It may require being away from home for weeks at a time, which can also mean missing out on family events and even holidays. There are also risks involved with driving large, heavy trucks on the interstate. Truck accidents aren’t as common as car accidents, but they can be much more deadly and devastating. Truck accident statistics show that because of the long hours, driver fatigue is a common cause of trucking accidents, more so than weather or other factors.

If truck driving still appeals to you, you can find dozens of driving schools all across the country that will provide the training and certification you need to get behind the wheel, and embark on a new career.

Noble McIntyre is the senior partner and owner of McIntyre Law, a firm comprised of experienced Oklahoma truck accident attorneys, and a full team of legal professionals.

Good luck in your search.

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Dazed and Confused – College Job Search

CareerAlley — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 05:01:52 +0000

“Been dazed and confused for so long, it’s not true.” – Jake Holmes

In college on your “own”, trying to figure out midterms, finals, spring break, dealing with roommates, meal plans, rushes, finding time to party, etc. It’s a delicate balance. At some point (hopefully after 4 years unless you are on the “5 year plan”) it will all come to an end and you will need to find a job. Four years sounds like a really long time, but trust me, it will all be over before you know it. The last thing you need when you graduate, as you try to assimilate back to your parent’s house, is to linger on the unemployed line. College grads are finding it more difficult than ever to find jobs in their chosen field, and many have to resort to jobs that were traditionally filed by those without a college degree. Whether you are a freshman or a senior (or anywhere in between), there are lots of things you can do now (or should avoid doing) to improve your chances of getting a job when you graduate.

Internships – Doing an internship (at least once) during your college career is probably one of the most important things you can do. Besides getting hands-on experience, you will meet people who may hire you (or help you get a job) when you graduate. Additionally, it will look great on your resume once you graduate. Even if you are a senior now, you can still do an internship after you graduate and before you look for a full time job.

Internships, Apprenticeships, & Volunteer Opportunities – If you haven’t visited the Riley Guide in your quest for a job or summer internship then you’ve been missing one of the best career sites on the Internet. Known for their vast listings of career links, their Summer Intern section will not disappoint. Starting with a list of Internships and Fellowships sites, the site lists additional resources for both study and non-study experience abroad. And, while getting paid would be nice, you should also consider looking at the volunteer opportunities sites listed here as well.

How to Find a Last Minute Summer Internship – Maybe you waited too long and are scrambling to find your summer internship before your parents make you work at some fast food joint for the summer. Take a look at this site. In addition to give some great advice as to how to approach your search, you can enter your email account and have opportunities sent to you every day. As if that is not enough, the right hand side of the page lists Internships for current week. Take a look.

Study Abroad – It’s not just about visiting a foreign country (although that is certainly a benefit), it’s about getting international experience, learning about other cultures and learning about diversity. Most colleges offer an exchange program. They are very competitive programs, so get started as soon as you can at your college. I’ve listed a few links below, take a look.

Study Abroad (http://www.afsusa.org/)
Study, Work, or Volunteer Abroad – A great link with lots of great links.

Protect Your Internet Profile – Your Internet profile will haunt you if you are not careful (and it is not a ghost you can easily get rid of). What you do, say and post on the Internet will likely be found by anyone looking to hire you. While having an Internet profile is fine, you do need to be careful as to what is posted (including pictures, webcams and “unusual postings”. Once the “wrong” information is out there, it is very difficult to get rid of.

Managing Your Online Profile – Even if you think your internet profile is pristine, it’s not a bad idea to check your own profile (you never know what someone else will post). This is a great article on how to manage your profile.

Career Advice for Managing Your Online Presence and Social Profile – A short but good article on managing your online profile.

College Career Centers – One of the most under-utilized career resources, you should visit your college career center as early and as often as possible. While every college has different resources, there is something there for you that you can leverage to help find a job.

Leverage College Career Centers in Your Job Search – An earlier post on this topic, with 5 great links to help you leverage your college career center.

Good luck in your search.

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Getting the Right Job or Doing the Job Right?

CareerAlley — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 05:01:13 +0000

“If You’re Not the Lead Dog, the Scenery Never Changes“ – Lewis Grizzard

When I was in college I worked as a “runner” on Wall Street during the summer (yes, it was a very long time ago and no, I’m not referring to drugs). A fairly simple job of taking securities and other important documents from one financial institution to another (basically, a messenger). At the time I was 19 years old and this was my first non-fast food job. So the first day I get there and all of the “regulars” (you know, the guys who actually do this as their real job) are sitting around waiting for their first “assignment”. They were a lot older than I was at the time (in their 40′s). Anyway, I get my first assignment - to deliver a package to a financial institution that was about 10 minutes away. As I walk out of the door, one of the regulars pulls me aside and says “this delivery will take you about 15 minutes, but you need to make it last an hour, don’t come back before an hour has passed. Get it?” So I did as he said and took an hour (thinking I would get fired for being so slow), but the “manager” did not think it was unusual that it took me an hour. So long story short, these guys were just milking their messenger job for what it was worth trying to do the least work possible and succeeding (if you could really call that success). Clearly not the recipe for “starting in the mailroom and rising to become the CEO”.

There is a delicate balance in getting the right job and doing the job right. First step in looking for a new job is, obviously, getting the right job for you. But, like everything else in life, nothing is perfect and even the right job will have its warts. Today’s post will focus on getting the right job and making the most of the job you’ve got.

Getting the “Right” Job: Maybe you don’t know (yet) what you want to do when you grow up or maybe

Job Quizzes – Part of the mycareerquizzes.com site, this page has a number of free quizzes to help you figure it all out. From “Quit Your Job” to “Job Quiz” there are a number of quizzes that might help you in your process. Scroll to the bottom of the page for the full list of quizzes, but also take a look at some of the Career Guide articles and the free salary calculator.
Find the Right Job for You – Posted on Oprah.com, this article provides an in depth look at defining what will work for you in your job search. There are a list of questions designed to help you determine your job / career wants and needs. This is followed by what you actually need to deliver on “finding the right job”. Some of the tips you will have seen before, but some you may not have thought of (like practicing for an interview). The article is worth a read and you can also leverage the other related resource links at the bottom of the page.

Making the Most of Your Job:

Top Ten Tips: How To Keep Your Job In Today’s Economy – This article, from About.com, provides ten useful tips for keeping the job you’ve got. From Don’t Do Poorly to “I’m just happy to have a job”, these tips will give you some of what you’ll need to keep your job in tough times. There are additional links at the bottom for related articles such as “How to Make Your Current Job Work”.

How To Get Promoted : 9 Obvious And Often Not Practiced Tips – What about keeping your job and getting ahead as well? This article, from Career-Success-for-newbies.com, tells you how you can get promoted (with obvious but little used tips!). In addition to providing this advice, this site is geared towards newly minted job seekers (and those in entry level jobs). Additionally, there are a number of links at the bottom of the page that provide even more resources for improving your job and career.

Six Ways to Make the Most of Your Job – A good article to help you keep the job you’ve got and “make the most of it”. Posted on Kiplinger.com, the article provides a number of tips to help you manage your career. Mentoring, driving your career, appearance and more.

Good luck in your search.

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Unemployment is Rising: Is it Time to Upskill?

CareerAlley — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 05:01:12 +0000

“It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it.” – Aristotle

It seems like not a day goes by without another gloomy report on the news about rising levels of unemployment, businesses laying off staff and companies going out of business. Across the country, people are concerned about their future prospects, and worry about whether or not their job is safe.

In such a fragile business environment it makes sense to do everything you can to increase your value to your current employer and maximize your chances of quickly finding employment if you should be so unlucky as to lose your job. Upskilling is a concrete way to improve your prospects and increase your security

What does Upskilling Show to Employers?
Upskilling by taking advantage of training courses or considering something like an online degree can help to persuade your company to keep you on when they are downsizing and increase your value to other employers.
Firstly, it provides you with up-to-date information and skills, which is essential in today’s fast-paced business world.

Secondly, it demonstrates you are someone who is not content to rest on their laurels, but rather you are constantly striving to improve yourself. This kind of motivation and drive is a prime consideration for employers.
Upskilling can also give you the qualifications you need to be considered for promotion within your current company, increasing your salary and giving you valuable experience.

What can Upskilling do for You?
In addition to the greater level of employability and prospects of promotion that upskilling can give you, there are other possibilities.

You can take advantage of the lessons you have learned and skills you have gained with an online business degree to live out the American dream by setting up in business for yourself and becoming your own boss. You could choose to take a whole new career direction by developing skills and gaining qualifications in a more modern, growing industry. Alternatively, you could choose to specialize in a more essential area of your current field, becoming an invaluable expert.
These varied options show the freedom and flexibility that upskilling can bring you.

What are the Options for Upskilling?
Your current employer may offer opportunities for training courses or further education. While there is always the option of taking a sabbatical or quitting your job to go back to college for a degree, that may not be wise in the current economic climate, and you may not be able to afford to do so. One good option is an online degree, which allows you to work and study at the same time, so that you get the best of both worlds – a stable income and an advancement in your prospects.

Guest post written by Elizabeth Milane. After reading about upskilling, you’re probably interested in learning more about an online business degree.

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Securing the Right Job or Career Transition in the New Economy – part II

CareerAlley — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 05:01:00 +0000

“Innovation distinguishes between a leader and a follower.” – Steve Jobs

Author Byline: D. Lawton
Author Website: http://www.CareerConnected.com

Part II – Traditional Job Search Methods

Part II of a 4 part discussion on the job market

Traditional means used to discover and obtain new employment opportunities:

Personal networking
Re-training and/or upgrading skills.
Relocation to a region, state, or country with a growing economy; or in need of a particular skilled labor force.
Search online job boards
Post resumes on career web sites
Search corporate web sites for job listings
Review local newspapers or classifieds
Contact Headhunters and placement agencies
Attend on-site career fairs
Participate in online newsgroups and chat forums
Contact the desired employer directly.

A hard look at common job search methods will expose many of the reasons why job seekers are not getting the results they desire.

Fact # 1: 10% or less of all hires are filled through job boards, classified advertisements, corporate sites, or job fairs

Countless studies point to the fact that the majority of jobs are unpublished. These unpublished jobs get filled internally or through an employee or business referral.

Fact # 2 – Job Boards cater to as much as 35 million resumes of your competition.

As many as 1200 resumes compete for each advertised position applied. Competition for any real job is daunting!

Fact # 3: Distributing blind resumes gets you nowhere.

Mailing resumes to a HR contact or adding your resume to a corporate job board may get you on their resume database. However, not much else will happen unless there is an exact match and job opening for your skills. Today, fewer corporations are attending job fairs with genuine employment opportunities.

Fact # 4: Personal Networks need beefing-up.

Most job seekers don’t have large personal networks that can get them in front of key decision-makers within a firm that is hiring.

Fact # 5: Executive Recruiters are on a very short leash.

Most Executive Recruiters fill fee-based jobs for business clients that have highly specific requirements.

Fact # 6: Using online classifieds is like throwing a message in a bottle into the Atlantic.

Using only online classifieds and large hiring portals will; rarely, if ever, provide you with a substantive means to expose your credentials to hiring managers and or decision-makers in sufficient quantity to generate interviews that lead to offers!

Each approach should be considered in structured time slots. But is there a more productive use of your time? Is there a method behind this madness?

Good luck in your search.

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5 Steps to Making a Fresh Start for Job Search

CareerAlley — Sun, 08 Jan 2012 05:01:18 +0000

“The price of success is hard work, dedication to the job at hand, and the determination that whether we win or lose, we have applied the best of ourselves to the task at hand.” – Vince Lombardi

New Year, new start (right?)! Any resolutions? How many will you keep and how many will you break? If you are like most people, you will probably break some. If finding a new job was one of your resolutions, now is the time to get organized and set your plan in motion. One of the keys to success is to set goals that are realistic and tasks that can be reasonably accomplished.

How you approach your job search is driven by many factors:

Whether or not you are currently working (or have you lost your job)
Level of experience
Industry and job function
Geographic location
Compensation requirements and expectations

Making a fresh start is not that difficult:

Make a Plan – It may sound like overkill but it is not. Having a job search plan will keep you focused and help you achieve your goal more quickly. Speaking of goals, that is a good place to start.

What is your goal? Do you want to change industries, cities or career? Start with your goal and work backwards from there (what needs to be done to achieve your goal?).
Who do you know that can help in your search? Make a list of your job search network connections.
Where do you want to work? Make a list of the locations/cities where you would like to work.
Who do you want to work for? Make a list of he companies where you would like to work.
Job Search Plan Links:

Research – Using the list of companies you made while making your plan, research the companies where you would like to work. What type of research? If they are a publicly held company, look up their financials (make sure they are a viable company). You can also look up how employees rate the company (you don’t want to work for a company that no one likes). What about other company rankings (best company to work for, etc.)?

What You Will Need – Okay, you are ready to find your job, but do you have everything you need? Obviously you will need a crackerjack resume as well as a few different cover letters. What about your interview questions, elevator speech and a list of your references? Not sure that you have everything, take a look at the following links.

Resources for Job Search – You need select your resources for each “mode” of search. This includes your network, recruiters, job search sites and any other leads you may have. You should be selective, but each category should be representative of your search. You will also need to split your time (see the next topic) and spread your search across all of your resources.

Schedule Your Time – Whether you currently have a job or are out of work, job search is very time consuming. You need to schedule time to conduct your search and balance against your other time constraints. My rule of thumb is “one per day” as in, one recruiter, one person in your network, one company and one job search site. If you follow this, you will have contacted or leveraged at least 7 different resources by the end of each week (and they start to add up!).

Good luck in your search.

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