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Looking to Get Hired? 7 Things to Ensure Your Employment

2007-07-24 03:52:28

Feel like you are wasting all day searching for jobs? You're not alone. The majority of job seekers are constantly looking for the most effective methods to help them secure their dream job. Below are 7 tips to help facilitate your job search. This is advice that will reduce the frustration often associated with job searching, by helping you maximize your efforts and time to the fullest degree. Get the job you want....Today!

Personalize Your Resume and Cover Letter

Are you sending out dozens of employment materials (e.g. cover letters and resumes) to potential employers? Slow down. Making the extra effort to customize your cover letter and resume will make a HUGE difference. Employers receive hundreds of resumes a day; make yourself stand out from the rest by tailoring your resume and cover letter to the particular position. For example, if you're applying for an Internet marketing position give your ICT and marketing experience the top position on your resume.

Don't do it alone.

Networking is underrated. Do not hesitate to contact friends, family and past colleagues about possible leads. All of them have networks of their own, resulting in an instantaneous expansion of your connections. Do not be bashful or shy that you are searching for a job. Let your contacts know that you are on the job market.

Multiply your search efforts

If you have been searching for jobs via the Internet job directories to no avail then seek out other job search platforms. The newspaper is still a reliable source. Friends and family, trade shows, etc. are also great places to find job leads. The more you diversify your job search the more chances you are going to find the right employers. This brings us to our next point.

Preparation is essential

You only get one chance to make a good 1st impression. Research the company's website for background information, their products, work environment and goals. Also, be ready to answer those typical interview questions (e.g. what are your biggest strengths and weaknesses).

Dress and act the part

It is always better to be overdressed than underdressed. Depending on the industry, a business suit is always appropriate for any interview. Wear the best professional outfit you own.

Listen more than you talk

Almost everyone gets nervous in an interview, which can lead to rambling and mumbling. By using your ears not your voice, you can gain valuable insight into the company structure and limit the chances you might say something you will regret. The only exception to this rule is when they ask if you have any questions at the end of the interview. Be sure to have several questions for the interviewer prepared ahead of time, thus allowing you to show your knowledge and interest in the company.

Patience and persistence

Typically, job seekers take 3-10 months to find the right job. Keep pursuing. Your dream job is waiting for you to find it.

Companies are looking at Anyone not Everyone for Hire - Time to Get Noticed!

2007-07-05 04:53:10

Are you looking for a new job?

Are you having trouble finding a job that pays well, excites your senses and rewards you on a daily basis?

If you have sent out hundreds of resumes and have received only automated responses, and nobody is contacting you for an interview then you are not alone. Why?

The Internet is a Black Hole

With the rise of online company job sites and other niche sites such as Free Career Search; it is easier than ever to apply for a job. At the same time, it is much harder for a resume to be noticed.

Today's job searching procedure involves logging on to the Internet and finding out about jobs all around the world, and then apply for them by the touch of a button. Unfortunately, everyone can do this, which raises some issues in regards to how you find your dream job.

How does an increased volume of resumes affect the people who do the hiring?

Recruiters no longer have enough time to manually labor over 1,000's of resumes to find the proper candidate. In other words, most recruiters aim to narrow down the playing field as fast as possible.

"One of the best ways to stick out from the rest is to have proper training", stated Ms. Enelow, executive director of Career Masters Institute.

Additionally, you can make yourself stand out from the crowd by getting an education. This is a no brainer. The majority of Americans that apply for jobs do NOT have a degree. This means that those who do have a college education are more ripe for the picking.

In conclusion, make sure that you always follow up any resume submission with a phone call or email. This is a crucial step that often goes overlooked in today's fast paced world of job recruitment.

Oh, and remember to always bring a physical copy of your resume to the interview.

Top Deskless Jobs

2007-07-05 03:34:00

After years and years of working behind a desk, many employees will make huge career changes in sole efforts to acquire a job that frees them from the confines of an office. If you are like me, and dread working at a desk, the thought of a cube-farm literally makes me dizzy.

Let me guess: You think of a desk-job and your eyes start burning, your back starts aching, your head is pounding and you are positive your rear is getting bigger with each passing minute in an uncomfortable office chair. Pretty accurate, yea, I have been there.

Fortunately, there are many career-paths that allow employees to be out of the office or not at a desk. The below professions are great food for thought before you throw your mouse out the window and push down the confines of your cubical.

Elementary School Teacher

What keeps them active: Planning, assigning and evaluating assignments; writing on the chalkboard, supervising extracurricular activities, preparing, administering and grading test; accompanying students on field trips.
Annual Earnings: $45,600

Chef, Culinary Arts

What keeps them active: Preparing delicious meals in a fast-pace work environment, receiving excellent food reviews, and engaging in dynamic work environment.
Annual Earnings: $48,900

Registered Nurse

What keeps them active: Testing and measuring patient's strength, range of motion, balance and coordination, posture, muscle performance, respiration and motor function.
Annual Earnings: $64,200

Police and Sheriff Patrol Officers

What keeps them active: Preparing delicious meals in a fast-paced work environment, receiving excellent food reviews, and engaging in a dynamic work environment.
Annual Earnings: $55,000

Physical Therapist

What keeps them active: Testing and measuring patient's strength, range of motion, balance and coordination, posture, muscle performance, respiration and motor function.
Annual Earnings: $64,200

Artist

What keeps them active: Stretching one's creative ambitions fueled by a steady income from their degree/certificate. Work inside, outside and in any city in the world
Annual Earnings: $55,400

Report: Hot Job for Career Seekers

2007-06-29 05:34:18

At Free Career Search, many users continue to ask us what the hottest jobs that pay the best salaries are. Although this is an extremely hard question to answer since it highly depends on a person's qualifications and career ambitions, we would like to clue you in on one of the hottest jobs that is heavily recruiting.

Law Enforcement

Plainly stated, the post 9/11 world demands more attention on security. The U.S. Department of Labor is predicting that many states will have as many as 68,000 job openings for people working to fight crime in the next ten years. Many cities are even offering life-time medical benefits for police officers and criminal justice professionals.

The training you need is simple and can be completed online in the comfort of your home at your own pace. As a bonus, many people with Law Enforcement Careers say goodbye to desk-jobs altogether. In addition, crime-fighters reach high levels of pride in the work they do - protecting you, me and everyone you know.

If your career hunt has hit a roadblock, looking into a rewarding job in law enforcement might be a great way to open your horizons to a new line of work. Starting salaries can start as high as $41,454.

Career Detour

2007-06-27 05:33:43

Career detours can be the best move for the rest of your life. That means taking a job in an industry or field that can be a steppingstone to the career you really want. It can also open up a new career avenue that you never knew existed.

Working a full-time, demanding job might be a way of building a financial stash prior to embarking on a new business venture for yourself. Or working a part-time or less demanding job might help you when studying toward another career. As long as you keep reminding yourself what the end goal is, a detour can be the right move.

When jumping off the beaten path cliff, make sure you are constantly challenging yourself and taking risks. Seek opportunities to stick your neck out and get noticed. Keep in mind the ability to change industries and careers take considerable patience and persistence. This requisite energy should not dissuade your efforts. Be resolved in the fact that while jumping off the cliff of normalcy the wings will sprout and catch you before you fall. And those who jump never really fall. Now Go! Jump!

A Rolling Stone Gathers No Moss

2007-06-13 01:16:23

The title of this post is a famous adage that should be exemplified by each and every one of you. It's no good to sit still in your life - work is NO exception.

Self-reflection is the most important aspect of furthering yourself as a person and in your career. We should all try to live up to our potential as citizens of this planet. To do that, we have to aim to get ahead at some point.

What's important is to recognize where your passions and strengths are hidden inside you and then spend your time advancing them. Blindly following the upward path has lead some to find great dissatisfaction.

Even though you know you want to get ahead, situations arise that can sometimes prevent you from getting there. People get comfortable and stop trying, or they think that trying will not make a difference.

Here's a list to help you in your path to career enlightenment and happiness:

1) Identify you area of interest.

Make a list of your talents and interests and applying the list to the kinds of work you want to perform in your new job.

2) Communication your desires.

Managers aren't mind readers, so be explicit with your career aspirations as you move up

3) Don't ask too soon.

You need to be a proven commodity at the job you were hired to do first before asking for a raise or promotion.

4) Be a team player.

Understand the roles of the others on your team as much as possible.

5) Network.

Make a list of all the people you count on for success and make sure they believe in your ability to contribute

6) Seek out a mentor.

You can learn a lot from people who have mastered the career you aspire to.

7) Develop additional skills.

Take inventory of what you can bring to the table and what new tools you'll need to acquire.

8) Don't let money motivate you.

Too often we judge things based solely on money and responsibility.

9) Ask for feedback.

Know how your work is being evaluated and get your goals and evaluation in writing.

10) Do it again!

Remember that this career change need not be your last.

The Gap

2007-05-23 00:50:12

The Gap is the distance between our goal and our accomplishment. It could also be the difference between who we are and who we think we should be. The Gap is insidious. It can steal our joy, our enthusiasm, our sense of accomplishment, our satisfaction in our career and our life. Are you like the Olympic athletes who feel they've failed because they're only number two in the world; they only got the silver medal, and nothing can console them?

How do we win over The Gap?

Start focusing on the accomplishment, on the victory of your new job. For many of us, this is extremely challenging, but it is possible with practice and persistence. Celebrate your really big victories with something tangible. In the midst of challenge, these concrete reminders give us an anchor to the brighter moments. Give yourself permission to make mistakes, to be less than perfect. Beef up your stress busting activities. Learn to ride the waves of change, so your career doesn't become capsized or get drowned in trivia.

Is Your Job Boring? Try One of These Careers

2007-05-10 04:26:19

Sit, stare, type, eat, type, sit, talk, stare.....Zzzzzzzz. The majority of Americans have 'office jobs'. These occupations may require our synapses to fire from time to time, but rarely do they get our adrenaline pumping. Well, if you are looking for adventure beyond filling out TPS reports and uploading the database5 central component system then look no further. Below are Jobs that can excite the senses, or at least supply you with some amazing stories when someone asks, "what do you do".

Bicycle Messenger

Weaving through traffic, making deadlines and constantly being physically active are just a few of the reasons this occupation is exciting. Messengers usually receive about $3-$30 each trip. Therefore, the faster you pedal the more you make. Messengers work around the clock and break every safety rule in the book, including grabbing onto to moving cars to speed up their trip.

Oil Blowout Control

What happens when an oil well catches fire or 'blows out'? It's rough, dirty and physically demanding work controling oil fires. In addition, you do not get to choose your customers since blowouts can happen anywhere or anytime. This includes when Middle Eastern tyrants set surrounding countries oil fields on fire for political reasons. Employee's of a 'Blowout Control' company get paid $300-$1,000 per day. If you can't stand the heat get out of the oil fields.

Bodyguard

Need to be big and fat for the little celebrity pop singers, but cunning and deadly for the secret service positions. $200-$300 a day is starting salary, but don't think you will be hanging out in the club with 50cent or Puff Daddy popping crystal. Most bodyguards work for businessmen and receive very little thanks from their employer, even if you are throwing yourself in front of a bullet. Exciting? Yes Underappreciated? Yes

Bounty Hunter

Wanted Dead or Alive! Hunt down the bad boys without regard to the usually rules of the law. No experience is needed, except some trail tracking techniques and cat like reflexes wouldn't hurt. Currently, there are 1,000 bountry hunters in the U.S. and they return about 20,000 fugitives each year. Most Bounty Hunters get paid between 10 and 30 percent of the fugitives bail. If you speak Arabic, Persian, French or some tribal dialects you could be paid a lot more being hired as a "high-end" bounty hunter who tracks down fugitive terrorists. Pray that they shoot you if you are captured.

Cab Driver

Not the most glamorous of occupations, but talk about meeting interesting people on a daily basis. Stockbrokers, Maids, Chefs, Politicians, Athletes, Criminals, Lady Boys, the list goes on. No benefits or holidays and often mentioned as one of the most dangerous jobs in the world. Last year there were 3892 taxi robberies in New York City.

Smoke Jumper

Does this sound appealing? Jump out of an airplane into a raging inferno, stay up for 72 hours straight fighting fire and then get airlifted to safety. Smoke jumpers are firefighters who are required to be on the scene within 10 minutes. This means parachuting from planes, hiking to the scene of the fire, and then starting to 'backburn' areas to control forest fires. It is said that smoke jumpers are part of an elite club that often work together, party together and are close friends. Average pay for risking your life? $9 an hour. And to think that most of these fires could have been prevented if people would just listen to Smokey the Bear.

Achieve Work-Life Balance

2007-05-09 23:39:21

Sometimes our career's become our lives. Career advancement, exceeding client expectations, and chasing the "greenbacks" often times take precedence over the most meaningful part of life: family, personal life, hobbies and health. We often times must remind ourselves that a job is a means to an end, and NOT the other way around.

You must ask yourself; do you have a healthy "Work-Life" balance? Furthermore, does your job make it even possible to achieve "Work-Life" balance? Here is a short list of definitions that address the deeper meaning and values at the core of this important workplace attitude. Work is an inevitable part of life; however, it should not become life. Reflect on these definitions and reach for the ultimate apex of work-life balance nirvana.

Work Life Balance:

Work-Life is the ability to effectively manage work, family and personal life
Work-Life contributes to the well-being and productivity of the American worker and their workplaces
Work-Life improves job satisfaction, commitment to employers, and retention
Work-Life helps nurture happier, harder-working employees by alleviating on-the-job stress
Work-Life increses on-the-job performance
Work-Life lessens employee utilization of the health care system
Work-Life helps improves self-esteem and lessens feelings of anger and resentment
Work-Life helps build stronger families
Work-Life helps employees managing work and family responsibilities
Work-Life allows parents to be more involved in their children's lives

So You Want to Be Your Own Boss?

2007-05-09 07:14:51

Almost every American would love to be a 'free agent' in their chosen career path. Flexible hours, the ability to work from home and more freedom with projects are just the beginning of the benefits of becoming an independent contractor.

Problem: How do you stand out from the 10 million 'freelancers' already competing for U.S. clients. Well, here at Free Career Search we have outlined a Seven Step process that allows you to build your client base...and increase your profits!

1. Specialization

Take a good hard look at your skills and background. You need to determine what sets you apart from the next person. Think of ways to apply these special skills or experiences to a field that has a high or growing demand. For example, if you want to be a freelance writer you may want to focus on composing content that very few people can write about, such as IT or new advances in Healthcare. The travel and entertainment sections are over saturated.

2. Network

Keep in touch with anyone and everyone. Go where the people who can hire you are. This includes conferences, associations, calling friends and colleagues, former bosses and even old co-workers. Basically, contact anyone and everyone that may have a lead in your desired field.

3. Join a Service

Bite the bullet and join an organization or website program that bridges the gap between freelancers and employers. One website that comes highly recommend within the independent contractors circle is Sologig.com. This website allows employers to find you without registering or paying a fee. A great place to get started.

4. Referrals

Never underestimate the importance of a referral. Referrals are one of the best ways to build your clientele. You can continue to get new customers by making sure that you take good care of your existing customers. It has the snowball effect. When people ask their friends or family for certain services you want to be at the top of their list. When kudos come in, ask your clients for testimonials and referrals.

5. Subcontracting

Subcontract your services. For example, a freelance web developer could supplement their direct business by subcontracting with a large ad agency that uses his/her work when the agency does not have the resources or time. The web developer could work behind the scenes, be paid by the ad agency and build their resume and portfolio.

6. The more the merrier

The more prospects you reach, the more clients you will have. Attempt to create the largest client base possible, thus allowing for you to choose the best projects and the ones that will be the most rewarding to you. Isn't that why you want to be a free agent in the first place?

7. Become an Expert

Becoming an 'expert' is the best advertising in the world. Compose content for industry publications, newsletters or trade journals. Speak at professional or trade events related to your career. The feedback you get from your articles and speeches can lead to contacts and possibly clients. Post your 'PR' work on your website, send copies to your clients and include them in your marketing literature.

Age Prejudice

2007-05-04 00:01:36

Perception is reality. This ageless maxim makes many job-seekers worried about their credentials. Fear of looking too young or too old are common. The number one way you can counteract this fear (old and young) is by highlighting skills rather than age. Some overarching tips for both mature candidates and younger workers is to consider removing your graduation date from your resume, dressing differently, or avoiding references to world events that betray your age.

For Older Candidates:

Eliminate items on your resume that are more than 15 years old as well as graduation dates
Highlight technological skills to counteract the assumption that older workers are not comfortable with technology
Avoid mentioning companies whose names disappeared many moons ago
Do not refer to world and business events that happened a long time ago

For Younger Candidates:

Try to avoid youth-specific small-talk topics such as cool hip clubs with great drink specials
Eliminate slang such as "like" and "you know" from your speech
Come to meetings prepared, it helps to prepare thoughts before meetings and to anticipate questions and develop mature, articulate responses
List education credentials at the bottom of the resume, while emphasizing work experience

Resume in the Digital Age

2007-04-25 03:18:57

ASCII (pronounced "askee") is an acronym which stands for "American Standard Code for Information Interchange" and is used to describe computer documents that are stored in clear text format.

In plain English, an ASCII text document uses the simplest form of text, meaning there is no formatting within the document and the text will look the same when viewed in a variety of formats or word processing programs. While it's fairly plain looking, you're guaranteed that your resume is readable no matter how viewed. Having an ASCII formatted version of your resume, is a must for today's job seeker who uses the internet in their job search.

Use an ASCII resume when:

Submitting to a resume database via web form.
Posting to an online job board.
Inserting your resume in the message field of an e-mail document.
Sending your resume as an e-mail attachment.

It's Good to Know: About Productivity in the Workplace

2007-04-18 06:20:12

Does your boss and co-workers not appreciate the time you put towards work?

More time at the office does not always mean more productivity. Compare your working hours with the average American and make sure that you are making your precious hours count, including the 16 hours of unproductivity that the average American worker amounts each week.

The average U.S. employee:

works about 45 hours a week
considers about 16 of those hours to be unproductive
spends 5.5 hours in meetings each week
receives 56 e-mails every day

(Source: 2005 Microsoft Office Personal Productivity Challenege Survey)

Attire Attributions

2007-04-10 01:02:34

"Dress for the job you want, not the job you have," said Brian Eskrige, Director of Human Resources, Targetron. Pride in your appearance equates to pride in your work, he added. Whether you are applying for an upper management position or a part-time general labor position at the local grocery store, how you dress for the interview speaks volumes for your candidacy.

If candidates come unshowered and unshaven with uncombed hair or dirty hands, this immediately gives the interviewer an impression of how a candidate feels about themselves. Most Human Resource coordinators are taught not to consider these types of topical factors when determining candidate's effectiveness as an employee, however, most interviewers were found admitting that you simply cannot help making pre-judgements, it makes a poor first impression.

Mind your posture, make sure your clothes are neatly pressed and avoid English slang. A basic rule of thumb is to dress for the interview the way you would prepare or dress for the job. If it's a professional job, wear a suit and tie. For a physical or labor intensive job, be neat and clean - not unprofessional or grubby. It's better to be over prepared or over dressed rather than under dressed or under prepared.

Re-Think Your Resume Embellishments

2007-04-05 02:04:46

Spend five minutes with the Society of Human Resource Management and they will have you laughing hysterically at the resume lies they have seen in the past. They know all the tricks. Conservative estimates say that over 35% of all resumes have touches of fabrication.

Nonetheless, lying on your resume is one of the most common ways that people stretch the truth. Job-hunting can be one of the most stressful period in a person's life. Playing with dates to hide employment gaps and extending periods of work is the most common resume lie. Another common fib is creating non-existent accomplishments, extracurricular activities and awards. Fake college degree claims are prevalent; however, they are the easiest items for a company to verify.

The Society for Human Resource Management reported increased time spent checking references. Some companies and recruiters are now asking for recent pay stubs to circumvent applicants that claim high salaries from previous work. Imagine talking your way out of that one.

Free Career Search aims to ensure you have the proper knowledge on how to score the best job and pursue your career aspirations, however, we highly encourage you to think twice before emailing your next half-baked resume. Even if your moral compass does not keep you from deceit, the fact that human resources is on the game should. Be honest. By telling the truth in your resume, you will not have to filter through your past resume lies in your next interview - you do not have to remember what you might have said or wrote.

Resume Length in Question

2007-04-03 00:40:08

For years, college counselors, recruiters and human resource coordinators have been disseminating the instructions to keep resumes to one page. This is beginning to change. A recent study discovered that 44 percent of recruiters actually prefer two pages. In the digital era, it is no longer necessary to have a neatly packaged resume that conveniently fits on one physical 8.5"x11" paper. When it comes to executive roles, the study discovered that three pages is of ideal resume length.

According to the study, many employers are willing to spend more time reviewing application materials in efforts to determine the best qualified candidate. Most companies would rather exert additional effort in reviewing documentation than wasting meaningless time with applicants in a lengthy interview.

Schedule Your Job-Hunt

2007-04-02 01:59:01

Procrastination is something we have all been guilty of at some point in our lives. Procrastination is especially prevalent amongst job-seekers; often times we look at the calendar and realize we have not sent out any resumes or followed-up with any companies for weeks. It's easy to get side-tracked. That is why keeping a schedule can be an important and vital tool for landing your next job in a timely manner.

Set reasonable goals. Ask yourself questions. Understand what your job search aspirations are and determine how aggressive you need to be to make these aspirations a reality. If you're passively looking for a job, then you can get away with an hour or two a week. If you're actively looking for a job and/or unemployed, you need to schedule time every day. Easier said than done, but it is important that you consider looking for a new job a priority in your life.

Concentrate your efforts on one aspect of the job search. Try a schedule that allows you to look for jobs on one day, and then prepare and distribute your resume, cover letter and other applicable materials the next day. You need to stay invigorated. It's extremely easy to get burned out. Job-hunting is a stressful event, but you need to keep yourself motivated. Take mini-breaks, go for a short walk, breathe in the fresh air, stretch. Hopefully these tricks will clear your mind of the stresses associated with job-hunting. Stay motivated and determined - your career schedule can be a perfect mentor.

Top 5 Myths Keeping You From Starting an Online Business

2007-03-30 04:55:45

E-commerce is worth over 334 Billion annually , and it is growing by the minute!

Question: So why isn't everyone and their mom jumping on the Online business bandwagon?
Answer: Fear

Most people feel that starting an online business is too hard, to tough, or too scary. They couldn't be more wrong.

Below are 5 myths about starting an online business. Without a doubt, one or more of the following online business myths reside in almost every potential business person's head. Keep in mind that these myths could be keeping you from earning your slice of the Internet cash pie.

Myth #1: I’m not smart enough to have my own business.

Hmmmm....maybe, but high unlikely. True, online business is NOT for everyone. But it is doable for almost anyone, including 99% of the people reading Free Career Search articles right now. If you have a desire to learn, you can manage an online income generating project. Will this turn into a career? Depends on your commitment and interest level. Most people have 'side projects' that provide a substantial side income in addition to their 9-5 jobs. Remember, you should not put all your eggs in one basket. Do not attempt to develop 10 different business opportunities at once. You have to build something of your own, and focus on a couple of well thought out business plans. Something of value that can help other people and add value to the online community. Planting a seed of substance can blossom into profits via affiliate programs, your own products or services, advertising revenue, and many other income streams.

Myth #2: I don’t have the money it takes for a new business.

That’s doubtful. The cost of an online business really can be dirt-cheap. That is the whole beauty of an Internet business ....little to no start up costs. Ten years ago, it was far more expensive to start a business online than it is today. Things have drastically changed for the better with web site design and hosting costing less than $50 if you are willing to do the work yourself. Even if you have to hire someone, you can get a pre-designed web site template modified for a few hundred bucks. None of these services were available 10 years ago. Now they are cheap and more effective than ever.

Myth #3: I’m not an expert at anything.

You don’t have to be, all you need is a passion. Many people start a business on the Internet, and then start researching every aspect of it. Before you know it you will be the "expert" on your own particular Internet business. Pick a passion and let the natural process of researching guide you.

The point is, you can become an expert in almost any topic that interests you. There’s a world of information on the World Wide Web, and it is all at your fingertips.

Myth #4: Someone is already doing what I want to do, so it is useless to compete.

This excuse does not cut it. Many people think that if an idea is already being implemented online, they "missed the boat." What they fail to realize is that if their idea is being done, it may very well be a successful idea and worth pursuing. Remember, there are hundreds - and sometimes thousands - of sites selling similar things on the Web.

Myth #15: I’d need a big advertising budget to get any results.

Incorrect. The Internet is a perfect medium for implementing grassroots strategies. A few success stories include joint venturing, networking, opt-in marketing with e-mail newsletters (with an e-mail follow-up series), and commission-only marketing with eBay and affiliate programs, ad co-ops, and more. These strategies are dirt-cheap and amazingly effective.

Before the Internet, you could get away with the argument that a big advertising budget was needed to grow a business. The Web changed that long ago, and it continues to be true today. Another reason the Internet is so freaking awesome.

Job Fair Hints

2007-03-29 03:24:09

College graduates are finding it increasingly hard to secure a job directly out of school. Unfocused career ambitions coupled with the large field of applicants seeking out jobs mid-year makes the competition stiff. One of the most time-efficient and beneficial resource for upcoming or recent college graduates are jobs fairs. However, what you say, how you compose yourself and the manner in which you follow-up with recruiters is crucial to experiencing a beneficial afternoon at a local job fair.

Compose a professional, mistake-free resume

It is strongly recommended that you let a professional examine your resume before distributing it to a large number of recruiters. Ask the career center at your local university to look at your resume and offer advice – trusted professors can also be a stellar asset.

Present your resume appropriately

Do your homework. Take a look at the companies represented at the job fair, count the number of organizations you are even remotely interested in and bring that number of resumes plus an additional 7. Depending on the size of the job fair, an approximate number of resume taken should be 25-30. We know you are about to be hit by a wave of student loans, but spending the extra money and print your resume on professional paper makes a big difference. Bring you resumes in a nice folder or portfolio.

Dress for Success

A business suit is most appropriate. Often time’s recruiters comment that students can enhance their employment opportunities by the quality of their initial impression. The image you present if extremely important, especially amongst of sea of job-hunters.

Be familiar with the clientele

Research the companies and organizations that are going to be present at the job fair. Read their websites, understand their corporate philosophy and determine the best way to couple your experiences and attributes with the company’s mantra.

Create Specific Career Goals

Even if you are uncertain about what career you want to spend the rest of your life pursuing, narrow your career goals, interests and needs for all job fairs you attend. Recruiters are looking for ambition in a certain field, they are not attending to give career advice and assist you in finding your career dreams through their company. The ball is in their court - play to it.

Approach the Recruiter

Introduce yourself in a positive and confident manner. Maintain firm posture, smile, preserve eye contact, demonstrate enthusiasm and always keep a firm hand-shake. Offer your resume and be ready to discuss your background, experiences, qualifications and career ambitions. Maintain an open dialogue by inquiring about career opportunities, the organization, work culture and corporate structure. Try to show that you have done your homework and research. Request a business card and be enthused about any literature offered on the company. Do not ask “How much do you pay?” You will quickly be ridiculed by the job fair and its recruiters.

After the Job Fair

Write thank you notes and follow-up with all leads. Demonstrate extreme professionalism in your follow-up emails and inquiries. This is not the time to be passive and sit by the phone waiting for it to ring. Good luck, be patient, and be persistent.

When an Interview Goes Bad

2007-03-28 02:38:53

While job-searching is often times a necessary evil, it is good to know what you can do to save a bad interview. When an interview lacks focus, the interviewer may lack the skills to conduct a good interview. Unfortunately, they will probably be left with the same poor impression of the interview as you. There are a few simple questions you can ask to bring the interview back on track and generate a creative and constructive dialogue, like: "What more can I tell you about my experience?"

An interview may seem like a waste of time if it becomes evident you are not qualified; perhaps the job isn't what its description implied. You could be having a bad morning and your thoughts are concentrated on an outside event in your life - you're human. An interviewer may be too passive to wrap the interview up quickly. A good trick to circumvent these scenarios gracefully is by ending things - "I appreciate your time, but it's apparent that this isn't a good match for me."

When interviews turn ugly, you have several options. First, weigh the situation carefully - many interviewers will deliberately evoke tension, even hostility, to test your reaction. Always remain cool, collected, calm and professional. If you are not comfortable, or you think that the interview has genuinely gone awry, just excuse yourself. It's rarely worth it to "fight back," and burning bridges is never wise. Plus, you'll need to ask yourself if this is truly the type of work environment you want to associate yourself with on a daily basis.