This was published last month in the AARP Bulletin. Very interesting and certainly relevant to our Job Seekers Program. Here’s the link. Enjoy the read.
http://www.aarp.org/work/job-hunting/info-09-2010/faith_hope_networking_.html
That’s a real concern, but one that can easily be addressed. First, while you are out of work and looking for a job, stay current by reading all you can on trends and changes and new developments in your industry/business area.
Secondly, and this is very valuable. Volunteer your services. It will allow you to stay fresh and keep your hand in the mix. You can also use this volunteer experience in your resume, showing future employers that you haven’t been out of touch with your skills. And point out that the period of time you have been out of work has enabled you to give back through volunteering and stay current with technology in your business arena.
Thirdly, there are numerous online blogs and podcasts that you can participate in that will allow you to remain on top of changes and technologies in your business.
Bottom line – take advantage of the time to improve on your skills and grow yourself into a better candidate.
Resumes can take a lot of work to do well. Some say you should customize your resume to each job. But is it really worth that much trouble? Can’t you just use the same resume and customize your cover letter?
Don’t make the mistake of using the same resume for all your applications. According to a recent article, customizing it is a MUST. Read the article to discover some concise tips on how to do that without spending hours rewriting:
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/The-Worst-Mistake-You-Can-usnews-4243712187.html?x=0
– Thanks to Jannice for the link to this article
I made a new connection through my Linked In Groups and found that he had some very good advice on his blog page for job seekers. BTW, if you’re not on Linked In, you should be. When discussing the various things that one must do when seeking a new job, everything these days points to effective networking. And while Facebook may be a nice social media tool, the real networking website for business is LinkedIn.com. It’s benefits are long and wide reaching. If your profile is not on it, get on it. If you need assistance setting up your profile, feel free to leave me a comment here and I will reply and help get you started.
Anyway, back to Mike “The Job Man” Mailman. Mike has posted some valuable information about how to go about discussing your salary with a prospective employer. He’s given me permission to link to his blog so you can read his advice. His blog page is http://mikejobman.wordpress.com/
There are 2 blogs which pertain to negotiating your wages. I think you’ll find them beneficial when the time comes to talk about money.
Best of luck to you, and God bless!
I learned of 2 more Job Fairs coming to Tampa Bay. The first is September 20th at the Coliseum Ballroom in downtown Saint Petersburg. It is sponsored by the St. Pete Times. The other one is on October 23rd at the Tampa Workforce Alliance and is sponsored by the Mayor’s Alliance for Persons with Disabilities. Click on the links for more information on both events.
And speaking of more information, here’s an article about Job Fairs which I found interesting and seemingly factual. It was posted by Jessica Holbrook, an expert resume writer, on SalesHeads.com. I hope you find it the same.
In many areas of the U.S., the issue is not a lack of available jobs, but a lack of time for you as the job seeker to complete a thorough application for each position that interests you. Therefore, you have to be strategic in how you use your time during your job search. Job fairs, in particular, can be a waste of time if you don’t do your homework before you decide to attend.
There are two important questions to ask any time you see a job fair being held in your area:
1) Do any of the companies at this job fair pay people to do what I do?
If your role at your company is something like IT or accounting that’s transferable to a lot of different settings, then chances are high that you‘ll find a company at the job fair that could use your services. However, the more specialized your skill set, the more cautious you need to be about where you spend your time looking.
2) Are the companies at the job fair actually hiring?
You may not be able to figure this out on your own with 100% certainty. However, looking at the employment opportunities on the companies’ Web sites can give you an idea of whether they actually have open positions. This is an election year, and many local politicians are hosting job fairs in order to show their constituents that they care about the economy. However, just because a company shows up doesn’t mean they’re hiring—or, they may just hand you a card with their Web site address and tell you to apply there. This is actually quite common at job fairs now – a large number of employers will just direct you to their website. I suggest to save time and avoid this pitfall you view the ad to see what companies will be at the job fair then go online and apply on their website for the applicable opportunities.
If your research shows you that a job fair will include companies that are currently hiring people to do what you do, then the plus side to attending the fair is that it offers a fantastic opportunity for face-to-face contact with a potential employer. Once you decide to attend a fair, do it the right way: professionally dressed, resume and business cards in hand, with a name tag and a friendly smile. Get there at least an hour early so you can be one of the first people in the door—before all the job seekers’ faces start running together!
Make sure your resume is job fair ready to enhance your chances of landing an interview.
I read this informative article from SalesHeads.com. It was posted by Nimish Thakker. I think it is good advice and addresses several misbeliefs about resumes in today’s job environment. You may wish to visit the website and sign up for free weekly emails filled with similar job hunting advice. God bless and good luck to you!
(reprinted from SalesHeads.com)
From screening job applications to conducting interviews, hiring practices have undergone a dramatic transformation over the past decade. Despite all the changes, common resume myths continue to plague job search practices at all levels. This article attempts to debunk some of these myths.
Myth 1: It’s all about the number of pages
The one-page rule is probably the most common myth about a resume. Candidates, even senior executives, use microscopic fonts, leave off important information, use 0.1 inch margins, and resort to a myriad of unhealthy practices — all in an attempt to restrict their resume to just one page.
Many well-meaning college counselors advise their students to be concise and limit their resume to one page. That was important when you were a student with little or no experience, but why subscribe to the same wisdom after rising to the ranks of a senior executive.
There is an opposing viewpoint. Some job seekers mistakenly believe that if they can somehow balloon their resumes to four or five pages, they will probably be considered for higher-paying positions. What? Will someone offer me $250,000 simply because my resume is ten pages and redundant to the point of boredom?
Content rules. The quality of experience should influence the length of the resume, not hearsay. If you have held only one job, then don’t try to create a five-page resume, but if your background merits a lengthier resume then don’t use eight point fonts in a desperate attempt to fit everything on one page.
If you are too concerned about the length of your resume, consider creating a one- or two-page resume with additional pages serving as an appendix or addendum. I have done that for many researchers and academicians. The first few pages focused on their background, while their publications and presentations were presented as an appendix.
Myth 2: Make up that degree — no one will know
Lying on a resume is the worst mistake a candidate can make. Even if you pass the background check (very unlikely considering how sophisticated background checks have become), a savvy employer will discover the deception within days, if not sooner.
Apart from the legal ramifications, we live in a professional world that is influenced by social media. At the touch of a button, HR managers across the country can discuss their experiences. Maintaining a good reputation is more important than ever.
Myth 3: Your resume must have an objective
“Seeking a position that will be beneficial and mutually rewarding … and will make use of my experience and education ….” If that is your idea of an objective, don’t bother using one. Every inch of resume space is precious. Don’t waste it on generic information that can be found on almost every other resume. Every word, every character that appears on your resume must position you as the perfect candidate for the job.
Of the 5,000+ resumes I have written, I may have used an objective for maybe a handful of candidates. In place of objectives, I often used what many experts call “branding statements” or “headers”. The concept can be explained with the help of an example.
In the case of a clinical researcher, for example, a generic objective would be as follows:
“Seeking a mutually beneficial position that will make use of my 10+ years’ experience in clinical research.”
An improvement would be:
Harvard-Educated Clinical Researcher with 10+ Years’ Professional Excellence
Worked with top five pharmaceutical companies. Leveraged clinical expertise to manage three blockbuster, multi-billion dollar molecules from Phase I to Market.
The generic example does almost nothing to position the candidate but the refined version, in addition to serving as an objective, brings out three to four prominent strengths and an overall value proposition.
Whether you decide to use an objective or a positioning statement, refrain from presenting generic arguments.
Myth 4: Your references must be listed on the resume itself
Normally, a separate page is used as a reference sheet. This not only protects the privacy of your references (imagine posting their contact information on every job board), but also makes the screening professional’s job a little easier.
Myth 5: I can use the same resume for multiple job targets
If your current resume focuses on your laboratory background, please don’t send the same resume for marketing positions. It is understandable that you may qualify for multiple positions or be interested in pursuing alternate careers. If so, try to create a customized resume for each job target.
When it comes to a resume, never follow the “one size fits all” approach.
Most adults experience unemployment at some stage in their lives. The degree of unemployment we are currently experiencing is extremely high. It is a very difficult time for those of us experiencing unemployment. The numbers of those facing this crisis are staggering and the prospects for employment are slow in turning around.
Unemployment causes two major problems. The first of these is financial – you need a job to earn money to survive. The second, and probably of greater concern, is the loss of self-respect we feel. It becomes a sense of “I’m not worth anything because I can’t find a job!” Unfortunately many who are currently without a job and want a job can lose focus on life and tend to find themselves lacking a sense of purpose. I know, I’ve been there! And if we attempt to shoulder this burden by ourselves, we are overwhelmed.
God has always been an important part of my life. My God is not a magical “Man in the Sky” who always gives me what I want. My God is my companion on this journey we call life. My relationship with God allows me to bring my worries, concerns and frustrations to the Lord. I can talk to Him and He listens without preaching back at me. Yet I have the opportunity to talk to someone…..that in itself is so important at times like this.
God can bring a sense of peace and hope, helping you to trust Him no matter what happens. Regardless of how other people see you or might look down on you for being unemployed….regardless of how you see yourself, the truth is that God loves you (John 3:16). God would love and value you no more if you were working…God’s love is unconditional. If only we could be that understanding and loving.
I invite you to try and understand just how much God loves you and cares about your situation. You are never alone. Allow this knowledge to become experience, as you reach out in faith and prayer and begin to sense and see that God is with you in your life. You’ll be amazed how sharing your burden with God opens your eyes to endless opportunities.
Job interviews are sometimes the toughest, most agonizing part of finding new employment. While some people seem to be at ease talking (and selling themselves) to complete strangers, many can become nervous wrecks filled with anticipation and anxiety. Self confidence can make a huge difference in the outcome of your interview, but don’t be cocky or overconfident. And remember to LISTEN! Letting your mind wander as you plan what to say next can be disastrous.
We all know that preparation is key. First, know your prospective employer. Do the research. This will show your interviewer that you really are interested in them and their company, and not just the job. Study your resume and make sure its accurate. Nothing is worse than getting caught in an awkward moment when your interviewer finds a questionable entry in your resume. Dress appropriately – in most cases over dress.
If you don’t get the job offer by the end of your interview, be sure to get a business card before you leave and don’t close the interview without a new “call to action”. Ask when they plan to make a decision. Let them know you are going to follow up with them. And as soon as you get home, write a thank you card and mail it back to your interviewer. Be sure to include one or two of the points you covered in the interview. This will show the interviewer that you paid attention and are genuinely interested in the future success of the company.
Here’s a link to a good article originally posted on mediabuzz.monster.com about interview preparation. It lists 15 of the toughest, most common questions (and answers) you might be asked during your interview. Good luck to you, and keep your faith in God.
Resumes are often your first connection to a prospective employer. It’s the first thing a hiring manager will see when you apply for a job. So make certain it portrays you in the best possible way. Your resume should not simply be a historical account of your job experience and professional information. It needs to stand out. It must be enticing enough to invite the reader to find out more about you; see if you’re the right person for the job. And these days, one generic resume is not good enough to land that specific job you want. Not sure what to include and what to leave out? Here is a link to a very good article about what NOT to do in your resume – Common mistakes that could ruin your resume and kill any chances of getting an interview. (click on the word “link” to access the article)
Good luck to you, and God bless!
One of the more popular interviewing methods being used today is the targeted selection interviewing method. It is used to evaluate candidates’ competencies based on their past behavior in order to hire the right people for a given job.
The targeted selection process is favored by employers who believe that past performance (& behavior) predicts future performance – the targeted selection model of interviewing is well known method these days and used by many recruiters.
In order to fare well in a targeted seelection interview, it is important to understand the technique and how best to respond. The following is a brief introduction to the process and a key on how to form your answers/responses. The bottom line is to remember that the interviewer is looking to uncover a situation or task that was assigned to you; the action you took and most importantly, the results. As the interviewee it is important to take your time and carefully formulate your answers.
Interview Like a Champion
Targeted Selection: is a behavioral approach to improved hiring decisions. The goal of every targeted selection interviewer is to collect job-related behavior from an applicant’s past history. Interviewers are trained to focus their interview skills and selection decisions on five basic interview principles.
S.T.A.R
Good Luck & Good Interviewing!
