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Highlighting Your Resume
May 14, 2008 by jdisand1@gmail.comDo not discount yourself. Do not underestimate yourself. Do not sell yourself short. These may all sound like cliche lines to make you feel better about yourself, but they are the truth. These days, employers are looking for a lot out of an employee. So, keep in mind that you have a lot of skills to offer.
It may seem trival to include a computer program you know how to use, or any software that does not apply to your skills set, but employers notice. Essentially, what this does is make you more marketable. With the way the economy is splashing, an HR person is going to want to know if a potential candidate can do the described job. But after that, they will want to know what else you can do for them.
Include on your resume any and all computer skills you have. But, be prepared to explain what you know and how you have applied them. Give it a try, you would be suprised at how much it can help! -
Resume Writing Tips
April 22, 2008 by jdisand1@gmail.comWhen writing a resume, it is important to realize that you are presenting yourself on paper. If you wish, you can think of your resume as the paper version of you. It is all jobs have to go by when making selections.
Obviously, you do not want to scare employers away by being too flashy, but you still want to be exact and show them who you are. If you are a detailed, organized communicator, then your resume better reflect that. Make sure everything you say is true, but that it reflects itself.
Experiences are a big part of everything, but this is your chance to speak to employers before they get to meet you. Use common sense. You don’t have to spend hundreds of dollars on a ‘professional’ resume, because who knows you better than yourself. Just be thorough and exact with what you say, but don’t be afraid to keep a little bit of your flair and integrity. -
Phone Interviews
March 31, 2008 by jdisand1@gmail.comJob seekers everywhere tend to fret about interviews. However, when the occasional phone interview comes up, preparation is throwng against the wall. Keep in the mind, that a phone interview is a good thing. Instead of becoming confused about the process, just keep in mind that the employer wants to know a little bit more about you. They want to put a voice to your resume. You have to nail this part of the interview process to get your foot in the door.
Treat the phone interview the same as you would a real interview. Keep in mind that you will have more ammunition for the face to face interview as well. Most of the time, the employer will still call you to schedule a future phone interview, so use this time to research the company, and re-research the position you applied for.
As long as you take the interview seriously and stay composed, you will do fine. Then you get to worry about the face to face! -
References
March 13, 2008 by jdisand1@gmail.comReferences may make or break a job search. While it is important to be a strong worker, and be able to sell yourself at an interview, employers may rely too heavily on what others say. Knowing this, make sure you carry a reference sheet that has some powerful recommendations on it. Employers tend to want to see professional, but do not be afraid to include a personal one or someone like a coach.
The key is being able to offer every dimension of yourself as a possible employee. So, after drafting your list, make sure everyone on it knows they are on it. Follow up with them and make sure they are giving you good referrals. Like I said, it is important to have these guys on your side.
It is usually save to say, have at least three people ready to account for you. But remember, back up what you say with them. Follow up to make sure they are not ruining your rep, and always keep the references professional. -
Former Employers
March 05, 2008 by jdisand1@gmail.comFor most job seekers, a former employer can be a great reference. But lets face it, not all jobs are created equal. There may be many times when you have taken a job that just wasn’t for you. Or you had a boss that really was out to get you. Don’t sweat it though.
Be cautious of what you say during interviews. Employers will be on the lookout for any sense of negativity you may be harvesting. To you, you may only be venting or spouting the truth. To the employer, it may seem that you are a negative employee. This could bring down moral.
Employers are looking to hire someone who is going to do something for the business. They do not want somebody who is a nay-sayer, or going to leave after a few months.
With that said, don’t be afraid of your past employment. Be willing to discuss the subject when it comes up, but highlight your attributes of sticking around in a similar situation. Don’t be afraid of the past, but know this: you may be over the past, but it will never be over you. -
Interviewing
February 28, 2008 by jdisand1@gmail.comInterviewing may be the scariest part of a job search. The professionals will always say to practice what you are going to talk about before you go in, but any red blooded American can tell you this is not enough.
Any time you apply for a job, you should always research the company. The same principle applies for interviews. Before you go in, check out the website, read some information and take notes. Always bring a pen and paper, preferably a high quality note pad. Interviews are like auditions, you have to sell yourself, but you have to be legit. So know the company, and always ask questions.
Do not be afraid or intimidated. Remember that the company has to sell themselves to you as well. So take confidence in knowing that they brought you in because they think you are good enough.
Interviews can be unpredictable and go very unexpectedly. So, you have to do the best to control the things you can. Be calm and make sure you dress is up to code. Be polite and smile, introducing yourself to everyone you meet.
Just remember to be prepared. Researching may be the biggest part of nailing that interview. But don’t neglect researching yourself. Be ready to answer any questions about your resume or your experience. You will do just fine! -
Writing that Resume
February 23, 2008 by jdisand1@gmail.comWhen it comes to job hunting, one thing looms over recent graduates heads. The resume. The problem with writing a resume is the lack of experience. Going to college should be experience enough, however, jobs are looking for a little bit more.
So, keep in mind that ‘more is more’. Employers will be looking at a recent grads resume for substance. Any job that you have had (preferably since the start of college) can be a good reference. A job can show commitment (if you have been there for a while), organization, multitasking abilities, leadership skills, or interpersonal skills.
These assumptions can be derived from jobs ranging from waiter, store clerk, or even working at a day camp. Include what you have done in the past, but keep in mind to package it in an enticing way for employers. Never lie on your resume, but make it sound good.
Your resume is like the ingredients to you. The more you have, the better you look. That will help you stand out against other candidates. -
Be Cautious
February 18, 2008 by jdisand1@gmail.comWhile graduation may seem like the greatest thing for college students, the real world poses a looming threat. Many college grads leave college with the mindset that they will find a great job right away and make a decent amount of money. However, especially with the economy the way it is, the job market is tight.
So, what is a college grad to do? There are plenty of job sites out there to assist recent graduates with their job searches. However, as a job seeker, you must take caution into your own hands.
For as many good jobs as there are out there, you have to pass over lots of bad jobs. You will get offers and calls from shady sales men of all kinds. You may say that you need a job. But be cautious. Many organizations exist to take advantage of recent grads and their naivete toward the world.
The jobs will post on a site saying they need an entry level marketing associate. But in reality,they are looking for someone to go door to door to sell their ‘product’.
The best advice one can get is to research. Be an expert about your field and research. When you get a call from a company, look them up online. Search them on google. There are a number of job boards such as jobvent.com, or other scam alert websites. You can find the truth before you have to find it out the hard way.
Also, be weary of anything involving working at home, or accepting payment by giving someone your credit card, social security, or bank numbers.
The key is research. This will help you land the right job, not just something to do in exchange for money. -
entry level jobs
February 15, 2008 by jdisand1@gmail.comWhen it comes to entry level jobs, it seems sort of confusing as to what to expect with salary. Obviously, coming out of college, you want to make enough money to pay off those student loans.
Looking at the simple facts, college graduates make a significant amount more than non college graduates. So, with that piece of paper, college graduates should be expecting to make a little bit more money. However, with society taking a shift towards a more imperial subject and money becoming more of a hierarchy, entry level workers should expect to make a little less.
This should not be a scare tactic though, however, as the college degree allows for more earning potential. While someone may take an entry level job earning a little bit less, they should expect to work their way up the ladder to meet their economic goals.
Do not be afraid to haggle prices in an interview. Essentially you know what you are worth. But also keep in mind that having a job to work and potential to achieve is better than being too stubborn to work for a living. -
Online school
February 11, 2008 by jdisand1@gmail.comThe world today is turning into a high speed jumble of words. Unfortunatley, people left and right are getting stuck in the moment, and many skip school in favor of an early career. For some, the decision turns out well. For the vast many, they hit a wall where their lack of education is stopping them. So what is one to do?
The working world is turning 40 hrs/ a week into a wished vacation, and school is turning more into a full time job itself. The prospect of somebody going to school full time and working full time is non existent.
Luckily, the new century has brought us online colleges. While many of these online colleges are more of a degree mill than anything, some truly offer potential students the opportunity to further their education while still providing for their family. Online school lets the student attend their classes from home and submit all their assignments online.
Students must be ware of the price of the programs and what they offer. Always do a full amount of research on a school and be cautious which ones you give your phone number (CEC schools will hound you 3 times a day until you tell each school you do not wish to be contacted anymore).
The idea of online education is a blessing, but all the aspects are yet to be ironed out, which leaves many students without degrees and in debt. So be careful.
