3 Ways to Find a Job Faster Online

Want to make a bet?
If you’re reading this, I’ll bet you’re looking for a job and you have Internet access.
Pretty clever, aren’t I?
Well, no.
Because this column is always about job search, that part’s a given.
And, when it comes to Internet access, that’s like phone service or indoor plumbing — it’s just something you’ve got to have.
So, since you’re going to use the Internet in your job search, you might as well use it as effectively as possible (although it should never eclipse the most-effective job-hunting method of all — talking to other people).
With that in mind, here are three ways to use the Internet to get hired faster …
1) Post Your Resume in More Places
Like most people, you’ve probably uploaded your resume to one of the monstrously large employment web sites. But, more and more, that’s not enough.
“What a lot of job seekers don’t realize is that the big career sites are not cheap for employers to use. It costs money to search through resumes — and it adds up,” says Jim Stroud, General Manager of TheRecruitersLounge.com.

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Explaining a Gap in Your Employment History

If you’ve got a gap in your employment history, you’re not alone. It’s common for job seekers to leave the workforce because of a disability, illness, baby, education, or even a challenging job search. However, some employers fear a gap in your work history signals that you’re unreliable or likely to quit your new job soon. As a job seeker, you need to help employers feel confident about hiring you. Here’s how.
Managing employment gaps on your resume
If you were out of work for a few months, you can write your resume with years instead of months and years.
For longer gaps, consider:

• Using a combination resume or functional resume to take the emphasis off your years of work. (If you use a chronological resume, you’ll draw too much attention to dates.)
• Leaving out some jobs. A gap early in your career can sometimes be camouflaged by leaving out the jobs that came before it.
• Limiting your experience. If you had a gap in employment many years ago, consider limiting your resume to the past 10 or 15 years.
• Listing other experiences. Include paid and unpaid freelance, consulting, casual and contract work. Provide your job title, organization, work description, and dates. You can also include these experiences in your profile and under “key accomplishments”.

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3 Things You MUST Do to Ace the Job Interview

Congratulations! You landed the job interview. What now?
Many job candidates assume that their resumes will speak for them and that all they need to do is show up for the interview, looking professional and confirming a few questions about their skills. As a matter of fact, the interview is where the candidate needs to really start working! To improve your interview experience and increase your chances of becoming the preferred candidate:
Research. One of the top three deal breakers recruiters and hiring managers have identified is whether the candidate has taken the time to learn about the hiring company. Using the excuse that you’re “just” out of college and new to the job search doesn’t work. To learn more about a company, do an Internet search and review the news coverage, as well as the company’s public Web site (including annual reports and the About Us section, as applicable). You can also ask your friends and colleagues what they know about the company.
Adjust your attitude. Another deal breaker is not having a good attitude. Some employers have even said this is more important to them than the skill level of the individual. They are willing to invest in training if the candidate’s attitude is stellar and a good fit for the company. Always smile, no matter how you feel. Practice answering your interview questions in front of a mirror and check to see if you have a relaxed, approachable (and smiling) visage. Also, avoid using the interview as a platform for voicing your displeasure over your last job, boss, unsatisfactory school project, and so forth. No matter what the truth is, always formulate your answers to be positive and forward-looking. The past is just that. Learn from it and move on.
Create value. Employers prefer that you have the basic required skill set to do the job. To differentiate yourself from all the others who have the required skill set, demonstrate how you can help the company differentiate itself. When you talk about your skills and experience, do it in the manner that demonstrates how what you have done has added value to your past employer or how your unique problem-solving approach has been beneficial in adding value to an internship. Use quantifiable information, discuss efficiencies you’ve introduced and revenue or savings you’ve generated, if at all possible. Simply reiterating your skills in job-description fashion only proves you met the basic job requirements.
Sharon DeLay is a certified career coach with the goal of helping people find jobs they love and love the jobs they have. Visit our website or e-mail us for more information or to subscribe to her twice weekly blog or twice monthly ezine. (c) 2008 Permanent Ink Professional Development Services