The last thing any job seeker wants or needs at a time like this is someone taking advantage of their situation for personal gain. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there are currently 11.1 million U.S. citizens unemployed. This has created a virtual breeding ground for identity thieves and other criminals looking to take advantage of the job seekers' desperation over finding employment. Those surfing the web looking for jobs and/or job leads need to be very careful when it comes to sending any organization or individual personal information about themselves.

We have written extensively about the topic of identity theft and have provided sound advice to both employers and job seekers on ways to protect their sensitive information. employeescreenIQ's Rob Thomson just wrote an article on this topic called "Don't Let Someone Take Credit For (From) You!" which has been published in our most recent edition of The Verifier. We've also maintained an ongoing blog thread about identity theft as it relates to both consumers and employers. There is no limit on the amount of information available for consumers looking to protect their personal information or for those whose identities and/or bank accounts have already been compromised. Thieves are counting on the uninformed in order for their ploy to succeed. Don't give them the upper hand!

Continue reading "Job Seekers Beware: Criminals Are Targeting You" »

Posted by Candice Arnold on January 21, 2009 at 8:14 AM | Leave a Comment (0)

While reviewing a set of about 30 employment applications for one of his clients facing an EEOC allegation of hiring discrimination, George started seeing patterns in the mistakes that the job applicants were making that led to their being disqualified.

This post is a direct result of George's observations while doing that work, presented with hopes of helping employers and job seekers alike.

Employers Should -- and Often Do -- Apply Rigid, Unforgiving Criteria When Screening Applications

Because of laws governing the hiring and firing of workers, employers must pay close attention to how they read and act upon job applications.

Hiring one applicant despite an unexplained two-month gap in employment history makes it much harder to defend not hiring another whose application shows an unexplained five-month gap. And if the latter charges discrimination, the employer has a problem.

Is the difference between two and five months significant? What about three months?

Far easier to have a policy of not hiring anyone whose application contains any unexplained gaps -- period.

Bottom line: [S]eemingly minor errors, omissions and discrepancies acquire an importance many applicants fail to appreciate -- becoming "red flags" and thus automatic reasons for rejection. This is nothing personal -- it's what the company feels is necessary to protect itself. Continue reading about application errors ...

Article by Dawn Wolfe and courtesy of George Lenard, the originator of George's Employment Blawg, has over twenty years of experience in all aspects of labor and employment law, including preventive law as well as litigation. His special interests include employment discrimination, sexual harassment, and noncompetition agreements. He is currently a managing partner with Harris, Dowell, Fisher & Harris, L.C., in St. Louis, Missouri, and lives in the suburb of University City with his wife and family.

Posted by Candice Arnold on January 19, 2009 at 7:11 AM | Leave a Comment (0)

Keys to Finding the Good Ones!

The best temporary employment agencies are out there to be found if you know what to look for when you are searching. Here are a few ideas on how to find a good one and how best to work with them.

Common Practices

If you have never dealt with a staffing firm it is a good idea to understand the common practices in the industry. Without telling you everything about staffing, there are some commonly accepted practices that you should learn about like differences between large and small firms, pricing models, what to expect in terms of service and support, etc.

Define Your Needs

To find a good fit for your company, you first need a good understanding of what your company needs in terms of the types of staff, the numbers and your budget. With this knowledge you can help narrow down the list of agencies that fit your criteria.

Continue reading "Best Temporary Employment Agencies " »

Posted by Candice Arnold on January 12, 2009 at 10:50 AM | Leave a Comment (0)

If you are one of the increasingly large number of students graduating without a job, take heart. There are things you can do to join the ranks of the working class. "The downturn in the economy will make it essential for all job-seekers to work harder to find a position," said Robert Graber, the founder of WallStJobs.com. "Don't think that you can take some time off and wait for the market to improve. It is essential that you hire yourself to find a job now."

Graber offered some suggestions:

Continue reading "Getting Hired In A Down Market " »

Posted by Sarah Ennenga on May 14, 2008 at 5:08 PM | Leave a Comment (0)

Industry professionals, recruiters and college professors are unanimous in their belief in one thing: there is no better way to start a career in accounting than experience with a Big 4 public accounting firm. If you are reading this you no doubt are well aware of who these guys are:

PricewaterhouseCoopers
Deloitte and Touché
KPMG
Ernst & Young

While each of these companies has various strengths and weaknesses, they are all alike in the fact that they provide the recent accounting grad with a world class experience. First year associates at these firms are given a level of responsibility that is truly remarkable. When I was a first year I remember thinking on an almost daily basis "I can't believe they're letting me do this." As I strolled into the CEO's office of the firm we were auditing, as I tallied up a multi-million dollar mistake I'd found in another company's books and as I traveled the country with my very own American Express Corporate Card, I kept repeating this thought:

"I can't believe they're letting me do this"

Truly the world of accounting is at your fingertips when you are employed with one of the Big 4. There is an air of respect in those names: PricewaterhouseCoopers, Ernst & Young, KPMG and Deloitte and Touché. There is camaraderie and there is pride. These are the truly elite in the accounting field, and the top of the business world.

Starting your professional career at one of these companies is a ticket to a career in the fast lane. The experience you receive at a Big 4 is, literally, priceless. Many beginners at these firms admit that they would be willing to work for nothing: the experience is that valuable. Land a job and you will guarantee yourself the following:

• For the rest of your career your resume will automatically move to the top of the pile
• For the rest of your career you will have access to a network of professionals that is staggering in its depth
• You will earn an industry busting salary, putting your friends at regional and local firms to shame
• Your resume will contain experience that is recognized and respected globally
• An opportunity to travel the world

At a speaking engagement in 2004, Martin J. Whitman, billionaire and namesake of the Syracuse University Whitman School of Management, was asked the single best piece of advice he could offer college graduates. His reply? "Begin your career with a Big 4 Public Accounting Firm. Period."

Of course.

Think this all sounds good? Of course you do. You're probably thinking to yourself - there must be a catch? Unfortunately, there is. The benefits of working for a Big 4 are widely known and the demand for these positions is higher than ever. These positions are extremely competitive and often impossible to obtain without an edge. A great GPA and resume are no longer enough.

If you are serious about your career and want to maximize your earnings potential, you need an edge. How do you land an interview with a Big 4 when there are thousands of others just like you? Once you get the interview, how will you be prepared for the barrage of questioning you will face?

When I graduated from college I had one interview and one interview only: I landed a job with PricewaterhouseCoopers on the first shot. How did I do it? Good grades? Charming personality? Incredible experience? No! I had an insider at PricewaterhouseCoopers who knew the ropes and coached me through the process, from the application to the signing bonus! When I learned these secrets I just watched as my peers struggled and I jumped easily through all the hoops. Unfair? Sure, but life in a world class industry is not fair. While working at PricewaterhouseCoopers I also experienced the recruiting process from the side of the recruiter.

By: The Big 4 Guru - For More information, please visit http://www.big4guru.com

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 entry-level jobs and other career opportunities.

Posted by Lisa Colbert, CollegeRecruiter.com on May 5, 2008 at 8:20 AM | Leave a Comment (1)

Reprinted courtesy of TheCareerNews.com

NEW YORK, NY -- Here are smart strategies that could jump start your stalled job search and boost your sagging spirits. The key: Treat your hunt like a business problem. Package yourself based on a frank reassessment of your strengths and weaknesses.

Continue reading "Jump start your stalled job search" »

Posted by Sarah Ennenga on April 24, 2008 at 10:03 AM | Leave a Comment (0)

Reprinted courtesy of TheCareerNews.com

CLEVELAND, OH -- Start your research at least six months before you move, says Bob Skladany, vice president, research, for RetirementJobs.com. Although most employers fill openings no more than three to four months in advance, some may be willing to consider you before you move, he says.

Continue reading "Start your job search before you relocate" »

Posted by Sarah Ennenga on April 23, 2008 at 10:04 AM | Leave a Comment (0)

Reprinted courtesy of TheCareerNews.com

SACRAMENTO, CA -- In today's evolving economy, it's important to stay flexible when searching for a new job. Look inside and take stock of the skills and personal qualities that you have to offer. Apply flexibility to generate options. A limiting factor for many job seekers is the failure to generate a host of options to pursue. Mention flexibility as one of your attributes, so you can use it to expand the possibilities that build on your strengths in some way.

Continue reading "Learn to be flexible in your search for a job" »

Posted by Sarah Ennenga on April 22, 2008 at 12:23 PM | Leave a Comment (0)

Reprinted courtesy of TheCareerNews.com

LOS ANGELES, CA -- New college graduates this spring can count on a welcoming job market as employers seek to replace a baby boom generation reaching retirement age. Employers are planning to hire 16% more 2008 college graduates than they did a year ago, according to projections from a survey by the National Association of Colleges and Employers.

Continue reading "New college graduates find a strong job market" »

Posted by Sarah Ennenga on April 9, 2008 at 2:17 PM | Leave a Comment (0)

1. The Candidate did not adopt a committed, passionate, "failure is not an option" attitude about finding a job. Many job seekers think that just because they have a new degree, or military training, or some other advantage, that it's going to be easy to find a job. They have absolutely no idea how many interviews and interview cycles are typically required to find a job. They have no idea of the massive number of cold calls it takes to get an interview. Surprised and unprepared to make that commitment, candidates will often quickly grow frustrated with initial rejections.



2. The Candidate had no "system" for finding a job. Without a system, the candidate's focus wanders. We see them abandon their search as they wait for one opportunity to complete its cycle. They are hung up on the "result" and quit executing. Your search should run like a well-oiled machine that schedules and executes effective interviews with targeted companies. Consistently performing in that process will result in job offers. By developing a "system," you don't have to worry about the results.



3. The Candidate was unrealistic - about her value in the market, her skills vs. other candidates, and the average duration of a job search. Do not harbor preconceptions. You are not really going to know your value and the opportunities available for you until you start to manage the job search process and go on interviews. Be skeptical of "salary surveys," there is too much market fluctuation and geographic variance for them to be accurate. It is going to take a lot longer than you think, and there are going to be many disappointments along the way.



4. The Candidate thought finding a job will be quick and easy. I've seen recruiting information from some schools that suggest their degree/training will make your job search short and sweet. It won't be. You might get lucky and find a good job quickly, but don't count on it. Instead, expect a long hard road full of potholes and roadblocks. Plan on your search, to find a good job, to take three or four times longer than you probably think today. You will almost certainly become discouraged, maybe very discouraged. That is part of the deal and you need to be prepared mentally for these pressures. It requires that you focus on the "system" and not worry about the result. You will find a good job, but you are going to have to work at it. The only goal is to find that good job sooner, rather than later or not at all.



5. The Candidate did not realize that face-to-face interviews are the only things that really matter. Face-to-face interviews are the only way you can really get a job. Securing face-to-face interviews and performing well are the most important activities, the only ones that really matter, in your job search campaign. There are all kinds of things you can do to secure face-to-face interviews, however a recent study found that 85% of students polled thought they could get an interview by sending a resume. Simply sending a resume will rarely land you an interview. Hundreds, maybe thousands, of others are sending a resume; you're just one of them.



6. The Candidate thought that the most qualified candidate is always hired. Lack of qualifications certainly keeps some candidates from being hired. However, most employers only reject out-of-hand those candidates who do not have their minimum qualifications. For every good job, there will be many candidates who are sufficiently qualified. The candidate hired will be the one who interviewed well. You need a foolproof, specific, scripted interview presentation that will insure success 95% of the time. It may not guarantee you the job, but it will guarantee that you interview well, and that will eventually lead to a good job.



7. The Candidate blows the interview. In our experience, this almost always happens because the Candidate did not prepare well for the interview, did not sell himself strongly, or did not ask for the job. We've seen all types of candidates fail to execute these basic interview functions, but new graduates fail more often. They neglect to dress properly, or can't clearly communicate their talents and experiences. Many are too intimidated to even ask for the job. The techniques of preparation and execution are simple, but it takes awareness, focus, and practice to hone the skills.



8. The Candidate had the wrong attitude. Wake up! You're not some valuable commodity over which companies will fight. The employer is not going to try to convince you to hire on - unless it is a bad job. Lose the "what can you do for me?" attitude. Replace it with "Listen to what I can do for you." The right interviewing script will make the prospective employer want to hire you. If you give them good enough reasons to hire you, they will give you good enough reasons to go to work there. Remember, you have absolutely nothing until you have an offer.



9. The Candidate believed that a well-designed resume, sent over the Internet enough times, would result in a job offer. Not only new graduates make this mistake. There are 56,000,000 resumes on the Internet and barely 2% of them are ever selected for an interview. Undoubtedly, you do need a well-written resume, but expecting it to secure you a job is a pipe dream.

By: Tony Beshara, America's #1 Recruiter - Ask for personal advice from Tony, the #1 recruiter according to the industry's leading journal, The Fordyce Letter.

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 entry-level jobs and other career opportunities.

Posted by Lisa Colbert, CollegeRecruiter.com on April 8, 2008 at 8:20 AM | Leave a Comment (0)

1. The Candidate did not adopt a committed, passionate, "failure is not an option" attitude about finding a job. Many job seekers think that just because they have a new degree, or military training, or some other advantage, that it's going to be easy to find a job. They have absolutely no idea how many interviews and interview cycles are typically required to find a job. They have no idea of the massive number of cold calls it takes to get an interview. Surprised and unprepared to make that commitment, candidates will often quickly grow frustrated with initial rejections.



2. The Candidate had no "system" for finding a job. Without a system, the candidate's focus wanders. We see them abandon their search as they wait for one opportunity to complete its cycle. They are hung up on the "result" and quit executing. Your search should run like a well-oiled machine that schedules and executes effective interviews with targeted companies. Consistently performing in that process will result in job offers. By developing a "system," you don't have to worry about the results.



3. The Candidate was unrealistic - about her value in the market, her skills vs. other candidates, and the average duration of a job search. Do not harbor preconceptions. You are not really going to know your value and the opportunities available for you until you start to manage the job search process and go on interviews. Be skeptical of "salary surveys," there is too much market fluctuation and geographic variance for them to be accurate. It is going to take a lot longer than you think, and there are going to be many disappointments along the way.



4. The Candidate thought finding a job will be quick and easy. I've seen recruiting information from some schools that suggest their degree/training will make your job search short and sweet. It won't be. You might get lucky and find a good job quickly, but don't count on it. Instead, expect a long hard road full of potholes and roadblocks. Plan on your search, to find a good job, to take three or four times longer than you probably think today. You will almost certainly become discouraged, maybe very discouraged. That is part of the deal and you need to be prepared mentally for these pressures. It requires that you focus on the "system" and not worry about the result. You will find a good job, but you are going to have to work at it. The only goal is to find that good job sooner, rather than later or not at all.



5. The Candidate did not realize that face-to-face interviews are the only things that really matter. Face-to-face interviews are the only way you can really get a job. Securing face-to-face interviews and performing well are the most important activities, the only ones that really matter, in your job search campaign. There are all kinds of things you can do to secure face-to-face interviews, however a recent study found that 85% of students polled thought they could get an interview by sending a resume. Simply sending a resume will rarely land you an interview. Hundreds, maybe thousands, of others are sending a resume; you're just one of them.



6. The Candidate thought that the most qualified candidate is always hired. Lack of qualifications certainly keeps some candidates from being hired. However, most employers only reject out-of-hand those candidates who do not have their minimum qualifications. For every good job, there will be many candidates who are sufficiently qualified. The candidate hired will be the one who interviewed well. You need a foolproof, specific, scripted interview presentation that will insure success 95% of the time. It may not guarantee you the job, but it will guarantee that you interview well, and that will eventually lead to a good job.



7. The Candidate blows the interview. In our experience, this almost always happens because the Candidate did not prepare well for the interview, did not sell himself strongly, or did not ask for the job. We've seen all types of candidates fail to execute these basic interview functions, but new graduates fail more often. They neglect to dress properly, or can't clearly communicate their talents and experiences. Many are too intimidated to even ask for the job. The techniques of preparation and execution are simple, but it takes awareness, focus, and practice to hone the skills.



8. The Candidate had the wrong attitude. Wake up! You're not some valuable commodity over which companies will fight. The employer is not going to try to convince you to hire on - unless it is a bad job. Lose the "what can you do for me?" attitude. Replace it with "Listen to what I can do for you." The right interviewing script will make the prospective employer want to hire you. If you give them good enough reasons to hire you, they will give you good enough reasons to go to work there. Remember, you have absolutely nothing until you have an offer.



9. The Candidate believed that a well-designed resume, sent over the Internet enough times, would result in a job offer. Not only new graduates make this mistake. There are 56,000,000 resumes on the Internet and barely 2% of them are ever selected for an interview. Undoubtedly, you do need a well-written resume, but expecting it to secure you a job is a pipe dream.

By: Tony Beshara, America's #1 Recruiter-- Ask for personal advice from Tony, the #1 recruiter according to the industry's leading journal, The Fordyce Letter.

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 entry-level jobs and other career opportunities.

Posted by Lisa Colbert, CollegeRecruiter.com on April 3, 2008 at 8:43 AM | Leave a Comment (0)

Job search advice is almost as plentiful as weight loss solutions these days, it seems - and just as effective. Books, newspaper columns, radio shows, web articles, blogs, and career sites are just some of the places offering their wisdom. In the last week, I read competing articles on two of the largest web portals that listed "myths" about job searches. Several myths were in both articles, and on two of those, the authors had opposing answers - basically, one said, "Do this," and the other said, "Don't do this."

How can I tell you to not believe most of what you hear or read about finding a job? Why should you believe me instead? Tough question. I think the answer lies in the fact that I give you tough answers. Almost all of the books, articles, etc., I've read have some meaningful tidbits, but most are sugarcoated beyond recognition. They are really just "feel good" books - "you're out of work, but gosh, haven't I made you feel good! Come back again / Buy my next book!"

Yes, I want traffic to this site, and I have a successful book out and another on the way, but I not going to pander to your anxiety to wring money from your purse. I'm going to tell you like it is - getting a good job is tough. It requires hours of work and practice. It takes dedication and persistence. You have to eat rejection like it was cotton candy. Use common sense - if getting a good job was easy, or fun, or something that had no stress or frustration, everyone would have good jobs. Here are a few clues that you might be getting worthless advice:

• Does the author/speaker seem too young to have significant real world experience? I've seen authors who couldn't have had more than a couple of jobs themselves giving others advice.
• Do they offer "interviewing tricks," or "killer resume formats" or some such "special knowledge" that they have somehow discovered? I cover these topics, but there is nothing special about my answers - except that they're right.
• Do they rationalize why you do not have to work as hard, or be as error-free, or pay attention to all of the details? Feels good, doesn't it? The world is full of worthless things that feel good.
• Do they minimize the role of the face-to-face interviews?

Amazingly, I've read job search strategies that focused on sending out resumes. 95% of all hires happen because the employee asked the employer for the job in person, to their face. The other 5% were hired when the employer asked the employee to come work for the company. Rarely do these authors have personal experience finding people jobs every day. I've read and studied at least 200 books, articles, and web sites from universities, technical colleges, "job/career coaches," and other sources that claim expertise - most of what they write just isn't true. Their ideas might seem plausible in theory, and almost certainly make you feel good about what you've been doing in your search so far, but the practical application of most of their advice will lead your job search astray.

I've been placing candidates from all professions and trades in good jobs since 1973 - more than 7,000 people in that time. I have resumes from more than 90,000 other people who I was not able to help. Why? Because in my profession, I find people for jobs, I don't find jobs for people. I'm not paid unless my clients hire those people I find, so for many years I have been teaching my candidates how to make my clients hire them. I've gotten very good at it.

Yes, there is some good job search advice available, but most is not. Check out the author's credentials - do they have real world experience? If you finish reading their advice and aren't thinking, "Whew, I have my work cut out for me," it was probably worthless advice.

By: Tony Beshara, America's #1 Recruiter-- Ask for personal advice from Tony, the #1 recruiter according to the industry's leading journal, The Fordyce Letter.

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 entry-level jobs and other career opportunities.

Posted by Lisa Colbert, CollegeRecruiter.com on April 2, 2008 at 2:30 PM | Leave a Comment (0)

"Those who say some people were just lucky because they were in the right place at the right time don't realize that the lucky ones show up at a lot of the right places a lot of times."--Tony Beshara

Next to performing well on interviews, which is covered later in this program, the most important hurdle to getting a job is securing the face-to-face interviews. Obviously, you can't perform well on the interview until you have an interview. That interview needs to be face-to-face, with a manager who has authority to hire and feels the "pain " from an urgent need to hire someone.

You cannot really control whether you are offered a job. You can only influence the hiring manager to offer a job - by interviewing well and selling yourself. However, even if you are the best person for the job, you can't make them offer it to you.

While you cannot control job offers, you can control interviews - their number and how they are conducted. Securing interviews is hard work. Certainly, it requires tenacity and technique. For most people, however, it also requires courage - they are not comfortable initiating conversations or don't have the natural instincts for doing it. To these people, it can be a daunting, if not excruciating, task.

No one likes rejection. Unfortunately, it is a risk one must face to find a job. Accept that reality and prepare for possible rejection then get to work. Pristine resumes, brilliant research, and great contacts - even superior references - do not increase your odds of finding a job anywhere near as much as numerous interviews will.

Who You Gonna Call?
The most effective vehicle to get face-to-face interviews is going to be for you to pick up the phone and call everyone you can, whether you know them or not. Find people available for an interview that might result in you being hired. Find an employer with a "pain" that your employment can solve.

Think of all of the people that you can call. Below I provide the "script" you should follow in those calls, but first, you need to identify who you are going to call. Write on the form provided below the names of people that you might call to get an interview or a referral for an interview. Here's a partial list of the types of people you should consider:

• Companies you have worked for, part-time
• People who are a generation older than you
• Employers where your peers might have worked part-time
• Parents of your peers and friends
• Your immediate and extended family, as well as friends of all of these people
• Alumni of your school
• Alumni of your fraternity or sorority, if that applies
• All of the people recommended by your college or university placement offices
• Bankers of your parents or friends (bankers usually know which companies in their area are expanding).
• Hometown contacts
• Contacts made at job fairs
• Internet postings
• Newspaper ads (maybe fewer today, but don't overlook them.)
• Professional service firms to which your degree applies, i.e. accounting, engineering, architecture, marketing, banking etc.
• Employment agencies/recruiters
• Internship possibilities

The reality is that very few positions available to first-time job seeker, recent graduates, and others with very little experience are ever going to be advertised. However, the companies hiring the experienced people may also consider someone with little experience - for the right salary. Don't hesitate to call companies who are advertising for experienced people.

By: Tony Beshara, Ask for personal advice from Tony, the #1 recruiter according to the industry's leading journal, The Fordyce Letter.

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 entry-level jobs and other career opportunities.

Posted by Lisa Colbert, CollegeRecruiter.com on March 31, 2008 at 8:18 AM | Leave a Comment (0)

Reprinted courtesy of TheCareerNews.com

DENVER, CO -- Many people assume that the job they have currently will not be the job they have when they retire. Many employees assume that they'll be promoted within a company or take a more lucrative or challenging position outside of it. One of the easiest ways to find a better job is to look around you at one of the open positions within your current company. Employers often like to fill open positions with current employees for several reasons.

Continue reading "Getting an Open Position within Your Company" »

Posted by Sarah Ennenga on March 19, 2008 at 11:31 AM | Leave a Comment (0)

Reprinted courtesy of TheCareerNews.com

ORANGE COUNTY, CA -- When it comes to being a single parent, the two most important characteristics of a job are flexibility and salary. And while those elements are found on a company by company basis, there are certain industries that lend themselves to being more flexible than others.

Continue reading "Best jobs for single parents" »

Posted by Sarah Ennenga on March 17, 2008 at 10:25 AM | Leave a Comment (0)

Reprinted courtesy of TheCareerNews.com

LOS ANGELES, CA -- Since we are currently living in the information age, using the internet for your job search increase your chances of landing that perfect job faster! Through the internet, you can access current information at all hours of the day or night. It's there when you are ready to use it, even at midnight after finally getting the kids to bed.

Continue reading "Online job searching - why bother?" »

Posted by Sarah Ennenga on March 14, 2008 at 10:17 AM | Leave a Comment (0)

More Job Seekers Recognize Value of Researching Potential Employers, Survey Shows

Prepping for the job interview is much more common today than a decade ago, a new survey shows. Seventy-nine percent of executives polled said candidates they meet with display at least some knowledge of the company or its industry, up from 59 percent in a 1997 survey on the topic. Despite this trend, would-be employees still may be missing an opportunity to demonstrate that they've done their homework in their resume cover letters: Only 44 percent of those polled said it's common for applicants to use their cover letter to show they've researched the job, up slightly from 37 percent in the previous survey.

The national poll included responses from 150 senior executives from human resources, finance and marketing departments with the nation's 1,000 largest companies. It was conducted by an independent research firm and developed by Accountemps, the world's first and largest specialized staffing service for temporary accounting, finance and bookkeeping professionals.

Executives were asked, "How frequently do job candidates demonstrate knowledge of your company or industry during interviews?" Their responses:

Continue reading "'DO YOUR HOMEWORK!'" »

Posted by Sarah Ennenga on March 12, 2008 at 2:28 PM | Leave a Comment (0)

Reprinted courtesy of TheCareerNews.com

HARRISBURG, PA -- A number of employers are looking to hire more new employees and graduates to feed their talent pipeline. Employers are looking for their future leaders and want to groom them for those roles. Hiring projections are strong across the board - regardless of industry, economic sector, or geographic region.

Continue reading "Employers Looking For Future Leaders" »

Posted by Sarah Ennenga on February 18, 2008 at 12:16 PM | Leave a Comment (0)

Reprinted courtesy of TheCareerNews.com

BETHLEHEM, PA -- Your chances of getting a job - maybe even the perfect entry-level job - are great! According to many of the employers who are currently recruiting, this is the healthiest job market in three years. Overall, according to Job Outlook 2008, employers plan to hire 16% more graduates in 2007-08 than they did in 2006-07.

Continue reading "Stepping Into A Good Job Market" »

Posted by Sarah Ennenga on February 15, 2008 at 1:11 PM | Leave a Comment (0)

Reprinted courtesy of TheCareerNews.com

CHICAGO, IL -- You talk too fast. You avoid eye contact. You ask too many questions. You wear too much perfume. You lie about your work history. You show up late to interviews... and you wonder why you haven't gotten a job yet? Don't shoot yourself in the foot during your next job search. Here are five mistakes job seekers should avoid:

Continue reading "Avoid job search blunders" »

Posted by Sarah Ennenga on January 31, 2008 at 4:00 PM | Leave a Comment (0)

This morning I came upon a Blog entry by Tim Banish, COTA, which caught my eye. The title of the posting is "COTA Jobs in Demand, or Not?" In his entry Tim tries to discover if, 1.)there are there plenty of jobs for COTA's to pick from in the U.S., or, 2.) there are very little jobs available for today's pool of COTA's?

Continue reading "Are There Jobs For COTA's?" »

Posted by Sarah Ennenga on January 29, 2008 at 4:32 PM | Leave a Comment (0)

Reprinted courtesy of TheCareerNews.com

LOS ANGELES, CA -- Some legitimate online job application sites and employment kiosks may sometimes ask for your Social Security number (SSN) and date of birth prior to posting a resume or applying for a job. (For example, www.sportsauthority.com, www.albertsons.com, usajobs.opm.gov, studentjobs.gov, and many state job sites request this information.) Some of these sites conduct instant SSN matching or background checks on your information to verify it.

Continue reading "Job Seekers: Protect your social security number" »

Posted by Sarah Ennenga on January 21, 2008 at 3:56 PM | Leave a Comment (0)

Salespeople are often viewed as parasites that take money from hard working consumers. These views of the sales profession have left many would-be sales stars out on a limb. Why does every company need a talented salesperson? Every company needs a talented salesperson to generate revenue for their company by applying principles of persuasion to their targeted markets. Talented salespeople are rare because they make a lot of money in their profession. Recent college students and grads may consider sales to be a bad career choice, but sales pros are affluent individuals.

Make Money In A Slow Economy

Although an economy is slow, certain sales positions remain in demand. These companies are hiring sales superstars to bring their companies to the forefront while the economy is slow. You can build credibility by selling passionately and strategically. The economic conditions will not shatter the opportunity to earn a six figure income within three years of this profession. If you know how to listen, you can find yourself making a reasonable amount of money in sales. Is it all about the money? No, because sales professionals are the veins of companies worldwide.

Myths About Sales Careers

People consider salespeople to be parasites of society because untrained salespeople call their homes or businesses. You can not judge the profession because you have received calls from stuttering salespeople. Recent college students and grads are losing out on a golden opportunity to develop leadership skills. The sales profession is very demanding because it involves creative thinking, strategic planning, and mastery of learning skills no other profession requires. As stated in Jeffrey Zalewski’s article, The Most Important Skills Needed In Any Career at CollegeRecruiter.com, sales skills are the most important skills recent grads and students can hone for success. It is true and is almost forgotten by many who flinch at the thought of a sales position.

How You Can Begin Today

Before you begin, write down what products or services interest you; companies selling these products may have openings available. Consider the products you buy or services you use as a starting place then build on that foundation. For instance, who provides your internet connection? Where do you buy clothes, food, necessities? All of these companies need talented salespeople to grow their businesses. Visit job boards such as CollegeRecruiter.com to search for current positions with all of your service providers. With more research, you may find the best place for you to develop important skills to build a successful career in any industry.

Tahjia Chapman is a writer for CollegeRecruiter.com, the leading job board for college students searching for internships and recent graduates hunting for entry level jobs and other career opportunities.

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 entry-level jobs and other career opportunities.

Posted by Lisa Colbert, CollegeRecruiter.com on January 7, 2008 at 2:31 PM | Leave a Comment (0)

Reprinted courtesy of TheCareerNews.com

In November, 2,808,300 of the 4,072,600 unduplicated online advertised vacancies were new ads that did not appear in October, while the remainders are reposted ads from the previous month. The 2.1 percent decrease in total ads was caused primarily by a 2.3 percent decrease in new ads. Despite these declines, over-the-year (November'06-November'07) total ads and new ads rose 9.7 percent and 17.2 percent, respectively.

Continue reading "2.8 million new online jobs posted in November" »

Posted by Sarah Ennenga on December 26, 2007 at 3:59 PM | Leave a Comment (0)

Q. Where did you get the salary figures for news reporters in Wheeling, W.Va.? When I worked at a nearby television station, a starting reporter could expect to make much less than the Salary Wizard says. Even our senior people don't make as much as you say a reporter would make. And our competitors in a nearby town didn't pay as well as we did. I'd love to know who your sources were.

Continue reading "Salary Talk: How much should I make as a journalist in Wheeling, W. Va.?" »

Posted by Sarah Ennenga on December 24, 2007 at 3:52 PM | Leave a Comment (0)

Reprinted courtesy of TheCareerNews.com

NEW YORK, NY -- A successful job search is built on three basic components: focus, definition and persistence. To succeed, you must narrow the search to a specific type of job, define skills and accomplishments that set you apart from the pack and keep at it until landing the job you want.

Continue reading "Job hunting tips from recruiters" »

Posted by Sarah Ennenga on December 21, 2007 at 5:17 PM | Leave a Comment (0)

Ray Williams, from the Financial Post, shares advice on how to succeed and move higher up the corporate ladder. Success is about having the right attitude and making the right decisions.

Following are some tips that resonated with us:

• Take responsibility for managing your career.
• People will not care about how much you know until you show them how much you care.
• Under promise and over deliver --> meaning: exceed expectations if possible.
• Find a mentor.

This article is definitely worth reading. For the full article, please click on the link below.

How to Succeed in Office Politics, Financial Post

Posted by Sarah Ennenga on December 20, 2007 at 5:18 PM | Leave a Comment (0)

Tag and Catherine Goulet, authors of “Dream Careers: How to Quickly Break Into a Fab Job!,” warn against 7 common mistakes that people make when writing their cover letters:

1. Don’t address recruiters with general salutations like “Dear Sir, etc.” Find out the name of the recruiter and personalize your cover letter.


2. Don’t forget to specify what position you are applying to.


3. Don’t forget to proofread your cover letter many times before sending it out.


4. Don’t focus on what you want, but what the employer wants.


5. Don’t send out a generic letter. Research and tailor your message.


6. Don’t sound desperate.


7. Don’t challenge the employer to hire you.

Seven Things Not to Do in a Cover Letter, TechRepublic

Article courtesy of WorkBloom, an employment blog incorporating a comprehensive career resources section, including the largest database of professionally written resume and cover letter samples on the Web.

Posted by Sarah Ennenga on December 14, 2007 at 11:04 AM | Leave a Comment (0)

We received a few enquiries from our readers asking why they have difficulty landing a job. Some have difficulty getting interviews; some get interviews but can't seem to close the deal.

A job search should not be "routine." It's a competitive process. You're competing against others for the opening. Each job application is a competition. The prize? The job offer.

If your job search seems to go nowhere, look at what you did and try to figure out what you did wrong. Once you've figured that out, change and improve. Don't repeat what doesn't work. Also, job hunting can be a difficult process on your morale. Stay upbeat, believe in yourself, and never give up.

Article courtesy of WorkBloom, an employment blog incorporating a comprehensive career resources section, including the largest database of professionally written resume and cover letter samples on the Web.

Posted by Sarah Ennenga on December 10, 2007 at 2:52 PM | Leave a Comment (0)

Reprinted courtesy of TheCareerNews.com

NEW YORK, NY -- Many job searchers are convinced that job searching between Thanksgiving and the middle of January is a waste of time. If you buy into this myth about holiday job searching, you are losing one of the better job searching seasons of the year. During this holiday job search season, you enjoy increased hiring and reduced competition for jobs. Additionally, all trade shows are over and holiday vacations have yet to kick in so hiring managers are generally available for interviews.

Executive Dave Harshbarger explains why hiring continues, regardless of the time of year. "For many of us, the holiday season is a time to sit back and relax, to take a break from business, to focus our attention on friends and family. For businesses, the needs that drive hiring throughout the year don't change just because the paid holidays are bunched up on the last pages of the calendar."

Additionally, new employees help managers spend their allotted budgets before year end. Hiring managers, with fresh goals for the new year, are eager to find people who can help them get the jump on goal accomplishment. If nothing else, many organizations interview in December for positions starting at the first of the year.

Article abridged from About.com, and reprinted from TheCareerNews.com. Get the latest breaking News, Tips and Tools for your job search, Free!

Posted by Sarah Ennenga on December 4, 2007 at 4:15 PM | Leave a Comment (0)

Perri Capell responds to a reader who can't seem to find a new job, notwithstanding the fact that he's been with one of the top 4 accounting firms for 18 years and with a financial firm for 4 years. After being unemployed for 2 years now, he is really discouraged: "I'm willing to start at a lower level, but employers can't seem to figure out what I am, or they lose interest because I'm unemployed."

Clarity is key to job applications, as employers won't waste their time figuring out what you are trying to say or how you can contribute to their business. In order to articulate your thoughts clearly, you have to be clear in your head first. Most of the time, people are unclear because they don't really know what they want to say. To summarize: clarify your thought process, then re-draft your resume and cover letter.

Continue reading "Being Articulate Is Key to Successful Job Applications " »

Posted by Sarah Ennenga on November 13, 2007 at 11:23 AM | Leave a Comment (0)

Reprinted courtesy of TheCareerNews.com

NEW YORK, NY -- About 42% of 753 laid-off managers surveyed land interviews after posting their resumes or retrieving job listings online, according to a survey by outplacement consultants Lee Hecht Harrison.

As a matter of fact, according to a recent poll by the Society for Human Resource Management, 86% of human resource professionals now rely on Internet job postings to get the word out about positions open at their organizations. So using the Internet for job finding works! Still, with an estimated 40,000 job boards, and literally millions of jobs currently spread out amongst the top 100 job boards, you must use the Internet creatively.

Continue reading "Exploit the internet's job-finding prowess!" »

Posted by Sarah Ennenga on November 12, 2007 at 5:34 PM | Leave a Comment (0)

Here are some career blunders to watch out for, and mitigating suggestions to avoid them entirely.

1. THINKING OF YOU, as I pay the post man. Sending Resume's or Thank You notes with insufficient postage. MITGATION: Keep the current stamps in circulation on your top desk drawer, if you have old stamps, upgrade them with the appropriate current rate.

2. VIRAL MARKETING IS HOT, email viruses are not. Leveraging a business network to create possibilities is great. Sending Resumes by email without cover letters is not a good idea. Never make an employer or recruiter have to choose between risking a virus or a resume, most won't risk it. MITIGATION: Draft up a cover letter format you really like to customize in a rush. You have your resume ready in that format, keep your cover letter saved as a template.

3. "Caring about qaulity' shows first in what and how you represent yourself in your materials. Sure spelling errors happen, but not if you are leveraging your network and tools well. MITIGATION: Have a friend review your resume and support material before you send it out for feedback. Turn on spell check in email to correct frequent mistakes, then you can rush, with quality.

4. I want you to want (to hire) me, but I don't need you to hire me. One of the most clashing fashion faux pas in the career seeking space is accessorizing with too much desperation to get a new job or visible contempt for your prior employer. You want employers and recruiters to want to work with you and want to hire you. MITIGATION: It's okay to feel, feelings, just don't accessorize with them on a job interview. What's the toughest question they can ask about this situation I do not entirely feel comfortable with? Prepare your response in advance. Whats the worst that can happen thinking, rarely does, but if it were to happen, you would be ready!

5. Momentum is rarely created waiting for the phone to ring. Remember that there are probably a half dozen possibilities that could improve the career situation you are in. After an interview, don't stop and drop and wait. Stop Drop, and ROLL like you are on fire, and it is a matter of time and consistency before you are celebrating your success. MITIGATION: After taking an action, it is common to 'wait and see'. That's not momentum, it's hopeful thinking. Define what the next thing you can do to recognize your objective. Don't forget that thank you's genuinely expressing your skills, appreciation and interest can help. Other strategies when waiting for response is to have a few extra letters of recommendation in pocket, that you can send on. The best thing to do, is to keep busy working to identify what is next-- what is your next opportunity, partner, interview, action, event, or activity that can create momentum. Ask a mentor for ideas!

6. People in Grim Reaper costumes have a hard time hailing cabs. Slipping into something a bit more professional when responding to professional opportunities helps things along. It's not that the cab driver doesn't want the fare, so much as they don't want the ride to a feeling of certain death. Thinking about the 'fun' social image you project still matters if you also use that persona to respond to professional opportunities. MITIGATION: If your networking from a system that will have you responding to professional opportunities, avoiding violent or off color representations of yourself when applying for a job in the social service arena, is always a good idea.

Posted by Dawn Mular on November 12, 2007 at 1:16 PM | Leave a Comment (0)

When comes the time to apply for a job, some job seekers go the conventional way and send in their resume and cover letter. Others like to stand out by going unconventional and trying to make their mark. Most of the time, those that do go all the way out are either desperate for a job or really want a specific job. What are you to do?

Continue reading "Should You Stick to Established Conventions or Put Your Creativity to Use?" »

Posted by Sarah Ennenga on November 8, 2007 at 4:32 PM | Leave a Comment (0)

Reprinted courtesy of TheCareerNews.com

NEWCASTLE, WA -- Think you don't need a cover letter anymore? That's not what employers say. According to our national survey of 600 hiring managers, many employers actually think cover letters are equally as important as the resume they accompany. During a career counseling client's search, we found a NY Times online ad that stated applications submitted without a cover letter would NOT be considered at all. This is an employer's response to the current job hunter's trend of sending mass e-mailing resumes to everyone for anything.

"A poor opening paragraph is why many job hunters fail," said CEO Robert Waldt. "It is usually a common, general sentence. You need to immediately establish something unique about yourself. I like to see the particular reason -- background or experience -- that tells me why I should hire the person right at the beginning of the letter."

Continue reading "Employers say: Cover letters wanted" »

Posted by Sarah Ennenga on October 29, 2007 at 4:50 PM | Leave a Comment (0)

Reprinted courtesy of TheCareerNews.com

MILWAUKEE, WI -- Picture this. We loved your resume and want to interview you, but when we sent you an email telling you so, it bounced back. But wait, there's more. We call the phone number on your resume because we think you're perfect. But the number's disconnected. Hard to believe right? Think again! As employers we fail to contact viable job candidates who sent us their resume more than 25 percent of the time. The most common reasons are:

Continue reading "You've got the job. If only we could reach you." »

Posted by Sarah Ennenga on October 28, 2007 at 9:39 AM | Leave a Comment (0)

Reprinted courtesy of TheCareerNews.com

ASBURY PARK, NJ -- In the wild world of the Internet, you never know who's looking at your resume, which is often loaded with personal information. Besides addresses, personal email accounts and telephone numbers, it often has work histories and educational backgrounds, tempting morsels of information.

"Job seekers are in the position where they want to distribute their resume so employers see them," said Executive Director Pam Dixon of the World Privacy Forum, a nonprofit public-interest research group in San Diego. "On the other hand, they want to keep it safe from the wrong sorts of people." Using details such as where you went to school, an impostor can impersonate an employer and get your home address or even your Social Security number.

Continue reading "Be careful when job searching online" »

Posted by Sarah Ennenga on October 22, 2007 at 4:44 PM | Leave a Comment (0)

Reprinted courtesy of TheCareerNews.com

NEW YORK, NY -- From foolish fibs to full-on fraud, lying on your resume is one of the most common ways that people stretch the truth. The percentage of people who lie to potential employers is substantial, says Sunny Bates, CEO of New York-based executive recruitment firm. She estimates that 40% of all resumes aren't altogether above board.

One of the most common resume lies involves playing with dates to hide employment gaps. Bogus college degree claims are also prevalent, even though it's one of the easiest items to check. Another widespread set of tall tales is embellishment of experience and accomplishments. Some job hunters will say they were paid a higher salary at a previous job to get more money. That's why companies and recruiters are now more commonly asking for a recent pay stub or tax return. Imagine talking your way out of that.

Continue reading "Liar, liar, pants on fire... (common resume lies)" »

Posted by Sarah Ennenga on October 12, 2007 at 1:21 PM | Leave a Comment (0)

Reprinted courtesy of TheCareerNews.com

LAFAYETTE, CA -- Is it possible to prepare yourself to score higher on a pre-employment test? While the answer is a resounding "yes" for tests that measure subject-matter expertise, the answer becomes a little fuzzier when the question at hand is your personality itself. On the other hand, sometimes the questions asked are transparent and test-savvy applicants can mold themselves to seem more collaborative or empathetic.

Continue reading "Can you prepare for a pre-employment test?" »

Posted by Sarah Ennenga on October 8, 2007 at 2:29 PM | Leave a Comment (1)

Reprinted courtesy of TheCareerNews.com

SACRAMENTO, CA -- First, let's dispense with a common misconception - the hidden job market isn't really hidden at all. It's just not in plain sight. When a company is growing, the owner, president, or other hiring authority may know new employees are needed, but they don't immediately initiate the process. They may not have the time, the budget, or the willingness to go through the hassle of advertising and interviewing. So, while the need is real, the job opening itself remains hidden inside the head of the hiring manager.

When someone quits or is fired, managers will first decide if they can eliminate the job, or combine it with another position. If they decide a new person is needed, they will first look inside their organization for someone to fill the role. If that doesn't work, they'll likely ask employees for referrals. And if that doesn't work, they may opt to run an ad through HR, or hire a headhunter.

Continue reading "What really is the 'hidden' job market?" »

Posted by Sarah Ennenga on October 6, 2007 at 9:35 PM | Leave a Comment (0)

Provided By: Associated Content, Inc.

When people are looking for a job, they tend to spend a lot of time writing and revising their resumes and preparing to answer job interview questions. However, even employers who accept resumes from applicants are going to ask job candidates to fill out an application prior to making an offer.

Continue reading "Overcoming Common Job Application Problems" »

Posted by CandiceArnold on October 4, 2007 at 11:28 AM | Leave a Comment (0)

BETHLEHEM, PA--Want proof that it pays to get a jump on a job search? Students who began their job search early this year were rewarded for their early efforts, according to a new report from the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE).

At the time of NACE's 2007 Graduating Student Survey--conducted March 1 through April 30, 2007--71 percent of responding students either planned to or already had begun to look for a full-time job after graduation. Among those reporting that they had actively begun searching for a job, 79 percent already had submitted an application. And, of those students who submitted a job application, 51.2 percent had already accepted an offer for the job they would begin after graduation.

Continue reading "Early Work Pays Off for Students Seeking Jobs" »

Posted by Sarah Ennenga on September 21, 2007 at 4:48 PM | Leave a Comment (0)

Reprinted courtesy of TheCareerNews.com

HOUSTON, TX -- Looking for a job has always meant doing some networking, which can mean joining a trade association, getting to know people in other departments and accepting every business-related social engagement you receive. But how about cleaning up your electronic profile?

Continue reading "Applying for jobs? Be ready to be Googled" »

Posted by Sarah Ennenga on September 20, 2007 at 3:51 PM | Leave a Comment (0)

Survey Reveals Unusual Pitches Used by Job Seekers

MENLO PARK, CA -- Conducting job interviews can be time consuming, but for many employers these meetings are far from boring. Executives were recently asked to describe the strangest pitches they've heard from potential hires. The responses ranged from a person who noted that he'd be a great addition to the company softball team to the candidate who sang her responses to interview questions.

The national poll included responses from 150 senior executives -- including those from human resources, finance and marketing departments -- with the nation's 1,000 largest companies. It was conducted by an independent research firm and developed by Accountemps, the world's first and largest specialized staffing service for temporary accounting, finance and bookkeeping professionals.

Continue reading "I've Got An Unemployment Allergy" »

Posted by Sarah Ennenga on September 19, 2007 at 11:12 AM | Leave a Comment (0)

I have spent my morning going through resumes on CareerBuilder. One of my recruiters is off for a few days and I needed to fill in. As I went through the entries it occured to me that is was MANDATORY that I provide a few tips.

In the past 2 hours I probably saw 150 applications. One doesn't have to be a rocket scientist to realize that I'm not hanging on every word written. Just a couple of quick tips:

Writing why you are wanting to change careers (short and concise) might be a plus - especially if you haven't had experience in that venue. The hiring manager is flying through resumes and wants to see a fit.

If you are entering the work force for the first time as many of you are take the time to write WHY you want to enter this type of career. Again, your goal is simply to get to phase II of the process.

Finding a new career can be a very exciting and rewarding time. You need, however, to make sure that you are stacking all of the odds in your favor.

Valpak Mark

Posted by Valpak Mark on September 19, 2007 at 10:58 AM | Leave a Comment (0)

The September 17th Non-Squitur comic was so on-the-mark that it hurt. In it the "stuffed animal" was saying to the child, "Shouldn't you be studing for the math test?" The child responded, "Of course not. 'Cuz it's the teaher's job to teach us, so if I haven't learned enough to pass, then it's the teacher who actually fails the test, not me." The final frame says, "Hey, I'm just trying to act like an adult".

Ouch.

As I recruiter I here many people talk about "Generation Why" . . . "Millennials" . . . or whatever term that is being used to decribe those born between 1978 and 2000. I hear some people say they aren't sure this generation has the focus or the commitment to spend the hours necessary to succeed. Of course, this is usually said by someone in my generation - the baby boomers. We know how to work! We don't know how to stop working, however, and for some innane reason we think the world should be like us.

Hold on here - let's look at who we are.

We are those born from 1946 - 1964. Many of us went to Vietnam or did college protests AGAINST the war. We had race riots in the street of L A and Detroit. We went to Woodstock. Wore love beads. Got married when we were 21. And frustrated the hell out of our parents.

We worked. We achieved. We were results driven.

Then something happened. Something I'll call personal RESPONSIBILITY. Somehow many of us found reasons to avoid "taking the blame". We loved "taking the credit", however.

You just saw it with the Senator from Idaho. You saw it with Mark Foley, the Congressman from Florida, who was once known as a crusader against child abuse and exploitation. Foley resigned from Congress on September 29, 2006 after allegations surfaced that he had sent suggestive emails and sexually explicit instant messages to teenaged boys who had formerly served and were at that time serving as Congressional pages. You saw it with our former President who tried to confuse us by trying to learn what the meaning of the word "is" is.

You've seen it with Baby Boomers who are lawyers. They file suit against McDonalds for serving hot coffee. They file suit against tobacco companies because ALTHOUGH THE CIGARETTE PACKAGE SAYS THAT CIGARETTES CAN CAUSE CANCER, they actually DID and people were surprised. (Duh) They protect the guilty and abuse the innocent. They make "logic" a four-letter word.

So here you are, the new generation, getting ready to find a career. Please do us baby boomers a favor. Show us how to take responsibility. Remind us that people who make mistakes can actually admit they made them without checking themselves into a rehab center, making up lies, or simply EMBARRASSING the rest of my generation. Tell us in your interview that you want a mentor who will guide you, support you and be honest with you. Tell us that you will probably make mistakes - but you will own up to them and try not to repeat them.

When I look at what the experts say about your generation this is what I read:

• Positive, future-oriented
• Flexible
• Want meaningful work
• Want ongoing feedback - not just annual reviews
• Technical
• Quick learners
• Ambitions, demanding

Hey, I think this is EXACTLY who most of us are looking for as we look to hire.

I'm glad your generation is here. We baby boomers need a break from ourselves.

Valpak Mark

Posted by Valpak Mark on September 17, 2007 at 1:15 PM | Leave a Comment (0)

Q. What should I do when a prospective employer asks for salary requirements or salary history in the resume or cover letter?

Continue reading "Salary Talk: Should I disclose salary requirements?" »

Posted by Sarah Ennenga on September 13, 2007 at 4:26 PM | Leave a Comment (0)

Q. What exactly is meant by the word equivalent in the phrase "four-year degree or equivalent"?

Continue reading "Salary Talk: What do employers mean by "the equivalent"?" »

Posted by Sarah Ennenga on August 22, 2007 at 6:25 PM | Leave a Comment (0)

So you want to find a job, and the first thing you do is sit down at the computer and start searching Monster for jobs. You flip through hundreds of posted positions, merrily clicking Appy Now buttons and forwarding your resume to what you can only assume are hungry recruiters waiting for a resume to come to their attention.

Continue reading "Are You Really Going To Apply Online?" »

Posted by Shawn Augustson, CollegeRecruiter.com on February 4, 2007 at 5:09 PM | Leave a Comment (0)

In 2000, I accepted a job as the Human Resources Manager for a large auto-components manufacturer. I had the undistinguished task of laying off 250 workers due to an imminent plant closure. If you speak to any person in the human resources profession they will tell you how mentally difficult it is to let people go and see their disappointment in the process.

Continue reading "5 Critical Success Factors to Getting a Job" »

Posted by Steven Rothberg, CollegeRecruiter.com on November 2, 2006 at 9:59 PM | Leave a Comment (0)

Creating Passionate Users posted the Characteristics of a Good Lover/Marketer ;an interesting post that I think is a perfect segue to blogging (specifically, what makes a blog popular).

If you are a job seeker that is blogging or considering blogging your job search, here's a few ideas to consider, courtesy of Kathy Sierra:

Continue reading "Characteristics of a Good Blogger" »

Posted by Dennis Smith, T-Mobile Recruiting on August 29, 2006 at 3:41 PM | Leave a Comment (0)

1. A compelling story
One’s story is not typically compelling the first time told. Practice. Seek advice. If you only have one shot at a great first impression, it must be compelling. Leave me wanting more.

2. A well-crafted resume
I’m not suggesting job seekers are unable to do this on their own. But, we’re talking about one’s livelihood, right. Don’t leave this one to chance.

3. A potent network
Do not wait until unemployment rears its ugly head to start reviving your network. Dive in today and begin networking like your job depends on it. Why? Because your next job depends on it.

4. Good counsel
In the process of building your network, find a well-respected recruiter experienced in your target industry. Kindly offer up a Venti Non-Fat Latte’ for 30 minutes of their time - then make sure you don’t waste it. Show up with ten thoughtful questions targeted at helping you develop a strategy for landing your next gig.

5. Perspective
Don’t leave home without it.

Dennis Smith
T-Mobile Recruiting
WirelessJobs.com

Posted by Dennis Smith, T-Mobile Recruiting on August 25, 2006 at 6:33 PM | Leave a Comment (0)

In an interview years ago David Brinkley asked advice columnist Ann Landers what question she most frequently received from readers. Her answer:

"What's wrong with me?"

I think Lander's answer strikes a chord with the feelings of many a job-seeker.

Continue reading "Encouragement for the Beaten-Down Job Seeker" »

Posted by Dennis Smith, T-Mobile Recruiting on August 22, 2006 at 10:34 PM | Leave a Comment (0)

Entry level cover letters are often not given enough attention by first time job seekers. A poorly written cover letter can impact your chances of being asked for an interview significantly. Many recent college graduates think cover letters are merely a formality or waste of words employers will only skim before looking at their resume for the real information. Wrong! Learn how to create a well written cover letter now and you will never run the risk of losing out on an opportunity due to a misconception!

An entry level cover letter or any cover letter for that matter should be three things: short, company specific, and concisely descriptive. A good format to follow is the 3-4 short paragraph model containing 6-7 lines each:

The 1st paragraph should introduce yourself, indicate what position you are applying for, and why you are interested in that specific position and company. Include company specific information. For example, the employer wants to know why you want to be an entry level mechanical engineer AND why you want to be one at Boeing. What makes Boeing appealing to you as opposed to all the other like companies out there where you could apply to be a mechanical engineer? Be honest, but remember the objective is to sell yourself to the company not sell the company on itself!

The 2nd paragraph (and 3rd if needed) should be a summary of any related work experience or skills from unrelated work experience that you feel apply to the position. For example, if you are applying for an entry level management job and have never had a management position before, highlight skills from other positions you had. If you worked in an ice cream shop and counted cash and trained new employees, guess what? These are both relevant skills for a management position! Sometimes it helps to mirror the language used in the job description. If they are asking for someone with “experience in a high volume setting,” you may want to use those words exactly when describing your skills. Remember not to run on or include irrelevant information; you want to be concisely descriptive. Recent college grads can also include selected relevant class or lab experience when writing entry level cover letters.

The 3rd or 4th paragraph is the closing paragraph in which you briefly restate your interest in the position and company. You can state that the employer may feel free to contact you for an interview or for more information. It makes it convenient for the employer if you include your phone number and email here even though it is already on your resume.

Remember when writing your first entry level cover letter, you can reuse some of the same language and thoughts for cover letters to other companies. However, it is crucial to make sure each letter appears to be crafted for each company you apply to!

Posted by Andrea Juliano, CVS/pharmacy on August 14, 2006 at 8:41 AM | Leave a Comment (0)

No-salary, commission only jobs... Yikes!

Continue reading "COMIC: The Recruiting Life" »

Posted by Jim Stroud, Microsoft Recruiter on July 20, 2006 at 7:47 AM | Leave a Comment (0)

When you participate in an interview and an employer notices a gap in your resume, the interviewer is going to ask what you have been doing or what you have accomplished during that time period. Employers want to hear that in the interim between jobs your time was put to good use. Were you productive with your time by volunteering your services? Employers are impressed to hear that when you were out of work you were trying to better yourself and stay up-to-date with the latest happenings in your industry. Always take the initiative to stay fresh, learn new skills, get more experience and keep busy during a break in your career.

It is important to stay active and engaged during your job search. Here are some tips to stay fresh when you’re out of work:

Continue reading "Six Ways to Avoid the Dreaded Resume Gap" »

Posted by Steven Rothberg, CollegeRecruiter.com on July 18, 2006 at 7:41 AM | Leave a Comment (0)

Over 90% of companies run some type of background check on their job applicants. Pre-employment screening can be expensive and time-consuming, but most companies feel it is an essential part of the hiring process.

Here are the top five reasons why a company will take a good look at you before making a hiring decision:

1. Fraud – It’s estimated that over half of all job applicants lie on their resumes and job applications each year. Education leads the list, with over half a million people in the U.S. falsely claiming to have college degrees. Many people enhance their job titles, stretch dates to cover employment gaps and even invent employers. By running a complete background check, a company can quickly verify if an applicant is telling the truth.

2. Criminal Activity – No company wants to hire an individual who will bring crime into the workplace. Some two million Americans are victims of workplace violence every year. Many companies face theft, embezzlement and drug use by employees on a regular basis. In addition, the terrorist attacks of 9/11 have caused many employers to take a more careful look at their hires.

3. Negligent Hiring Lawsuits – A company can be held responsible for the actions of it’s employees if it fails to conduct a background check prior to hiring someone. Lawsuits for negligent hiring are one of the fastest growing areas of litigation. Industry experts say that employers lose almost 80% of these cases.

4. Recruitment Expense – Finding qualified applicants for a job costs time and money. Managers who are looking for new employees must spend their valuable time developing and placing ads, sorting through resumes and interviewing applicants. They want to hire the right person the first time so they don’t have to repeat the process.

5. Federal & State Laws – Background checks are required for many state and federal jobs. For example, most states must run a criminal background check on anyone who works with the elderly, the disabled or with children. Many federal jobs require an extensive investigation for those trying to get a security clearance.

Whatever the reason, the chances are excellent that a hiring company will want to look into your past. The best thing you can do is to be prepared when it happens.

Jan Maxwell is the author of “A Job Hunter’s Secret Weapon: How to Survive a Background Check and Get the Job You Really Want” http://www.jobhunterssecretweapon.com. It’s the first book that takes job applicants inside a real background check, explains how information gets verified, and shows them how to fill out a job application that will sail through pre-employment screening.

Posted by Jan Maxwell, Purple Ink Press on June 19, 2006 at 6:07 AM | Leave a Comment (1)

What’s the most important piece of paper in your job search? If you said it’s your resume or your cover letter, you’d be wrong. It’s your job application.

Over 90% of companies run some type of background check on job applicants today. To get the detailed information that is required to run a thorough check, most companies require applicants to fill out a specially-designed application form.

Over 80% of companies say that discrepancies on a job application can take a candidate out of the running, yet half of the background checks run in 2005 found inaccuracies in the information provided by applicants.

As you can see, how you fill out that job application is directly tied to whether or not you get hired.

There are four golden rules to follow when filling out a job application. Some of them are obvious and all of them are important. If you follow these rules, you will start the pre-employment screening process far ahead of your competitors.

Tell the Truth:

As amazing as it sounds, over half of all applicants lie on their applications. Don’t be one of them. Nothing will take you out of consideration faster than fabricating information. Because so many companies check backgrounds today, the chances are very good that lies will be discovered and you will not get the job.

Be Neat:

Since companies use the information on your job application to check your background, make sure people can read it. If you can type your application, do it. If not, print clearly. Your mother might be able to read your handwriting, but she is not the one who will be checking your background.

Be Complete:

It is always better to give too much information, rather than too little. You never know what a company will want to verify. Here are some general rules:

1. If there is space on the application, list every diploma and degree you have received. Some companies will only verify your highest degree, while others will want to verify everything.

2. Fill in as many employment boxes as you can. Work study, internships, and volunteer jobs all provided you with experience. List them if you have room.

3. Always provide up-to-date phone numbers and addresses for your previous employers.

Be Prepared:

Most companies will not tell you what information they plan to check. Some will only run a criminal check, while others will verify every piece of information on your job application. You need to be prepared for anything they choose to do.

You also need to be prepared for anything a hiring company might hear about you. Even though previous employers may be liable for saying bad things about you, it happens every day. If there is bad news out there, it is far better for you to tell the hiring company than to have them find it out on their own.

Before you send out that first resume, or respond to that first newspaper ad, take the time to prepare the detailed information that needs to go on your job application.

Remember, while a great-looking resume and solid interviewing skills will help you make the final cut, if you don’t pass the background check, you won’t get the job.

- Jan Maxwell is the author of “A Job Hunter’s Secret Weapon: How to Survive a Background Check and Get the Job You Really Want” (www.jobhunterssecretweapon.com). It’s the first book that takes job applicants inside a real background check, explains how information gets verified, and shows them how to fill out a job application that will sail through pre-employment screening.

Posted by Jan Maxwell, Purple Ink Press on May 30, 2006 at 5:38 PM | Leave a Comment (0)

Companies are taking a closer look at who they hire today. From heightened security concerns to an increase in negligent hiring lawsuits, companies understand that bad hiring decisions can cause them big problems.

That’s why over 90% of employers now run background checks on potential hires.

During a background check, a hiring company takes a good look at your personal and professional history. They verify your education and past employment, check to see if there is criminal activity in your past, and talk to your references. Some companies may even look at your driving record, credit history or previous drug testing results.

To run a thorough background check, a company needs some very specific information from you. For example, they need contact information for your former employers and the names of your previous supervisors.

This type of detailed information is typically not found on a resume, even one that is professionally prepared. So companies have candidates fill out a job application that is specifically designed to get the information that’s required to run a complete background check.

How you fill out a company’s job application is directly tied to whether or not you get the job. In fact, over 80% of companies say that discrepancies on a job application can take a candidate out of consideration.

When you fill out a job application, you want to make sure that your information is complete and easy to verify. However, there are lots of situations that can cause problems for an applicant. Here are a few:

What kind of contact information do you provide for a former employer that has gone out of business?
If you worked for a company through a temporary agency, who do you list as the employer?
If you were fired from your previous job, should you leave it off the application?

How you answer these and other questions can make the difference between a swift and successful background check and one that grinds to a halt because information can’t be verified. Human resources will usually caution against hiring someone whose information is hard to read, has gaps or inconsistencies, or is lacking important details.

A successful job search requires a professional-looking resume, strong interviewing skills, and a can-do attitude. These tools will get you in the door and help you make the final cut.

But if you don’t pass the background check, you won’t get the job.

Take the time to prepare the detailed information that will go on your job application. It’s one of the best things you can do in your job search.

- Jan Maxwell is the author of “A Job Hunter’s Secret Weapon: How to Survive a Background Check and Get the Job You Really Want” (www.jobhunterssecretweapon.com). It’s the first book that takes job applicants inside a real background check, explains how information gets verified, and shows them how to fill out a job application that will sail through pre-employment screening.

Posted by Jan Maxwell, Purple Ink Press on May 25, 2006 at 3:46 PM | Leave a Comment (0)

I've been in the professional placement and recruitment profession since 1973. I have personally placed more than 6500 professionals in just about every kind of job you can imagine... from the boardroom down to the maintenance person. 97% of the businesses in the United States employ less than a hundred people. The vast majority of these firms think that they are "people" organizations. They aren’t. They operate more like the individuals who run them (very disorganized) rather than as a "system" of business. Here are 10 of the most prominent myths of hiring that I have experienced in my tenure:

Continue reading "The Myths of Hiring" »

Posted by The Job Search Solution on May 23, 2006 at 8:22 AM | Leave a Comment (0)

Over on MSN Careers there was an interesting article today called "Top 10 Reasons Why You're Not Finding a Job"

So here's the reasons... but you really need to read the details to do it full justice so don't just look at these headline:

Continue reading "Get a job, slob" »

Posted by Shally Steckerl, Chief CyberSleuth with JobMachine on May 22, 2006 at 2:50 PM | Leave a Comment (0)

1. Coping strategies for how to deal with a job loss: The very first thing to do is to recognize that next to death of a spouse, death of a parent and death of a child coupled with divorce, the fourth most emotional thing that people do is look for a job. Just recognizing that losing a job, coupled with having to look for a job, is going to be an emotional strain is a step in the right direction. This is especially true for people who have been employed in their present job for five or six years or more. Psychologists agree that of all of these unfortunate life events, the loss of a job and the loss of a spouse seem to have the longest recovery periods.

In the present and future economy people are going to have to change jobs every two and a half to three years. It's no use to "curse the darkness." This is a reality.

The second thing to do is to recognize that you don't have control over what happens to you but you do have control over how you react to it. The issue isn't to deny the feelings but to recognize them, acknowledge them and get over them as quickly as possible. Too many times a long grieving period incapacitates a person's ability to get on with their life and look for a new job. Life isn't fair.... get over it... and get on with it.

The third thing a person might do is to express their feelings in absolute detail. A person should sit down and write out their feelings so that they can see them. Write to their heart’s content. Write until they're physically and emotionally tired of writing. Then read what they've written out loud as many times as they need to until they're downright tired of it. Some people even record what they have written down on an audio tape and listen to it over and over in the same way.

Continue reading "Moving forward after losing a job" »

Posted by The Job Search Solution on May 22, 2006 at 8:19 AM | Leave a Comment (1)

It is rare for a candidate to ever be considered for hire unless his references are checked. This usually includes previous employers, previous supervisors or sometimes people with whom there is a personal relationship with the candidate: ones who can speak to a candidate's integrity, character, work ethic, previous work performance, etc. This is one key way that hiring organizations try to protect themselves from making a mistake in hiring.

What is equally rare is a candidate checking the "references" of an organization he or she is considering going to work for. It seldom crosses the candidate's mind that he or she should do just as much due diligence about the organization (or the individuals in it) as the organization does about him or her as a candidate.

97% of the employers in the United States have less than a hundred employees. Most of us work for smaller firms where we not only establish personal relationships with the people we work with, but usually take on the "identity" of the company. Since companies and the people in them put their best foot forward when interviewing you as a candidate, they rarely reveal their difficulties, struggles or problems they have as a company. Just like you, as a candidate, will avoid revealing the risks that you bring to being employed, your prospective employer isn't going to intentionally reveal theirs in the interviewing process.

Continue reading "Reference Checking YOUR Next Employer" »

Posted by The Job Search Solution on May 19, 2006 at 6:15 PM | Leave a Comment (0)

I frequently get messages on my voice mail from job seekers, and quite often end up in some lengthy games of phone tag... this in itself doesn't bother me a bit, but along the way, some candidates begin creating unfavorable impressions of themselves before I ever meet them face to face. Here's tips for avoiding some of the common mistakes:

Continue reading "Making a Good or Bad Phone Impression" »

Posted by Cory on April 22, 2006 at 11:52 AM | Leave a Comment (0)

There are some words applicants hear that often frustrate the applicant. Have you ever heard, "you don't have enough experience" or "you have too much experience"? Did you agree or disagree? Chances are, if you are like me, you were looking for work and needed a person to give you a chance.

Realize most companies are not really skilled in knowing who will really get the job done. Sure they may have certain skills testing and other hoops you must jump through before getting hired, but often the hiring, especially by smaller businesses, is done based on if they like and trust you... not necessarily if you meet all "qualifications".

Employers want a person who can get the job done. Often when an ad is posted, the criteria or "qualifications" they want are really just that - it is what they want. Many times what the employer wants is a little inflated over what they are willing to hire at. This means that the "qualifications" are listed to help weed out applications and to mainly deter the less qualified but the qualifications are not usually set in stone.

Over the years I have found companies often hired less qualified candidates. As an example, they may say a person must have "4 years experience", yet if one qualifies for most of the other criteria, they often will still hire that person even if they only have "2 years experience".

If you find an ad listing a job you feel you would be interested in or a job where you meet some of the listed qualifications but not all, apply anyways. A key strategy is to make sure you address your strengths in the resume and in your interview. Address your strengths as they relate to the posted job qualifications and the wants of the prospective employer.

Similarily, if a job lists a lower salary or wage than you want, apply anyways. What you get paid can always be negotiated. Often, what an employer lists as pay and what they will pay are two different things. Remember, if the employer likes and trusts you, the wage usually becomes negotiable. The employers usually give the lower point of what they are willing to pay.

The key point is to not let the "qualifications" listed stand in your way of applying. Getting your foot in the door for the interview will allow you to interact with those doing the hiring. If you don't apply, someone else will. And if you don't apply, you will never get a chance.

TIP - Focus on your strengths and don't worry if you are not fully qualified... because in most hiring situations it doesn't really matter as much as what the applicant usually thinks it does.

Posted by Jeffrey M Zalewski - Business Coach on March 29, 2006 at 7:28 AM | Leave a Comment (0)

All too often candidates who apply for a position do a shot gun or blanketed approach. this is the same approach many small businesses use unsuccessfully in their business too. You know the drill, send 100s if not 10000s of messages to anybody and everybofy.

However, there is a more effective way. this more effective way will help you get noticed as well. You see, employers want something. they are trying to accomplish, fix, or avoid something within their business. they are looking to hire someone to help them accomplish what they want.

As an applicant, you can get lost in the shuffle of resumes, emails, and even phone messages. But it doesn't have to be that way for you. In fact, you can get notices and it takes making sure you re attending to teh 3 critical elements to effectively getting noticed by any emplyer.

These three elements are:

1) Target - The company you are targeting for emplyment. The more narrow your focus of a niche target market, the more effective you can become.
2) Message - You must send the right message to the right target market (your narrowed niche).
3) Method - Whether by email, direct mail, or other method. Choose a method most appropriate to reach you target market.

Posted by Jeffrey M Zalewski - Business Coach on March 26, 2006 at 11:08 PM | Leave a Comment (0)