What is gobbledygook? Webster's New Encyclopedic Dictionary defines it as "wordy and generally unintelligible jargon."

Unfortunately, gobbledygook is found everywhere: in newspaper articles, brochures and, sad-to-say, many resumes.

If you commit the error of trying to impress the reader with your use of fancy words and jargon (rather than clearly conveying facts and ideas), your message will FAIL.

If you write sentences like the following examples and expect the reader to understand what you do (or want to do), you may be very disappointed. Consider this sentence I recently found in a marketing manager's resume:

I oversee a team that demonstrates capacity to provide comprehensive support for executive-level staff including scheduling meetings, coordinating travel, and effectively managing all essential tasks.

Continue reading "Gobbledygook And Your Resume" »

Posted by Candice Arnold on March 11, 2010 at 2:04 PM | Leave a Comment (0)

Your resume format is quite possibly one of the most important points of your resume. I say this because it is the very first thing a recruiter or employer sees. Therefore, it is your first impression and as first impressions go, it should be a strong, positive one.

Lousy and hard to read formats will not do you justice. In fact, you will be lucky if your resume gets a second glance never mind an in-depth review. You can pretty much count on it going straight to the trash. In these tough times resumes are weeded out by the hundreds and it only takes one small thing to get your resume sent to the NO pile.

1. Choose a format that is attractive to the eye, something that engages the reader and one that is very easy to read.

2. Choose a font that the hiring manager can actually read. Nothing really fancy but choose something creative and not boring.

Continue reading "6 Great Tips for Improving Your Resume's Format " »

Posted by Candice Arnold on March 8, 2010 at 3:47 PM | Leave a Comment (0)

You've submitted your resume to a prospective employer, and they've called you to schedule a face to face meeting. This is what you've been waiting for! Being prepared for your interview, and armed with information to ensure you stand out from your peers is an essential goal. Performing research in advance of the meeting is the most effective and efficient means to achieving this objective, and landing the job.

Here are the top five tips to help any job seeker uncover information about a potential employer.

1. Google the organization's name.

Browse the results, looking specifically for unique data that is not widely known. Don't just look at the links that pop up on the first page of the search engine. For example, look at the results on page 8, 15, 24, etc.

Continue reading "Research Strategies to Prepare for the Interview" »

Posted by Candice Arnold on March 5, 2010 at 8:59 AM | Leave a Comment (1)

Five basic resume rules and the mistakes you make that break them. Thousands of job seekers make these mistakes. Are you making them too?

FORGETTING TO INCLUDE A COVER LETTER

Not attaching a cover letter to a resume is like shooting in the dark. Hiring managers receive hundreds of unsolicited resumes every week. Tell them specifically what opening you are applying to or the position you're inquiring about. Do not assume they will figure it out from your resume.

USING AN OBJECTIVE

Point blank, objectives are bad form, self-serving, and will get you nowhere in this job market. Instead of telling the employer what you want, show them what you can do. When you buy something, the store doesn't tell you what they want from you. You know what they want; they want your business and your money. Employers know what you want--you want a job. Instead, utilize a career summary that will 'show' (not just 'tell') the employer how you can meet their needs. And include a completely customized personal branding statement.

Continue reading "5 Resume Basics We Bet You've Overlooked!" »

Posted by Candice Arnold on March 5, 2010 at 7:42 AM | Leave a Comment (0)

Do you wake up in the morning eager to get on with your job? Or do you drag through your workday just dreaming of getting home and relaxing? If you chose the second variant it's time to take control and change the situation. We'll tell you how to find work that is a perfect match with your talents, personality, passion and dreams and how to organize your career change process.

Six Steps to Career Change

#1 Rediscover Yourself

Before jumping to a new career it is very important to journey inward and explore your strengths, values, interests and skills. The better you understand yourself the better chance you have to find the career of you dream. Think of what you like doing in your leisure time and what achievements you had at school. You should also identify the reason why you want to leave so you don't jump out of the frying pan into the fire: is it the content of your work that you hate or is it your boss, salary, colleagues, the working environment? If you like what you do but you're dissatisfied with the terms and conditions you'd better negotiate them with your boss or find another job in the same field.

Continue reading "Planning Your Career Change " »

Posted by Candice Arnold on March 4, 2010 at 5:07 PM | Leave a Comment (0)

Behind every successful person stands his social capital i.e. people who had catapulted him to success, people whom he had helped before and whose trust and support he had earned. The stronger your social relationships are and the more people you know - the more opportunities open in front of you, especially when it comes to job search. It is well known that the best job openings are not posted and advertized so it becomes crucially important to network and maximize your social relationships. Read our tips below to get to know how to do it.

How to maximize your social relationships online

Using the right tools and applications on LinkedIn can help you create and grow your professional contact base, market your business and show your competency. There are 7 steps to benefit from LinkedIn:

1. Upload a photo to be easily recognized by users and to add a personal touch to your profile.

2. Complete the entire profile to provide all your professional information.

3. Use applications to share ideas and expertise: Box.net Files for sharing files, SlideShare Presentations for uploading PowerPoint presentations. Applications can give additional subjects for communicating.

Continue reading "Expanding Your Social Engagement For Career Purposes" »

Posted by Candice Arnold on February 25, 2010 at 5:56 PM | Leave a Comment (0)

On a recent report that came out from The Conference Board, statistics stated U.S. Job Satisfaction at Lowest Level in Two Decades.

The report, based on a survey of 5,000 U.S. households conducted for The Conference Board by TNS, finds only 45 percent of those surveyed say they are satisfied with their jobs, down from 61.1 percent in 1987, the first year in which the survey was conducted. (U.S. Job Satisfaction at Lowest Level in Two Decades)

Those who have knowledge of the large losses that occurred in the 80's, know that a number 61% below what happened is a shocking revelation. What exactly are employers doing to prepare for the backlash, or emotional aspect of workers who are no longer passionately tied to their positions, or company?

Continue reading "Are You Creating Your Own Circle Of Job-Dissatisfaction?" »

Posted by Candice Arnold on February 25, 2010 at 4:45 PM | Leave a Comment (0)

The days are ticking by, and you find your job search has been less than fruitful. Companies you contact have their budgets on hold until the new year, and you're left feeling unsure of what your future holds.

If you've experienced the mentioned scenario in your employment hunt, it's time to take your job search to the next level. Let's discuss three little known strategies to get your foot in the door with a target employer - no matter what time of the year it is. We'll also talk about creating a "reasonable" time frame for which you should expect an interview invitation, before moving on to a different opportunity. Finally, we'll take a look at the possibility of creating your own opportunities, when your employment prospects are dropping the ball.

Continue reading "Expedite Your Job Search " »

Posted by Candice Arnold on February 24, 2010 at 2:19 PM | Leave a Comment (0)

Question: If you've ever been hired without first meeting the employer in person, open your window and scream "Yes!"

Hear anything?

Neither do I.

Until more scientific proof turns up, just agree with me here: You can't get hired by a computer or over the phone.

Before you can work for people, you have to meet people.

And the more people you meet, the faster you'll get hired.

Continue reading "How To Humanize Your Job Search" »

Posted by Candice Arnold on February 24, 2010 at 2:13 PM | Leave a Comment (0)

Email is an important part of every job search, from sending resumes to corresponding with recruiters and hiring managers. That's why the hiring managers at Randstad Staffing provided the following lists of tips and pitfalls to help job seekers successfully navigate their searches.

Tips to email your way to the job:

• Have a professional email address- It seems obvious but, many people forget that this is the first thing that a potential employer might see. Save the nicknames for your friends.
• Spell the person's name and company name correctly- Again, obvious, but this is the easiest way to get your email into the dreaded trash folder.
• Use a meaningful subject line- State exactly what you are emailing. For example- "Application for IT manager position," "Thank-you for meeting," or "Question about open positions"
• Keep content formal- Don't try to get too personal with the employer. Remember this is a business correspondence.
• Read a few times before you send- Get that finger off the send button. Just because email is quick and easy doesn't mean your editing needs to be. Read your email carefully, check spelling and read again.
• Use Social Media- Include links in your signature line to your "professional" social media networks. This allows your future employer to connect with you beyond an email. They are able to see your interests and put a face to the resume.

• Spelling names incorrectly
• Not having a subject line
• Writing too much
• Not sharing your contact information
• Using an informal tone
• Not following-up
• Not using spell check
• Sending information to the wrong address
• Cut and paste errors
• Using an informal email address

Following the above tips and avoiding the pitfalls could help job seekers land the entry level jobs - or internships - they most desire.

Posted by Candice Arnold on February 23, 2010 at 3:52 PM | Leave a Comment (0)

The National Consumers League (NCL), a Washington DC-based consumer watchdog, has reported that employment fraud was the 6th most reported scam in 2009 and is continuing to gain momentum due to the high unemployment rate. These scams typically target those looking for work by asking them to provide personal information to run a background check or guaranteeing a job for an up front placement cost. For those already struggling to make ends meet while unemployed, unknowingly falling victim to one of these scams is just another kick to the gut.

Consumers looking for work need to be very careful during their job hunt. The following article details the types of scams currently making the rounds and how to spot them. Just remember: if it's too good to be true, it probably is.

Employment Fraud on the Rise

Scammers 'guarantee' better resume, new job for $5,000

By Evan Binns, St. Louis Business Journal - 02/21/2010

Carolyn, who has been unemployed since November, was thrilled when she opened an e-mail regarding a recent job application she filled out for a local medical administration assistant opening.

The e-mail wasn't from the potential employer, but a third party identifying itself as a pre-screening service. It claimed that Carolyn needed to complete a background check, and include her Social Security number, in order to proceed with her application.

Carolyn was suspicious that the request came from a company other than the potential employer, so she called her friend Cynthia Dodson, vice president of career consulting and services at Right Management, who immediately flagged the e-mail as a possible scam.

According to a recent report by the National Consumers League (NCL), a Washington, D.C.-based consumer watchdog, the struggling economy has led to a significant rise in the number of employment-related scams.

"This year we saw a spike in complaints related to bogus business opportunities," said John Breyault, vice president of public policy, telecommunications and fraud at the NCL.

Recession-fueled employment scams, which include fraudulent franchises and distributorships, were listed as the sixth most reported scam in 2009 by the NCL's annual report. Employment fraud totaled 2 percent of all scams tracked nationally.

In 2008, employment fraud did not even make the list of top 10 fraudulent activities

More

Article by, Natalie Beck and courtesy of EmployeescreenIQ

Posted by Candice Arnold on February 22, 2010 at 4:28 PM | Leave a Comment (0)

One of the most powerful lessons that I have learned on my way up the ranks of management in various industries is that you should always go above and beyond the duties of your position in order to get advanced to the next level.

If you are already a manager perhaps you have realized this already, but it never ceases to be true and their is always room to move higher.

Like many other employees out there, years ago I remember one boss telling me I needed to be doing the duties of a manager and proving myself if I wanted the position and the accompanying raise. I really didn't get it - I thought they ought to give me the raise and promotion and then I would do the work (we both knew I was capable).

Continue reading "Setting Yourself Up For Promotion" »

Posted by Candice Arnold on February 16, 2010 at 4:21 PM | Leave a Comment (0)

I still need to post a bunch of employment statistics from recent weeks and with this post am jumping ahead a bit.

This afternoon I had a long chat with a reporter who was curious about why my optimism about job growth was so low.

Sure it is likely we are out of the recession, corporate profits are up and some temporary hiring (a forward looking indicator) has started but we have a long, long way to go.

When the February jobs numbers are announced we will likely see positive job growth. And we will see reporters talking about the good news and the politicians will celebrate. Which I find ironic, how many jobs has a politician ever really created?

Continue reading "US Job Growth An Ongoing Concern" »

Posted by Candice Arnold on February 16, 2010 at 3:57 PM | Leave a Comment (0)

I heard it again today, "I've applied to 300 jobs in the last month."

WHAT?

Why would anyone waste their time like that? Sounds to me like this person was simply doing the "Click and Go" dance with his computer. I certainly understand the desperation that comes with the economic climate we all live in today, but I'm concerned.

If a job seeker would just sit back for a few minutes and consider a plan of action, concerning the goals for the day and write it down, then the day's efforts might be a little more fruitful! More focus would be given to the list below and less work would be done with better results.

Continue reading "3 Reasons I'll Read Your Resume" »

Posted by Candice Arnold on February 15, 2010 at 3:37 PM | Leave a Comment (0)

What do the following people have in common?

• Retired engineer
• Laid off project manager
• Stay at home parent
• Newly graduated student
• Trailing spouse to a military soldier
• Injured and recovered worker
• Out of work actor

Continue reading "Four Reasons You Might Be Bummed If You Aren't Working And What To Do About It" »

Posted by Candice Arnold on February 10, 2010 at 4:37 PM | Leave a Comment (0)

Yesterday, G.L. and I were fortunate enough to have the opportunity to participate in a Careerealism webinar for job seekers organized by career advice expert J.T. O'Donnell. During the discussion about how to effectively use online resources in a job search, we mentioned the risks associated with traditional pay-to-post job sites such as Monster and Careerbuilder as well as job aggregators such as Indeed and Simplyhired that republish job listings from Monster, Careerbuilder, and thousands of other pay-to-post job boards.

The risks we mentioned result from the prevalence of fraudulent listings that include scam jobs, phishing posts, identity theft, and work-at-home scams. Additionally, criminals mine resumes on job sites to recruit new victims. In the current high-unemployment environment, this kind of activity is worse than ever. Because LinkUp's job search engine eliminates these risks due to the fact that we do not collect resumes, only index jobs from company websites, and do not allow anyone to post jobs directly onto LinkUp, this is a major point of differentiation between LinkUp and other job listing sites on the web.

Continue reading "Beware of Money Mule Job Listings On Monster, Careerbuilder, Indeed, And Simplyhired " »

Posted by Candice Arnold on January 29, 2010 at 8:22 AM | Leave a Comment (0)

At any given time, the Federal Business Opportunities website has tens of thousands of Requests for Proposals (RFPs) that allow vendors to bid on the opportunity to provide goods and services. By law, the government is required to conduct an open and competitive bidding process for any purchases meeting certain criteria. (The federal regulations for government contracts are known as the FAR: Federal Acquisition Regulations.)

A provider that has registered at fbo.gov can bid on any opportunity. Also, subcontractors (which include small and minority-owned businesses), can add themselves as an Interested Vendor for any posted opportunity. Go to any new opportunity and you'll see the Interested Vendors List tab. Click here for an example.

Continue reading "Uncover Hidden Jobs Through Federal Business Opportunities" »

Posted by Candice Arnold on January 21, 2010 at 1:41 PM | Leave a Comment (0)

There comes the time when you decide to leave your present job and find a new one and the way you behave in this situation can influence your future career greatly. So no matter how much you hate your boss and co-workers it isn't a good idea to burn your bridges on the way out. Follow our tips and get to know how to leave your current position without leaving your dignity behind.

1. Talk to your boss - The first person you should inform about your leaving is your boss. Don't do it via e-mails, come and see him in person. Give a sound reason for your departure: explain you're leaving because of growth opportunities with the new company (not due to dissatisfaction even if it's not true). Be polite and emphasize the positive, tell about how the company has benefited you but mention it's time to move on.

2. Give a proper notice - Though a standard notice period is two weeks, you are welcome to give an additional week or two. It shows your respect to the management and colleagues who can have plans as well. The more time you give the smoother the process of your departure will go.

Continue reading "The Best Way To Leave a Job " »

Posted by Candice Arnold on January 21, 2010 at 11:34 AM | Leave a Comment (0)

Recently, the Recruiting Animal had a LinkedIn specialist on his online radio show. Neal Schaffer spent the hour analyzing various LinkedIn profiles that were sent by courageous volunteers through Twitter.

This got me thinking. Who do you think is looking for YOUR profile?

There are recruiters out there who conduct searches through search engines like Bing and Google, to find their candidates. They can even key in search commands to search LinkedIn beyond their own networks. When you come up in one of these searches, it is the information that you have on your profile, is it going to sell your capabilities in the most effective way?

Continue reading "Who Is Looking For Your LinkedIn Profile?" »

Posted by Candice Arnold on January 21, 2010 at 11:28 AM | Leave a Comment (0)

When interviewing for a new position you have a chance to get the most of your salary and we'll tell you how.

First of all, don't raise a salary question until the employer makes an offer: let him or her first see your value for the company. If the employer asks about your salary requirements it would be better to ask more about the responsibilities and the challenges of the job before discussing salary. Or give the employer a salary range based upon the salary research you've done beforehand. Your salary can vary widely based on the field and position you are seeking. So that it is recommended to research your market value taking into account your level of experience and education. The city you live in can also make a difference: people in capital and big cities are usually better paid than those in small towns.

Continue reading "How to Get Through Salary Negotiations " »

Posted by Candice Arnold on December 10, 2009 at 12:47 PM | Leave a Comment (0)

You know the candidates I'm talking about - the one's that send you emails "Hoping you have a great day!" or that send 40,000 confirmations before a meeting to "make sure it is still a good time for your valuable schedule" or the ones that shoot off the thank you emails for you responding to their email. Its kinda annoying. There. I said it. I admit, I may be the only person that feels this way - but it is something that has bothered me since my very first recruiting gig.

Continue reading "Want a new job? Stop being so nice. Seriously. I hate it." »

Posted by Candice Arnold on December 8, 2009 at 11:25 AM | Leave a Comment (1)