By Teena Rose
Get a monster of a graduate resume with GraduateResumes.com

With a strong economy, low unemployment rate and a job market flush with opportunity, it should be a good summer for college graduates jump-starting their careers.

According to jobsite CareerBuilder.com’s new survey, “College Hiring 2007”, 79 percent of hiring managers are planning on hiring recent college graduates this year, up from 70 percent in 2006. With 24 percent of hiring managers expected to hire more recent college grads at higher salaries than last year, the entry-level job market looks bright.

With that sunny outlook in mind, there’s a paradox that many college graduates face. Employers want experience. College grads usually don’t have. What to do?

This is the common Catch-22 of the entry-level job. Of course, 22-year-olds fresh out of college have spent their time in school, so on-the-job exposure is going to be non-existent. The part-time job at Taco Bell during the summer is not likely going to be relevant to that hard-earned degree in marketing.

The first thing the college grad must understand is that employers don’t simply base hiring on the amount of years you’ve spent in a particular field, especially with entry-level jobs. Recruiters looking for entry-level employees are equally concerned with finding candidates who are diamonds in the rough. Their long-term potential, interpersonal skills and leadership abilities are just as important as applicable experience.

Just because you’ve spent the past four years in college polishing up that economics degree doesn’t mean you won’t have some of the know-how employer’s desire. The internship is the key experience tool college students use to acquire the skills of their desired field.

Internships are in an opportunity for students to apply their classroom comprehension into real-time situations. This allows the student to receive hands-on training while testing the waters of his or her own career choice.

Employers love college graduates who have gone through an internship in a related field, but there’s more they’ll be looking at on the resume than an entry-level job seeker might be unaware of. Any activities during those years of college that can be translated into the everyday working world are valuable. Volunteer work, student government and even team sports are excellent indicators that a potential hire has the ability to work together with others and possesses leadership qualities.

Whether you’re captain of the basketball team, student body president or volunteered on a school political campaign, companies are always looking for campus involvement. The way a job recruiter sees it, someone involved in a handful of activities while pursuing a college degree is someone who can manage time effectively. And using time wisely on the job means a better bottom line for any company.

Once the internship and campus activities have been applied, there are still more skills that shouldn’t be left out. Any know-how gained that can be used on the job is important for a recruiter to hear. If your desire is to be a Web designer, the technical skills acquired during the past four years and mastery of different types of software is vital. If you’re a communications major but want to be an event planner, experience putting together parties, fund-raisers or other exhibitions are relevant talents.

With thousands of entry-level jobs out there this summer, college graduates simply shouldn’t take their experiences for granted. Whatever company you’ve targeted, do the research first, find out what their culture is, and leverage every possible amount of past experience you have when applying for the position.

Posted by Leading Resume Service for New Graduates, Students on April 30, 2007 at 8:25 PM | Leave a Comment (0)

By Teena Rose
Get a monster graduate resume with GraduateResumes.com

In 1986 when a college graduate embarked upon their first job search in the professional world, the first task was to break out the Remington typewriter, grab some fresh sheets of paper and start plucking away at creating a resume. Just 20 years later, it seems like a prehistoric way to put together a resume.

The typewriter went the way of other prehistoric creatures, replaced by the personal computer, which essentially creates resumes the same way a typewriter did, with fewer errors and more efficiency. Now, the latest technology is again threatening the way job seekers put together their resumes, making the emailed MS Word document, once thought of as cutting edge, an endangered species.

Several high-tech alternatives have become players in the resume market, including Web resumes, PDFs, Flash and even video resumes called “talkers.”

The Web-based resume is becoming extremely popular for those in the high-tech and creative industries who also have portfolios to show off. These Web-ready HTML resumes can be packaged with samples like art work, advertising pages or Web creations at a moments notice, allowing employers to view stats with one click of a link. The resume never gets lost, and can be viewed by any employer in any city, 24 hours a day. Once it’s on the Web, your work is pretty much over. No folding up your resume and stuffing it into an envelope, not to mention buying stamps. Even if you don’t have your own Web space, there are many websites that offer free space to post your resume.

The PDF resume is also gaining popularity. It’s similar to a Word resume, but provides a sort of digital coating. PDF, which stands for Portable Document Format, lets resume writers produce a secure and reliable document that can’t be altered once it hits someone else’s email inbox. If a Word document is saved as a PDF, it retains all the original content, including images, graphics, etc. On the receiving end, a potential employer must have the Adobe Reader to view the resume, but that’s typically not an issue since the software is free and a basic component for most computer users.

Flash resumes are adding some spice to the job-hunting world. Flash is brand-name software used for creating interactive website and other digital experiences. The Flash resume can be a bit like making a movie, and has the potential to add as many bells and whistles as you like. The creative industries are where these resumes are a big hit, although they can be simple and straightforward enough to appeal to every employer.

There are a handful of services online that provide all the templates and formatting for a Flash resume. You just have to fill in the information. When applying for jobs, however, you don’t email employers your resume since the files would be too large. Instead, job seekers should get Web space and upload the Flash resume as part of their online presentation.

Posted by Leading Resume Service for New Graduates, Students on April 30, 2007 at 8:25 PM | Leave a Comment (0)

If I failed to grab your attention with the title of this chapter you might not be reading this first sentence right now.

You can call it a ‘title’ or a ‘headline’ but the secret is to ‘pack a punch’ at the top of any written communications. Done properly, this practically forces the reader to explore a little further, to READ more of your letter, article, document, etc.

How can you use this secret with your resume cover letter?

This little-known gem works like magic and fits perfectly at the top of any job- search cover letter. With a powerful headline, you have the opportunity to grab the reader’s undivided attention. Without it you run the risk of falling victim to the dreaded, ‘scan and trash’ syndrome.

Why do I call it the ‘Big Bang Theory’? TO GRAB YOUR UNDIVIDED ATTENTION! But it’s hardly theory. The fact is we are ALL naturally attracted to books and articles with a sizzling title—the kind that give us a ‘big bang.’ We quickly scan newspapers and magazines looking for stimulating titles and headlines before we commit to reading further. A strong headline that ‘jumps’ off the page wins every time! Titles and headlines do all the hard work of gaining our attention first.

Imagine the kinds of results YOU could enjoy in your job search when your cover letter starts off with an attention-grabbing headline that is so compelling and unique, the hiring manager is actually excited to keep reading?

This is exactly how YOU can land more quality job interviews in a hurry.

You may be saying right now, “But Jimmy, I can’t do that. It sounds too difficult!”

Actually it’s quite easy.

Let’s assume your cover letter starts with something typical like, Dear Mrs. Smith. Well, right above this greeting is exactly where you should place your ‘show-stopping’ headline. By the way, to stand out even more, this sentence can be typed in bold-face print and centered on the page. (Two lines maximum).
Here are THREE examples of excellent cover letter headlines:

Three reasons why I believe I may be the candidate you are searching for
regarding the [insert job opening title here].

I have researched [company name] and believe I am a great
match for the [insert job opening title here].

I would love the opportunity to be interviewed in
person for the position of [insert job opening title here].

Following this headline you start your cover letter with, Dear Mrs. Smith.

Do you think ‘Mrs. Smith’ can resist reading a little more of what these headlines promise? Using the ‘muscle’ of a strong headline at the beginning of your next job-search cover letter can fill your calendar with more job interviews fast.

Start YOUR next cover letter off with a ‘big bang!’

Jimmy Sweeney
Amazing Cover Letters

Excerpt from the book:

"Top Ten Secrets of the Worlds Greatest Cover Letters... Attract Job Interviews Like a Magnet!"

Posted by Shawn Augustson, CollegeRecruiter.com on April 27, 2007 at 7:45 AM | Leave a Comment (0)

Being grown up and having the freedom to ‘decide’ is a goal that most of us have. However, once we have reached our early twenties, and we realize that we are actually getting a little freedom, it is not such an exciting prospect. Why? Because along with the freedom comes the need to make responsible decisions, ones that are likely to dictate the course that our lives will take.

Getting Closer To Graduation Day

As we get closer to graduation day, whether it is for our first or second degree, or continuing education courses, most people are faced with a bewildering question – “What do I want to do?” It is now time to be proactive and take life by the horns. The course of your life has already been decided by the courses you took and your experience – for better or for worse, they have narrowed down your choices.

The key to figuring out where you fit in professionally is to put your academic or previous working life on paper and send your resume to prospective employers. It is then that you will see how it measures up in the real world. When it comes to your employment-related skills, ask yourself - how do they compare with the jobs available on the market? Do I have what employers are looking for? If your answer is ‘no’, ‘maybe’, or if you answer your own question by the fact that you are not getting any calls for interviews - then it’s time to do some reassessment – and decide if you need to bolster your skills with additional training, courses or meaningful work experience.

Once your skills are solid, you should compile a list of employers that you could approach. Why? Because jobs don’t grow on trees – you have to go after them! ‘Proving your worth’ is the name of the game. Once you get a few interview calls, (and with any luck, a subsequent job offer), you need to decide if you are going to take the job or not. At this stage, it is imperative to make the right decision – weighing salary, potential for advancement and the type of company – to be sure that it is the right job for you. If you have to wait a while longer for a suitable job to come along, then do it – it will be better for your career progression in the long run.

It Is Wise To Seek Wise Counsel

Whatever stage of your career you are in, a sound piece of advice is to seek counsel from the ‘experts’, such as a career coach. Run your ideas and career options by them. A good career coach is likely to be well-informed about the current trends in the job market and is also likely to be able to tell you how a particular job choice will (or won’t) help you. A career coach works for you, so you will receive sound advice.

Whether you are changing careers or just starting out, this phase of your life is likely to be scary - but it needn’t be traumatic. By taking advantage of additional training, education and the right career guidance, you should be just fine.

Heather Eagar is a former professional resume writer and owner of http://www.JobsCareersEtc.com who is now dedicated to providing job seekers with resources and products that promote job search success from beginning to end.

Posted by Heather Eagar on April 26, 2007 at 9:31 AM | Leave a Comment (0)

I've written before that your job search is like an advertising campaign: to be successful, you must sell yourself to employers and convince them to "buy" by hiring you.

When it comes to advertising, you can learn a lot by emulating copywriters -- the people who write words on paper that persuade other people to buy.

And among the best copywriters, it's a rule of thumb that 3 factors largely determine the success of any sales letter. They are, in order:

1) The list (the people you mail to);

2) The offer (what you want prospects to say Yes to; this includes the price, payment terms and perceived value of your goods/services);

3) The creative (the actual sales letter, which includes the copy, graphics and packaging).

By adapting these 3 factors to your job search, you can gain new insights -- and a new job.

Here's how ...

1) The List
This is paramount. The more people who know you and look upon you with favor -- the bigger your "list" of qualified prospects -- the faster you will get hired.

Think of it like this. If your daughter is a Girl Scout and asks you to buy a box of cookies, guess what? You're going to buy. Why? You are #1 on her Prospective Customer List. More than anyone else, you know your daughter, you trust her and you want her to do well.

Let's switch to your job search. Who's #1 on your Prospective Employer List? And how many people know you, trust you and want you to do well in your career?

You can't improve what you don't measure, so your first step is to write down the names of everyone in your network. If you're average, you should come up with 200-250 names.

Then make a plan to contact 10 people per day for the next 30 days. Let each of them know exactly what kind of job and employer you're looking for. At the end of each conversation, ask: "Who else do you know that I should be talking to?"

Doing this will make positive impressions on the people you know, while systematically expanding the size of your network -- your list -- at the same time.

Repeat until hired.

2) The Offer
The second job-search success factor is your "offer."
What are you offering to do for employers and at what salary? The more attractive, the better.

In advertising, one of the best offers is, "Send no money now. We'll bill you later."

Now, if you wrote in your cover letter, "Pay me no salary now -- I'll bill you later," you'd get lots of calls. Yes, it's an attractive offer, but no, it's not in your best interests financially.

Still, let's run with this idea ...

What if you revised your cover letter to include examples of how much money you have made or saved for employers? What if your offer were this: "I'm a bargain. I consistently make or save far more money than I get paid in salary." What if you backed up your claims with specific dollars? Do you think that kind of offer might convince a few hiring managers to call you? You bet!

(For more on how to determine your specific value, Google my earlier article, "Stop Being A Job Seeker.")

3) The Creative
Your "creative" includes your resumes and cover letters, of course. But it also includes every word you say while networking and in interviews, as well as your "packaging" -- the clothes you wear, your grooming, how you interact with others, etc.

In other words, pretty much everything you write, say or do after getting out of bed each day can affect how quickly you get hired. It all adds up to form your employment "creative." Everything counts! Act accordingly.

Okay now.

I've given you 3 advertising success factors that you can adapt to your job search. Don't stop there, however. What other sales, marketing and advertising ideas could you "borrow" today ... and use to get hired tomorrow?

Kevin Donlin is President of Guaranteed Resumes and the creator of GetHiredNow.TV. Since 1996, he has provided job search assistance to nearly 10,000 people. Author of "51 Ways to Find a Job Fast -- Guaranteed," Kevin has been interviewed by USA Today, The Wall Street Journal, CBS Radio and others.

Posted by Shawn Augustson, CollegeRecruiter.com on April 26, 2007 at 6:45 AM | Leave a Comment (0)

We received a resume services inquiry from a frustrated job seeker who wrote, “I’ve sent my resume out so many times but I never get a call back. I need help!”

I opened her resume to see MS Word’s “Track Changes” feature turned on, and someone had written this comment in his work history: “Can you stretch this date a bit more to cover the gap?”

Eeeeek! I can’t imagine any employer calling her after seeing that. Please make sure Track Changes is turned off before submitting your resume to an employer. Here are a couple of excellent guides for disabling Track Changes:

Microsoft Office Online Help: Get Rid of Track Changes and Comments Once and For All

USA Today: Remove Hidden Data in Microsoft Word Documents (written by Kim Komando)

Best wishes,

Kim Isaacs

About the Author:
Resume expert Kim Isaacs offers real world, proven advice on resume writing, cover letters, career change, and job search strategies.
http://www.resumepower.com/blog/

Posted by Shawn Augustson, CollegeRecruiter.com on April 24, 2007 at 6:52 AM | Leave a Comment (0)

If you are not satisfied with your current job, you may be tempted to quit right away. However, this may not be a smart career move - and you should leave your present job only after you find a new one. When you’re looking for a new job, don’t burn any bridges along the way, because it is imperative to still maintain a cordial relationship with your current employers.

Keep It Covert

Most people make the mistake of letting it be known that they are miserable in their current job. Doing this gives the boss a big red flag that you may be ready to jump ship and seek your fortune elsewhere. No matter how awful you may feel, do not let on that you have already ‘checked out’ mentally. Everything needs to go on as it always has. Don’t give your current employer a chance to fire you, or worse, give you a bad reference.

Even if you are really, truly unhappy, you need to keep your wits about you and remain calm so you can think. Do you really want your current employer to know you’re looking? Think about it.

Get Off That Phone – Especially If It’s Not Yours

When you really hate your current job, you’ll do whatever it takes to get out. Understandable. But let’s be smart in the deal. Do not use the office phone to call prospective employers or let them call you. You run the risk of a colleague overhearing your ‘business’ conversation – and before you know it, word is all over the office that Johnny is looking for a new job.

If you are looking for a new job, it’s your business, and no one else’s – keep it that way by using your cellphone (outside on your break) or waiting until you get home to make that phone call.

Interview On Your Own Time

The time will inevitably come when you’ll have to go on interviews. That said, it is not smart to take long lunches, extended breaks and lots of sick days in a row to attend job interviews. This is the surest way to attract unwanted attention. If you must, schedule a vacation day well in advance of the interview date – even better, try to schedule a few interviews on the same vacation day to kill two birds with one stone.

Looking for a job when you’re desperate to leave your current one isn’t easy. It takes patience and planning. Keep a cool head and you’ll land a great new job sooner than you think.

Heather Eagar is a former professional resume writer and owner of http://www.JobsCareersEtc.com who is now dedicated to providing job seekers with resources and products that promote job search success from beginning to end.

Posted by Heather Eagar on April 20, 2007 at 7:21 AM | Leave a Comment (0)

While the advent of online job banks that allow applicants to upload resumes has many positive outcomes, an important safety issue to consider is the security of your personal information. Unfortunately, we live in an age where identity theft exists. Con artists have successfully stolen the identities of unsuspecting job applicants by pretending to be recruiters on online job banks. A thief hoping to steal your identity can learn a lot about you from your resume or online job application, so knowing how to safeguard your identity is vital.

One way to protect yourself when uploading a resume is to never include your social security number, birth date or age, driver's license number, marital status, height or weight, or any other information that is unrelated to the position for which you are applying. Some personal information, (such as your SSN), may be required in order to conduct background or credit checks. However, the employer usually won't need this data until either very late in the hiring process or after you have already been hired, at which point, you will hopefully be more confident in the legitimacy of the organization.

While the primary goal of most identity thieves is to steal your financial information, some con artists are interested in stealing credentials. A thief may assume your academic and employment history in order to apply for jobs for which they are not qualified or in order to start an entirely new life.

The bottom line is BE CAUTIOUS when uploading your resume or job application online. Research potential employers or recruiting firms carefully before sharing your personal information with them. While many job banks provide safety features on their sites and screen employers to ensure legitimacy, the onus is on you to ensure your identity is kept safe and secure.

Posted by Grace Kutney on April 19, 2007 at 9:40 AM | Leave a Comment (0)

As a new management graduate, your job prospects are looking better than ever! According to Job Outlook 2007, employers are planning to employ 17.4% more new graduates than they did in 2006. This increase is across all sectors – service (19.8% increase), manufacturing (9.5% increase) and government/non-profit (9% increase).

This year, MBAs will enter a market with 22.1% higher demand for their skills. MBA degree holders in demand are in the fields of Accounting, Business Administration/Management, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Information Sciences and Systems, Marketing / Marketing Management, Computer Engineering, Civil Engineering, Economics and Finance.

Upbeat Employment Market

The market is looking up, the economy is improving, rising demand for goods and services, the baby boomers are nearing retirement age – all these factors are contributing to the booming employment market. Most employers have already solidified their spots at campus recruitment sessions for the spring of 2007.

Starting salaries are expected to go up by nearly 10%.

Prospective employers are looking for a high level of motivation and fresh ideas that will benefit their organizations. They are looking for candidates that they can mold to be future leaders. A good GPA will help you get your foot in the door. To progress, prospective employers are looking at communication (grammar and writing skills), honesty, teamwork, leadership potential and a strong work ethic.

Work experience in the form of an internship at a leading company will help you stand out among the many job applicants.

Innovative Salary Structures

Employers are trying to be innovative in their salary structures to attract good candidates. Medical (life and dental) insurance, tuition reimbursement, planned social activities, bonus/commission plans, flextime, longer vacation and telecommuting are just part of the attractive perks and compensation packages being offered. In addition, as an MBA, there’s a good chance you’ll get a signing bonus.

Don’t let the booming employment market let you get complacent, even if you are graduating as an MBA with experience. Enlist the help of a job and career coach to help you ‘market yourself’. Be sure to attend your first MBA interview armed with knowledge about your prospective employer, the prevailing market conditions, the motivation to be a team player and a willingness to learn. Often, attitude trumps aptitude in the employer’s eyes.

Heather Eagar is a former professional resume writer and owner of http://www.JobsCareersEtc.com who is now dedicated to providing job seekers with resources and products that promote job search success from beginning to end.

Posted by Heather Eagar on April 13, 2007 at 1:28 PM | Leave a Comment (0)

If your job search needs a jump-start, it pays to sit down and analyze your situation. You should carefully question everything you're doing. But, be careful -- the wrong questions can be harmful to your career health.

Example: Never ask yourself questions like, Why can't I find a job? Or, Why won't anyone hire me?

Such "Why" questions will prompt your brain to give you excuses instead of answers -- you're too old/too young/too experienced/too stupid, etc. There's not much you can do about being young or stupid, is there? Which just leads to more frustration.

Instead, when analyzing your job search, ask yourself empowering "How" questions like, How can I generate just one networking lead today? Or, How can I meet someone who works at 3M?

Such "How" questions lead to actionable ideas like these: you could call an old buddy from high school, someone you worked with two years ago, a neighbor who works for 3M, etc.

See the difference?

Let's follow this logic and replace two common "Why" questions with more-empowering "How" questions that can get you hired faster ...

1) Why is my job search taking so long?
This "Why" question will produce more frustration than answers. Instead, examine every aspect of your search and ask yourself this "How" question: How could I improve this?

Analyze the following:

• Where you look for job leads each day
• The resume and cover letters you send out
• Your networking activities
• Your job interview skills

If you could improve each of those areas by just 10%, you would enjoy an overall 40% increase in the effectiveness of your job search. Do that and you can't help but get hired faster.

2) Why aren't employers calling me?
This is another question that will generate a long list of frustrating possibilities, none of which is fun or useful to contemplate.

Instead, ask yourself, How could I get in front of more decision makers who can hire me? Answering this "How" question will encourage you take positive action. For example, you could:

• Write down the names of the 5 companies you most want to work for. Research those companies at www.ZoomInfo.com. Then, email the people in your network asking for an introduction. (This is made easier if you have a profile at www.LinkedIn.com.)

• Call 5 of the most successful people you know and ask them, "How did you get your last 3 jobs?" This gives you a double benefit:

1) You will learn new ways to meet hiring managers and recruiters. That's the obvious benefit.
2) Your calling for advice will flatter those people, making them more likely to remember and recommend you to potential employers. This is the not-so-obvious benefit. (Is it self-serving, too? Perhaps, but it's not illegal or immoral is it?)

• Write a blog about your industry that gets you noticed by recruiters and hiring managers. This is not a quick fix, but it's a great way to improve your visibility and employability for the long term. (You'll find a couple of excellent articles on blogging for employment at www.CareerJounal.com/jobhunting.)

• Finally, if employers aren't calling in response to your emailed resume, it may be because they never got your resume. Spam filters are set on "Kill" these days, making email more unreliable than ever. If there's a job you really, really want, consider sending your resume by FedEx. I know it costs a few bucks. But a FedEx envelope, addressed by name to the hiring authority, has a 100% chance of being opened. That means your resume will get read. And that's what you want, right? Besides, if you're applying to a carefully targeted list of employers, you won't be FedExing hundreds of resumes -- it will be more like 5 or 10. So this can be money well spent.

Now go out and make your own luck!

Kevin Donlin is President of Guaranteed Resumes and the creator of GetHiredNow.TV. Since 1996, he has provided job search assistance to nearly 10,000 people. Author of "51 Ways to Find a Job Fast -- Guaranteed," Kevin has been interviewed by USA Today, The Wall Street Journal, CBS Radio and others.

Posted by Shawn Augustson, CollegeRecruiter.com on April 13, 2007 at 7:05 AM | Leave a Comment (0)

GraduateResumes.com is a professional resume service for new grads and entry-level professionals. She’s authored several career books, including "How to Design, Write, and Compile a Quality Sales Brag Book" and "Cracking the Code to Pharmaceutical Sales (includes sample resumes)." Visit GraduateResumes.com today.

A rosy job market for entry-level job seekers just got stuck by a thorn.

College graduates had been on a good run during 2006, when they hit the streets for their first jobs. However, a February report from the Labor Department may mean that the brakes have been applied to a fast-moving market.

During 2006, employers added an average of 187,000 jobs per month, which corresponded with the lowest unemployment rate since 2001. The February numbers showed that 2007 may not be as bright as once thought. The Labor Department showed the U.S. economy created the fewest jobs in two years, even as the unemployment rate fell to 4.5%. Nonfarm payrolls increased by just 97,000, the lowest since January 2005.

Many economists believe the trend of slower corporate profit growth has produced a cautious environment directly related to overall economic weakness and, in turn, a slow down in hiring.

Just last year, the graduating class of 2006 entered a strong market where 72 percent of employers planned to hire graduates, compared to 64 percent in the previous year.

Whether there’s a weak jobs forecast or not, graduates in the crop of 2007 still face the same challenges and formulas for jump-starting their careers. The first place to start for any entry-leveler is a polished resume.

The job may be listed as entry-level, but most require experience and education that’s relative to the requirements. All relevant material should be included, like volunteer work, internships and interests, in order to make the employer aware that you’re familiar with the work. For example, if you’re applying for a job in public relations and you volunteered for three months working on a political campaign, then it’s relative material for a resume. If you flipped burgers for six months at McDonald’s, it likely won’t have much weight as PR rep, unless you’re making lunch.

The format of any resume nowadays is just as important as the writing. High quality paper resumes are still in demand, but electronic versions, whether HTML, Flash or on your own Web link are all necessary in today’s high-tech environment. There are hundreds of job boards, but Monster.com and Careerbuilder.com cover the widest range of listings across the country, so these sites are the best place to start.

If where to start, and what to do are still up in the air as graduation approaches, there are plenty of occupations that are hot now and will be in the future, including IT. Tech jobs in the U.S. for entry-level workers are in high demand, even though it may seem a lot of the work is outsourced. Grads that are tech-savvy and have some background to prove it are being coveted by companies with jobs in developing, business systems analysis, and technical support. Other job markets expected to be flush with opportunity in the future include retail sales, healthcare and teaching.

Posted by Leading Resume Service for New Graduates, Students on April 9, 2007 at 3:24 PM | Leave a Comment (0)

No one really knows when youth ends officially. But if you are over 50 and looking for a job, you probably feel that the rules have all changed. These are the times of downsizing, ‘right-sizing’ (whatever that means) and cost-cutting. If you have ever lost a potential job to a much younger, lower-paid candidate, you might have asked yourself if you’ve reached your expiration date.

Yes, age bias still exists – let’s not be in denial about that. But there are all kinds of biases that exist in the workplace and the matter of age is now less of an issue. Today, many companies are realizing the fact that younger employees are more liable to shift from company to company in an effort to strengthen their careers. But older employees are more likely to stick with their present jobs and have more loyalty. Companies (finally!) have begun to realize that stocking their workforces with younger candidates may not be the wisest thing to do with respect to their retention strategies.

Now, this doesn’t mean that you can shimmy right up to that 20-something Human Resources Director and expect them to just give you the job - it all boils down to what a particular company is looking for at any given point in time. If a company values the immediate cost savings that only a younger employee can offer, then you probably don’t stand a chance. But if you can manage to convince them that your knowledge and skills are a lot more cost effective in the long run, then chances are your age won’t be an issue anymore.

In order to achieve this, you need to take stock of your qualifications and skills. Once you determine what skills are marketable, you’ll probably stand out from all the other candidates.

Tips - Differentiating Yourself From The Masses

• Find organizations that will view your skills and qualifications as appropriate to their business.
• One of the biggest misconceptions about older employees is that they are less technically savvy as their younger counterparts. If you are computer literate, add that to your resume. List all the software packages that you know how to use. If you aren’t proficient with the computer, consider taking classes.
• Networking is extremely important for the older employee in the job market today. Search for former business colleagues, organizations and employees at firms that interest you.
• Always concentrate on your past achievements and not on your age. You can leap over impending hurdles with regard to your age by displaying strong vitality, good work experience and refined work ethics. Make yourself seem like someone who can get the work done and who can bring a lot of profits to the table with your maturity and exceptional qualifications.

The bottom line is that an organization either has to hire talent or develop talent. So, if you are articulate enough about your skills and talents and can show that you are a fast learner, your chances of getting a good job, irrespective of your age, are very high.

Heather Eagar is a former professional resume writer and owner of http://www.JobsCareersEtc.com who is now dedicated to providing job seekers with resources and products that promote job search success from beginning to end.

Posted by Heather Eagar on April 5, 2007 at 2:13 PM | Leave a Comment (0)