Tuesday, December 28, 2004

Job Trends Weblog

I just spent some time at the Job Trends Weblog, created by Robert Nagle, after seeing it in the list of referrers. Current post categories include

  • About This Site
  • Advanced Training
  • Hi Tech Careers
  • Job Search Process
  • Macroeconomic Trends
  • Social Trends
  • Soul Searching
In his initial post he writes:
As a former counselor at Johnson O’Connor Research Foundation , a national career testing firm, I learned how difficult it is to find good current information about current job trends.
Great stuff.

Thursday, December 23, 2004

Create a Job Search Timeline

The following My Yahoo! Daily Tip is being posted in its entirety for lack of a permanent link to the material. -DAJ

New Year's Resolutions for Your Job Search: I Will Create a Job Search Timeline
by Caroline Levchuck

You wake up in the morning, watch some TV, write a few emails, watch more TV ... suddenly it's 3:00 p.m. and you haven't even begun working on your resume! Where'd the time go?

Your first New Year's resolution should be to create and stick to a job search timeline, a schedule that can help you get more done in less time.

Here are two ideas for creating a timeline:

  1. Focus on the short term: For example, lay out your goals for the day. It might look like this:
    8:30 a.m. -- Write thank-you notes
    9:00 a.m. -- Search Yahoo! HotJobs for jobs
    10:00 a.m. -- Write cover letters
    Having a daily regimen will help you stay on top of the latest job postings and keep you from slipping into job-search laziness.

  2. Focus on the long term: A long-term schedule helps you see the big picture. For example:
    Goals for January 2-8:
    Send resumes answering specific job postings.
    Contact five friends asking for job leads.

    Goals for January 9-15:
    Follow up on last week's resumes by emailing recruiters.
    Schedule two informational interviews.

You can use either timeline or, better yet, use both. The important thing is to set concrete goals, to provide dates and to meet those goals.

Wednesday, December 22, 2004

Holiday season is prime job hunting time

How many times have you come up with an idea or task and decided to wait until "after the New Year" to address it? This time of year most people think they should put things off until after Christmas because people are on vacation and they think it will be harder to accomplish.

But what better time is there than the present? That motto is especially true if you're looking for a new job. Many of the "gatekeepers" who protect higher ups are out of the office now, taking vacation. So many executives are working and accessible. Now is a great time to be noticed and get your foot in the door. It may sound odd, but often people who go against the grain accomplish exactly what they want.

Contact the people who are decision makers, and your chances of getting a job are much better. Many of the ads listed on Web sites or in newspapers are already "wired," meaning the company knows who will be hired. They've most likely already tapped someone in the company. They are just following required procedures involving discrimination before they hire that person.

Source: Clark Howard Show Notes Thursday, December 16

Tuesday, December 21, 2004

Track Your Networking Contacts on Jobfiler.com

Networking Takes Work - But It Will Pay Off

AN IMPORTANT ASPECT of a successful job search is networking. To be successful in your networking campaign you need to have and develop contacts that can lead to employment opportunities and eventually a job you truly want.

If you have not developed these contacts while in school or in your previous job, you must now put forth the effort and time necessary to make this a reality.

Developing a network through contacts is not about keeping data or improving computer skills. It is about using interpersonal relationships to accomplish your goal.

Like a salesperson, you are prospecting for leads. You will need to follow a similar approach as they do to land a sale.

The following are different approaches you can take to develop the right contacts.

Write down the names of all your friends, acquaintances (including business) and relatives who are in positions to know key contacts for potential jobs or actual employment opportunities. Call, e-mail or go to social gatherings where these individuals will be and let them know of your search. If they express interest in helping you, make sure you follow-up within the next week or two. In some situations they may be able to make introductions to key contacts. In other situations they may give you key names or at the very least employers that may be looking for employees with your expertise.

Now it is up to you to write, e-mail or call the contacts and let them know of your interests. Also be prepared to meet the contacts you are formally introduced to by your friends or family. Have an appropriate well-written resume available and be able to give an oral overview or your qualifications and skills.

To expand beyond your initial contacts requires going to social events and targeting key people.

read more

Wednesday, December 15, 2004

Newspapers with RSS: A List

The Media Drop is compiling a list of newspapers that have RSS feeds. Go ahead... add some of them to your news aggregator. It may be another way of helping your job search.

For example, I live in Dayton, Ohio and am looking to move soon to the Cincinnati area. I'm going to add the feeds to both of the business journals so that I can keep up with what's going on in these areas as I search for my next job.

found via blogdex.net

Tuesday, December 14, 2004

New to the Blogroll: Talent Power!

Quelle chance! A job-hunting blog en français! Specifically, Ressources humaines & Entreprises pour demain.

Sunday, December 12, 2004

A Dilbert Job Interview with Results (humor)

The strip for today struck me as so funny. May we never have such a coworker!

Dilbert Comic Strip Archive - December 12, 2004

1/14/2005 Update: The link no longer works.

Wednesday, December 08, 2004

Career Placement for a fee - be careful

If you are a job search and your resume is on Monster or other boards, carefully screen the calls you receive from recruitment firms. It was recently brought to my attention that there are companies, like the Phoenix Executive Group, that contact jobseekers that provide their placement services for a fee. I have heard of this firm before and their tactics for attracting clientele.

Phoenix Executive Group contacts job seekers appearing to be a recruiter. They call you in for an initial pre-screen interview, which is rare but is an acceptable recruitment practice. However, they do not clearly disclose that you, the candidate, pay the fee for placement. Examining their website, it's nearly impossible to find details on the fee arrangement nor amount. This information is not volunteered when they contact you - you need to ask.

Phoenix Executive (not related to the Phoenix Link) may certainly be a valuable service. However my warning to jobseekers - always ask who pays the fee and ensure that there is no fee paid by the candidate in any and all circumstances. Whether you believe that paying a placement fee is right for you; this is something that you can best decide depending on your circumstances.

My issue with Phoenix Executive Group, and other similar employment assistance companies, is their lack of clear disclosure upfront or on their website. Always ask questions regarding fee's and opportunities before committing to a meeting or signing any document with a recruiter.

Thursday, December 02, 2004

Holiday Gifts for Job Seekers: Career in a Box

Holiday Gifts for Job Seekers: Career in a Box
by Christopher Jones

There are two kinds of people: Those who prefer one big gift and those who prefer lots of little gifts.

If you're shopping for the latter, you can build a great gift box with
these small, inexpensive items.

  • Ink Pens: Pens range from expensive and elaborate to inexpensive and simple. Go for the refillable models. Stick with black ink. No pencils!
  • Business Card Case: They'll keep cards crisp and clean and prevent any awkward fumbling.
  • Portfolio: Leather, cloth or fabric, preferably in dark colors.
  • Notebook: Job seekers can use this to take notes during interviews. Avoid the spiral variety.
  • Stationery: Choose a conservative, unlined pattern. White and off-white work well.
  • Coffeehouse Gift Card: The ultimate pre-interview perk up or post-interview reward.
Include the items in a box or a gift basket. Keep the receipts and leave items in their original packaging in case your job seeker decides to return any of the gifts.

Note: this Yahoo! HotJobs Daily Tip is being reprinted in its entirety because the URL does not change for each tip that is published. Don't believe me? Go check for yourself.

Wednesday, December 01, 2004

GTJ Asks About Your Seasonal Jobs

Deep into the holiday season - aka the Most Wonderful Time of the Year, and Get That Job! wants to know about seasonal jobs you've held.

What are some of the most interesting seasonal jobs you've held? How did you get them? Feel free to share an interesting anecdote or two about those jobs.

I'll share some of my own shortly.