Clark Howard reports that a huge wave of people will be retiring from government jobs soon. Check out usajobs.gov for more information.
Related tags: getthatjob get+that+job job+hunt job+search career+advice clark+howard government+jobs usajobs
From the One Minute How-To podcast, hosted by George Smyth, Patrick Fogarty explains how you can maximize the chances of getting that interview with a properly written cover letter.
From the One Minute How-To Podcast via Odeo.com, here is some advice on how to leave a great impression during your job interview.
I just found out that Monster.com is podcasting career advice. A little more audio for your commute or work-out. I've subscribed but haven't had a listen yet.
Related tags: getthatjob get+that+job job+hunt job+search career+advice networking professional+development monster podcasting
I am very proud of how I landed my first job out of college. It was 1994, and I had spent lots of time at the library, researching the hidden job market and looking for leads. I had posted a resume at the University of Cincinnati's Career Development and Placement office, and I guess they made a database available to recruiters.
My sister had recommended a book entitled 300 New Ways to Get a Better Job by Eleanor Baldwin. Nevertheless, I found that very useful and would recommend it to any graduate or especially students in an online degree program, since they don't have access to a career center.
So one summer day that year, Mark, the Environmental, Health, and Safety Manager for a company that manufactured decorative items for homes, called me. What was meant as an initial screening call turned into a full-fledged telephone interview. When I hung up, I had made an appointment for an in-person interview. Not having a car of my own, I was able to borrow a friend's. I spent the next days before the interview at the library, researching all I could on the company.
At the interview my enthusiasm for the position as an Environmental Engineer was strengthened, especially as I convinced Mark to take me on a quick tour of the plant. I made sure to share some of the information I had found from my own research, which seemed to impress Mark and Jim, the HR Manager who also attended the interview. At the end of the interview, I asked what more I could do to qualify for the job, conveying my strong interest.
Immediately when I returned home, I typed up a thank you note to both Mark and the HR Manager who also interviewed me. Then I both faxed and mailed it.
Within a week Mark called me to offer me the job. I accepted it and wound up moving an hour north to Dayton, Ohio, where I lived for ten years.
The Internet has certainly changed the way we can look for jobs and how employers can find us. This worked for me back in 1994.
Do you have a job-hunting success story you'd like to share? Please send it to me at daniel [at] getthatjobonline [dot] com.
Related tags: getthatjob get+that+job job+hunt job+search success+stories daniel+johnson+jr
Note: I've updated this post to include some additional links to affiliates and others that I recommend you check out.
If you've been around this blog throughout its nearly 5-year history, you'll know that the general layout hasn't changed that much. 
Until today. I encourage you, if you're getting this content via an RSS subscription to stop by the website at getthatjobonline.com to see how it looks.
Some great things you'll find over there are
It appears to be so easy for the coworkers in my department to eat their lunches at their desks. We work on a floor below most of the company, and I've made an effort recently to head upstairs to the break room to eat my lunch with other people.
I have also spent time asking some of my fellow employees about their work. This is probably made easier to do because these individuals were all recently hired. I like to ask about their work backgrounds, and how they found out about the job they have now.
I'm finding that people are so much more interesting as you get to know them than they initially appear on the surface. Isn't that so true?
Here are some recent examples how some of these people got that job:
Related tags: getthatjob get+that+job job+hunt job+search career+advice networking daniel+johnson+jr
I've been reading David Schwartz's book The Magic of Thinking Big
Like the progressive corporation, plan ahead. You are in a sense a business unit. Your talent, skills, and abilities are your 'products.' You want to develop your products, so they command the highest possible price. Forward planning will do it.Just like in any business unit, there is sure to be integration among the departments, but this example really has me thinking about my own life. I have been reluctant to set goals in the past because I've had a low self-confidence. Now that it's gotten much better, I'm thinking BIG and ready to set goals.
Here are two steps which will help:First, visualize your future in terms of three departments: work, home, and social. Dividing your life this way keeps you from becoming confused, prevents conflicts, helps you look at the whole picture.
Second, demand of yourself clear, precise answers to these questions:
- What do I want to accomplish with my life?
- What do I want to be?
- What does it take to satisfy me?
Jason just pointed me to Penelope Trunk's latest column, "Ten Ways to Improve Your Job Hunt". Now I'm pointing you there.
Did you know Google Base has job listings?
Related tags: getthatjob get+that+job job+hunt job+search google base jobs
This is one of the things I love about blogging: Comparing Apples to Ideas
I was recently interviewed on the Career Opportunities LIVE! podcast by Douglas Welch this past Friday.
Check it out and let me know what you think!
Related tags:
getthatjob get+that+job job+hunt job+search career+advice networking professional+development dan+johnson career+opportunites
While driving home from work yesterday, I listened to the Buckeye Drive Time podcast, #122. If you're not familiar with the format, Tom Rockhold shares an Ohio moment, three podsafe songs - songs that independent music artists have permitted to be played on a podcast, and three podcast promos - audio commercials for other podcasts. It's designed to be a drive-time alternative to mainstream radio.
One of the promos I heard yesterday was for Find Your Ideal Career, which I found really intriguing. Michael Spremulli helps college students figure out what they want and discover their ideal career path, sometimes referred to as the "Simon Cowell of personality profiling". It looks like the podcast is brand new; I haven't listened to it myself yet.
I'd have to imagine that the show could be useful to anyone wanting some more advice on their own career assessment, whether you're in college or not. Check it out and let me know what you think!
Related tags: getthatjob get that job job hunt job search career advice career assessment professional development personality assessment michael spremulli find your ideal career buckeye drive time tom rockhold podcast
Okay, I realize this might sound a bit weird...
Some of you may know that I host and produce the Journey Inside My Mind Podcast, which I have done for over a year now. At the end of the theme, before the opening monologue, I have an audio clip that I created that goes like this:Man:What happens when a man goes through his own portal?
I love having that clip because it gets me charged up and ready to move on with the show.
Woman:We'll see.
Announcer: Get ready... here's Dan Johnson!
(applause and sound of kids cheering)
I recently have started using that same audio clip as the Start Windows sound for my computer. So now, as I boot up my machine and log in, I get introduced!
Like I said, it may sound a bit weird. Maybe even a little corny. I don't care. It charges me up for doing work.
What does this have to do with a job search? Well, in the same way, we all are the stars of our own show. Every day you get to live is a new palette for you to carve out a masterpiece. I think that how you approach it says a lot for your effectiveness. Sometimes we need something to inspire us to get started.
What inspires you to make it a great day?
Related tags: getthatjob get that job job hunt job search career advice networking professional development dan johnson attitude motivation inspiration jimmpodcast
Inside Office Online reports that they are featuring a package on everything Microsoft Office has to offer to help you get a new job. I have not checked it out myself, but I thought I'd share the news with you here.
Related tags: getthatjob get that job job hunt job search career advice microsoft office professional development dan johnson
I was searching for legal information on employee agreements and came upon the Employee Rights Center at Findlaw.com. I must check this stuff out. It looks like they have resources available to the public related to all aspects of the job searching and employment process.
Speaking of employee agreements, and the reason why I did the search in the first place, I'm wondering what the legal ramifications of striking out certain items of an employee agreement are.
Anyone out there with knowledge in this area?
Related tags:
getthatjob get+that+job job+hunt job+search career+advice networking professional+development dan+johnson findlaw employee+rights employee+agreements employment+law
Here's a thought to consider, which I'm just throwing out here without a lot of proofreading or editing: you just got or have been working at a job working as a full-time employee. With benefits and a regular salary. How can you maintain the "consultant/independent contractor" mentality now that you've become part of such an organization? I'd like to know what ways work to stay in that "I'm my own career manager" mindset.
Feel free to comment.
Related tags:
getthatjob get+that+job job+hunt job+search career+advice networking professional+development dan+johnson
Hey! I am writing to inform you of my recent success at landing a job. That's right. Uh huh. (pardon me, while I do a happy dance.):
Before I say anything else here, I need to be clear that the opinions expressed here are my own and do not reflect those of any employer, past or present.
On Tuesday, January 2, 2006, I'll be going back to work full-time. I'd like to tell you some of the things I feel helped me secure this job.
First, I'd worked with the company before as a full-time employee, and, although laid off in August, I'd made what I felt was a very valuable contribution to the company. Even after that time, I'd done some independent contracting work for them, further adding value to them.
I kept a good relationship with former coworkers and supervisors, often chatting with them at least once a week. They even offered to reach into their own networks to help me out.
Fast forward a couple months, and I get offered to come back. Now, since I'd had time to do some market research, I'd found out that I had been getting paid below the market rate for others with the same skills and experience.
I also began to seek the advice of others whose opinions I trust. When approached with an initial offer, I didn't just accept it. I opted to look at other things, such as a cost-benefit analysis to determine whether it would be better to stay an independent contractor versus being a full-time employee. Some of these valuable people in my network helped me work this out.
I also feel it was valuable that I didn't try to negotiate from a position, but instead on factual principles. What does that mean? I meant that in everything, as I presented my concerns and questions, I relied on facts - number of miles to be driven, mileage reimbursement rates, etc.
It was a nerve-wracking experience, but one I'm glad I went through. I'm really glad to be going back to work.
What that means for this blog is that posts may become more erratic. But stay subscribed to the feed, and you'll know when I do update.
Related tags:
getthatjob get+that+job job+hunt job+search career+advice networking professional+development dan+johnson success+stories
Earlier this week I wrote a post entited, "You've Fallen - Now Get Back Up". I got a comment, and because my response was rather lengthy, I decided to put it into its own post. Also, I wanted to provide you all with an opportunity to share your advice. Here's the comment:Just stumbled onto this blog as a new effort in my 10-year unsuccessful search to uncover a passion that I can turn into a career, preferably an unconventional one.
First of all, thanks for leaving a comment.
Any advice for someone who is not afraid to try and fail, but who is desperately afraid of failing to find something to try?
10 years is quite a long time. Without knowing much about you personally, I can only offer some general advice and come from the perspective of job seeker myself. I guess it's really good that you're making steps toward looking.
When you say that you're "desperately afraid of failing to find something to try," I have to wonder what you've already done in your quest to learn more about yourself. I know of several types of career assessments available (check out the blogroll or search around here or via your favorite search engine).
I believe that the key for any job seeker is really knowing himself. You have to know what your where your interests and aptitudes lie.
I also believe it's important to do some "market research". Find a need and fill it.
I also believe that a single blog is not the end point. There are many others out here with other points of view and their own wisdom. So read what others are saying.
Lastly, and you'll read this elsewhere, get tied in with other people. I'm talking about networking. I encourage you to try out JibberJobber (see the link on this page). It's a great tool that I've started using to manage the details of my job-searching relationships, and I've found it to be very helpful so far.
With that in mind, don't be a stranger! If you'd like to contact me directly, send me an email: danimal0416 [at] gmail [dot] com
Related tags:
getthatjob get+that+job job+hunt job+search career+advice networking professional+development dan+johnson
One thing I love about maintaining this blog is to present job-hunting success stories. They inspire us all, and we need the encouragement to know that success is available for us.
Instead of sharing one right here, I offer a prescription in bold, capital letters: GO SEE "THE PURSUIT OF HAPPYNESS".
Here's a direct quotation from the IMDB User Comments page for the movie:Chris is shown running throughout the movie. Remember the title of the movie: "The PURSUIT of Happiness." Chris places emphasis on "pursuit." Jefferson, when he penned the Declaration of Independence, did not promise Americans happiness, but only the right to pursue it. Chris says, at one point in the movie, paraphrase, "I am happy right now. It is a fleeting moment." We experience happiness in eyeblinks. The rest of the time we, like Chris, are chasing after it.
There will be some heart-wrenching moments that might make you feel uncomfortable, because of how real the circumstances are portrayed. But I think it behooves any job seeker to see this movie. Maybe even more than once.
Related tags: getthatjob get+that+job job+hunt job+search career+advice success+stories professional+development dan+johnson the+pursuit+of+happyness
During some recent mild weather this past week, my wife and I spent some time outside, trying to teach our daughter how to ride her brand-new bike. The experience reminded me of something about life:
I told our daughter that, as she learns to ride her bike, she will fall down. She needs to get comfortable with that fact and not be afraid of it. We got off the bike and went over to the grass. I then told her to fall down. Then I did. I got back up and told her to get back up. The ground is softer than pavement, so it was a good starting point.
Then I had Keisha run at me and knock me down. When I got back up, I told her to do it again, and this time when she pushed, I pushed back. We both fell down. I got back up, but she got upset and sat there on the ground. She was mad at me and wanted her mother, who tends to baby her more than I.
I've heard it said that the best way to practice martial arts for self-defense is to experience getting hit. Pulled punches don't really prepare someone for the real thing.
I think there's a real good lesson about life here, even to a job search. We will fall down and we'll get knocked down. Circumstances will happen that knock the wind out of us. We shouldn't be so afraid of this happening that we don't do anything. I think I've been prone to that behavior in the past I have missed golden opportunities.
When we get knocked down, we get back up and try again. When we fall down, we get back up. That's the only way to get better.
Related tags: getthatjob get+that+job job+hunt job+search career+advice networking professional+development dan+johnson life+lessons overcoming persistence determination courage
crossposted to journeyinsidemymind.com
I just migrated this blog to the new version of Blogger. I guess that means I'll have to spend some time tweaking the layout and stuff in order to better provide the warm, juicy goodness you all have come to expect from visiting Get That Job!
Nothing further to see here. Unless someone leaves a comment, I guess.
Related tags: getthatjob get+that+job new+blogger dan+johnson
Anyone else remember this jingle:Reach out, reach out and touch someone
I remember the commercials on TV and the radio, encouraging us to call friends and family.
Reach out, reach out and just say 'Hi'
I bring this up because we are now in the midst of the holiday season, which is a great excuse to get back in touch with people in your address book, contact list, or other network list. So why not reach out and touch someone in your network this season?
Related tags:
getthatjob get+that+job job+hunt job+search career+advice networking professional+development dan+johnson
Mark Blevis, the host and producer of the Electric Sky podcast, recently interviewed Stephen Hardiman about using storytelling as a business tool. I just finished listening to that interview a second time, and it got me thinking:
We are our own individual brands. The work we do, how we do it, our background and experience, our passions, drives, and motivations - all help describe our personal brands.
As a job seeker looking to market myself to potential employers, I've become very aware of this fact. This idea that I am my own brand, and coming up with the story of that brand, is very fascinating, and it spurs me onward.
Related tags:
getthatjob get+that+job job+hunt job+search career+advice networking professional+development dan+johnson mark+blevis stephen+hardiman electric+sky storytelling personal+brand
A post I wrote back in October 2006 entitled "Counter Offer Letter" continues to generate traffic to this site. Unfortunately, there was not any substantial advice given on that post...
Until today:
The post now also contains the link to Google search results for "sample counter offer letters", which looks to be really helpful.
Related tags:
getthatjob get+that+job job+hunt job+search career+advice counter+offer+letters professional+development dan+johnson
I was just thinking of a hobby/job/passion I'd like to do. I already do it to some extent, but I'm thinking of doing it more with a different slant:
I love talking to people and learning about what they do for a living, the kinds of things that drive them to do what they do. I love being in a position to promote other people.
I was just chatting with a former coworker who's been a professional friend for nine years now. During the conversation I asked him, "What one thing could I do to help you further your pursuits?" We then talked about potential opportunities he saw for me to do for him at his current job, where he's doing a lot of travelling.
It wasn't exactly what I was looking for, but it was a start. We ended our conversation with me saying, "Let me know what I could do to help promote you around here."
I'd love to get paid to be able to promote other people. I'd love to interview you about your background, your job, etc., and share it with other people. Kinda like "Inside the Actor's Studio" but more professionally.
And I'd love to be paid for it, of course. But I'm open in the short-term to defer getting paid just to get it going. Anyone else think this would be a good idea? I'm talking about starting a podcast, maybe to call it "Get That Job!" or something else like that, more related to the interviews.
Let me know what you think! And if you'd like to get on the list to be interviewed/promoted.
Related tags:
getthatjob get+that+job job+hunt job+search career+advice networking professional+development dan+johnson promote podcast job podcasting
crossposted to Journey Inside My Mind Podcast on MySpace and
journeyinsidemymind.com
In this video update I'm reminded of a time when I tried to get a college professor's attention:Related tags:
journey+inside+my+mind journeyinsidemymind jimm dan+johnson jimmpodcast get+that+job hire+me video hellodeo
Question for you all out there...
Would you send in a resume to apply for a job, even though you know you're not a good match for it, just to get in the door?
I was just browsing a job that requires skills that I don't have, and I considered sending a resume in anyway. I'm presently thinking that's not the best way to have my resume seen by someone.
Related tags:
getthatjob get+that+job job+hunt job+search career+advice networking professional+development dan+johnson job+posting
You've received no phone calls or contacts about jobs for which you've applied. You search job listings and don't find openings that match your qualifications and experience. You might start to feel down.
I know because I have been there, am there, and will be there again. How can I get myself back up?
I think I need to give myself a pep talk. You might feel the same.
Every day and maybe throughout the day, I'm going to look the man in the mirror right in the eyes and say, "You are important. Your work is important. You are valuable. Someone wants to pay you for what you have to offer."
I believe that. I've been working on believing in things that are not as tangible as I'd like them to be. I've started thinking big and dreaming big.
If I let myself get caught up in negative energy, it will eventually lead to more and more inaction.
"Your work is important. Someone wants to hire you. You just haven't met each other yet."
Related tags:
getthatjob get+that+job job+hunt job+search career+advice networking professional+development dan+johnson pep+talk self+image believe+big dream+big mind+change
Hey there, fellow job seekers! In my search for content to help us in our quest, I found an episode from the Straight Up Search Podcast Series Produced by Oneupweb® where the hosts talk about their recent interviewing experiences. Check out episode 16, "Job Candidates and Catastrophic Injuries" (direct link to mp3, 31:41, 36.29 MB). The part I mentioned is during the first ten minutes of the program.
Let me know what you think!
Related tags:
getthatjob get+that+job job+hunt job+search career+advice networking professional+development dan+johnson straight+up+search oneupweb podcast interviewer listen mp3
Four years ago when I started blogging, I had no clue about RSS feeds and syndication. I'd just go through my blogroll and manually check to see if someone posted something new.
Now there are so many ways to aggregate the "stuff" you want to consume on the internet, saving time from having to visit each website to see if new content is available. I used Amphetadesk for awhile, and I've been using Bloglines for the longest time. Over the past 16 months, I've used Juice as my primary podcast receiver.
While going through the visitor logs, I saw a referral from FeedRaider, so I decided to check out that service. I like you can show items from several feeds on one page and set up multiple pages as a way to categorize your content.
To that end, let me tell you about two feeds I've set up for this website:The second item, via Feed2Podcast, uses text-to-speech to create an mp3 of the posts you read here. So, whether you want to read or listen to the content, it's up to you. And, of course, you can always come here directly to see all the Get That Job! goodness.
Speaking of the goodness, I'm always looking for job-searching success stories to share here, so if you have something you'd like to share, please contact me at danimal0416+gtj [at] gmail [dot] com
Update: I just realized that some of you might be interested in what I'm consuming, so here's the link to my FeedRaider web presence.
As you were.
Related tags:
getthatjob get+that+job job+hunt job+search career+advice networking professional+development dan+johnson aggregators amphetadesk bloglines juice feed2podcast success+stories
The deaf and hard of hearing hold a special place in my heart because our daughter is hard of hearing. I don't remember how I found out about the Bionic Ear Blog, but I'm glad I did. This morning I found a post in which she talks about Deaf Job Seekers.
Related tags:
getthatjob get+that+job job+hunt job+search career+advice bionic+ear+blog deaf hard+of+hearing
One of the requirements when you file an unemployment claim in Ohio is that you sign up for their Sharing Career Opportunities & Training Information (SCOTI) system. Essentially, you get put into the system with your basic background, and, as participating companies search for individuals, you get contacted by SCOTI to call in to see if there is a suitable match. Receiving unemployment benefits is contingent upon your participation; i.e., if you don't call, you may not get your unemployment compensation.
I recevied a letter over the weekend from the SCOTI system, and I just finished talking with the representative. The company is looking for an Application Developer with 3-5 years of experience with COBOL, CICS, JCL, and SQL. I don't have that specific type of experience, and so it was determined that I'm not a suitable match.
One thing that does bother me about that position is the annual salary that the job was offering: $18,335. That sounded really low, and I mentioned that during the phone conversation, but the rep said that's what it was.
After I hung up, I used the Indeed Salary Search to check whether I was right, and here are the results:
If the rate was really an hourly rate of $18.335/hour ($38,136/year), it would be a lot more reasonable, but still less than the average.
Hopefully the next opportunity will be a more suitable match. What are your thoughts?
P.S. Let me remind you that you can use this handy domain name to get here: http://getthatjobonline.com
Related tags:
getthatjob get+that+job job+hunt job+search COBOL CICS JCL SQL SCOTI Ohio unemployment indeed+salary+search dan+johnson
I recently got a domain name for this blog: http://getthatjobonline.com, so please start sharing that with your friends, coworkers, family, your dog... whomever.
Related tags:
getthatjob getthatjobonline get+that+job job+hunt job+search career+advice networking professional+development dan+johnson
The Cincinnati Business Courier reports:Four companies were named Thursday, from 16 finalists and more than 130 nominated companies, as Greater Cincinnati's best places to work.
I might need to tap into my network to see if I know anyone who works at these companies.
Receiving their awards before a luncheon audience of nearly 500 at the Northern Kentucky Convention Center were the Castleton Group, Cincinnati Airport Marriott, Cincinnati Marriott North and Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center.
...
Greater Cincinnati's Best Places to Work program, open to any company based in the 15-county Greater Cincinnati region with 10 or more employees and companies not based here but which have at least 75 local employees. The program has been conducted by the Courier each year since 2003.
Related tags:
cincinnati cincinnati+business+courier best+places+to+work castleton+group cincinnati+airport+marriott cincinnati+marriott+north children's+hospital+medical+center getthatjob getthatjobonline get+that+job job+hunt job+search career+advice networking professional+development dan+johnson
Jason of the JibberJobber Blog, the current "host" of a blog carnival, asks:Yikes! You just lost your job! You’ve been so busy at *work* that you don’t feel your network is as strong as you would like it to be! What are you going to do with (and to) your network in the next 6 weeks as you begin an aggresive job search campaign? And, outside of your network, what job search tactics will you employ? Or your best networking tips related to job searches.
I was placed in this situation at the end of August this year. I immediately went to my LinkedIn profile, updated it, and started sending emails to my contacts. Unfortunately, I have not been proactive in being my own career manager, and I haven't kept in touch that well with the contacts in my network. So I mostly sent out "touching base" types of emails, mentioning the recent change in my circumstances where I could, and depending on the relationship with the contact.
I've began looking for other people to add to my network, based on the new relationships I'd formed since I'd last updated my network. I think I'm having to continue to explore different ways to find jobs. I hate having to post a resume blindly online and apply for specific job postings blindly. I much rather enjoy the interactivity from social networking. At the same time, I'm finding that I shouldn't limit myself by not going about the traditional methods of networking.
The other thing I've found from recently finding myself back in the job market is that my skills are not as current as I'd like them to be. So I'm looking at ways to hone them.
I guess that's all I have to say right now.
Related tags:
getthatjob get+that+job job+hunt job+search career+advice networking professional+development dan+johnson blog+carnival jibberjobber
Monster.com provides job interview advice about behavior to avoid during an interview. I can see several areas I need to change in myself from this article.
Related tags:
getthatjob get+that+job job+hunt job+search career+advice interviewing professional+development tech+interview
I saw this article mentioned on popurls and, after reading it, thought you all would want to check it out(Aside: isn't that how it usually goes? lol):
Joel on Software - The Guerrilla Guide to Interviewing
The article approaches interviewing from the perspective of an interviewer for a software development position, but, hopefully you can look beyond that to see the more general application.
Related tags:
getthatjob get+that+job job+hunt job+search career+advice professional+development dan+johnson guerrilla+guide interviewing joel+on+software
I received an e-mail yesterday from a recruiter. In his signature he included his office phone number, but he didn't mention the city where he was located. I found this website that lets you search a phone number to find the city. Pretty cool.
Related tags:
getthatjob get+that+job job+hunt job+search career+advice networking professional+development dan+johnson phone+number+lookup area+code+lookup
Cartoon by Dave Walker. Find more cartoons you can freely re-use on your blog at We Blog Cartoons.
For lack of a better title of a post... Here are some reasons why job seekers should be reading Scott Adam's blog:
Last night we were at a meeting with some people from church, and a group of us went off to pray. We went around the room, each sharing what's been going on and what our prayer needs are. I found it interesting that a number of us have job changes going on, details that follow after the jump:
Each of these needs is real and very personal. Knowing that we're all in this together, that we can understand and relate, is very encouraging for me. I want success not just for myself but also for others.
Related tags:
church job+search job+hunt networking get+that+job getthatjob prayer together
Seriously. I do. All the effort taken to write one just for the slight chance that it might get into a hiring manager's hands and convince him or her to read the resume just doesn't seem worth it.
I'd rather just do what I just did. I sent my resume via email with something along the lines of the following (after the jump):I've attached my resume for the _________ position, confident that I can help fill the need you have.
Resumes and cover letters only tell one side of the story, and I can understand that they have their purpose from a hiring perspective. I hate just blindly sending something into an unknown individual. It feels like I'm flushing it down the toilet.
Please contact me at __________ so we can discuss further how I might be a match.
THANKS!
Dan Johnson
Am I being too cynical?
In a previous post, I talked about how much I've come to enjoy networking, not only for a job search, but just in general.
Someone commented at that post, asking two questions, which I'll try to address as best as I can, hoping you other readers can contribute (tap, tap, is this mic on? ;), after the jump:Even though I am completely comfortable asking for ideas/help about a problem I'm working on at work "Has anyone else ever hit this error?". I simply can't bring myself to make me,myself or I the topic of the conversation, as in "I'm thinking of trying to start...." I am just completely uncomfortable with it. I can do it over the Internet, but not face to face with friends/relatives.
Some people are introverted and some are extroverted; it's just how we're all made. I think in general I'm more extroverted than introverted. I believe it's important to have enough confidence in yourself that, when around friends and relatives - others with whom you're close - to be able to bounce off your ideas, even just to ask them for their opinions. I'm learning that I need to be my own biggest fan, because I know what I have to offer others better than they do, and it's my responsibility to convey that.
I'm not sure why I feel that way, but I think it's because with people I already know I'm worried that they will either feel obligated to ACT interested/enthusiastic OR that if they are in any way negative before I've gotten off the ground with my idea, that I won't have enough momentum to keep going.
Any suggestions?My second question is, can you give me an example of why you like LinkedIn? I just wasn't inclined to type in a pile of info about myself unless I had a more specific example of how I might benefit.
I like to use LinkedIn to connect with colleagues and friends professionally, especially recently as I've found myself back in the job market. I'm letting my contacts know what I've been doing and what I'm looking for, and they can search their networks, too. I've been able to strum up a few job leads, as a result.
Hope this helps, and let's keep the conversation going!
Related tags:
linkedin, getthatjob, get+that+job, networking, job+search, social+networking, professional+networking, extrovert, introvert
Just saw this on the Twitter public timeline:
Does anyone knows how to write a counter offer letter for a job?? -- AlyshaI've never written one of these before myself, have any of you?
Hey guys. Just wanted to chime in here and share about the one thing I really love about searching for work. That almost sounds oxymoronic to me because my nature is to want to get done with the job search as soon as possible.
But I love networking with other people, not only just for job searching but also for any type of connecting purpose. You never know who you'll be able to help and who can help you. If you know someone looking for a specific type of job or with a position to fill, you can help find that.
With that in mind, I'm open to connecting with you readers. I've been using LinkedIn, which in essence is a community for professionals to connect with each other, a sort of professional, albeit boring version of MySpace. I say that not to demean either site; each one serves its own purpose.
So, if you'd like to invite me to connect with you, feel free: http://www.linkedin.com/in/dajohnson
Update: Reader Jason noticed I'd omitted my e-mail address from this post. Good point. Here it is, disguised for the spam robots.
Related tags:
linkedin, getthatjob, get+that+job, networking, job+search, social+networking, professional+networking
Hey folks, I've been contacted by a reporter for a well-known online career-related website, and she wants to know about unconventional career search strategies that have worked for you, especially if you're in your twenties when you got the job.
Here at GTJ, I'm always interested in your success stories because your sharing helps encourage others.
So let's get the sharing on!
I've been "teleworking" for over a year now, and I suppose it's easy to take it for granted. This article from Monster reminds me that I might want to mention certain things in my resume or during the interview with respect to my success at "teleworking".
Resume Tips for Teleworkers - Resume Writing Services & Free Resume Advice from Monster.com
Dennis, one of the contacts in my LinkedIn network, has some openings he's trying to fill:Automotive Electrical Engineer - IN
If you want more information, please let me know.
Business to Business Sales - IN
Chemist - IN
Application Engineer - CA
Information Technology Manager - GA
Information Technology Manager - IN
Logistic Professional - IN
Machine Maintenance Technician - IN
Mechanical/Project Engineer - WA
Automotive Production Supervisor - IN
Automotive Auto-Cad Designer - IN
Food Mfg Production Supervisor - WI (bi-lingual HUGE plus)
Sales Account Representative - OH
Human Resources Executive - IL
Bi-Lingual HR Generalist - IN
Interesting slide show thingy (is that the technical term?) from Forbes about establishing trust.
via GMail Web Clips
Hi there. A little bit of personal sharing on this post.
I think it's easy for me to have the paralysis of analysis when it comes to my job search. I think there's something wrong with my train of thought here, and maybe you can help me out with it or share your experiences.
I think it has something to do with feeling like a drop in the ocean of job seekers for a particular job. My resume that I send in response to a job posting is just one of several. That phone call or email I send to a contact is the first impression he or she is going to get from me.
I think I can get myself caught up in the pressure of the situation, immediately thinking of how I'm going to blow it, or that there's no way this person is going to be interested in me, my skills, or my experience.
Having typed all of this so far, I can see the fallacy of my thinking. I suppose it has to do with attitude and mindset. Perspective, too.
What if instead I see things from an abundance perspective? That there are so many jobs out there for me? How about instead feeling confident that I'm the one for the job, that the company should be selling themselves to me just as much as I'm trying to sell myself to them? Something like that.
I just sent my resume to a recruiter with the following text:I am forwarding you my resume because I saw the job fo rhte position posted on your website, and it looks like my skills and experience might provide a match. I'm interested in what you think.
As I look back on that, I can see the typo, but I'm not that concerned. I provided the specific position title and the link to the post, along with the job ID number. I didn't really feel that all the extra verbiage was needed; i.e., the specific ways I'm qualified for it. We'll see. I really hate sending resumes blindly to people I don't already know where there wasn't already an introduction made.
Kforce.com has an article with some basic questions potential employers ask. What can you do when you answer them honestly and don't measure up? That's a big question that remains unanswered in this article. Nevertheless, here you go:
Entities.Show KFORCE_00486
From the Contract Employee's Handbook, Appendix B: Glossary of Terms for Contract Professionals:
Hey folks! Just a few thoughts here. I understand that all the cool kids are posting their resumes to Monster.com these days. I'm just wondering what your experience is, specifically, with regard to the posting methods.
For those that may not be familiar, Monster lets you post your resume to their site in a number of ways:
Understanding other people, more than who or what you know, is becoming more important in getting ahead in the job market, according to this article from the Boston Globe:
`Emotional intelligence' a new hiring criterion - The Boston Globe
"The one predominant duty is to find one's work and do it." -- Charlotte Perkins Gilman (1860-1935), American feminist and reformer, via e-mail from thefreedictionary.com
crossposted to QuotesBlog
Related Quotation Keywords:
quotation, get that job, charlotte perkins, duty, work
Got an e-mail from Matt. He recommended this site for the GTJ blogroll. Happy to oblige. Check it out!
Beginner's Guide to Careers
An open-ended question for all you out there...
What do you do to relieve stress, whether on the job or on the job hunt? I've found that I've engaged in constructive behavior as well as destructive behavior.
On the constructive side, I've been doing more walking over the summer. I've found that walking the dog and listening to podcasts on my portable media player have been very enjoyable. I feel good because I'm exercising, and I'm doing other things as well. Good to get away from the computer or otherwise out of the home.
On the destructive side, I've engaged in other habits that bring only temporary emotional relief. In other words, I've directed the energy back on myself. I don't want to be too specific here in this forum on that.
What about you all?
a little humor for you...
A passenger in a taxi leaned over to ask the driver a question and tapped him on the shoulder. The driver screamed, lost control of the cab, nearly hit a bus, drove up over the curb, and stopped just inches from a large plate glass window.
For a few moments everything was silent in the cab, and then the still shaking driver said, "I'm sorry but you scared the daylights out of me."
The frightened passenger, apologized to the driver, and said he didn't realize a mere tap on the shoulder could frighten him so much.
The driver replied, "No, no, I'm sorry, it's my entire fault, today is my first day driving a cab.... I've been driving a hearse for the last 25 years."
I believe having to terminate someone's employment is one of the toughest things a manager has to do from time to time, especially if a somewhat good working relationship had existed beforehand.
In my company when people get terminated, they try to do it privately, making sure to escort the employee out of the building. I was unfortunately able to witness one of these occasions last December. That brings me to the question of timing.
(Once again, I feel the need to express that this is my own personal opinion and not that of my employer.)
One person in my company was let go the week of Christmas last year. Another two were let go right around their birthdays. Not really good timing, in my opinion. But then again, when is a good time to let someone go?
I think our company's practice of escorting the person out of the building is a good one, because it minimizes the potential for sabotage. However, an abrupt departure like that also means that no one is there to tie up loose ends or to provide any type of knowledge transfer.
Then again, why would a terminated employee feel obligated to so something like that? Perhaps if there was something else being provided - a severance package, or some outplacement, perhaps.
And then, on a more humorous note perhaps, there are those who opt to leave voluntarily...
Bloglines user danimal0416 has sent this item to you, with the following personal message:
A little funny for all you office workers...
| |||||
|
I saw this link on Digg.com, and, after reading it, thought it was great content for this blog.
Apparently it was written by someone who's interviewed hundreds of software engineers for Google and Microsoft. If you're in this field, this is good information for you.
A free podcast for you GTJ readers. From the website:
This podcast aims to help the business professional, through insights and interviews, stay up to date on what is happening in the world of new media, consumer generated content and no control PR.
Ooooh. This is a really good article with some tips on how to really get things done in a company. I think it's useful whether you're currently employed or not.
If you're currently employed, you can consider how to apply this at your job.
If you're not currently employed, you can consider how this works or might work at companies where you're applying.
Maybe I don't know what I'm talking about, but I still think it's worth your consideration.
How to tap your company's hidden network - April 1, 2006
Somebody out there might appreciate this article.
10 Stupid Mistakes Made by the Newly Self-Employed
TIME Magazine Archive Article -- Why Your Boss May Start Sweating The Small Stuff -- Mar. 20, 2006: New sensitivity training at the office focuses on all the little ways a tone-deaf manager can demoralize a staff
I think much of this goes back to general politeness and good manners. Even the Golden Rule: do to others as you'd have them do to you.
Not being able to manage interruptions effectively - especially when you're having an important meeting with someone, IS demoralizing.
ClarkHoward.com reports:
Are you looking for a job that has good pay, a lot of security and flexible hours? Would you believe the trucking industry has all that? Some people, such as Clark, would not do well in this job. But others love the open road and the solitude and would be great at the job. Better yet, you don’t need any training because most schools will train you for free. The industry needs about 20,000 truckers, so companies are offering signing bonuses and all kinds of incentives. Truckers make about $60,000 a year. Other jobs with lots of openings include registered nurses or RNs and pharmacists. If you are interested in those fields you could make a great living and do what you love. What could be better?via ClarkHoward.com Show Archives for March 1, 2006
I heard this promo for an IT jobcast where the host lets people know about projects or jobs (freelance or permanent). Locations are UK, Benelux, Germany and France.
spotted at PodShow Promos website
Posts
All Comments
