Jobs Search

When applying for a specific telecommuting position, you should treat your resume as first impression. Because HR and hiring managers receive dozens - and sometimes hundreds - of resumes each day when trying to fill virtual positions, they scan through them very quickly. Resumes that are formatted incorrectly, contain spelling or grammatical errors, or are sent past the requested due date are often discarded during the first round of readings. In fact, many human resources department in the virtual office world actually use software to scan for important keywords and skills - so tweaking your resume is a very good idea before you send it off to the virtual employer.

Formatting Your Resume

Since many companies require that resumes be sent electronically, you need to learn how to send them correctly so incorrect formatting doesn't end up costing you a job. If the company doesn't want you to send your resume as an attachment, but rather in the body of an email, keep things simple. Don't worry about centering your name and address or highlighting headings and other information.

While you can cut and paste your resume into the email, go through it to make sure bullets are in the right place and sentences are not crowding each other. Many times, it's best to simply type the information from your resume into the body of the email. Instead of bullets, break the information into sections and title them accordingly (objective, educational experience, work experience, interests, references, etc.). This will create a clean document that hiring managers will appreciate.

If you're allowed to send your resume as an attachment, send it in Word, .pdf, or in the file type requested by the company.

Spelling and Grammar

When creating a resume, never rely on your computer's spell check program. Many times, the program will only recognize words that are misspelled, not words that are spelled correctly, but used incorrectly. Always read your resume a few times after completing it. Not only will you catch any spelling and grammar mistakes, you may think of additional information to add.

Contents of a Great Resume

What you choose to include in your resume will be determined by what the company asks for and what you feel is best in order to get the job. These skills should be adapted to your potential employer. Specific experience that relates to the virtual position is essential. Make sure you look up information on the company and what it does, as well as their customers and clients. As a rule, you should include the following components for your resume:

Objective statement - This statement should summarize your goals and reasons why you want to work for the company. You can include a sentence or two about prior work experiences, skills you have, or interest in working for a particular company.

Work Experience - You should list your last three jobs or more as requested by the company. Include the name, location, position held, and years of service. You can also mention skills you learned as well.

Educational Experience - You should list college degrees, special training programs, and other educational training you received that have helped in past and present jobs.

Special Skills and Interests - You should list any skills or interests you feel would help hiring managers make their decision about whether to hire you.

References - Include names, company name, location, job titles or positions, and work contact numbers

The main objective of the virtual resume is to convey the message that you have the skills needed to perform the job without supervision. When seeking virtual employment, you to have strong problem solving skills, the ability to motivate yourself, and the ability to represent the company in a professional manner.

During your virtual job search, you should take the time to learn more about a company before applying for a job. Read their mission statement, learn how they approach business and customer service, and find out the ways they give back to the community. Pay special attention to their clients to glean knowledge of the types of companies and industries the virtual position will deal with. During your research, you may find that you are not the best fit for the job or the company may not be the best fit for you. If this is true, don't be disheartened. There really are legitimate opportunities out there for virtual employees- so if you're not a right fit, keep hunting! There's probably a perfect virtual employer for your experience and skills.

job

I frequently talk to potential clients who tell me they have been conducting a job search for X months without any success, or that they have sent out X number of resumes with virtually no response. When I press for more details, almost invariably, I hear stories about resumes posted in online resume databases and resumes sent in response to ads found on online job boards.

What is wrong with these job search techniques? Well...nothing is fundamentally wrong with them. In fact, they play an important part - a small part - in most well-constructed job search plans. However, these are extremely low-payoff job search activities, and if these are the only techniques you are using, the chances are far greater than not that your job search will generate disappointing and slow results.

If you are unhappy with the results of your job search, it is time that you took an objective look at your job search techniques. Are you spending too much of your precious time and energy on low-payoff job search activities while you ignore those that will produce the positive results that you want and deserve?

While the more effective job search activities - such as networking -usually require people to step out of their comfort zones, the returns generated by your investment of your time and energy will almost always be worth it.

So, if you find yourself stuck in a stalled, ineffective search for your next job, here are some high-impact tips that are almost certain to have a high-payoff on your effort through a faster, more successful job search.

1) Take a hard look at your resume. Like it or not, your resume is your first introduction to most employers, and your only chance to make a good first impression. Effective resumes are highly focused marketing pieces that are strategically written and designed to sell YOU as THE best solution to a potential employer's needs and problems. Your resume should be written to convey and illustrate your unique value proposition, with succinct "stories" that differentiate you from your competitors in the job market. Does your resume accomplish these goals? Is it focused effectively? Does it accurately present you in the way that you wish to be presented? If not, it is time to rewrite. If you need help, resume writing is our specialty at Distinctive Career Services.

2) Now, take a hard look at your methods. Do the methods you are using in your job search convey professionalism at every step? Is your approach courteous and does it illustrate an understanding of common business protocol? For example, do you always send at least a brief letter of introduction when you send a new contact your resume? I can't tell you how many times a prospective client tells me he isn't getting calls on his resume, and when I quiz him he will tell me that he has been sending his resume as an attachment to emails, and then admits that he has not been including an introductory note. In this day and age, when everyone is concerned about viruses and spam, do you honestly believe that a recipient will open an attachment that arrives with a blank email? Of course not! Or...Does the message on your answering machine make you sound like a polished professional or a party animal? Is your email user name a professional-sounding one or a cutesy one? You have tough competition in the job market. Details matter! Courtesy and business protocol matters! Everything you do in your job search should convey an impeccably professional image. My best advice: Apply some basic common sense and remember your manners. Do these two things and you will be fine.

3) Ramp up your networking efforts. Of all of the possible job search methods, networking is the most effective by far, and yet it is the method that the fewest people use. I know that you don't want to hear this, but no matter how uncomfortable it might be for you, networking is absolutely crucial and is the fastest way to your next position. Remember that when you are networking you are not asking people if they know of an opening or to give you a job, you are just asking for referrals or advice. Would you be upset if someone you knew contacted you to inform you of their job search and asked if you might be able to offer any advice or point her in the right direction? Of course you wouldn't. In fact, you might even be flattered. This is the same reaction that your personal and professional networking contacts will have. If you don't have frequent face-to-face contact with your network, the quickest way to jumpstart your search using networking is to send your resume and a brief letter to every single one of your contacts, and then follow up with a phone call a few days later. In most cases, people will be more than happy to help you out. But whether they are able to help you immediately or not, follow up with a brief handwritten thank you card. This is a gesture that will make a lasting positive impression.

4) Do your research; don't just blindly and indiscriminately send out your resume. Research the geographic and industry areas that interest you and identify the companies and opportunities that seem most promising and intriguing to you. Now research some more. With the vast quantities of information available on the Internet, you really have no excuse not to research thoroughly. Identify the hiring decision-makers and learn all you can about them and their company, their competitors, their challenges, and their future potential. This is a great time to call on your professional network. Who do you know who knows someone who knows some else at the company you are interested in? Once you have an "in" through a referral, it is time to make sure you are absolutely clear on your value proposition. In what way do you feel you could add value to the company? How would hiring you be beneficial? What is the return on investment that the company could expect if they hired you? Once you have the answers to these questions clear in your mind, it is time to approach the targets.

5) Consider a targeted e-mailing of your resume to headhunter/recruiter firms. But don't just use one of the cheap broadcast services that send your resume out to some unspecified list of 1000s of supposed recruiters. If you are going to do this, use a high-quality service that uses an up-to-date database of recruiting firms that they can break down and segment based on the firms' specialties. This is one of the services that we offer to our resume writing clients at Distinctive Career Services. Approaching the distribution of your resume to headhunter firms in this way ensures that the recipients of your resume are individuals who have a sincere interest in learning about you and your credentials. They will try to match you to their current searches, and if you are a fit, you will get a phone call right then. Otherwise, they tend to database your resume to search in relation to future recruitment assignments. Of all the suggestions, this is the most passive and the easiest for you to implement with the least amount of work. But, passive or not, if you are in a profession that is among those often handled by recruiting firms, you should definitely make this a part of your overall job search strategy.

Finally, I can't stress enough how important it is for you to follow up. Be assertive and approach your job search as if it is a job in itself. Schedule your activities, keep track of the contacts you have made and the resumes you have sent, and follow up regularly and consistently.

Yes, there is no doubt that job searching can be a highly stressful time. But you do have choices about how you will spend your limited time and those choices can have a profound impact on the success of your search. Choose to focus on the high payoff activities and you will find yourself back to work, in the job you want, much faster than you thought was possible.

job

If you're not landing an interview for the jobs you've been targeting, perhaps it's time to rethink your marketing strategy in your resume. In an aggressive job market, you need to command immediate attention in order to rise above the competition. Here are seven ways to give your resume a 'pick-me-up':

Bring your resume up to date. If you've been using the same old resume for a number of years, it's probably time to give it a thorough overhaul -- even if you've been adding details as time has gone by. To get started, look for new ideas in a good resume sample collection. An employer will likely look at your most recent experience to get an impression of the value you can bring to a new position. That's why it makes sense to give the most detailed description to the last two or three jobs you've held. This partly depends on the length of your experience -- and the further back you go in time, the more you can afford to rely on just a few bullet points to summarize key information.


Accentuate the positive. Stick to the stuff that sells you to a recruiter and be ruthless in pruning old or irrelevant facts. If you've done your homework and researched the needs of your prospective employer, targeting your resume should be relatively easy. You'll speed this process up if you make sure to save different versions of your resume as you go along.


Show how you've made a difference. Is your work history just a boring litany of job titles and descriptions? Try rewriting this section to demonstrate what you've achieved in the positions you've held. Be careful not to make vague or unsubstantiated claims about your accomplishments. Prove your worth by giving data that shows results.


Capture attention with powerful vocabulary. Make your reader sit up and take notice by using compelling 'action' words to describe what you have achieved. Invigorating language can serve to emphasize the positive benefits you have delivered to previous employers -- for example:


tasks you have accomplished
problems you have solved
teams you have led
systems you have implemented
new ideas you have introduced
ways in which you have exercised your professional judgment or expertise



Incorporate keywords into your resume. Using keywords in your resume and cover letter shows that you are on familiar terms with the language of your profession or industry. It also helps to score a match if your resume is scanned by software to speed up the screening of a large batch of applications. Try to use these words as naturally as possible near the beginning of your resume. You may also want to include a dedicated keywords section in your document. Analyze the job description and other professional documentation to find out which terms are most likely to be relevant to the application you're making.


Make your layout easy on the eye. When you're competing against a large number of other candidates, an easily legible application is a must. Don't be persuaded to use a small font in order to cram data onto the page. Careful use of white space, clear headings and bulleted lists can dramatically increase the reader's ability to take in your information at a glance.


Check and double check for mistakes. Spelling errors and poor grammar undermine your professional image and may sabotage your entire application. The spell checking tool in your word processor is a good first test -- but don't leave it at that. Careful proofreading by a human editor is a more reliable way to catch contextual errors. Ask a trusted friend to act as a second pair of eyes to spot typos you may have missed.

job

Remember, the seemingly small things do count when it comes to your professional image. For example:

o Ensure your email address is professional. "4kidsthenuthouse@hotmail.com" does not conjure up a professional image in the eyes of HR and hiring managers!

o Keep an email box just for your job search and check it regularly (twice a day at a minimum).

o When designing an email address use your first initial then last name. Or, if this is taken, try first initial.last name. Simple addresses reduce the likelihood of typos.

o Make sure your voice mail greetings at home and on your mobile phones are professional. "This is Jane and I can't find the phone just now. It must be in the back seat because I threw it at my screaming kids," will not do!

o Conduct an online "vanity search" by "Googling" your name. Is there anything you're going to have to explain in an interview? Also check LinkedIn, Facebook, MySpace, Classmates, etc. and ensure your online "presence" is clean and professional.

o Have an "elevator speech" prepared. When you meet networking contacts be prepared to talk about what you're interested in, why you're a good fit and how you'll add value to the company.

o Dress up one notch so that you're professional and polished. Candidates who have been cleaning the house, driving carpools, and making lunches and dinners for years need to throw out their sweats and t-shirts and update their hair and wardrobe to reflect a new professional image!

o Name Drop. Even though your mother told you not to do it, do it anyway! If someone referred you, you should use his or her name. It's okay. HR representatives and hiring managers scan hundreds of resumes and interview many candidates. They will likely give you more consideration if they know someone from within the company put your name forward. (Plus, sometimes those people get cash rewards if their candidate gets hired!)

o Smile during your interview! It's a conversation not an interrogation. Ask questions and talk with your interviewers. Nervousness makes you more tense, but enthusiasm is contagious!

The bottom line: Your physical and cyber images are extremely important! They are a reflection of you! They either say "professional", or they don't. Invest a little time and thought in your appearance and you'll feel great!

job

There comes a point in every ones life when you need to find a job, it could be your first one, a change in your career or it could be due to redundancy; all are very different but you can apply this very simple process to help you in your search.

1. Job Boards:
There are hundreds of Job Boards to choose from based on industry sectors or job descriptions. Once you have decided which Job Bank you would like to use, you then need to begin your search. This needs to be been broken down into step-by-step stages:
Firstly, read the Jobs Board to see it works to make sure you are clear and can understand how the services work and what's on offer. Next click on the Search part of the Job Board, which will allow you to enter your criteria. At this stage it is advisable to keep the search as broad as possible as this will give you some guide as to the depth of the vacancies available, its better to have a broad selection.
Depending on the results, this search can then be narrowed by for example; Industry, Geography and Salary. When using Keywords it's very important when entering the search criteria some Search Engines use Boolean search logic this involves using commands such as 'AND', 'NOT', 'OR' between keywords.

2. Recruiters:
Many job seekers put their faith in recruiters because of their extensive knowledge of the employment market. To help you gain a better understanding of the job market here are some of the reasons people will contact recruiters:
Recruiter sites- these belong to the recruiter and are used to attract both Clients (companies who wish to employ you) and Candidates (you - the job seeker). They often contain details of current assignments for which you may be able to apply online. A recruiter will list the contact information for its offices and provide you with information about the type of candidate they wish to attract. Negotiation- recruiters are trained and skilled in the art of negotiation. A good recruiter frequently deals in face to face meetings and should be able to arrive mutually on a decision which blends the needs of both parties.


3. Networking:

This approach is regarded as being the most challenging for many people due to the myth that it is taking advantage of friends, colleagues and family. This is far from the truth, speaking to anyone in this context, as long as you handle each approach in the right manner.

This informal approach provides you with the opportunity to:
Find job openings that you would not otherwise see - The key part of networking is the possibility of getting referrals. What's a referral? A referral is an introduction to a new networking contact. These introductions increase the size of your network base and increase your chances of success. You must practice your interview skills. If you get the opportunity to talk to someone who is more experienced it may be appropriate for you to ask for his or her advice on your career. Sometimes people enjoy "mentoring" someone less experienced. "Tell People about Your Skills" - the more people know of your skills and qualifications the more chance you have of finding a possible opportunities.

4. Direct Approach:

A direct approach to a company or organisation is an effective way to open up a new avenue in your search. Direct contact should form part of your overall strategy. There should be some logic about your targets that is easily understood. The message should be both coherent and cogent. The receiver of your approach must be in no doubt as to why you are writing to them. How should you approach them? Your approach must have both impact and reason.

Here are the 4 key points you should concentrate on in your approach:
Targets- You can select your targets in a variety of ways. In your campaign you may be interested primarily in a particular sector or industry, and/or a specific geographic area. You can then write to each company individually. Aims -What are your aims? In the short term you want to secure an appointment with a "decision maker" some body that has the responsibility to recruit. In the longer term, your aim may be a full-time job or a consultancy assignment, or perhaps part-time work. But the first step is to try and get that appointment. Be persistent. Just because a company cannot use your skills at the moment does not mean they will not need them in the future. Situations and needs change very quickly. Always keep in touch with companies that have previously turned you (or your resume) down. Encourage communication. Nurture it. Once you have written to a company and they reply you have a line of communication. Never give. Put the ball back in their court. Even if you have been unsuccessful, you can always respond to a negative letter with a positive reply. This is particularly important after the interview.

5. Advertised Vacancies
Before applying for a vacancy it is important to read the job description in order to ensure you feel confident that you do the role. A few signs to look out for that can help you to decide this.
Look out for the contact details; these should be fairly complete including company or recruiter name, a contact method such as email, phone or postal address. It is also important to look out for vague job descriptions and job locations. Systematically look at advertisements and send out tailored letters with your CV to those that are appropriate. Pick out the specific requirements in the advertisement and briefly match each requirement to something you have done - quantified if possible. Bear in mind that the person who will actually be offered the job may not possess all the qualifications specified Requirements tend to be overstated, so if you are confident you could handle the job and can meet at least 75% of the criteria, go ahead and apply. Once you have found a suitable position that you would like to apply for you will need to reply in accordance with the adverts instructions. Make sure that you keep a record of all your job applications that you have applied for on the internet so that you can follow them up, just as you would if you applied to a traditional vacancy.

6. Career Management:
Career Management involves you working on a one to one basis with a professional consultant, undertaking various assessments and exercises. The aim of this very detailed process is for you to examine the different career options available to you and to then put together the marketing tools (including your resume) that you will require when undertaking your job search.

Career Management can help you to understand how to work the job market, networking and accessing unadvertised positions. It can be vital if you are trying to change career or sector

job

Growing frustrated by your job search? Or are you procrastinating because starting the process seems too daunting? If you want your search to yield results, don't make these mistakes!

Mistake #1: Not Spending Time on Networking

Overall most jobs are found through networking, not by submitting your resume to online job boards. When you network you can find out about jobs before they are posted - or connect with jobs that never find their way to the job boards. You'll increase your chances of success by letting everyone in your network know you're looking. Don't think that you know enough people? Then grow your network by attending business and social networking events and by joining online groups such as LinkedIn and Facebook.

Mistake #2: Being Too Scattered in Your Search

Sometimes job seekers are reluctant to narrow their search by committing to a specific job. They think they will increase their chances by applying for many different types of jobs. However, it's not a good idea to apply for any job that comes along because it sounds like it might be a fit. Employers are looking for candidates who have proven skills that are in line with the requirements. The more you scatter your efforts across the board, the more time you'll waste applying for positions that aren't a good match for you.

Mistake #3: Not Doing Your Research

Take the time to find out about the job you want. For instance, does it require specialized training or certifications? Are the jobs based in your geographic location or will you have to move? What is the salary range?

Knowing the details about the position will help you when you update your resume. If you know what specific skills are required, you can play up those points on your resume and in your cover letter.  Get your facts first and lessen the chance you'll regret your job choice later.

Mistake #4: Not Having Your Resume Updated

Does your resume have the right keywords? Did you include details about your present (or last) position?  Does your resume include the job title you're applying for? Look at job ads for the position you want and be sure to include the keywords in your resume.

If you are applying for more than one position, you should have a resume tailored to each one. For instance, if you are applying for a technical writer position and a business analyst position, be sure that you have two versions of your resume. Do not include jobs that you had over ten years ago. Employers are more interested in what you've done lately. If your resume is geared to internal company job searching, make sure to revise it before you send it out. Don't include acronyms and abbreviations that no one outside of your current company (or industry) will understand.

Mistake #5: Not Being Consistent in Your Search

If you're stopping and starting your job search, your results will be equally inconsistent. Set up daily and weekly tasks in your calendar to insure that you are on track. Have a vision for where you want to go, and don't be discouraged if it takes longer than you expect. With more people out in the market looking for jobs, there's increased competition. Consistent and steady work towards your goal will get you where you want to go!

job

Do you know you can increase your job interviews in a bad economy? Does this statement sound absurd? Truly it is not.

Most people will fall into the temptation of holding on to the job they have (even if they are not really happy with it) rather than venture out into a poor economy...thinking it will garner them little result or create unnecessary risk.

You and I both know it's easy to let fear paralyze our actions...sacrificing what we really want when we don't think we can achieve our aim. However, let me share with you five tips to help you understand how you can start moving forward and achieving your goals now instead of later (and land more interviews in the process):

Tip number one: Start your search when your competition is at a minimum
Quite simply, this includes committing to your job search during a "bad" economy. It can also include months like December which is actually (statistically) a good time to begin a job search - another time when your competition is often absent.

Tip number two: Go for the growing markets
To explore growing markets online, visit jobbait.com and register for a free monthly report which details which markets are growing and in what states. When you target a growing market, you automatically increase you odds of landing more interviews.

Tip number three: Make sure your resume is written for your target market
Nothing tanks a good job search like a poorly focused and poorly crafted resume. Make certain your resume is written well.

If you are not sure how your resume stacks up, there are plenty of articles you can read on good resumes, samples you can look at online or in resume books (make sure to view the latest editions) and you can even get a resume critique.

One extra tip: it's a great idea to have your resume professionally written. If you decide to go this route, make sure the writer is certified and has ample experience. You can find a whole list of certified resume writers at Careerdirectors.com.

Tip number four: Tap into the unadvertised job market
Major Job boards boast a measly 1 to 4% average response rate. That's a lot of resumes to send out just to hear nothing back!

Make sure you have an adequate mix of associations, niche sites and direct company contacts in your job search strategy.

Depending on your particular goals, you might also benefit from working with recruiters, learning how to network properly (without asking for a job) and learning techniques for following up with companies that are experiencing some form of growth.

Tip number five: Understand the playing field
No matter how good you are, how exceptional your qualifications or how brilliant your references, it's impossible for each and every connection you make to end up with a job offer.

Your positive responses are going to be smaller than the amount of inquiries you make, period. Such is the world of marketing. So make sure your expectations are congruent with the market so you don't end up feeling discouraged over numbers which may actually be good!

Want to improve your odds? Techniques to tap into jobs that are not advertised can yield you from 20% to 60% favorable responses. If you are achieving those odds, then congratulations, you are doing a remarkable job!

Successful people generally have lots of good habits including taking challenges head on, investing in themselves and taking action. By integrating these five simple tips into your job search now, you too can achieve amazing results and reach your job search goals.

job

How to Start

If you are looking for a job, then you must first analyze and understand your choices and what you want out of a position. Think about your strengths and don't forget to mention them in your resume or cover letter. Your resume gives a potential employer their first impression about you, so you should know exactly what employers are looking for and then tailor your qualifications to fit the bill.

In a competitive job market, like the one present today, you can't afford to wait around for calls from recruiters or HR Managers. You need to be persistent - call them and let them know that you are interested in the job, but don't make a pest of yourself, or come across as desperate.

The Cover Letter and Resume

Before applying for a job, you need to do research on the company. This will allow you to draft an appropriate resume and cover letter. If your resume shows that you are qualified for the job, then it will save the recruiter a lot of time - so don't neglect your cover letter or resume, which is what will ultimately get you that interview call.

Use Your Network

The most important tool in when you're looking for a job in a competitive market is networking - and good networking does not depend on age or experience.

o Ask help from community leaders, as they are the best people to give advice and guide you. They are always ready to help new grads, and perhaps they could give you reference letters.

o Try contacting your Chamber of Commerce for contacts in your industry. This may help to open up some doors.

o Make a list of some companies where you would like to work and get the names of the decision makers. Try calling them to get an appointment - and if you have done your research well, then you are sure to leave an impact on them.

If you are not willing to take a full time job, or are unable to find one immediately, then you can take an internship, part-time job or even volunteer. An internship is a good option for students, as they usually don't require a long-term commitment.

In short, your basic strategies should be:

o Always broaden your search perspective and focus on your strengths

o Apply through various recruiting agencies

o Use all your networking channels

o Try an internship in the summer to enhance your future job prospects

Finding a job just out of college can be difficult - but by using the tips above, you'll be sure to tip the scales in your favor.

job

Interview Tips & Advice

Managers, professionals and executives are usually articulate individuals with
excellent career and track records. They often do poorly in interviews because
of a lack of serious preparation, and the belief that their accomplishments will
speak for themselves.

There can easily be hundreds of job applicants competing with you for the same
position. Never think you are the only job candidate and never underestimate those
who are competing with you. Unfortunately accomplishments don't speak for themselves
and a well-prepared candidate with highly-developed interview skills often gets a
position over a better qualified candidate that was poorly prepared.

For mid level and higher positions the interview is not only used for gathering
information about a candidate's experience and qualifications, it is a method of
assessing management and presentation skills. Every aspect of the entire
interview process is evaluated. Companies are not only interested in the
candidate's qualifications but how well the individual will fit into the
organization.

The biggest mistake in interviewing is not being fully prepared. Job Seekers must
use every conceivable means possible to prepare for the interview and to allow
ample time to fully prepare. Understand that interviewing is a skill and as with
all skills, preparation and practice enhance the quality of that skill. Preparation
can make the difference between getting an offer and getting rejected.

There is no one best way to prepare for an interview. Rather, there are specific
and important strategies to enhance one's chances for interview success.
Research sample interview questions and
answers, learn about the various types of interview techniques. Research the
company, industry trends and prepare a list of questions to ask the interviewer.
If you don't know what to expect it is unlikely that you will be able to
successfully convey your qualifications and interest in the position. Studies
show that most interviewers are looking for reasons not to hire a candidate
so you must overcome this resistance.

Tips for Your Job Search

Most managers, professionals and executives do not have much experience interviewing
from the candidate's side of the desk and should investigate the expert advice in
the Interview Directory. Interviewing is a skill that requires preparation and you
must anticipate and be prepared to answer all the possible questions you may be asked.

job

Job searching is a hard process. But using the internet and job search engines can make life a lot easier in sorting through the massive amounts of jobs listed on the internet. But sometimes a busy person, particularly one with a full-time job and a family, does not have the time it takes to search on his or her own to find the right job.

A solution to this problem is to contact an employment agency / recruiter. There are thousands of agencies that will help you find a job, you can usually find a local recruiter or use one of the many national agencies. While you do need to sign a contract with most agencies, generally their fee will be paid for by the company that hires you. Recruiters search for job openings for you according to your abilities, skills, education, and experience. They do exactly what you would do if you had the time, plus know of any new openings before being advertised. Employment agencies will keep searching for a job if their first suggestion isn't a match, but beware: some recruiters will dump you if you disagree with their first proposal.

If you're looking for a specialised job like I.T, then you'll be able to find national recruiters that specialize in this field. Search the internet for employment agencies and your chosen career and contact the recruiters listed.

If you require a job in a certain location, then add this to your search and then contact them with your requirements.

job

Here is some of the worst advice still being given to job hunters when applying for employment. In todays day and age with computers so easily available it amuses me that poorly constructed or even hand written resumes still find there way into the hands of the recruiter.

Make you resume stand out by using colour paper. Recruiters were sent identical resumes except one was in colour and one was in black and white. The recruiters thought that the colour copy contained less information because they did not bother to read it. Using colour paper is a gimmick and does not work.

Put a photo in your resume. Research has shown that attractive candidates that submit a photo with their resume are short listed more often compared to resumes that contained identical information. With over 600 resumes studied the research showed that out of the 100 resumes short listed not one contained a photo.

Bullet points instead of sentences make your resumes easier to read. It is not wrong to use sentences in your resume. Using sentences can show off your written communication skills and can be effective when applying for management positions. In the study recruiters rated the resumes with sentences higher when compared to bullet point resumes. If the recruiter is intrigued with what they are reading the will continue.

List hobbies and interests on your resume. With the exception of school leavers, forget hobbies. The research showed that using the most impressive and the weirdest hobbies and interest had no bearing on the resume being short listed.

Your resume should be no more the 3 pages There is no evidence to support this view and it depends entirely on the content of the resumes and the type of job you are going for. Once again if what you write intrigues the recruiters, they will read on.

The resume is not as important as the interview. Your resume is the only change you will get to total control what is presented. Both the interview and the resume are equally important and the interview and resume rated equally when predicting who were short listed.

Your resume is an important part of the job application process and candidates should take the time to Taylor their resume for each job they are applying for. For more tips on applying for job within the hospitality industry visit the link below.

job

With some many businesses closing, their doors for good, many people are frantically searching for a job in order to support their families. Therefore, they are willing to take the first job that calls them back, for an Interview. However, when most people have an Interview, they often become so nervous that they do not know how to ask questions to ask at a job Interview.

Therefore, they simply go to the Interview unprepared, hoping to get the job. Now if a person knew all the information about a certain place they were filling out an application for. they would be able to know what question to ask at a job Interview. Looking for a job in these economic times is like studying for a test.

You need to know what the duties of the company are, and how the work schedule is, planned for the week. In addition, you may ask what some of the challenges are that the other employees go through daily basis and how do they deal with them. Moreover, ask the employer what he or she is most interested in, and what drew him or her to this company.

When in the Interview ask question about what your employer does in his or her spare time while not at work. This is just to find out what his or her interests are and what they like to do. You maybe surprised that the two of you may have the same likes and dislikes about certain things.

Now you are not trying to befriend the employer, just find out a little about them for you have already told them about you. It is easier to work with people that have the same interests that you do, for it will give the two of you things to talk about and discuss while on the job.

It is very important that you ask the right questions while in the Interview, do not ask questions about the employers' personal life, unless they have asked you about yours. If you ask the wring questions while at a job interview you may offend the employer and mess up your chance of getting the job that you hope they will choose you as their next employee.

Other then that, good luck to you in your job search and remember to be prepared to ask as many questions as possible, while you are being Interviewed. The bond that you build with your employer will determine the bond that the two of you have while working with one another.

job

After you lose a job, the number one game is your job search. So why not make a game of it. Actually, to look for a job is the numbers game. The more of your associates, friends, and prospective employers you contact, the sooner you'll be offered a job.

One of the job search games you can play is with ten ball bearings -

· Put all of the ball bearings in a pocket or section of your purse

· Every time you talk to someone, take a ball bearing out of one pocket and transfer it to another.

· The day is not complete until your first pocket, or section of your purse, is empty

Success in this game is not measured by how well you perform with each person, but whether that conversation results in another meeting, interview, or introduction to someone else. You can play the game with people you speak to on the phone or in person.

You can get a job faster by playing the number game

You can compare a job hunt to playing the lottery -- "you gotta be in it to win it." The more people you call, the more meetings you'll get. The more meetings you have, the more interviews you'll have. And the more interviews you have, the more offers you'll get.

You guarantee a long job search by not talking to enough people. And it might feel uncomfortable when you begin reaching out to people because you're stretching your comfort zone.

But when you buy ten ball bearings for playing the job search game your ride will be much smoother because you'll reduce job search anxiety.

job

You've heard it before: at least 80% of all the jobs are found through the "hidden" job market, also known as the "unpublished" job market. These are jobs typically landed through word of mouth and referrals as opposed to the hit-or-miss method of answering ads, posting your resume to internet databases, or other techniques meant to target the remaining 20% of all jobs in the published market.

It stands to reason that if the vast majority of the jobs are to be found in this hidden market, that you should spend the majority of your job search time working to crack it. But, as you may have reasoned already, accessing the hidden job market requires that you take charge of your search, reaching out and building strategic relationships, taking proactive initiative, and making yourself visible in the right circles.

That's right. It requires that you use networking strategies. And, the thought of networking leaves many people feeling nervous and unsure. For an introverted or shy person, the idea of networking can even cause serious anxiety and fear.

What is networking exactly? If you believe, like many people, that networking is simply approaching everyone you know to ask for a job, it is no wonder you feel uncomfortable! That isn't what networking is. True networking is about building strategic relationships that involve a win-win, reciprocal exchange of information, support, and/or referrals.

When defined in this way, networking ceases to be so scary. But, it also requires that you expand your view of networking. No longer is networking just something you do every now and then when you are conducting a job search; building and strengthening your network is something that you should be working at all the time. But, if you find yourself facing an immediate job search, and your networking skills are rusty, don't fret. Here are some tips to get you moving.

1) When you first start out to build your network, it will be helpful for you to think of networking as a research project. Networking isn't just about the quantity of contacts; it is about the quality. Don't be afraid to reach out to decision-makers and people "in the know" within companies and industries of interest to you. These are quality contacts. Explain your career plans and ask them if they would spend 15 minutes talking to you and answering some questions. Most people will be flattered and say yes. When you do get in front of them, NEVER ask for a job, but DO ask for advice and referrals. These meetings are traditionally known as informational interviews.

2) As mentioned above, your networking efforts should emphasize building quality relationships. But, don't discount the importance of quantity. As much as possible, you should also expand your network. Friends, relatives, people you went to college with, contacts you have made in your community, doctors, the salespeople you come into contact with...they are all part of your network. You won't want to spend a large amount of time on this, but at least make a comprehensive list and call or send a letter reestablishing a connection, informing people of your search, and asking for advice or referrals. Again, notice that it isn't about asking for a job. Just ask for advice and referrals.

3) Prepare, prepare, prepare for your networking meetings-especially those that take the format of an informational interview. Prepare lists of questions about the company or the industry. Do your research so that you know something about the person you are meeting with and the company they work for (you might be amazed at what a simple Google search will turn up). For some people, role playing is helpful. If you are working with a career coach, this is something they may be able to help with. But a friend or close family member could also help you. There is no better antidote for nervousness than being prepared.

4) Getting out from behind your desk and making yourself visible is crucial. Join and then take part in events held by professional associations and other groups. Attend workshops and trainings in your field or industry. Attend job fairs to meet directly with hiring decision-makers. Volunteer your career-related skills in your community. If you are an expert at something, offer to speak on the topic to various groups. Job searching can be a time of anxiety and diminished self-confidence for many people, but don't hide at home behind your computer. Get out and meet people.

5) Yes, I just told you not to hide behind your computer, but the internet will play a role in any comprehensive networking campaign. Creating and maintaining a blog on your area of career expertise is an extraordinary way to build your credibility and visibility. Social networking sites like LinkedIn, MySpace, and FaceBook are increasingly popular ways to expand your network. Consider writing articles on industry and profession-related topics and then offering them as free content to webmasters (make sure the article is credited to you and includes a way to contact you). You can also participate in online discussions on topics related to your career focus. Just remember that you shouldn't "hide" behind a fake name like many people do. Your purpose is to expand your visibility and credibility, so you must use your real name.

6) Finally, show your appreciation and follow up on every single contact with a thank you note. True networking is based on cultivating and nurturing long-term relationships, so you should always be thinking of nice things you can do to show your appreciation, or ways that you could return a favor. Besides being common courtesy, your efforts in this regard will pay you back by further strengthening your relationships and helping to keep you visible.

Happy networking! Even if it feels a little uncomfortable at first, just get out there and do it. Make networking a part of your daily routine and plan to spend the majority of your job search time on networking activities (approximately three-fourths of your time is a good estimate). The more you network, the faster your current job search will come to a successful conclusion and the faster and more successful any future job searches will be.

job

Finding a new career in today's fast-paced world isn't as easy as it looks. Though online job search engines are incredibly popular, sometimes it's hard to know where to look or what to look for! One underlying issue of concern for job seekers is the vast number of applicants sent in each minute, every day.

No one has to wait for the Sunday classifieds section anymore in order to find the newest jobs...and an applicant on the East Coast may face competition from around the globe. When beginning your job search, consider the following hints to make your experience successful.

• Sign up for a site such as Careerbuilder's job newsletter-you'll receive access to newly posted jobs daily.

• In a job search box, enter in as many keywords as you can. If you're looking for a marketing position, why not add 'advertising' and 'sales' to increase your search results?

• Check on the weekends: many job sites continuously post new openings-even on the weekends.

• If a job site allows you to post your resume, be sure to take advantage of it. This will increase your chances an employer will gloss by it.

• If you receive correspondence from a potential employer by email, follow it up with a thank you note.

There is no real science behind landing a new job. It may be a matter of timing or even luck, in some instances. Utilizing the best job search engines such as Monster and Careerbuilder allow you to better your chances of finding a great career. StarReviews.com reports that Monster even gives you access to a career advice center and job-saturated marketplace. You have a great chance of finding your dream job on the Net, if you're willing to put in the work.

job

A work at home assistant job, or virtual assistant, is one of the most recent career choices available due to the high quantity of internet services needed. Virtual assistants provide clients with secretarial, administrative, and technologically creative skills. If you have a computer, fax, scanner and printer, you may find that becoming a virtual assistant is the perfect job for you.

There are a wide array of websites where you can, not only find a virtual assistant position, but you can also gain skills that you would need in such a position. Some will even match you up with a company that you are well suited for. As with any company you intend to work with, you should thoroughly research the company before putting your trust into it. Unfortunately, a high percentage of these types of online programs are scams.

You may want to consider joining a work at home job search website that offers membership in order to help you find clients, but be wary. There should be no fees, other than membership, involved and don't agree to transfer money or accept payment from or into your bank account. Two excellent, free job search sites are http://www.wahm.com (Work at Home Moms) and http://www.craigslist.org. Remember that just because you pay a membership fee, you aren't assured of getting a job.

Another great idea is to develop your own virtual assistant website. This way, you can really market yourself and the services you provide. You could also provide tutorials, book reviews, and message boards geared toward your services to create more traffic to your website. By selling advertising space on your website, you can easily have a steady stream of income while working on initial projects. Also consider getting business liability insurance and registering your business name. This will lend credibility to your company.

Whatever type of services you are offering, you should make sure that you are fully qualified to provide those services. You may choose to only offer secretarial services, or skills in one specific field, or even a couple of related areas. In any case, work at home assistant jobs are the wave of the future, so start providing services today. Try not to get discouraged during your search. Finding a job is never a walk in the park. Employers will appreciate a positive attitude and a hard worker, and your new work at home assistant job will be your reward for all your hard work.

job

You have what it takes to succeed. Now all you need to do is communicate that in writing so that an employer sees just how amazing you truly are. How do you make that great first impression, especially when you have to do it on paper rather than in person?

Start with following a few basic guidelines. No matter how wonderful you are, unless you are able to get the attention of the person scanning the cover letters and resumes, you have very limited opportunities to get the interview you want. Some of the basic concepts mentioned here seem like common sense. That's because they are. The job-search process is not complicated. It is time consuming and involved at times, but it is fairly easy. Follow these guidelines and you will be that much closer to getting an interview. Why? Employers are looking for people who follow the basic tenets in place, not those who like to rock the boat.

Guidelines exist for a reason. They help everyone conform to certain standards so that the whole process (whatever it is) goes smoother. Follow them and you will do well. Don't follow them and you limit yourself. You see, most everyone else is following the guidelines, too.

The main two reasons most failures occur is:

Some individuals think they are clever and will try things their own way (thus ignoring the guidelines)

Others are just plain lazy and refuse to spend any more time than necessary preparing their credentials in a format that is easy to read and presents their personal history in a way that is inviting.

So, what guidelines lead to success in the job-search process? You want to make a great impression, right?

These do:

Be careful - Proofread your material. Whether it is your cover letter or your resume, make sure it is free of errors. Typos and grammatical errors are not the best way to get an interview. Look beyond the body copy, too. Is your address correct? Did you spell the hiring manager's (or whatever the title may be) name correctly? Make sure you double check everything.


Be prepared - Do some digging. This is a two-fold dig, too.

First, take some time to get to know YOU. Defining your professional and personal traits can add a great deal to your job success. How do you accomplish this? Make a list of your finest attributes and how they relate to the work environment.

Second, do some research on the company you intend to work for and the position you want. How large is the organization? What do they produce, sell, market or offer? Are they planning future expansion? Where do they stand in the market for their product or service? Find out what makes them who they are, then tailor your material to the organization and their needs. When it comes time for the interview, you will be more knowledgeable and better prepared.

To read an article to find out if you and the prospective employer are a good fit, click here:
Employer Fit


Be real. You don't have to lie or distort the truth. Simply present yourself using key action words that define your personal and professional traits.


Be smart. Do what needs to be done and do it well. If you want your resume to end up in the "Call for interview" pile, you have to do everything as thoroughly and professionally as possible. Make good choices in spending your time on things that matter, like your cover letter and resume. Only one person is hired for each job, remember?

If you are successful in making a good first impression, you will do great in the interview. Of course, that requires a different kind of preparation, but it will actually be much easier because of the steps you have taken to ensure your written materials are stellar.

Do it right and you will find the job-search process is much, much easier.

Best of luck!

Carla Vaughan, Owner/Webmaster

Professional-Resume-Example.com

job

Many job applicants don't get the interview or the job because of spelling errors on their resume. Amazing and as simple as it seems these are the little flies in the ointment that may do you in - both in your job search and searches, promotions in your career and even to the point of just getting the interview from management or the human resources h.r. department.

You might think that in this day of powerful easy to use word processors and office suites - such as the powerful and elaborate Microsoft Office / Suite/ Service, Online word processors and even free open source products such as "Open Office" that spelling errors as well as resume written presentation would be long ago issues. They are not. Even if you are , what you perceive , as a dedicated thorough person and worker in the business setting spelling , format and presentation errors scream out to the evaluator that this is a sloppy person with poor work habits who does not pay attention to detail and as well lacks attention in completing habits. Even if you do get the interview or the job you are left with a serious handicap of a poor first impression to overcome. It is always said that first impressions are lasting impressions. First impressions are very difficult and take a great amount of energy and effort to overcome. Why place yourself with a barrier and handicap to begin with. It's all wasted and lost effort. Ensure that your resume and / or job application have correct spelling. In the case of your resume it's both proper spelling and formatting of paragraphs and sentences.

How do these spelling errors occur? Remarkably there are numerous spelling errors in the programming of the actual software of the popular word processors. These spelling errors are so predictable in occurrence that it is common for professional human resources h.r. staff and management screeners of resumes and job applications to actually search for these markers on the pages as a matter of standard and accepted hiring and screening procedures. Next the replacement of spelling errors by the word processors is such a rapid and automatic event that you may well trust the word processor without question. After all these products are the results of evolution of office software products for over 20 years. You may reason that the once very expensive office software suite along with your powerful computer with that high end core duo processor, 8 gigs of ram and Microsoft Vista knows more about spelling, sentence and paragraph formatting than you will ever know. True. It is also true that even the best computer typist is bound to make a few errors - no matter what they believe. The beauty of these powerful word processing products that they present the user with the "lazy man's way of writing and presentation." The word processor may well correct most mistakes, be convenient and cover most mistakes. However in your case, it may only take one mistake to do you in.

On examination you will discover that these products will often slip a word incorrectly, or assume that the wrong spelling or the word should be the correct spelling of a word taken totally out of context from your sentence or paragraph. You may misspell the word shirk for example in a sentence and find that the word processor inserts the correct spelling for an out of context word "shark". Lastly there are regional differences in spelling which you may consider correct whereas the authority reviewing the document, may consider wrong spelling. For example the correct British or Canadian spelling for the word color is "color", the correct spelling for the word labor in these other locales is "labor". You are correct in your spelling and diction, whereas in this case you may well be marked "wrong" by the reviewer.

What can be done to prevent being sunk before launch with your resume, or other document? It all comes down to attention to detail and thoroughness. First read the resume carefully, even read it out loud. Have another person read and review the finished work. In the case of a job application, where the application is done on paper this may not be possible. In addition if you have to bring along a second person to the site to help you fill out and review the application - this may not be a good idea as it shows lack of reliance and job employment skills as an individual working alone. On the other hand if you are filling out an online job application - which is often the case now in the routine automated world of employment searches and hiring, a second person can well help you in your application - both words and well rounded answers as well as correcting spelling mistakes. One last procedure and tactic that professional proofreaders employ is to actually read and the resume backwards from the last sentence to its beginning.

In the end, for the most part, proper spelling, formatting and presentation on your job resume and application come down to attention to detail and thoroughness. If you want the job, interview or promotion it is well worth the effort.

job

Not certain where to begin looking for a job, but you are really want to find a job in your local area, well you are among many who want the same as there are thousands out of work in our country. But when you know where to start looking, it gets much easier.

So where are the employers who are hiring? Where can you find jobs locally that you would like to have?

First lets look at your abilities and skills before start your search for work. You should get ready to fill out several employment applications and get your resume ready. There are many ways to find local jobs.

Using a job center is a great place to begin. They can give you listings of all openings for several types of employment. The jobs listings they provide you with are updated frequently.

At first, job centers were more popular with job seekers under 21 years of age. They would look at your abilities, skills and education and would be able to set up interviews related to your skill set. Most people attending the job centers can participate in training classes to improve job skills. These days all age levels use these centers.

Another way to locate current job listings and advertisements is through the use of local and national newspapers to find what's available. To find several recent job openings go to your local library and take a look at the employment classifieds.

If you don't want to leave your home then just check some job listing online. Review the positions you prefer and go through them one at a time.

Also most careers have their own journals, periodicals and magazines. Employers use these publications when searching for professionals. Subscribe to these magazines or purchase them at a local bookstore. If you are looking to start off your career that is based on your degree or study, you should subscribe to professional publications to increase finding a good job.

Using employment agencies is another way to find local job openings in a wide variety of industries. Most employment agencies can be found in your telephone directory.

Current job vacancies can also be found at the employer's human resource department. Some companies actually don't advertise in newspapers and only use internal notices for open positions. Visit some companies and ask to view their current listings of employment openings.

The economical method that is also quick is to search local jobs is by using the internet. Many companies, temp agencies, workforce centers and newspapers have their own websites. You can go through all of these websites to find a job or save your time by using a job search engine.

Making use of all these options could save you a lot of frustration when looking for your preferred local job. You could use all of these methods simultaneously to increase your chances of employment.

Being resourceful and utilizing the options presented here will save you time in search for work. Using all of these ideas will improve your chances of getting employed.

job

A growing number of jobseekers find themselves in the midst of a long-term job search. According to Bureau of Labor Statistics, the U.S. jobless rate soared to a four-year high of 5.7% in July 2008 and the average job search took more than four months to net results. However, some critics would put this number and the number of the unemployed much higher.

Helen Kooiman, author of Suddenly Unemployed asserts, "[S]uch statistics are inaccurate indicators. They do not include those whose unemployment benefits have run out or those who don't qualify for unemployment... Such statistics also do not count welfare recipients, temps (who cannot be counted as fully employed), or others who eke out a living on so-called self-employment." Neither do such reports include what the Bureau of Labor Statistics terms "discouraged workers" or those who "were not currently looking for work specifically because they believed no jobs were available for them." Their figures reached 461,000 in July.

A long-term job search can put a tremendous financial and emotional strain on a job hunter. "It's been a demoralizing experience and it's been very difficult budgetwise. I'm a single mother," Kay Marie King says, a former non-profit executive with a wealth of experience that is currently involved in an ongoing job search.

So, what can you do when weeks of a fruitless job search quickly turns to months? Here are seven tips for jump starting a stalled job search:

Tip One: Don't be so quick to blame everything on the economy (your region, your industry, etc.)

These issues certainly play a role in the current job market. However, it is easy to fixate on such factors and completely discount factors which we personally control. The next six tips cover areas that long-term jobseekers do well to revisit to jump start a stalled job search. Why is this so important? I am reminded of a woman I once interviewed that looked great on paper, but during the interview she had an incredibly offensive body odor. She remarked that she'd been on several interviews but she was "overqualified" for every position. It was a classic case of the problem (or her perception of what the problem was) not really being the problem. While most jobseekers don't have such an obvious issue, each one would still do well to take a long look in the mirror.

Tip Two: Conduct a candid self-assessment.

Look at yourself from the perspective of the potential employer. Compare your experience and qualifications to those typically required of someone in your target position. How do your skills and experience match up? Think of creative ways to to fill skill gaps and gain experience.

Tip Three: Re-examine your target position or industry.

Are you searching for work in a waning industry or oversaturated field? Is your desired position readily available in your selected geographic area? Being open to relocation may improve your chances. Can you apply your knowledge and skills to an industry that is experiencing growth?

Tip Four: Rethink your current job search.

What job search strategies are you currently using? If you are concentrating your efforts on strategies that are typically the least effective (like online job boards and newspaper ads) your job search will take much longer to yield results. Consider incorporating job search strategies that yield higher results, like networking and direct targeted mailing campaigns.

Tip Five: Re-evaluate the way you are communicating your message verbally and in print.

Communicating your message to potential employers in a clear and compelling manner is critical to job search success. Re-examine your resume. Does it communicate your value to employers by addressing how your skills and experience will meet the employer's specific needs? Practice communicating your value in response to typical interview questions, including, "Tell me about yourself."

Tip Six: Maintain your intensity level and a positive outlook.

It is easy to become discouraged over the course of a lengthy job search. Keep a positive outlook and maintain a high-level of focus and intensity throughout your job search for quicker results. Taking a systematic approach to your job search will help you to stay organized and on track during your job search. Yet, it is important to pursue other interests during your job search. Enjoy spending time with friends and family. Renew your interest in a hobby. Tackle a project you wouldn't have time to if you were working. Spending time in other pursuits provides a much-needed reprieve from the stress of a job search. You'll be energized and ready for the next leg of your job search.

Tip Seven: Build a solid support system.

If a self-guided job search has netted limited results; consider working with a career or job search coach. Your coach will help you identify any problem areas and offer suggestions for improvement. Another option is to join a local or online job search club. If a coach or job search club isn't available try building your own support network. Enlist the help of family and friends or connect with other job hunters. Taking a team approach to your job search provides an opportunity for constructive feedback, a fresh perspective, ongoing encouragement, and added accountability.

Try applying the tips above to jump start a stalled job search. Learn more about conducting a Simply Successful Job Search by visiting SavvyJobseeker.com.

job

In the wake of 9/11 the homeland security business is still booming, and now it eclipses mature enterprises like movie-making and the music industry in annual revenue. In this multi-billion business airport security was the initial focus, but during the past years the industry has expanded into a wide range of companies hawking all kinds of products and services for securing nearly every imaginable terrorist target. The homeland security industry now includes border, rail, seaport, industrial and nuclear plant protection as well as chemical, biological and radiological detection. One of the biggest customer in the field is a post-9/11 creation, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. This is a federal agency whose primary mission is to help prevent, protect against, and respond to acts of terrorism on United States soil. Apart from the "traditional" duties, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security received in April this year authority from the congress to waive all legal requirements necessary to expeditiously install additional physical barriers and roads at the border to deter illegal activity. According to Secretary Chertoff: "Criminal activity at the border does not stop for endless debate or protracted litigation," "Congress and the American public have been adamant that they want and expect border security. We're serious about delivering it, and these waivers will enable important security projects to keep moving forward." This extention of activities will again boost the job market and if you are interested in working in this field you should consider to jump on the train. Actually there are over 20,000 jobs published on the internet and the trend is going up.

Climate change is an other challenge that will requiere more investments in the homeland security field in the future. According to an article published by Joshua W. Busby of the University of Texas at Austin in the Washington Post on March 22, 2008, the US government needs to take action on risk reduction and adaptation, mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions, and institutional changes in the U.S. government to prepare the U.S. to deal with the threat posed by global climatic disruption.

"Climate and security concerns do not get the attention they deserve in the U.S. government because they have few high-level champions. A new deputy undersecretary of defense position for environmental security should be created to redress the insufficient institutionalization of climate and environmental concerns in the Department of Defense. That said, we should not confuse national defense with what the military can do. As the risk reduction agenda makes clear, other instruments of national power will also be needed. To that end, the U.S. needs several senior positions in the National Security Council dedicated to environmental security, including a Deputy National Security Advisor for Sustainable Development to guide the inter-agency process. The links between climate and security still might not get sufficient attention. A special advisor to the president on climate change with some budgetary authority might also help."

As a conclusion, homeland security is a booming market for job seekers and the trend will continue for at least five to ten years more. One major terrorist attack in the United States, Europe or Japan could increase the global market in 2015 to $730 billion, more than a twelve fold increase from today's level, according to Tomer Amit, vice president of Homeland Security Research. "Most of the growth this decade will come from building what Homeland Security Research calls "a homeland defense infrastructure." Growth areas are likely to include technology for surveillance and for detection of nuclear and other weapons of mass destruction", Amit says.

All indicators are showing green light for starting a career in this promising and highly interesting industry.

job

Tempted? Think the guarantee of looking at only $100,000+ salary jobs is worth the money you are expected to pay? Are you seduced by what appears to be easy access to $100,000+ jobs? Do you hope all you had to do is submit a resume to job boards wait for the phone to ring? Are you surprised with the poor results? Want to know why?

Most people are surprised they have to pay to see jobs in the $100,000+ range. Experience tells them they shouldn't have to pay to learn who is hiring. Especially if the "hiring authority" is a recruiter. Yes, you could submit for free and recruiters and employers would have access to your information, information buried with thousands of other high income job seekers. To avoid obscurity, you had to plunk down coin.

Many users of these boards report job opportunities sent for their review are usually outdated, inappropriate to specifications or out of state. The more senior the candidate, the lower the number of possible jobs revealed with an increase of inappropriate descriptions.

Eric, a patron of a $100,000 board had truly exceptional credentials. He was hopeful. His first week, he received seven emails from one job board and not one had anything to do with a new opportunity. He was asked for more money to upgrade his services, or asked for more information or even referrals to other candidates. Adding insult to injury, no one contacted him about appropriate jobs. He felt antagonized by their constant pitch because they delivered nothing. When he decided to discontinue the service, he was billed for an extra month because he missed the expiration date by one day.

He paid a monthly fee (automatically deducted from his credit card for a specified time) just as thousands of other executives and high salary candidates were doing and his resume was lost with theirs. Anyone looking for candidates on these boards skim the first twenty or so resumes, find three or four of interest and move on. Those resumes which have aged or resumes from patrons who didn't pay for extra services were in the lower pages with thousands of other resumes.

When his resume was fresh, he unknowingly assured himself national competition for any local job he might consider. The odds, had he thought about it, were not worth his monthly bet. He later discovered, credible companies in his town did not use job boards. He had previously been referred to and met with the good recruiters who served his locale and was told they never use job boards, preferring referrals and face to face interviews to best serve their local clients.

Job boards in general market their service based on the large numbers of resumes they circulate, they fail to mention the number of jobs actually filled through their portals. The number, according to experts who review such information, is under 2%. Your time and money would be better spent networking; 87% of senior positions are filled through referrals. This number includes recruiters who also depend on referrals.

Tiresome as the message is, Networking for referrals is the way to find job leads. Time to get back on the telephone and network.

job

The New Year is now in full swing. Is a new job on your list of resolutions? Have you given any thought to your job search? What do you need to do to prepare for an effective job search? What type of position is on the next rung of your career ladder? Do you know what qualifications will be expected in most cases for the job?

First of all, you need to know exactly what you are looking for in a job. Next you will want to review the qualifications for the job and make a list of your own qualifications. Do you have what it takes? Most important, what have you accomplished for your present and past employers that will impress a potential new employer? Keep this list handy because it will be needed to write your resume if it isn't already up-to-date.

Here is a list of five aspects of job searching which need thorough review and planning in addition to an up-to-date resume before you take off from the starting line.

1. Do your qualifications meet the requirements of the job or position you have in mind? If not, what will it take to acquire the qualifications you don't already possess? Do you need to register for classes at your local college or maybe attend a seminar or two to add to your continuing education credits? Earning a degree isn't always the finish line of your education. Many professions require continuous education in order to stay abreast of the latest skills and knowledge in a given field.


2. Have you prepared your USP or unique selling point? You will be marketing yourself at networking and social events so have your USP prepared. Remember to project a confident, positive attitude when you are asked the inevitable question, "What do you do?" So what if you have been laid off. You ARE still skilled and knowledgeable in a particular field and/or profession. Let it be known with your own unique selling point.


3. Have you practiced answering the questions you expect to be asked in an interview? Do your research to learn the many types of questions interviewers ask to determine if a candidate will be the right fit for their company. Don't answer the questions with answers you believe the interviewer will want to hear. Give some thought to your own values and views and answer accordingly. This way you will also be interviewing the company and be better able to determine whether or not a particular company is also a good fit for your values.


4. What salary are you striving for or expecting? Determine what you believe your expertise is worth to an employer. Be fair to yourself and to potential employers. If you aren't sure what salary range to aim for, do your research using salary calculators online. Prepare your response to job postings that state a salary history is required with resume submission. This issue is best addressed with a salary range stated in your cover letter rather than a list stating the salary you received from previous employers. The range informs the potential employer how much you value your skills and knowledge without cornering you into the same low pay you may have received in a previous job.


5. Are your references aware you are planning to include them on your reference list? Call your references and make certain they are agreeable to being listed on your reference list. Give them an idea of the direction you are heading with your job search so they will have time to think about how they will respond if contacted. Receiving a call out of the blue could spring too much surprise on your references and the caller will hear it in their voice. That would not be a good thing. Don't take the chance.

Preparing yourself will boost your level of confidence and alleviate some of the stress associated with a job search. A confident person communicates more effectively with contacts which increases their odds for the position desired. Research, plan, and practice your job search or career management strategy. You will be assured you are doing all you possibly can to move ahead.

job

Many job applicants don't know how to write cover letters and as a result fail to convert their written applications to job interviews. Knowing how to write cover letters that grab attention and maintain interest is a central job search skill.

When you apply for a job, a good cover letter must always accompany your resume when you send it to the potential employer. Ideally, an effective cover letter will be one page, concisely written and will do the following:

* Capture the potential employer's interest.

* Explain your reason for applying for this position.

* Explain broadly how you meet the selection criteria or stated job requirements.

* State why you believe you would be the best person for the company (how you would benefit the company).

* Inspire the employer to offer you an interview.

In your cover letter, you need to highlight your skills and experience that address specific job requirements and show that you can do the job you are applying for. Mention any relevant experience and qualifications that can support your claims.

You also need to mention aspects of your character that would benefit your prospective employer such as dependability, punctuality, motivation, problem-solving and natural leadership skills.

Your cover letter should also explain how you would fit into the organization and indicate that your own personal values would be a good match to the image, values and goals of the organization. To do this, however, you have to know what these are and to have seriously considered how your own image, values and goals would fit into the organization. This requires research and genuine thought.

Chances are, you have less than a minute to make a positive impression on an employer with your covering letter. This means that your covering letter must clearly and quickly get to the point. An employer very quickly wants to know how you match the selection criteria, whether your written communication is of a high standard, your skills, experience and qualifications, your attention to detail, and your overall level of professionalism.

People who don't know how to write cover letters often confuse professionalism with flowery, verbose language; even worse, words are often used in the wrong context in an effort to appear more intelligent. Needless to say, this mistake will land your application in the trash.

Cover letters should be written in plain English using formal but simple and natural language. Use positive language and avoid any mention of negative situations in previous employment. They should be printed and proof read so that there are no errors in the document. Do not indent your paragraphs; instead, use block paragraphs with a line space in between them. Make sure there are no smudges or marks on the paper.

If you are still unsure of how to write cover letters, there are many wonderful online resources available that can guide you in the process. There are free cover letter templates that can be downloaded as guides as well as informative websites and books.

Like anything, practice makes perfect. Once you know how to write an effective cover letter, your chances of gaining an interview will increase immeasurably.

job

After coaching literally hundreds of executive clients and hosting over 3000 executive teleseminars it's easy for me to see the repeat traits of those clients who consistently rise to the top, find and win their dream jobs and meet their career goals. Here are three distinct traits that these super successful executives have in common:

Trait Number One: their mindset

These super successful executives seem to live in a world of their own. It's a world that they seem to control the stimulus of in a purposeful way. Being highly positive people, they seem to protect this mindset through limiting their exposure to negativity and negative thinking. When they make goals for themselves they don't "hang around" with people that tell them their goals can't be reached. Simple as that.

Trait Number Two: their enthusiasm

Doesn't if feel great to love what you do? These executives all shared a real enthusiasm for their jobs. They loved the challenge and the satisfaction of being an expert in their field and doing the best jobs they could. When these executives interviewed with potential new companies, their enthusiasm was contagious and engaging.

Trait Number Three: their sense of commitment

These executives didn't wait to get things "just right" before they took action. Too much revising and analyzing means limited forward movement, and being held back this way is something foreign and uncomfortable for high performing executives. A healthy sense of urgency equals an abundant amount of activity in job searches.

Equally, these successful executives knew instinctively not to take a passive receiver role in their job search. They didn't wait for the perfect job to come to them, nor did they wait for their interviewers to "figure out" he or she was the right person for the job. They took an active initiative in their job search from a position of leadership and control, each step of the way.

Adopt these goal achieving traits in your own search to enjoy your own successful results in abundance!

job

Whether you are just beginning your educational career or are about to embark on your post-graduation job search, a thorough understanding of the ever-changing job market is necessary for success.

While there are jobs available in every field, be sure to research what experts are saying about hot jobs and particular industries. Some businesses are passing trends, and today's hot jobs might be cut back next year. Some industries have not been predicted to grow in the coming years, and so offer little chance of advancement or even lateral movement. Your objective is to discover the industries that are expected to grow and get involved while opportunities are available and job descriptions can be self-defined.

For 2008, the United States Census Bureau reports that the professional service, managerial, clerical, and production industries will provide the most jobs for Americans. Careerinfo.net reports that the fastest growing national industries are health and medical services, including residential, outpatient, and facilities support services, educational services, software publishing, and management, scientific, and technical consulting services.

Industries outside of health care are also expected to provide more jobs during 2008. Cable and subscription programming, Internet publishing and broadcasting, and computer systems and design services are all expected to expand. The lowest job-producing industries include technical, farming, craft, and sales.

Besides being aware of which industries are most likely to hire new employees in 2008, job-seekers also need to research the amount of income these jobs will provide. Just because there are a number of openings does not mean a job will provide enough to make ends meet or achieve the lifestyle you want. According to the United States Census Bureau, the highest paying jobs of 2008 will be in the fields of engineering, computers, and business. The lowest paying careers will include education, science, and liberal arts.

According to statistics, the hot jobs of 2008 will be in the medical and health profession, and consultation services. Your objective isn't just to find the best careers out there; you need to discover the best careers out there for you. Your perfect career will balance the salary you expect and the kind of work that interests you. Financial success is essential, but so is emotional and spiritual fulfillment.

Keep an eye on the job market. New industries emerge all the time, and your best chance of success depends on your ability to get on board while the field is still growing.

job

Preparation is the key to minimizing job interview nervousness. If you prepare everything possible at least the day before the interview, you'll be able to focus on the answering interview questions well and avoid worrying about anything else on that day.

1. Collect all of your job search documents.

Gather together and make several copies of any job search documents you want to bring to the job interview. This may include your resume, cover letter, reference pages, performance reviews, reference letters, diplomas and anything other documents the employer may ask to see.

2. Gather together and try on all of the clothes that you'll wear to the interview.

Ensure that your job interview attire fits well and is in good condition. Discovering a stain on your best pair of pants on the day of the interview is a source of stress that is completely avoidable. Trying on all of your clothes well in advance so you'll have time to fix any problems before the day of the interview will eliminate a potential source of job interview stress.

3. Go to the location where the interview will be held, particularly if you have never been there.

Use whatever transportation you will use to get to the interview and try to go at about the same time of day as your job interview is scheduled. If you do this, you'll know what traffic is like at that time of day, how long it will take to get there, where to park, whether you need money for parking meters if you're driving, or which, if any transfers you'll have to make if you are taking public transportation. You don't want to worry about those things on the day of the interview, so work all of that out before your interview.

4. Research the company.

Have a look at the company website or promotional materials, or, better yet, if you know someone who works there already, ask that person about the company. Try to get a sense of the company's priorities and, if possible, try to understand what, exactly, the company is looking for in new staff members.

5. Practice answering interview questions.

Require yourself to come up with good answers for the questions that you find most difficult. Sit with a supportive friend or family member and run through a mock interview so you can practice saying your answers to tough job interview questions out loud.

6. Set aside plenty of time for the interview.

If the receptionist told you that the interview would be approximately 30 minutes, set aside at least 60 minute for the interview. Avoid scheduling any important meetings immediately after the interview. If a job interview goes long, that's a good sign. You don't want to be worried about picking up a child from school or getting to an appointment on time while you are in the middle of your interview.

7. Keep things in perspective.

Remember, the employer wants to get this position filled, and he or she is hoping that you will be the right person for the job. You are not going there begging for a job, you are going there help them solve a problem for the employer. That is, if the company is hiring, that means there is an important role that is not currently filled; you are going there to show them that you have all of the skills and experience required to meet their needs.

You will probably never completely eliminate nervousness before a job interview, and that's fine. Employers expect a certain amount of nervousness. However, if you prepare everything you can in advance, you will avoid plenty of distractions and common sources of job interview stress and minimize your feelings of nervousness.

job