Jobs Search

The entire world is chanting about online social networking. Suddenly, 'networking' is gaining prominence in every field, including job search. Social and professional networking websites are mushrooming, the prominent ones being Facebook, Orkut, twitter, MySpace, Linkedin and others.

I understand the power of networking. And almost everybody is preaching it too. However, what concerns me more is how to harness this power of networking successfully and achieve the desired results effectively. Just spending hours online, enrolling in social networking websites, making friends and joining communities would not help. It actually requires much more time, patience and tact.

The key is to do this tactfully and subtly. It is not a one time work. You are jobless right now, you need a job, you go online and enroll yourself in a number of social as well as professional networking websites, create a profile and start asking for any job openings. Hardly anybody is going to respond to you!

What one needs to realize is that it is 'networking' and networking takes time! You need to build it slowly and steadily. You can not build a well when you're thirsty! Similarly, you just can't expect effective results instantly with networking websites.

So, how do you go about it? The most important point is - do not wait till the last hour to join the social networking websites! Join in this very minute. The earlier you join and the longer you have been around in the networking websites, the better. Make friends and join communities that interest you, where you can be active. Remember that its not just size of the network, but the level of interaction within the network that matters.

So ensure that you take part in it actively. Exchange notes, update about events which you might think may benefit the group, ask questions and help others with their queries... when you need help, these same people would be the ones providing it!

It is also very important to maintain the right balance between your social and professional communications. Social networking websites are much more than just search engines. You keep in touch with your friends, family and colleagues. You share your personal life with them. If you are not doing so and are strictly using it for your professional needs, it would not work. At the same time, if you are maintaining only social contacts and are not leveraging the networking website for your professional requirements, the entire idea is nullified. Hence, it is important to maintain a correct balance of both. The bad news is that there is no equation or formula for this. It's all about trial and errors and your personal instincts.

Also remember that social and professional networking websites are not a substitute to the personal offline networking. You will still need to make calls, meet people personally and maintain that human touch. The edge these online networking websites gives you is that it is available 24 hours and enables you to keep in touch from anywhere. It compliments your personal networking skills.

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1. Times are definitely tough in this economy where millions of people are out of work and millions more may be right behind them. Have you had some bad jobs? Are you one of the millions who are now without a job at all? Well, kick your kids off the computer and sit down. Yes, you can start a home based business without being a computer whiz.

2. Did you work at the same job for so many years that you thought you had job security and you'd never get laid off? Did you think you had it made with your retirement getting so close? When you work from home with your own home based business, there are no lay offs. You are never too young or too old to start a home based business.

3. Was your boss a tyrant who wouldn't get off your back? Did you get fired? If you are happier when you work alone or if you just want to be your own boss from now on, don't go on that job search. Take your shoes off and relax. You won't ever get fired again if you have your own home based business.

4. Did you ever really get paid enough for all the time and all the special jobs you did at work? When you have a home based business, the harder you work, the larger your payoff is. You choose how hard you want to work.

5. Did you really hate the bus rides or all the money you had to pay for gas to drive to these jobs? You will not ever have to worry about the expense or the time for your commute to work with your own home based business. There is no driving expense or drive time when you work from home!

6. Did you miss out on many events in your life like weddings, ball games, parties, your daughter's concert, your son's soccer match, etc., just because of your work hours or the shift you were on? When you work from home, you decide what hours you work. A home based business will give you the luxury of attending anything at any time.

7. Have you updated your resume? Do you even want to? Have you started your job search yet? Before you wear out your best pair of walking shoes, making a decision to work at home with a home based business may be the answer to all your problems and the fulfillment of your dreams.

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Well that depends, on what you call as freedom. There are so many answers to this question which means that there is no specific answer to it. But from research statistics, I have come to the understanding that the majority of the population believe that complete freedom means working on your own terms. This was rather radical because a lot of the people have been restricted to doing things which they desire because of their jobs. Therefore they believe that if working on your terms can give you the luxury of doing things you want to do, without worrying how to pay for them, then this means complete freedom. In that case I will take that principle and explain how you can have a job or rather income, while having the luxury to do the things you enjoy more often.

This job is in the online world. You see a lot of people have actually started to do something about their situation. The online business industry offers you potential that perhaps no other job in the world can offer you. You can work on your own terms, work wherever, whenever and as long as you desire. Usually when you apply for an online job everything is automated, so you will not get fired, simply because the only person who is going to pay you is in fact yourself through commissions. When you apply for these jobs you will always get the place, and from there and then you will become an affiliate of whatever company you joined. You can make as much sales a day as you can and work as little as you want.

So there you have it complete freedom is, to have a job that operates around your own terms. The online industry has jobs for everyone. So start looking now and be amazed to how much decision you can make for yourself to suite your working environment.

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A common misunderstanding about resumes is that they are a description of what you did in your past jobs. In actuality, resumes are most effective when they are written from the perspective of the FUTURE. In other words, think about what a potential employer would want to know about how you WILL perform. What experience do you have that will make you a contribution to their firm or organization?

If you are writing from the perspective of the FUTURE, here's what will happen:

1. You will write detailed bullets that demonstrate your ability to achieve measurable results. To do this, include as many numbers as possible. For instance, don't just say you tutored students; say how many and by how much their grades improved. Don't say you were successful; tell us exactly what results you achieved. Don't just say "increased;" tell us by what percentage. Your readers will imply that you can produce similar results for them.

2. You will think about the purpose and priority of each item on your resume. If you are a recent graduate, does it matter that you worked as a bartender during college? Maybe, if you worked 20 hours/week and still maintained a 3.8 GPA, or if you were the highest-tipped bartender at the establishment. Additionally, bartending successfully shows your ability to multitask and interact with a wide variety of people. But it does not need to take up three lines on your resume, just because it's what you did; you can make it a short bullet under your "Education" section to show you were doing it while in school full time.

3. You will delete anything that is irrelevant or of minimal importance to your future. If you are a recent graduate, these things include stuff you did in high school. If you have 10 years of work experience, these things include your college activities. If you have 25 years of work experience, these things most likely include any positions you held over 10 years ago.

A word about including important positions that are more than 10 years old: If you absolutely must include an older job, let's say from 15 years ago, create a separate section for it entitled "Other Relevant Experience." You do NOT have to include every job you had between 10 and 15 years ago in order to include the older job.

In conclusion, always keep in mind what your FUTURE employer will want to know about you -- it's not about what you did, it's about what you can contribute. Impress them with what you can bring to their organization and you are very likely to make it to the next step... the interview!

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Unemployment rates are at an all-time high. Companies are downsizing and closing their doors faster than the news can keep up, and there is very little to look forward to in today's career world. Having a recruiter on your team when it comes to job hunting and finding the perfect job is going to make your life a lot easier, no matter who you are or what type of job you're looking for. Recruiters will allow you to get to know them on a personal level, and they will want to know you on that same personal level, as well. By giving them the chance to learn who you are as a person and as an employee, they will be able to help you to find great jobs that suit your needs, both personal and professional.

Recruiters are also highly trained in finding jobs that are applicable to your skills and abilities, and they are able to create customized job searches for all of their recruits which will be much more specific than what you find on your own. You'll be able to enjoy fewer wasted interviews and phone calls when you have a recruiter on your side. The average person does change jobs about 3-5 times in their life. However, as a job function, the recruiter spends every day of their life looking for jobs. Who do you think is going to have better luck finding you a new job?

When the economy is in the shape that it is, employers often find themselves inundated with applications that they have to sort through, which uses a lot of their time and can become overwhelming. Therefore, many companies will turn to recruiters or temp agencies to find their next employees so that they don't have the headache of sorting through 200 applications for one job position. Recruiters will only send the company people who are actually qualified for the job, saving the company a lot of time by not having to interview people who might not even have the right skills or training needed.

A job interview is supposed to help an employer see how well you'd fit in with their company, not just to go over the skills that they already know that you have. Therefore, having a recruiter on hand to find specific jobs that cater to your skills and abilities can give you a better shot at landing these interviews and being able to talk about what you have to offer and what's best for you. Just make sure that you take the time to find a reputable recruiter who is, in fact, able to help you find the perfect job based on your specific needs. It doesn't matter whether you're looking for professional positions or entry level jobs, because having a recruiter on your side can prove to be much more beneficial in any job search.

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I found myself officially out of work and "in between" for the first time in 17 years. Five companies and multiple divisions of each but never on the street corner. Your first experience is part fear and part fantasy - the degree to which you sway is based, I think, on what you bring to the situation and what's happening in the job market at the time you become available.

So, I'm suggesting that at least some of the mental game can be controlled through the way you approach your search process.

You will also be influenced by the way you were released back into the job market, right? Being fired vs. being laid off are two very different jumping off points. Similarly, leaving on your own because you hate your job is very different from leaving on your own to simply find a new industry. If you can be conscious of your individual situation, you can remain aware of the baggage you bring into your search process and into each interaction you will have along the way.

For example, if you were laid off or fired you are more likely to carry some resentment with you into your first interview or recruiter discussion. You are more likely to bring up negatives when explaining how you find yourself unemployed. If you left on your own accord, however, you may carry a more laissez-faire approach to your process, especially early on. In this scenario, perhaps your sense of urgency to find a job is reduced and it is obvious and potentially damaging to your success.

How about if you have been out of work for a number of months and have no really good prospects? Would you start acting unprofessionally out of desperation?

To be successful in the psychology of job search you need to have two key things:

1. A solid and proactive job search strategy

2. A clear and confident perspective on your situation

So, if you use only these two "success factors" - clearly there are many more - how well prepared are you to find a job?

Here are a few scenarios:

Without a Strategy

Your "hard work" and correct mental framework will likely, over time, shift to the negative. As you move forward without a strategy (hoping to find something), your lack of structure will result in fewer interviews and more wasted effort. Which, in turn, will have you less confident and questioning your ability to find a job.

Without a Clear Perspective

Even if you have a strong job search strategy, any baggage you bring to your interviews, networking events or recruiter conversations can sabotage all of your hard work and preparation. Worse still, a bad discussion can cause repercussions in your larger network. Yes, people talk.

No Strategy and No Clear Perspective

This is a formula for a minimum 12 month search, often resulting in a poor choice (i.e. jumping at a bad offer) that can dump you right back in the market.

So, how do you clear your head? If you were fired or laid off, don't you have a right to be angry and bitter? Perhaps you do, but before you start your active search you need to find a way to make peace with it. If you need to get it off your chest, go buy a punching bag. If you need healing (a common need after a harsh departure), there are a number of ways to find it including some time away or a few sessions with a well regarded career coach.

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Recession or no recession, fresh reports suggest that now is a far better time than you may have thought for the information technology job market. According to one survey, permanent private sector jobs in IT across all sectors are growing at the fastest rate since 2007. Salaries are at their highest levels for more than 18 months, signalling a new upsurge in employer confidence.

In fact, with 110,000 people needed to fill jobs in Britain's technology sector each year, renewed efforts are now being made to attract young people into the industry.

Despite reports of overseas outsourcing and potential public sector cuts over the next 12 months, and a possible dip in the number of temporary posts, there are still plenty of opportunities for anyone looking for a job in IT, and strong technical skills will always be highly sought after.

If you're an employer and have an information technology job to fill, there are many benefits to using a specialist IT recruitment agency. One of the biggest advantages is the hours an agency can save an organisation's managers or human resources team. HR staff already have many conflicting demands on their time, and may not have specialist IT knowledge.

In particular, if you're a small business looking for someone to fill an IT role, you're probably already stretched, and your time will be doubly precious. There may simply not be enough hours in the day to write and design job adverts or sift through countless CVs. Equally, you may not happen to have the extensive interviewing skills which someone working for a recruitment agency will have.

IT job agencies are also equipped with all the right technical skills to identify the best candidate for an information technology job. Indeed, agency staff may well have previously worked in the industry themselves.

Agencies are aware of all the latest industry trends, and know exactly what to look for so that selection is as accurate as possible. If you just place adverts yourself, the adverts can be hit and miss.

Rather than going through a jobs board, specialist agencies will go directly to the people they know, making the whole process much quicker and more reliable. By the time you meet candidates, the agency will already have interviewed them personally.

Like any business, an IT recruitment service needs to charge for what it does. But consider the potential cost to your organisation of hiring someone who simply isn't up to the job. It can be a disastrous waste of time and money. Most agencies only seek payment once someone is in post for a few months and doing well.

A good recruitment agency will be with a client every step of the way, from drafting the advertising to advising unsuccessful applicants. With some reports suggesting it can take 12 hours of effort just to get someone into your office for an interview, you can see why employers turn to recruitment agencies.

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As unemployment rates go up across the country, veterans transitioning into a civilian workforce are facing a tougher time finding work after leaving the military. A recent survey by CareerBuilder.com showed that 1 in 5 veterans looking for a job said it took more than six months to secure one after leaving active duty.

At times veterans feel that they are dealing with a whole new set of rules and skills that they are not accustomed to. Among one of the most frustrating obstacles is an employer's inability to understand how military skills can fulfill qualifications for civilian positions. Many veterans are finding that job posting boards are not much help. They spend the time submitting their resumes on these sites and never hear back from anyone. This coupled with the inexperience in interviewing for civilian jobs or having viable job finding skills is directly affecting the ability of these veterans to find work. Then when they do find work it is often at a rate of pay that is far below their skill level. And, they find many unwanted surprised along the way.

If you are a veteran looking for a job you will improve the quality of the job you are getting, and avoid unexpected surprises by doing a little more research.

How Veterans Can Find the Job They Want

One thing to consider is who the employer is? There is nothing worse than finding a job and then discovering that the employer is going out of business. This is especially important if you are considering moving to a new area for that job. Then there is the surprise of finding a job that is just awful. The only reason that the job is available is that nobody wants to work there.

Here are a few simple things that you can do in order to give yourself the best possible chance of matching with a good employer:

1. Pull up the website for the companies you wish to work for

You can learn a lot about a company by what is on their website. Often companies will put news articles about the company on the site. These articles can tell you what is important to the company and a little bit about their culture. You can also learn about the history of the company and their values. This information is good to incorporate into your interview as it shows that you did your research.

On some sites the bios of key employees are located and you can learn a lot about who makes up this company and where they came from. All this will give you a good gut feeling about who they are.

2. Use search engines

One of the best ways to perform a search for companies is to use Dogpile.com. This site will compile information from all the other search engines. So instead of looking through each search engine this one will take out the duplicates and give you the most relevant information.

Another good source is the Better Business Bureau in the city where the company is located. When you call ask them for a reference and see what type of reputation the company has established with them. The service is free to the public and they will tell you if there have been any complaints and what they were about.

3. Search the local newspaper

Another easy thing to do is go on-line to the local newspaper and search past articles using the company's name. Also, complete a search by using the name of the company's president. When you find an article read it to see what they are known for. In some cases you might discover that the company has a charity that they regularly sponsor. You might even find that the company was involved in some type of problem. Basically, you are looking for both good news and bad to help you make a good decision and avoid the surprises.

4. Talk to Employees.

The best sources for information on the companies you want to work for are current and past employees. Who better to tell you the good, the bad, and the ugly of the company? But what if you don't know anyone at the company?

Then talk to the receptionist. These folks usually know more about what is going on about everything and are willing to share if you treat them nicely. One way to score points with a receptionist is to talk to them when they hit the slow point in their day. In most cases this will be between 10:45am and 11:30am in the morning. By that time most of the morning urgent calls have already come in.

When you talk to them tell them that you are considering getting a job there working and would appreciate knowing more about the company. Let them know that you value their comments and will keep it confidential.

Many times the information you get from this source will be more valuable and complete than anything else you do.

Follow this advice and you won't get stuck with a job that no one wants just because you are a veteran. You can find your dream job and get hired fast even during a recession if you just follow the advice above.

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Searching a perfect job can be quite tricky. The first step is to choose the right channel to find one. There are various options - from traditional recruitment and placement firms to savvy online job sites. Before the online job search boom, recruitment agencies ruled the scene. However, with changing times and innovation, job web sites mushroomed and metamorphed. Providing more convenience and flexibility, it soon became the preferred channel for many.

I still know a lot of people who prefer the traditional job search method through placement and recruitment agencies, where you submit your resume and other details, they find you jobs as per your requirements and fix up interviews for you with various companies. They usually charge a flat fee or a fixed commission once you get a job.

I don't say there's anything wrong with this. After all, its all a personal choice. But searching your job online can be much more effective and convenient. You can manage your own portfolio, without depending on anyone else. Almost all job sites allow you to register for free.

With the online concept catching fast even in the recruitment scene, there are hardly any companies or organizations who do not post their requirements on these sites. So, you have direct access to jobs available across the country at your fingertips.

The job sites are striving to provide innovative tools to ensure more comfort to their visitors. Tools such as flagging off, searching through categories, saving your job searches, online resume helper, email and SMS alerts etc have made managing your job hunt extremely organized. Plus, its online, so you can access it anytime from anywhere!

There are portals which integrate the job listings from best job sites and companies directly. Hence, you get information from hundreds of sites in one website only. Whats more? Certain sites also provide reviews from employees of the companies, hence, you get the true inside story and can compare various organizations' work culture as well as salaries.

Besides, you save on the money that you would otherwise pay the recruitment firms as fees or commission. Why would you unnecessarily want a middle man when you can handle everything yourself and have total control over it too? For all you know, the placement agencies are actually searching these very sites to prepare the prospective job list for you!

So take control over your own job hunt, as you are the best judge for yourself. Enroll yourself with the best job search engines and free job posting sites. In fact, check out integrated job portal s which actually crawl through various other job search web sites and companies career pages, and provides integrated information at one place.

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Job hunters who fear rejection are not alone. While nobody likes dealing with rejection, coping with rejection during your job search is no big deal when you understand having to deal with rejection comes with the territory for job hunters.

After all, your chances getting a job offer or winning an audition the first time out are practically nil. So you will conduct your job campaign with less stress by knowing there will be more situations where you do not get the job.

Being turned down for a job is never easy. Job hunters cannot avoid it. But you can avoid taking rejection personally by looking at rejection from a different point of view. With each rebuff, you're coming closer to being offered a job.

That's because you become a better job candidate in the job search process by learning more about yourself and the job marketplace. This lets you present more effectively at your next job interview.

How To Deal With Rejection While Searching

Six techniques -

1. Get used to the idea of being rejected by understanding there's more rejection than acceptance during any search.

2. Think of interviews as auditions. Actors spend entire careers auditioning just to land one role. All you need to do is audition for and find one job.

3. Reduce rejection sensitivity by knowing that being turned down for a job doesn't mean you have failed as a person. It means your presentation might have failed, or there was a legitimate reason you weren't hired. Perhaps the company hired internally or picked a candidate better qualified for the job.

4. Debrief yourself after each interview. Reflect on things you did well and continue to build on them. Determine what you could have improved. And ask yourself if you demonstrated how you met the criteria for the job. Your next interviews will go a whole lot smoother because of this debrief.

5. Write the word 'no" on a piece of paper until you've used it all up. Write "yes' as the last word in the lower right hand corner. Every time you get a no, circle it and be grateful. You're getting closer to a "yes."

6. Transform negative feelings that have been generated with your being turned down for a job, with this magic formula --

SW, SW, SW - NEXT.

This stands for "some will, some won't, so what -- Next! Your job hunt is a numbers game. The more interviews you have the sooner you'll get an offer. Negative feelings resulting from being turned down do not last long when you get busy and plan your next interviews.

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A Strong Web Presence or Brand Does Not Happen By Accident

Creating an effective Web Presence does not happen by accident it is a purposeful process.

I have a desire to create my own brand. I want to create a brand where people can get to know me and I mean really get to know me. I want them to be able to say that they either like me or dislike me based upon what I say and what I do. If they dislike me as a result; that is fine. I am not going to cry over the fact that someone does not like me. Life is too short and once I know that; I also know that I am not going to spend time trying to nurture a relationship with someone that does not like me; why should I waste my time?

Why Is a Brand Important?

Why would a technology company want to hire Guy Kawasaki? Obviously if you have any knowledge of Kawasaki and what he accomplished at Apple you would understand his brand and value. You would know that any technology company would be quick to hire Guy.

What is in it for Kawasaki? Is it the ability to command a top salary? When you have a strong brand and employers understand what you have to offer; you are essentially in control of the negotiating process. Without a brand or the employer's understanding of what you have to offer; the employer is in control of the negotiations.

A Brand is the difference between seeking opportunities and being sought for opportunities. The more you are sought for opportunities the higher your value to those that want you. As job seekers we hear that it is always better if you have two employers vying for your services. But... What if those two employers were both seeking you out in the first place? Where does your value go at that point?

If You Do Not Create Your Brand; It Will Be Created for You

I have a desire to create my brand and you may not. I am working at my brand constantly to increase my sphere of influence and you may not care. I want people to know who I am and what I have to offer and you may prefer to dwell in obscurity.

All of that is fine, if that is what you want. What must be understood is that if you are not seeking attention; you will not receive attention and you will be a virtually anonymous person. Your value will be determined accordingly. If there is no competition for your skills; your value will be relatively low. High competition; warrants high compensation.

Your Brand Is Forming

You do, however, have a choice. To be successful in today's job market: you will create a viral presence; whether you want to or not. You may not have a desire to create a large presence and that is fine; but you still need a presence. People that want to find out about you; beyond your resume, need a place to go. Today that place is the Internet.

Your Brand Has a Value to Your Employer

I was watching a webinar recently and Dan Schawbel had an eye opening slide. According to Dan, Best Buy looks at the social media websites to see how many connections a prospective employee has. If the number is less than 250 that can mean the difference between getting the job and not getting the job. In the same slide he said that an IBM study placed a value of $948.00 on each contact or connection of an employee.

The thought by both organizations is that each of these connections has a value to the company.

That should be sufficient evidence to demonstrate that at least some Internet presence is beneficial. Here are some other reasons for creating your viral presence:

Shows that you adapt to change.
Demonstrates that you are still willing to learn.
Builds your technology skill set.
Allows you to inform recruiters and hiring managers.

Shows that you adapt to change

Your ability to adapt to change is important to prospective employers, especially for the older worker. We have all heard the old adage that the only thing constant is change. Businesses, whether they like it or not, are constantly facing change and they need employees that understand change and are willing to make changes.

Demonstrates That You Are Still Willing To Learn

Another trait to demonstrate to employers is the ability and willingness to learn. Again a critical skill for the older employee that shows that you are not set in your ways and unwilling to learn. The inability to be able to demonstrate that you are still learning new things is a common complaint of hiring managers. Employers do not know what to expect in this area without your being able to demonstrate learning.

Builds Your Technology Skill Set

Employers today expect new employees to come to them with a set of technology skills. You must understand and be somewhat skilled in Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook at a minimum. Anything you can demonstrate beyond that is a plus and you should look for every opportunity you can find to further develop those skills. Understanding the Internet, Google, and Blogging add to your value and the value you bring to the new job.

Allows You to Inform Recruiters and Hiring Managers

Having a web presence provides recruiters and prospective hiring managers to gain a greater insight into who you are and what other characteristics your bring to the position. Hiring decisions are often made based upon how well the hiring manager feels about you. Whether the manager sees some commonality of interests or activities that give you additional areas of connection. Your work skills are important, but often times not the deciding factor. Building your web presence can be the difference.

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Most of us are resigned to living life in the fast lane and have accepted our monotonous and robotic routines as normal. There is hardly any time to sit down and plan or organize important issues relating to our general well being or our careers. While the home front may be balanced on account of contributions by other family members, our vocational choices and career path may suffer due to a lack of organization.

Proper Planning

There are a number of ways in which your job search could be organized. Proper planning helps to save on time, energy and precious funds. The following steps should be taken:

- Attempt a career quiz

- Subscribe to newsletters with extensive career classifieds

- Be alert and identify career and internship opportunities

- Identify institutions that could enhance your prospects to meet career goals

- Find out about distance learning opportunities

There are also a number of books available to help with organizing your job search. There are four simple rules that make organizing your job search easier. You should manage your time effectively and conscientiously. All relevant information should be written down systematically and methodically, so that it is easily accessible when needed. You should organize your workspace and get rid of any clutter. Last but not least, you should implement a plan of action that works well for you.

You should space your attempts to identify a job in a way that does not affect your enthusiasm. Schedule your job search activities two hours a day, six days a week. It is essential to take a break to recuperate and recharge, mentally and physically.

Organizing Yourself

You need to update yourself regularly on the kind of competition you are facing in your chosen career. You must constantly analyze your chances, on the basis of your skills and experience and make constant efforts to establish new contacts and widen your network.

Attempting to organize your job search involves keeping track of all information and communications. You should categorize all the information gathered from the very beginning. This enables you to access important details on people and companies, as and when required. It helps to list prospective employers according to the following:

- The size of the organization.

- Its geographical location.

- Potential for your growth within the organization.

You Should Design Your Own Portfolio, Complete With:

- Several copies of your resume.

- Copies of references and letters of recommendation.

- Samples of your experience, like essays, research and published articles.

One of the biggest challenges faced while organizing your job search is to keep to scheduled appointments. All appointments should be logged, to prepare for interviews, and you should make timely follow-up phone calls.

The task of organizing your job search should be conducted professionally, with a methodical approach. You should set your priorities right from the beginning and work towards assessing all the available job opportunities. This will ensure that you narrow down the best offers and finally accept one that provides a good opportunity for you to grow personally and professionally.

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Going Christmas shopping is usually better after Thanksgiving. Going skiing is usually better in the winter after a good snow has fallen. Going hunting for beautiful flowers is usually better in the spring. And some argue that searching for a job is usually better in the summer.

Never heard of that? Well, you're not alone. You, like most people, probably feel that there's no right season to find a job. However, some experts beg to differ, believing that the down time many companies experience in the summer time offers a perfect opportunity to slide on in. While this myth has yet to be proven, if you happen to be searching in these summer months, there are some tips you can take advantage of to make your search easier.

Use Summer Family Events to Your Advantage

Summer is the time that people love to get out and enjoy each other's company, so it's a good idea to use this to your advantage by getting out and spending time with them. For instance, if your cousin is having a beautiful summer wedding, you can attend for support, and also get in a little networking. Or if there is a family barbeque that you don't want to miss, don't just eat the hamburgers and hot dogs, also get out there and meet some friends of the family. You never know, you might just find your next big opportunity this way.

Spend More Time at Networking Events

As mentioned previously, summer is the time that people like to get out. Take advantage of this by getting out to various events in your community. There are likely to be several networking organizations that will offer events for the public to enjoy. For instance, there may be outdoor wine tastings, free concerts, and more. These events offer the perfect opportunity to meet with individuals who work for prominent companies in the area. Of course, if you attend these fun, summertime events, be careful to watch your alcohol intake. You don't want a wonderful networking opportunity to turn into the most embarrassing and devastating moment in your job search.

Don't Give Up

During the summer, instead of feeling encouraged during your job search, you may actually feel a bit discouraged due to the difficulties you may run into trying to reach the right people. You have to remember that many employees - especially those in higher positions - may be taking their vacations during the summer while their children are out of school. This means the person you're looking to connect with may be out of the office more than in. Don't let this discourage you, though. Instead, be persistent (not annoying) until you can reach the person you're looking for. This persistence may help you slide past the competition that's waiting around for people to get back from vacation.

Since it has not been proven that summer is a better time to conduct a job search, it's good to treat this season like the others. By working hard and persisting as you normally would, you are sure to find that job you want.

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How many times have you heard that "first impression counts"? Many job seekers believe that a professional resume package is all that's required for a successful job search. They do not realize that an email address, the message on an answering machine, or the inappropriate use of cell phones could give an interviewer the wrong impression.

The seven mistakes listed below are real situations that I have come across in my role as a career coach, and although they may appear to be funny, bloopers like these can severely derail a job search.

1. Email Address. Cute email addresses should be used only with family and friends. They will not be considered cute by potential employers. All correspondence that pertains to your job search should have your real name or something that demonstrates professionalism. Consider the young woman who requested a critique of her résumé because she was not getting interviews at any of the restaurants to which she applied. Her email address was lazygirl@xxxxx.com. (I have changed the domain name). Why would an employer hire someone who is announcing that she is a 'lazy girl'?

2. Voicemail. Your voicemail should convey absolute professionalism. In your absence, it becomes another tool to market yourself. Play back your message after it has been recorded to make sure it is short, clear and businesslike. Don't be like this other young woman I met at a job fair who wanted to know what she was doing wrong why she couldn't find a job. When I called her home to follow-up, her voicemail message said "If you got this message, you may be someone I don't want to talk to, and if you are someone I don't want to talk to, you know what to do". She would probably not get a second call from a potential employer after hearing such a message.

3. Résumé. Don't be a part of the 'cheating culture' by submitting someone else's résumé as if it's your own. That is never acceptable, particularly when you didn't take the time to remove the other person's name. A man sent me an email asking me to hire him. The name on his email address was different from the one he had as his signature, and the name on the résumé was also different. Three aliases! When I wrote back suggesting that he decides who he really is, his reply was "u think i am dumb?"

4. Cover Letter. Take the time to write a proper, professional cover letter to accompany your résumé whether you are applying by email or sending it by snail mail. Your cover letter is another opportunity to market yourself to the employer; an opportunity to draw attention to your special skills or to something that was not covered in your résumé. The majority of hiring managers still want to see a cover letter whether or not the job posting asks to "fax a résumé". The same man mentioned above had as his subject line of his email "looking 4 work", and his one-line cover letter said "I am looking for permanent work. Please hire me".

5. Interview. Your résumé and cover letter brought you to this important stage. It is now time for you to shine; to tell the interviewer why you are the best candidate for the job. It's inevitable that you are going to hear the question, "Do you have questions?" You should be prepared with a few good ones. "Why did this position become vacant?", "What would you like to see accomplished during my first 30 or 60 days on the job?" Do not be like one candidate who answered "No" to the question, then went home and sent the interviewer an email with a long list of questions.

6. Job Offer. If you have reached the stage where you have been offered the job, it means the company really wants you. While it is normal, and sometimes expected, that a certain amount of negotiation will take place, don't blow your chances by asking for the impossible. One young man, fresh out of graduate school, thought he should push the envelope and informed the interviewer that another company was offering him much more money. He lost an opportunity with the company as they could not match the offer, and he did not, in fact, have an offer from the other company.

7. Cell Phone. Watch your cell phone manners. One of the last things you do before going into an interview is to turn off your cell phone. Do not put it on vibrate, but turn it off completely. Not only will it be embarrassing to you if it rings during the interview, but it could spell disaster to your job search. One HR manager told the story of a salesman who, wanting to impress the manager, took a call from his territory manager during the interview and calmly told him he was meeting with a client.

A professional resume and cover letter package is just the beginning of your job search. You want to ensure that your professionalism shines through the moment you make contact with the company. Overlooking proper job search etiquette could be detrimental to your career success.

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In a time when so many people are looking for jobs networking groups are popular once again and are a great help in your search. Back in the dot com boom days these networking groups were everywhere. You may have been a part of several or at least asked to join. In those days these groups were not looking for jobs but rather referrals to make money. Everyone was counted on to bring referrals to the group and some networking groups even kept count of how well you did in that department. People who were all take and no give were often shown the door. Today these groups are popular again but it is a different kind of referral people are looking for.

Do you know of a job in ____ field? Filling in those blanks and getting answers is the new life of networking groups across the country. There are plenty in existence and if you are inclined to do so we'll talk about starting your own. A networking group is a long name for what is simply a group of people all with the same goal who are willing to help each other get there. Do you know people like that? For many the answer might be just a few, but if you were to start making a list of everyone you knew that might possibly be a good connector (Someone who can connect you with someone else you need to know.) you might be surprised at how long that list can get.

Every person needs a connector in their life and most people have one and may not even know it. That person who seems to have their hands in a little bit of everything and knows more people than most of us would have time for. This is the type of person you would ideally start off your new group with. They do not have to be out of work and looking for a job because this person gets their fulfillment from using their connections to help others. The connector is the quarterback of your team. You may be the coach and the one putting together the game plan but this is the person you want calling the plays.

With your connector in hand along with a list of all the people you know begin by asking for people who might be interested in starting a new group. To appeal to just more than job seekers, why not make it for both people looking for jobs and people looking for referrals for possible clients? It's better to have a group of diverse people (not all out of work) that can cross reference the people they know to help.

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Now is the best time to start looking for a new job as opposed to waiting for January 1 to make a New Year's resolution to start your job search.

I've seen people offered jobs on Christmas Eve and I've seen people get job offers on New Year's Eve, too. It does happen.

Granted, you probably won't see a new job nicely wrapped and under your tree on December 25 but the truth is that there a number of reasons why a Christmas job search can lead to a new job, especially if you have some time off during the holidays or if you work in a business that actually slows down during the holidays.

1. Companies that still have hiring budget will hire people before year end.

If a hiring manager has budget to hire a new staff member but has waited until the last minute to do so, they might try to hire that person before the end of the year when their budget for this year expires. If they don't make the hire by December 31, they could lose out on that budget money! If a company is planning for a big New Year, they might try to end this year by getting their ducks in a row so to speak by ensuring they have the proper staff in place this year rather than waiting until the new year. Don't assume everyone takes December off or that they don't have time to hire during this month. People hire staff during December, trust me.

2. Beat out the lazy people who give up early.

Let's face it, it's not difficult to start winding down for the year on December 1 and feel like "the year is already over." How many people do you know who spend more of their workdays Christmas shopping during the month of December than doing actual work? Some people start looking at the New Year before the current year is over and you can use this to your advantage. Don't believe for a second that all employers think like this, and that "you can't get a job during December." This is a myth and it's not true. As mentioned above, I've seen job offers extended on Christmas Eve before people take a few days off for Christmas and I've also seen job offers extended on New Year's Eve before people go away to celebrate the New Year. Personally, the latest I've received a job offer for one of my candidates was December 22. What a great way for that candidate (and me!) to end the year.

3. Use the Christmas holidays to take the next step in your career.

Hopefully, you are one of those people who constantly updates your resume so that you can quickly apply for jobs that arise without having to create one from scratch and risk missing the application cutoff date. The Christmas holidays are great but once the "big day" on December 25th has passed, many people get kind of bored after a few days off work especially if you're experiencing a White Christmas with lots of snow and ice outside and you waited too late to book the New Year's cruise to the Caribbean. Use this downtime to at least prepare for your job search if not actually applying for jobs that you see advertised.

The month of December is a great time to look for a new job and a better time to actually get one. Not everyone celebrates Christmas and not everyone can afford to take the month of December off so don't assume you can't get a new job during this month.

The only reason why you can't get a new job during December is if you don't try to get one during December.

Let other people make a New Year's resolution to find a job next year. If you realize that a Christmas job search can pay big dividends now, you'll beat out people who aren't as motivated and smart as you are.

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The elevator pitch. You are probably familiar with the term. It is most commonly used to describe the concise 60-second speech that business owners and executives, as well as salespeople, use to describe their business, product, or service to others. More importantly, it is a speech that is delivered in a compelling way that describes what is unique about the business (or offering), describes the benefits to the target market, and excites interest in the listener.

So, why should you--the job seeker and career professional--care about the elevator pitch? If you are familiar with the concept of personal branding, and the idea of leveraging your brand to advance and promote yourself in your career, I'm sure you immediately recognized similarities between the above description of an elevator pitch and a personal brand statement.

Personal branding allows you to make a name for yourself. It differentiates you from your peers and helps to position you as a leader in your field - as a specialist and an authority who knows how to do a job and fill a particular niche in the workplace better than anyone else. A personal brand statement is a succinct statement that clarifies and communicates what makes you and your unique value proposition different and special.

Your personal brand statement will play a large role in your 60-second elevator pitch as a job seeker and career professional. Your entire elevator pitch will be a mini presentation that you are able to give on the fly in response to those all-too-common questions "what do you do?" or "tell me about yourself?" With precision-like focus, an effective elevator pitch will immediately convey to the listener who you are as a professional, and will do it in a way that addresses not only your unique value proposition, but in a manner that addresses the concerns of your listener. Of equal importance, while your pitch is planned and rehearsed, when you actually speak it, it should sound completely natural and spontaneous, yet it should leave the listener with a lasting, positive, and memorable impression. You will use your elevator pitch frequently, in networking situations and during interviews.

But, once you recognize that crafting an elevator pitch is essential, you might feel daunted at the prospect of creating and perfecting one. Certainly, this is a task that your career coach or the professional that you hired to create your résumé can assist with. However, with some introspection and honest self-assessment, developing your elevator pitch does not have to be difficult. To get started, ask yourself these essential questions:

1. What is the focus of your search? What is your job target?

2. Who is the person/people most likely to make a hiring decision about you?

3. What are the problems faced by your target audience?

4. What is it that you are offering that would solve these problems?

5. What is it that differentiates you and makes you different from your peers?

6. What are the benefits of your work as experienced by your target audience?

To create your elevator pitch, you now must put these elements all together in a brief presentation that you can deliver quickly-in the time it would take you to get from one floor to the other in an elevator.

As an example, here is my own "branded" elevator pitch that I developed to concisely describe my work as the executive director of Distinctive Career Services.

"You know how some career professionals miss out on really great employment opportunities, or don't advance as quickly in their careers as they would like, or don't get paid the compensation they deserve, all because they don't really know how to differentiate themselves in their careers or promote themselves effectively in the job market?

Well, I am a career coach, personal branding strategist, and career marketing professional-one of just a few people worldwide with this unique blend of expertise. In my business, which is internet-based and global, I provide a mix of innovative products, programs, and services delivered to six-figure+ and aspiring six-figure+ professionals, managers, and executives. All my offerings are designed specifically to empower my clients to promote and market themselves effectively, opening doors and enabling potential to achieve their highest career ambitions and goals.

The benefits are that my clients dramatically reduce the time and money they spend job searching, rapidly advance their careers, boost their incomes, enjoy greater professional recognition, and overall, establish themselves in careers that are more professionally, financially, and personally rewarding."

Once you have the answers to the six simple questions above, you have everything you need to create a similar elevator pitch for yourself. Do you see how I have taken my own answers to the questions and interspersed them throughout my pitch? I've clearly communicated who my target market is, have identified the problems and challenges that they face, have conveyed how my offering is not only unique but solves those problems, and I've described the key benefits that my offerings produce.

You can use this same model to develop your own elevator pitch. But remember; don't go into too much detail. Your goal is simply to pique interest and make yourself memorable. Don't spend too much time on the details of your qualifications. Just quickly highlight them and tie them back to how they benefit your target audience (current or future employer).

Once you have your pitch perfected, practice it, practice it, and practice it some more. Your goal is to have it sound completely natural. Rehearse in front of a mirror and be aware of your body language and eye contact, as these aspects of communication often speak even louder than words. Now, try your pitch out a few times and observe the response to the listener. Be open to the prospect of adapting and modifying as necessary to elicit the response you want to generate. And, of course, be flexible. If your listener interrupts with a question, be ready to pause and answer it.

Creating your elevator pitch may take some time and thought, but it is a wise career professional who invests in it! You will hear the "what do you do?" or "tell me about yourself?" questions over and over, both during your job search and throughout your entire career. Don't wing it! Preparation is the key to confidence and the key to making a lasting, positive, and memorable first impression. The benefits to your career will be phenomenal. It is well worth the effort!

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In today's economy, the job market is a rough road to walk for anyone, let alone if you are a student with limited education and experience. This article is going to attempt to take you down that road a little easier and sidestep some of the bumps on the way.

The best thing you can do to acquire a good job is to complete high school. Most employers require a high school diploma to even be considered for a job with their company. Actually, the more education you receive, the better. A higher education from a trade school or college will increase your chance of winning that interview, and also can increase your earnings. During your education you would benefit greatly by developing basic computer skills. Many jobs incorporate the use of a computer on the job.

Set your goals, plan your career, and research the career you decide on. Take into consideration your personal attributes, interests, and abilities. Don't let a competitive market dissuade you from going after the career you want.

Develop a good resume and conduct a good job search. There are many avenues to take in searching for a job. Research and learn the many different employment sites and utilize them. Consider volunteer work, part-time positions, and internships to gain needed experience.

When applying for a job, be brave. Get out there and apply in person when applicable, possibly meet your prospective employer. Be prepared when you go and take along a resume and cover letter, even if you've already submitted one with the company. Always be polite, and dress appropriately. Make eye contact, shake hands, and use proper language. Remember, your first impression is what will stand out.

Being persistent can pay off; follow-up with the company after a week if you have not heard back from them. Apply again if needed, most companies keep an application for roughly six months, but submitting another can't hurt. Be creative when searching for a job. If you'd like to work in a hospital consider some of the 'behind the scene' positions also.

Learning how to apply for a job can't always be learned in the classroom. Most job search experience will come from searching for a job. Again, be persistent and stay positive.

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When searching for a job it helps to think of the process as a cycle rather than a series of steps. This will allow you to constantly evolve the actions you take while performing the job search cycle as you need to due to going after different opportunities. Approaching your job hunt in the job search cycle way will make the sometimes daunting task of finding a job just a bit easier on you.

Basically there are five phases of the job search cycle. These five phases are broken down further below:

1. Get prepared: In this first phase you will need to first asses yourself and your goals. You need to figure out exactly what your skills are and what you want to do for a living. Once you have decided on what type of career you would like to peruse then you need to find out what employers in that field are looking for and what the current job market for that career filed is.

2. Get job leads: Phase two in the job search cycle is finding qualified job leads to go after. This phase requires you pulling out all the stops. You will need to network, look online at sites such as Monster.com and CareerBuilder.com, and you will also need to look in the newspaper. The more job leads you drum up the higher your chances of landing a job.

3. Apply for jobs: Phase three is the one that requires a good amount of time an effort on your part. Here is where you will be applying for all of the job leads you found. This phase requires you to create great looking cover letters, revamp your resume, and take the time to fill out any applications or online forms that may need to be completed.

4. Prepare for interviews: The fourth phase of the job search cycle is getting ready for all of the interviews that you will hopefully have coming your way. To do this you will need to practice what you will say and how you will say it. Interviewing yourself in front of a mirror is always a great exercise. You also need to prepare your reference list and your thank you letter ahead of any and all interviews.

5. Follow up and decide: Once you have gone through the first four phases of the job search cycle you will need to finish with the fifth phase, which is following up and deciding. Never wait too long after you have been interviewed to follow up as you may be forgotten. On the other hand, don't call every ten minutes as you may come off as a bit annoying or pushy. Once you get a job offer it will then be up to you to either accept the job that a potential employer wants to give to you, or begin at the first phase of the job search cycle and keep going until you find what you are after.

Following the five phases of the job search cycle will not only make your job quest easier, it will also keep you better prepared no matter what comes your way.

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You browse the online job classifieds and spot an ad that seems too good to be true. A firm, hiring through an agency, is searching for an employee with your exact skills and offering a great starting salary. All you have to do is apply through the recruiting company to learn your eligibility.

If you have been affected by the recent economic downtown turn and have experienced difficulty finding substantial work, it stands to reason you're willing to reach for any opportunity. However, it's important to enter every potential job situation with a clear head. These days, especially with the rise in Internet job banks, it is sadly common to discover many of these job listing are too good to be true. A simple e-mail reply through Craigslist or a similar site, for example, could result in a prompt to join a fee-based website that yields little, if any, legitimate career options.

How does one avoid fraud on the job search? Most times it's easier than it looks, while sometimes you need to be vigilant. Here are a few simple ways one can tell if an employment ad is dubious:

1) The ad is really not an ad for an actual job. Some fraudulent companies will tease specific job vacancies to lure seekers in to the true nature of the ad - which is to opt-in to countless, useless e-mails or to pay a fee for a job bank site that provides the same information one could find free elsewhere. If any job ad clicks through to a site that requires registration and you're not familiar with the site (or if it's not affiliated with the actual company hiring), best to pass.

2) The ad "guarantees" an outrageous amount of money for little work. Yes, as much as we would like to get rick quick for little effort, most times it doesn't pan out. Any ad that claims you can make an executive salary on part-time hours should be view with skepticism.

3) The ad/site offers little information about the company. Does the place of employment have a physical address? Is there any information on the people who work there and what they do? Are they affiliated with the BBB or the local chamber of commerce? If a company looks suspicious to you, research what you can before giving them your personal information.

The more you know about the ads calling for new hires, the more informed you will be when you send off your resumes. Be watchful of fraudulent ads that seek to take advantage of your needs.

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There are loads of online job search sites available. The key to successful job hunting is to know the right sites to apply in. Short listing the effective job search websites is an important exercise which most of us under value. Uploading your resume anywhere and everywhere is not going to help. You don't want to make an online presence; you want to get jobs matching your criteria. And targeting them through the right websites is the first step.

Here are a few pointers you should keep in mind while choosing an effective job search site.

1. Give importance to the site popularity. Register yourself with not just the top ranking but also the fastest growing job search portal. The higher the traffic, the more you are going to get noticed.

2. Choose an integrated job search site which gathers postings from various job search engines and company websites. You can get all information in one place and hence save time and energy.

3. Give importance to the resume uploading facility. Ensure that the process is easy, instant and safe.

4. Lay emphasis on the search process. Does it allow you to search jobs via various parameters such as industry, location, years of experience, level of job etc? Ensure that the job search process is easy and precise.

5. Check the site not just as a job seeker but also as a recruiter. After all, it's the recruiters you need to appeal to. It is important to judge the appeal of the job search site to the recruiters also.

6. Check how often companies are posting job requirements. Any good website would always mention the job posting date, so that you do not waste time applying for a job posted months earlier. The relevancy and the frequency of updating jobs are important criterion.

7. Give preference to sites with greater interactivity. Look out for blogs, forums or other interactive platforms within the job search website.

8. Check out for tools offered by the site enabling better management of your search. These may include flagging off, getting job alerts and notifications, facility for easy and fast uploading of resumes and simpler management console.

9. Check if the job search site offers something extra. That is, it goes beyond the actual services of recruitment. These may include stuff like company reviews and online networking platforms.

10. Check for privacy and safety of the job site. You definitely do not want to take any risks. Ensure that they are not using your email id to spam. Always read the privacy policy before short listing the search website.

Ensure that you check on the above factors before you short list the job search sites to register with. The site should satisfy the basic criteria of convenience, accessibility, easy management, interactivity, safety and other add on benefits.

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Have you ever submitted a resume only to realize too late that there was a resume writing error in your materials? If so, you may know all too well the consequences. Resume writing mistakes devastate job searches, according to Certified Professional Resume Writers. In fact, according to a recent survey, 84% of hiring professionals would reject a candidate who had just one or two typographical errors on their cover letter or resume.

Avoiding resume-writing mistakes may seem like common sense, but you would be surprised to know that we see candidate-written resumes with errors on a daily basis. Fortunately, these devastating resume-writing consequences are 100% avoidable. With close attention to detail and careful proofing of your resume-writing materials, you can avoid these resume-writing pitfalls.

The most important thing to do in resume writing is to proofread your resume many times over. Do not rely only on your own proofreading skills. Instead, enlist the help of others to go over your resume writing materials. Contact a career services professional, a friend in hiring or human resources, or a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW). Often someone who is viewing a document for the first time will see errors that your eyes might gloss over.

When you are proofing your resume writing, remember that effective resume writing focuses on your achievements. Still, it is a mistake to itemize all of your achievements. If you flipped more burgers than any other cook, that is great and it may have landed you your next job. If that was 20 years ago, however, listing the achievement may indicate to a potential employer that you peaked 20 years ago. Employers want resume writing to answer the question: What have you done lately that fits the job?

After writing a convincing resume, you need to write a convincing cover letter. The same rules apply. Because many people send a different cover letter for each job application, however, it is often more common that mistakes show up in a cover letter than in a resume. Still, cover letter mistakes can have the same effect as resume writing mistakes - you will lose the interview.

Another common error in resume-writing and cover letter writing is using a font too small to read, in an effort to get as much content as possible on a single page. If the font is too small, then people will not be interested in reading it. It also gives the appearance that the writer is disorganized and unable to prioritize his or her thoughts and incapable of selecting the most important information to highlight on the resume.

A word of caution: resume-writing can take many hours. It is sometimes draining but necessary. Think about the years of effort you have put into your education, training, and career. The investment in building your resume is minuscule in comparison.

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Don't Miss These Two Opportunities That Come Only Once In Every 30 - 60 Years

I'm writing you right now from a hotel suite overlooking the ocean in beautiful Amalfi, Italy where we are having breakfast on a private balcony. My fiancee and I have been vacationing in Europe for the past three weeks enjoying all the culture, sites and great food that Europe has to offer, and this time has allowed me some space to reflect about what makes it possible for any of us to live the life of our dreams. I'm writing you this e-mail to share with you just exactly how I am currently making a ton of money, mostly from other people's efforts, even while I take vacations like this and have time to spend with my family, friends and do all the things I want to do, anywhere in the world.

Right now there are two amazing opportunities that are happening right before our eyes. It's amazing because things like this only happen once in every generation or two. Just like Bill Gates, Steve Jobs and the other dot com guys were in the right place at the right time when they were born in the late 50's to take advantage of the computer age opportunities that came about in the late 70s and early 80s, you are now in the right place at the right time for these two opportunities that I am taking advantage of myself even as we speak.

What are they? The first is the ability to buy real estate at prices way under replacement cost. We're buying properties now at auction at about 60% of what it would cost to build them. Better still, buying at those prices allows us to turn around and sell them for $50,000, $60,000 or more than we paid (the last one we did sold for over $100,000 more than we paid for it) and we can do it in 90 - 180 days! We are building multiple "real estate buying machines" all over the US and using private money from investors to fund them. You can do the same thing, and over the next several weeks, I'm going to share with you the blueprint that I and my two good friends Bob Leonetti and Dan Doran are using to make it happen. Look for more information on this soon.

The second is something that I accidentally fell into, but that has generated over $200,000 in "surprise" windfall earnings for me recently. That is helping local business owners get found online. You see there are over 13 million small local business owners who don't have websites, and even more who have a website but have not yet been able to be found on the search engines. Over the past 18 months or so, I've helped over 100 business owners get sites up and get found online, and now I'm kicking this business into turbo high gear.

This opportunity is unbelievably profitable because there is so little competition offering this service to local business at a reasonable price. Low competition and high demand is a formula that I've used to make millions of dollars and you can too. The challenge up until now has been how much work it is to get everything set up to help local businesses rank. I had to travel to the Philippines, rent space, build a company, train people and spend over $100,000 and hundreds of hours putting together the group I have that does this. But now, Mike Koenigs has put together a complete Done For You system to help local businesses, including EVERYTHING you need to get them ranked and get them to sign up with you to help them!

So, I'm writing to share with you what Mike is doing. It's called "Main Street Marketing Machines" and it's a product that he is going to be selling. He beta tested under a different name, and I am part of that group, and the tests were off the charts for people having success. There are so many money making systems that don't do squat for people who buy them, but MSMM is different. It gives you everything you need and you can learn about it and get some great free information from Mike's launch videos that are up now.

If you wish you had bought MicroSoft stock when it came out and then Google and then... well you get the idea. If you keep missing out on the next big thing, here's your chance to finally get in as the next big thing is getting started. I'm doing this myself or I would not be so passionate about recommending that you buy Main Street Marketing Machines. Also, if you buy through my link, I will be paid a commission as an affiliate, but I would tell you to get this even if there was no commission. Seriously, I paid full price for it myself, and I am going to use it over the next 12 months to build another multi-million dollar business. I invite you to join me in doing the same thing for yourself.

If you do decide to buy Main Street Marketing Machine and you buy through my link, I will give you a killer Main Street Marketing Machines Bonus. I will walk with you, sharing what I am doing as I build this into a seven and then eight figure business, so that you can see how I am doing it, and we can be successful together. The link is below in my resource box. I hope you decide to come along with me on this once in a generation opportunity...

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Due to today's economy, it can be hard to find a job. The good news is that it isn't going to impossible for you to do, but it might be harder than say a few years back. So what can help you get a job? Of course having the skills and a good resume is key, but so is goal setting. As just stated, it might be harder to find a job in today's economy and a challenge is the perfect place for goals. These goals can help to provide motivation and more!

So when it comes to finding a job, what are some ideal goals to set for yourself?

Find Jobs You Are Qualified For - It is okay to apply for a few of your dream jobs or jobs that you like just because of the pay. On that same note, you want to focus on jobs that you are qualified for. This economy and the bad job market isn't the best time to be taking a chance. Because of that economy, fewer companies are hiring and when they do hire they want to ensure they are getting a qualified candidate; make sure you are that qualified candidate.

Improve Your Resume - In all honesty, your resume might be perfect (literally); however, it will not hurt to give it a second look. Print a copy and read it out loud. Do you notice any mistakes or any instances where a line doesn't make sense? If so, it is time to make changes now. Also, consider tailoring your resume to the position in which you are applying for. Remember, you want to show that you are the perfect candidate. Alter your objective to fit the job, bring extra attention to skills and training that are transferable, and so forth.

A Mock Interview Before Each Real Interview - Job interviews can be pretty nerve-racking especially if you haven't had an interview in a few years. However, don't be surprised to get some nervous butterflies floating around in your stomach even if you had a job interview two days ago! To help ease the stress and to ensure you are well-prepared, do a mock interview. You can always do this alone in your room with you and a mirror, but see if you can do a mock interview with any friends or family members (especially those who would be willing to provide unbiased feedback).

Search at Least Twice a Day - Since there are more Americans looking for a job than there are actual positions, lots of applications and resumes are sent out. Sometimes, a hiring manager can have enough applicants to hire for the position in less than 48 hours! Since there are no guarantees when resumes will stop being reviewed, you need to act fast. This means set a good goal on search, like search the career sites at least twice a day.

Send Out X Number of Resumes a Week - This is one of those goals that is good to have, but okay if you don't meet. As mentioned above, you want to focus most of your attention on jobs that you are qualified for. So lets say that you have the goal of sending out 15 resumes in one week. The week is coming to an end and you have only sent out 10 resumes, does this mean you need to apply to five jobs you aren't qualified for just to meet your goal? No.

Be Employed by XXXX Date - It is always good to have a job date in mind. With that said, this is not a goal that you can accomplish all by yourself. You can improve your chances of getting hired by searching often, applying for jobs you are qualified for, having a good resume, and having a great job interview. Even still though, you might walk away empty handed. Although there are no guarantees, create the goal of having a job in X number of weeks or months. If you meet your goal, good. If you don't meet your goal, you know you need to put forth more effort.

The above mentioned goals can help you greatly in your quest to find a job. If you are ready to get started today, consider downloading a job finding program. While these software programs aren't required, they do come highly rated and recommended. Good programs let you search thousands of job sites, setup alerts for new job listings, apply for jobs right through the program, and more!

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Over the past year I've interviewed for a half dozen SEO jobs at substantial companies where they've decided to stop out-sourcing and bring the SEO position in-house. While I have not yet decided to take any of those jobs, I have noticed some things that may prove enlightening to anyone considering making the move to corporate SEO.

1) If contacted by a headhunter or recruiter attempting to "Qualify" you for the SEO position interview, be patient and realize that you'll often be explaining SEO to them as they may only have a passing understanding of SEO beyond the job description provided to them. The may have a short list of our industry buzzwords in front of them.

2) If the company interviewer or human resources director doesn't understand SEO and has that same list of SEO buzzwords in front of them - be patient as well. The reason they are hiring an SEO is because they need your expertise. Just realize it will be about personalities at that point and not about your qualifications. Discuss your SEO successes, point to client web sites and searches to show current positions for that client's keyword phrases.

3) If the company you'll be working for has a home page that is a flash movie which starts playing music immediately, includes the word "Enter" or has a 30 segment image slice, politely decline the interview. You'll never convince them that text is what gets them good search engine ranking. (Art, music, video, television or radio related sites rarely include transcripts of programs, song lyrics or text reviews and text is rare for the visual, audio and video creatives.)

4) If a "site:company.com" query returns 12 pages on the SERPS, and they all include the same lame catch-phrase without keywords, make sure your job description includes "Content Development." PS: "Content Development" better be in every SEO job description.

5) If a site:company.com query returns 120,000 pages on the SERPS, and they all include the same lame catch-phrase without keywords, make sure your job decsription includes "Keyword Research." PS: "Keyword Research." better be in every SEO job description.

6) If the job description puts the SEO position in the Marketing Department, smile and apply. Marketing is where SEO belongs. Textual content as a sales tool is welcome and extensive use of real words as content is encouraged. The position title may be something odd that fits the company org charts like, "Director of Product Mgmt, Search."

7) If the job description puts the position in the IT department, look out! They'll expect an automated and programmatic solution to SEO. Automated keyword extraction tools, which take keywords from body text and insert them into Title Tags, may be in your future. You'll inevitably spend your time debugging scripts so they don't insert stop words into those tags, rather than actually writing effective tags or training content management staff to do so.

8) If you are asked if you have experience with one particular content management platform, run - unless you are certain their CMS platform allows for manual editing of Title tags, metadata, and embedded links in body text - and that system allows for CSS attributes that can be altered to support SEO concerns. Few companies will abandon legacy CMS systems because you tell them it won't work for SEO or that it will require complex workarounds to hack the proprietary in-house CMS database.

9) If asked, "Do you have experience with SEO in the field of "_____ (fill in the blank)" turn and leave the building, because they don't understand that experience with SEO is the same in every business except for differing industry buzzwords. If, on the other hand, you have a passion for the topic of the company web site, celebrate because you are going to love your job even more.

10) If the company asks if you have experience with any one particular reporting system for web site statistics and log file analytics, answer "Yes" because they all serve the same purpose, provide the same data, and export the same Excel or CSV reports. The only difference is the login username and passwords and internal navigation.

Hundreds of substantial companies are hiring in-house SEO and PPC managers to do their search engine optimization as the position continues to prove its value to corporate search rankings. I'm continuing to interview companies until I find the right corporate SEO position for me. If you get the job and any of my observations here helped you in your SEO job interview, how about a link to my site from your corporate home page? ;-)

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Your 30 second introduction will always be the way you answer the question "So, tell me about yourself". But it is also very useful as an introduction when you meet people at professional organization or other meetings.

People have a short attention span and innovations like MTV, which turned 25 in 2007, have served to shorten that attention span even further. That means it is vital that you carefully craft what the person you are talking to hears while they are still listening to you - and 30 seconds may be close to their attention limit. You want to make sure that they hear the important accomplishments and talents you bring to the table without a lengthy buildup.

Start with a brief, specific definition of who you are professionally. For example: "I am a professional Project Manager. I currently am (or most recently was) managing projects for XYZ Company."

Follow with a highlight of your career - either a single thing you are proud of or two or three things you have been consistently known for. "I'm especially proud of the $60 million whatever project that I managed for the XYZ Company that my team and I were able to bring in under budget and a month ahead of deadline." Or, "I consistently bring good planning, people management skills, and a record of early completion to any project I work on."

Finish with a sentence or so about why you are currently in the job market. It could be that you are interested in exploring opportunities in an exciting new arena or, even, that your job was one of hundreds impacted in a major corporate reorganization and you are using this opportunity to explore new areas.

Just remember you want to be short and specific and you'll be terrific.

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Many graduates take to doing menial jobs as a result of their inability to find a decent job. This is becoming even more common in recent times due to the current world economic crisis. There is no guarantee that making a lot of applications a day would get one a graduate job particularly when most employers only advertise for candidates with several years of work experience.

This situation makes one wonder that when a university degree cannot find one a job, how does a fresh graduate find employment in his or her desired industry without experience? One very good answer is to be self-employed. Although working for oneself could be challenging, you could start reaping rewards and making some profit within a few years.

However, this article would concentrate on those of us who prefer to work for an organisation owned by someone else. Not everyone would get a job offer from one of the few multinational corporations that recruit new graduates into their trainee programmes on a yearly basis but the key to eventually doing so is to keep on applying. Whatever you do, never give up!

Furthermore, do not regard any opportunity job opportunity as too little even if it is at your local coffee shop or as a security guard. Broaden your horizon and consider every offer you get even those that do not pay much as this is a very good chance of gaining some vital experience of working with people and start building a job profile for yourself until the bigger and better offers start coming.

In addition, there are a lot of voluntary work opportunities around today and these schemes could be very useful in gaining work experience. While most voluntary organisation do not pay at all, some actually provide means for reimbursements of accommodation, food and travel costs. The flexibility of these schemes also provide networking connections and plenty of time to continue searching for an ideal job while still working. With a little research you will find opportunities to teach abroad, for example, in Asia, Europe or Australia, or even volunteer for organisations that are closely related to your discipline which would greatly enhance your prospects of finding a decent job in future.

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Some of you have no need to find a new job for years. You can not know how to get started. Please do not be stressed, below are three simple steps to get you started in the right direction!

First, start the implementation of online places to search through - and find positions that you (you do not yet apply). Take the job and restart you write your resume with the applicable information from the job description and place it directly on your resume. Re-word to fitYour skills, if necessary. Do you have 3-5 well-written resumes for the positions you have selected - you can tailor-made application. Make sure to keep track of what the work is performed and the user name and password to place before you create it. I kept a notebook / log in the past. (Make sure you update websites Resumes upload all the job search for, it needs to updated at least once a week.)

Second. Once you apply online with your new updated resume, now you can from your new e-mail CV toYou all know and start networking! Of course, remember to update your LinkedIn status often look different you!

Third. Learn how to market and sell themselves. I propose to read or hear of sales and marketing CD's, and apply these techniques to your job search. I recommend Brian Tracy's sales of CDs. I think you can do it for free or for a low price. Another great CD is "The Power of Networking" by Brian. These CD's help you can market and sell your skills andNetwork for positions in today's job market.

Balance your job search, networking and training time. Do not spend too much time on one area!

Good Luck!

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There is a consensus between industry watchers, that for a recession (or are headed, we're already in one). Large companies have announced or are considering layoffs, especially in industries affected by the subprime fallout.

Granted, not everyone is convinced that we are for some tough sledding economic front, but a possible recession in expectation underscores the need to always be ready. If you dismiss talk, or think there is a greater chance of losing your> Job it is better to be prepared than now scramble to finish tomorrow.

For starters, you must have a resume ready. But maybe you do not know where - or how to begin -. Your first step is to ask yourself these types of questions:

1st What skills do I have that my next employer do?

several job descriptions for the type of work you want to know Review, if you were looking for a job. See what words and phrases they have in common. Then,Find out which of your many skills best match on the mission would look for you.

2nd What job position would tell me about the others who want the same thing?

Make it easy for the reader to display your individual value. Customize your resume to reflect terminology of the employer and the results emphasize not only duties.

3rd What do my job were special achievements in?

List your services and how they support the value that would take you to anotherCompany. If you do not have numbers or percentages of your results (eg sales, cost reductions and improvements of the time) that if you have some data now you can - before you have to put on a resume.

4th What special skills do I have?

Did you learn new computer technology? Can you be a certain special? Speak a foreign language?

5th There are at least three people, skills, and can attest to my work ethic?

Make surehave their current contact information and list them as references on a separate document, not on your resume.

6th What information can I find someone on line?

Perform search for your name and verify the information an employer could find a web. In some cases, the employer may search as a Contact references. If you any information that could harm your chances, please contact the webmaster to remove about it.

7th How strong is my webPresent?

Do you have up-to-date profile on Web-networking sites like LinkedIn? If so, consider, including the Web address (URL) in your resume or cover letter.

Answering these questions will provide you with the most important ingredients of your personal "value proposition", which is what helps market yourself to an employer. In short, you need to answer an employer all-important question: Why should I hire you?

© 2004-2008 Pongo Software, LLC. All rights reservedreserved.

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Your CV should be in writing ability and your personal Internet presence critical to reducing the amount of time it takes to land a career opportunity. Some say it takes an average 1-month for each $ 10,000 annual income you earn to find your next job when you work out. I'm not so sure I agree with the correlation, but I agree with you that as you move the corporate food chain, it can take longer to land the next job. For some executives, it can take longer than theyfinancially possible to wait.

Worse still, to a certain degree of employment is somewhat seasonal. It probably will not shock anyone to learn, in the summer is usually the slowest season of the year rental. This can be very hard for a job seeker to moral - especially if they are not aware of, in connection with seasonal rentals. If you are not, that the next landing opportunity in the summer months, this does not necessarily do something with your employability.

A betterQuestion is: How can I shorten the time it takes to get a job?

Find yourself (or know someone) in a situation where they need it or want to conduct a proactive job search campaign?

Whatever your reasons, or to search the desire to operate a pro-active work, conducting a proactive job search can be any one of the most frustrating challenges at every level and at any point in their career. Why? Because theResult is often a function of timing, and has nothing to do with how marketable you are. That is, increase your marketability and exposure to opportunity only improve your ability to use the in the right place at the right time, make the next step in your career.

may have with the right strategy and approach not only your increasing your exposure to more opportunity, you can also increase your exposure to better opportunities.

It is not complicated, but it can be muchhard work and it is critical to have access to the right tools to do the job.

The first to realize that if the entrance active job search campaign is one in that it all starts with your resume writing skills, if you go outside your immediate family and "friends" Business Contact network.

Most executives in the case of playing down the importance of offering the best possible return with the words: "I communicate my values and the substancemy career best in an interview. "

If your resume non-sharp in its ability to accurately articulate your unique career differentiated value proposition by quantifying the extent and magnitude of the responsibility you have held and the impact on the company your efforts in the A-measurable-way produced for each position you held in your career, you're dead before you even start. They are simply in the pile again, that end in an electronic or physical without getting lost recycle binssecond thought - let alone without an interview.

You have to really understand the quality, content and format of your resume (in particular for an executive) is a strong reflection of their own abilities and focus.

Executives have a measurable, given the scale and scope of responsibility, and they are paid to produce measurable business impact. No one is paid to produce simple effort.

It is amazing how many executive fail again to articulate measurable information. MostCVs contain nothing but non-quantified statements of the effort, use the question: "This is beautiful, so what did these efforts produce in the form of measurable business impact?"

Do not fall into the trap of writing bad CV, your measurable-to articulate the scope and extent of responsibility, and measurable business impact, you have driven in your resume.

Also seriously concerned about the role of the traditional 1-2 page resume format. Limiting yourself to atraditional 1-2 page resume format is the equivalent to committing suicide Job Search. Instead, focus on the physical space devoted enough to adequately differentiate your career. Why? Because if you try to take your career in a 1-2 jam Value Proposition sides again, we run the risk in a sea of vanilla lost 1-2 pages.

Some may think this is heresy, but it is simply common sense.

If you try to differentiate themselves, it is probably not a good idea to haveCV, which looks like any other.

Want to see how everyone-else is looking? Just on-AFTER "Samples" that e-Resume (examples), Career Resumes (examples), and even Monster's Resume Center (examples), how massive can see the distinctive "Stellar to" again, as-all-looks advertises look if they are limited to those criteria, 1-2 pages.

If your goal is to match and look like everyone else - and as a consequence - to compete head-to-head in today's job market, thenby all means follow their advice. If you want to change the game in your favor and interviews, the other will not continue with the same vanilla - do not follow their advice. Just ask yourself if you want to work for someone, that the length of rent from someone who's CV is a valid criterion, and make you believe your own decision.

Be very careful in responding to comments that "Your resume is too long." Why? As the-only person you should be on what you hear on the lengthCV is someone who can actually benefit by hiring you. Any other feedback from someone who can get no rent to you, and as such is not the information that is actually in your resume (ie, the feedback value is totally out of context).

Keep your successes in the hands of a "professional resume writer." Why? Only question is, who knows better what is the value of your career achievements - you or someone else to come that's not even close to a careerlike yours? Would you like to leave the execution of your career responsibilities to your secretary? Of course not. And why would you ever consider someone else's Resume writing skills by letting someone else represent formulate / your career successes and Value Proposition by writing your resume?

Resume Advice - If you're not landing a job in a timely manner is one of two reasons:

1st Your career is not a strong fit for the roles you areexposed.

2nd Your resume is not a strong fit for the roles that you are exposed.

Are you willing to bet it's because your career is not a strong fit? Are you willing to bet your CV could be improved?

Leave The only obstacle between you and being able to, a-sharp-resume, your career is different value proposition - is access to proper tools.

Where can you find the tools and techniques?

I wrote an article about 3Years include: carrying out a campaign, the job search is a pretty good start. It describes many things a job seeker can do to increase opportunities and to cover their exposure to potential employment.

Implementation of a campaign provides job search advice on topics such as resume writing job search, how to approach Recruiter, how to build an Internet personal presence can someone actually be found on Googleand much more.

After you write the best CV, then shifts the challenge to keep your personal Internet presence. In other words, you can Google be found when someone in a search on your name? Do you have an Internet presence? Execunet surveyed their executive recruiters and found 63% of them Google one candidate before reaching out to them and therefore have a determination of whether or not to reach for one candidate on what they do or do not find. The easiest wayto create an Internet presence is an online networking platform that gives you the opportunity not only to build up a profile to join, but also other content such as blogs and articles. A networking site with high traffic volume usually combined with constantly changing content will rank highly in search engines. LinkedIn's a site with high traffic, but the whole content is static. Ecademy is a place with high traffic volumes, appropriate, but most of the content is changing as satisfiedResult of all the blogging and article marketing, that to send to members. As such, member profile on Ecademy Rank is a typically much higher than corresponding member profile on LinkedIn, if you do a search on the member's name in Google.

Essential content you create on an online networking site that the use of adequate transport links and what more important contantly changing content can create a kind of preferential treatment in search engines ranking scenario that youto your advantage to build a personal Internet presence.

By using a "search engine" friendly networking platform to quickly build a visible Internet presence. Combine this with blogging and other publishing activities, and your items are ready, found by a recruiter.

Sun take over the control of the outcome of the proactive search Check with your job.

Happy Networking.

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