Email Tips For The Job Seeker

by Nathan Newberger

Most people take the power of email for granted. For most people that is okay, but for job searchers, your email form and content is an expression of yourself. Its IMPORTANT that you cover the email basics.

FACT

The days of job searching using postal mail are vanishing. Some experts even say initial telephone correspondence during the job search process is being replaced by e-mail or "electronic mail". Mainly because its easy, inexpensive, and you can reach a large audience with a few keystrokes.

During the job search process you may be using e-mail more than you imagined. Before you know it you will be e-mailing recruiters, employers, previous co-workers, sending resumes back and forth, etc.

The following eight tips will help make sure that your e-mail looks professional and get the attention of the reader. 

8 Tips To Make The Most Of your E-Mail 

#1 - OBTAIN A SEPARATE (job search only) E-MAIL ACCOUNT:

Use this e-mail address on your resumes and for corresponding with recruiters, contacts and prospective employers. Do not give this out to your friends and family or your favorite on-line shopping sites. The purpose of this career only account is to help you stay focused on your job search. By setting up an e-mail account for only career purposes you minimize the potential for distraction. 

#2 CHECK YOUR E-MAIL REGULARLY:

This means at a minimum three times a day (morning, afternoon and evening). It is highly recommended that you log on more often as recruiters often use this medium to inform you of potential leads and possibilities. Ignore this rule and you may find that your golden opportunity has passed you by.

#3 - ALWAYS RESPOND PROMPTLY:

How would you feel if you left someone a phone message and he/she did not respond promptly? Offended because he/she did not take the time to respond back? Worried that maybe the message never made it to him/her? It’s no different with e-mail. The rules of common courtesy still apply. Whenever possible, reply within the same day. Make sure that you respond to all e-mail with-in 24 hours at the latest. Do this even if only to say that you received the original e-mail and will need more time to do what is requested.

#4 - UTILIZE THE SUBJECT LINE:

The subject line is the first thing that a person sees when he/she checks his/her e-mail. Make it worthwhile. Best practice is to summarize the overall purpose/objective of the e-mail in the subject line. “ACME Brick position” will work. However, “Follow-Up: ACME Brick Fin Mgr Position” is better. Keep in mind that the person that you are e-mailing may receive dozens of e-mails each day. When short on time, he/she will scan the subject lines of his/her e-mails and answer the ones that seem most important first. 

#5 - SPELLING AND GRAMMAR RULES STILL APPLY:

Poor spelling and grammar can make you appear at best careless and at worst poorly educated. Neither characterization is appealing when worn by the job seeker. Read over and spell-check each e-mail before you send it. If you don’t have access to spell-check, then utilize the services of a friend or your trusty dictionary. The extra few seconds won’t break your schedule and might make all the difference in your job search. 

#6 - KEEP IT SHORT AND SWEET:

Think back to all the English papers you wrote in high school. Now make sure that your e-mail correspondence does not look anything like that (except as mentioned in the previous point). E-mail is a casual and direct form of business correspondence. As a general rule, try and keep your e-mail under a page. Do not waste time with fancy words or flowery phrases. Make your point using the smallest amount of words reasonably possible. Remember that your target audience is often short on time. If they open up your e-mail and it looks like an essay, they may become frustrated and not bother to read it at all. 

#7 - FORGET BEING CUTE:

Never forget that you are looking for a job. Save the smiley faces, colored fonts, exclamation points, etc. for your friends and family. For the most part, they do not belong in your job-search e-mails. Also, e-mails may be informal business communication, but do not throw all rules of etiquette out the window. Always be courteous in your writing. 

#8 - Your Sign-off:

You should close each e-mail with a proper sign-off. It may be as simple as “Thanks-Jeff Smith”. Often times, it is useful to include contact information as well as any certifications in your sign-off. Many e-mail services (i.e., MS Outlook) have an auto signature function that allows you to set up a customized sign-off that can be inserted at the end of your e-mail. 

CONCLUSION

E-mail is indeed a powerful tool for the job seeker, but keep in mind that the decision to use it or not may depend on your audience. While most employers have welcomed the technology age and happily accept e-communication, there are some who may not be as comfortable. With the latter, it is often a good idea to stick to the phone or postal mail for your correspondence. How to tell the difference? It’s often easiest to just ask. More often than not, they will be an e-mail aficionado.

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Tax Tips For Job Seekers

by Nathan Newberger

That dreaded date is approaching very quickly. April 15th is just around the corner, which means it is time to file those tax returns. When economic conditions are tough, the last thing anyone wants to do is pay taxes. Luckily, you could be better off than you realize.
There are some very favorable rules embedded in the tax code for job seekers. When dealing with taxes, sometimes it pays to be between jobs.
This article briefly discusses some of the possible tax benefits for the unemployed. These are just tips that you may want to look into, please talk to a tax expert before filing your return. Don't pay more than you have to!
The following topics will be covered:

• 1. Basic Tax Deductions
• 2. The Big Bucks
• 3. Playing It Safe

1. Basic Tax Deductions
Many of the costs associated with a job search can be deducted from your income. As long as you are not entering the job market for the first time, searching for work in a different field of employment, or returning to work from a long spell of unemployment, many typical job search costs are tax deductible. Individually these costs can be small, but they can add up very quickly. Eligible expenses may include:

1. Phone calls and faxing fees
2. Costs for typing, printing, and mailing resumes
3. Employment agency fees
4. Ad space in newspapers, trade magazines, or on web sites
5. Traveling costs for job interviews (This does not just include airfare or public transportation. The costs of driving to an interview can be deducted on a mileage basis.)

The list continues on, but you get the picture.
The 2 most important things to remember are:

1. These expenses are only deductible if you itemize them.
2. Only job search expenses exceeding 2% of your adjusted gross income are tax deductible. (please check with a tax expert on the finer details)

2. The Big Bucks $$
The deductions don't begin and end with your minor expenses. As well as the small costs of printing, postage, etc, large expenses associated with the job hunt can also be deducted. The two primary "major expenses" are as follows:

1. EDUCATION - If you went back to school before taking a new job, your educational expenses can be curbed with tax deductions. Based on your adjusted gross income, you could be eligible for deductions of up to $3,000.
2. MOVING - Once you have finally found that new job, some of your moving expenses may be deducted for tax purposes. The only eligible expenses are ones that your current employer did not already cover. Furthermore, moving costs for a new job are only deductible if your new place of work is at least 50 miles from your old home. If these requirements are met, things like packing costs, mileage expenses, parking fees, tolls, and lodging while traveling are all tax deductible.

3. Playing It Safe
Tax deductions can be very tricky and very tempting. The worst idea you could get into your head is to start being a risk taker when it comes to your tax return. You may not always get caught bending the truth, but if you do, the IRS will have very little sympathy. Deductions related to the job search may also raise a bright red flag to the IRS. These types of expenses tend to get examined more thoroughly than others. So as you file your return, keep these things in mind:

1. Don't get creative and try to pile on expenses that are not truly exclusive to your job search. For example, a new suit may be needed for interviews, but its usefulness is not strictly confined to your job search.
2. Save your receipts. In the case that your deductions do draw suspicion, you can save yourself a lot of pain, time, and money if you have proof of all your expenses.
3. CHECK WITH AN EXPERT. We here at Worktree.com are job search experts, not tax accountants. Before you file a return with new types of deductions, it would be smart to get professional advice.

CONCLUSION
Don't be afraid to try and save money, however, please speak to an expert if you have any questions. As long as you play by the rules and only deduct legitimate expenses, you are in the clear. Being out of work is an economic burden on its own. Money can be even tighter when you have to spend large amounts on your job search but these tips may help you recover a portion of this. Use those deductions to your advantage, and do it quick - April 15th is just around the corner!

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Top Five Difficult Interview Questions

You finally got the interview. Now you need to prepare. You need to be ready to answer the tough questions – the questions that you know will come, but you are not sure what they are! How are you to prepare for something when you don’t know what it is? Interview questions are a tricky thing. You would think that the person sitting across from you wants to find out the level of your qualifications to fill a position. WRONG. This is only part of what they want to know. They also want to know if you would be a good fit for the organization – if perhaps they had to sit on a plane with you for 9+ hours, that they wouldn’t want to sit close, very close to the exit row and pull the handle at a strategic moment. Here are my top five picks for the most difficult interview questions – Microsoft notwithstanding:

1. Tell me about yourself.

This is an interesting question. It is very open ended and will allow you to present something about your background; it doesn’t necessarily have to be a regurgitation of your early career history. You can use this as an opportunity to engage with the interviewer on a more personal level. Perhaps you recently built a house for Habitat for Humanity or spent some time abroad – you can discuss those things to answer this question. Be careful that you don’t talk too long. Keep your answer short – but it might represent an opportunity for you to help the reader understand a dimension of your personality that might not otherwise be uncovered during the interview.

2. What do you know about the company?

Before entering any interview you should always do research on the company. It is so easy to get information either online or at the local library. Take the time to conduct some research about the company, including its history, recent press, business ventures (where applicable), corporate philosophy, and leadership. You should be able to articulate something interesting you learned about them. Again, don’t talk too long. You don’t want to come off as a know it all. You should express interest in learning more about the company’s focus and the position (of course).

3. From what you have learned about the company and position, why do you want to work for us?

This is an opportunity for you to present your qualifications and things you have done previously that would be applicable to their business. Make sure you stress how you would contribute to the company’s needs. Express why you find the position interesting, making sure to make connections between the role you are pursuing and the work you have done previously. For example, if you are applying for a position that has a strong financial component, your answer should include relevant analysis and findings. It is important that you tie your experiences to the value you bring to a new role.

4. If hired, what is one of the first things you would do to make an impact?

If you have done your homework on the company and position, you will have an idea of some of the things they are looking to accomplish. Come prepared to reference specific things you have done in the past and the timeframes it took you to complete them. Part of the interview process involves marketing yourself. Don’t be afraid to talk about your achievements and indicate how you would quickly meet a need for the new company. Reference your problem solving, motivation, and ability to work well as part of a group to achieve a common goal. No matter what, everything you discuss should be in a positive manner.

5. Where do you see yourself in five years?

I loathe this question! As ridiculous as I think the question is – people ask it ALL THE TIME during the interview process; so, I felt an obligation to include it here and give you an appropriate answer. You want to demonstrate commitment; and that is an important component to answering this question effectively. Consider mentioning that you enjoy challenging situations and work well in an environment that is participatory. You are committed and focused on those situations that will continue to allow you to grow while making a meaningful contribution.

Well, there you have it! My top five tough questions. Preparation is key. No matter what position you are interviewing for knowing your own background, competencies, strengths and areas for improvement, complemented by knowledge of the company will help ensure you shine when confronted with the tough questions.

www.resume-resource.com

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Online Reputation Management for Job Seekers

4 Ways to Kick Start Your Personal PR Strategy and Successfully Clean Up any Smudges in Your Online Reputation

Online reputation management is a critical component of a job seekers' personal brand strategy.

According to a 2005 survey of over 100 recruiters by executive recruiting and human capital organization ExecuNet, 75 percent of headhunters use search engines to research candidates and check their online reputation, while 26 percent eliminate candidates based upon the information they have discovered online.

How can job seekers clean up their online reputation?

If negative or false information about your name appears in the search engines, here are 4 steps to kick start your online reputation management strategy and successfully clean up your online reputation.
Assess the potential online reputation damage

According to a December 2007 report by the non-profit Pew Internet & American Life Project, 53% of adult Web users have searched for information about romantic interests, family, friends and business colleagues. It's now critical that you Google and Dogpile your name to see what’s the SERP’s (Search Engine Results Pages) are reporting. Most users only scour the first 30 posts to determine your current online reputation status, but I suggest that you search every page with your name on it.

Use a 4 prong strategy of content you can control, to rise to the top of the search engines

The web information that reaches the top first, is the most recent. It's often used first by browsers to determine your online brand. The more positive content you can control and publish yourself, the greater chances you can clean up your online reputation.

* Clean up your online reputation by reserving your own name-based URL. Consider your name a keyword and a priceless asset in online reputation management. Add your profession to your the site to link your career with your name. For example, BobMillerMD.com, MaryDaviswrites.com and SusanLinkerJD.com can not only rank you high in the search engines, but can easily attach your name to your career. Need a cheap alternative for domain registration and hosting? My hosting company, Netfirms, provides free web hosting for one year (with banner ads) and one email account for site users for $5.95.

* Use social media and bookmarking sites to dominate the SERP rankings. LinkedIn, Facebook, Squidoo and Twitter profiles all rank well and high in search results. Sites like About.com, Digg.com, Myspace.com, WikiAnswers and Yahoo answers have huge domain authority with the search engines and can provide the leverage needed to get your content ranked high in the SERPS.

* Create a blog with your name to clean up your online reputation. Blogs usually rank high in the search engines. Don’t forget to comment on high profile blogs to create positive links attached to your name.

* Submit a 400 word article to free article directories. Use EzineArticles.com and countless other free article directories to create high quality and unique content that will spread to other sites quickly.

Attack any negative information online without hesitation

It’s next to impossible to remove bad information, on someone else’s webpage, without contact the site owner. Get ready to roll up your sleeves and use some elbow grease, as you attempt to remove these negative listings.

* Send an email to ask the site owner or the applicable Internet Service Provider to remove the disparaging information within 24 hours.

* Submit the site to Google’s authenticated spam reports, if the information is misleading, heinous and deceptive to web users.

* Depending upon the situation and parties involved a simple request to remove information can start as a simple email or escalate to talks of lawyers and libel.

* Hire an online reputation management firm like ReputationDefender.com or ReputationHawk.com to contact the site owner or your behalf.

Be nice, but firm with the site owner. Ultimately whether you pay for the posting removal, or attempt to clean up your online reputation yourself, the site owner has the final say as to whether to remove your content or not.

Use free web alerts for ongoing online reputation management

Use a free web alert service to monitor your name daily. Whenever someone posts information about you online, Google Alerts and Yahoo Alerts will notify you within 24 hours of the post. Remember to put your name within quotation marks to ensure that the exact information you’re requesting will arrive to your inbox. The free service is extremely valuable and surprisingly accurate for online reputation management.

* Yahoo Alerts
* Google Alerts

Considering the ease of competitors and disgruntled employees publishing negative information on the web, A job-seekers’ online reputation management strategy must be an ongoing public relations exercise.

Create an ongoing and comprehensive online reputation management strategy to push the negative information down into the depths of the search engine results, far from the prying eyes of recruiters and future employers.

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10 Things That Will Get You Hired

Kate Lorenz, CareerBuilder.com Editor

Do you want to extend your time looking for a job? Of course not. Candidates are always on the lookout for the most efficient, effective way to find new work. The following tips -- when heeded during the job search and interview processes -- can make job hunting go by faster:
1. Customize your résumé and cover letter.
It might seem faster to blast off generic materials to dozens of employers, but this will cost you time in the long run. Tailor your résumé and cover letter to each open position to clearly demonstrate how your experience fills the employers' requirements. For example, if you're applying for a public relations role, give your PR experience a prime spot on your résumé.
2. Diversify your search.
If you've been responding to newspaper ads with no response, also post your résumé online, search some job Web sites, talk to your friends and attend an industry trade show. The more ways you search, the more likely you are to connect with the right employers.
3. Don't go solo.
Your friends, family and former co-workers each have a network of their own -- and a friend-of-a-friend might hold the perfect lead. Don't be shy: Reach out to your network and let your contacts know you're on the job market.
4. Find a company where you fit in.
Browse potential employers' Web sites and ask your friends about what it's like to work at their companies. Employers are looking for candidates who would be a good fit and thrive within the company culture.
5. Don't get discouraged.
Experts estimate the average job search to last anywhere between three and 10 months -- and that means a lot of rejection. Keep at it: Your dream job is out there.
6. Always be prepared.
You can never be too prepared for your first meeting with a potential employer. Before your interview, always browse the company's Web site. Find out as much as you can about the company's products, leadership, mission and culture, and prepare answers to common interview questions.
7. Be on time.
Whether it's an informational interview, an open house or a formal interview, always arrive about 10 minutes early. Allow plenty of time for traffic and poor weather.
8. Dress and act the part.
In a business setting, always dress in professional clothing in the best quality you can afford. Take the industry and employer into consideration, but a business suit is almost always appropriate for interviews.
9. Listen more than you talk.
Even if you're nervous at an interview, try not to ramble. By keeping your mouth shut, you can learn valuable information about the company and avoid saying something that you'll wish you hadn't.
10. Ask good questions.
At the end of an interview, the employer will inevitably ask if you have any questions. Have a list of questions prepared that showcase your company research and interest in the position.

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Making Your Résumé E-Friendly: 10 Steps From 'The Quick Résumé and Cover Letter Book'

Michael Farr, Career and Job Search Author

It is important to provide a short, clear and concise electronic résumé! Some scanning systems and databases stop reading résumés after a certain number of lines, often after about one and a half pages, so be sure that your most important information appears early in the résumé.

You can easily take your existing résumé and reformat it for electronic submission. Here are some quick guidelines to do so:

1. Open your regular résumé file and select the Save As command on your toolbar, usually located under the file menu. Select Text Only, Plain Text or ASCII as the type.

2. Close the file and then reopen it to make sure you are working from the new text-only version. You'll see that most graphic elements such as lines, images and bullet point symbols have now been eliminated. But if they haven't, go ahead and delete them. You may use equal signs in place of lines or borders and replace bullet points with plus symbols(+), asterisks (*) or hyphens (-).

3. Limit your margins to no more than 65 characters wide.

4. Use an easy-to-scan sans-serif type font, such as Courier, Arial or Helvetica.

5. Eliminate bold, italics and underlining if any remain after saving as text-only.

6. Introduce major sections with words in all uppercase letters, rather than in bold, italics or underlining.

7. Keep all text aligned to the left.

8. Instead of using bullets, use a standard keyboard character, such as an asterisk.

9. Instead of using the Tab key or paragraph indents, use the space key to indent.

10. When done, click Save or OK. Then reopen the file to see how it looks. Make any additional format changes as needed.

Now test your electronic résumé by e-mailing it to a friend who uses a different Internet Service Provider. For example, if you use AOL, send it to a friend on Yahoo! or Hotmail. Also try sending it to someone who works in a large company to see how it transmits via their résumé into the body of the e-mail rather than sending it as an attachment. That way, they will be able to tell you how it looks when it shows up in their e-mail system and whether it is legible. After getting their feedback, make any adjustments necessary to fix it.

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Show Them You're Worth the Money

By : Rachel Farrel

As a job seeker, you constantly here that one of the biggest detriments to your job search is not quantifying your achievements on your résumé. Yet still, many don't understand what that actually means.

Admittedly, some positions are easier to quantify, such as a sales agent or manager. But even less concrete jobs, like an editor or administrative assistant can be quantified -- sometimes you just have to work a little harder.

"Quantifying achievements is essential to creating an impact as a job seeker. Whether we are making widgets or making multi-million dollar deals, we seldom take the time to carefully consider how each task we complete has a beneficial, ripple effect throughout our organization," says Kirsten McKinnon, a professional development coach.
"The first and often most challenging step is to fully acknowledge our workplace contributions. It's so easy to get immersed in the daily grind and not step back to take stock of the full impact of what we do. We can begin to take our strengths, talents and achievements for granted, resulting in the 'I was just doing my job' phenomenon," she says.

Richard S Deems, co-author of "Make Job Loss Work For You," suggests job seekers take the "So what?" approach to quantifying results.

"If you just tell me you're an editor of a monthly periodical I'll yawn and grab the next résumé," he says. "OK, so you're an editor -- so what? 'Well, I edit articles for a monthly periodical.' So what? 'Well, I get letters back from authors telling me they appreciated my editing work.' So what? 'Well, my superiors have noticed this.' So what? 'Well, they have asked me to submit several articles for a variety of awards and recognitions.' So what? 'Well, this past year I've received five awards for articles I've edited.' So what? 'Requests for reprints have increased by 41 percent.'"
To quantify your achievements, McKinnon says to remember that your role is part of a bigger picture.

"No matter how mundane the task, each plays a role in the ultimate bottom-line of an organization. Everything we do (or don't do) has an impact on our workplace. This concept can be simultaneously empowering and daunting as we recognize the importance of our role," she says.

Cheryl E. Palmer, president, Call to Career, gives the following suggestions for areas when trying to quantify your achievements:

Time or money saved: "If you instituted a process improvement that saved time and made a procedure more efficient, you can estimate the amount of time saved by comparing the amount of time that the procedure initially required with the amount of time it took after you improved the process. This can be stated in units of time like hours, days or weeks, or it can be stated as a percentage," Palmer says. "By the same token, you can quantify the amount of money you saved for your organization. For example, you might have saved $1 million by switching vendors and negotiating a better price. You can state the dollar amount or the percentage of money saved."

New business for the company: "Even if you are not in sales, you may still have contributed to the bottom line by referring new business," Palmer reminds. "You can estimate how much money you earned for the company. Or perhaps your work led to more sales. If you are in marketing, you may have created materials that were used by salespeople to increase sales. Quantify the sales that were generated after the marketing collateral you created was implemented."
Increase in customer satisfaction: "You may have been in a position to directly impact customer satisfaction. If your company measures satisfaction through customer surveys and you know that there has been a significant improvement in the customer satisfaction scores as a result of your intervention, you can quantify that increase and write it as an accomplishment on your résumé," Palmer says. "You could say, 'Boosted customer satisfaction scores by 30 percent in six months by instituting a process that resolved most problems with one call.'"
Staff retention rates: "Instead of saying something generic like, 'Increased morale in the office,' talk about the fact that you initiated programs that boosted staff retention rates. This is significant because it is very costly to replace staff," Palmer says. "You can either mention the decrease in turnover or the increase in staff retention. Human resources should have data on staff turnover that you can use to compare what the turnover rate was before you came and what the turnover rate has been during your tenure."

If you're still having trouble attaching a number to your achievements at work, Heather Krasna, author of "Jobs That Matter: Find a Stable, Fulfilling Career in Public Service," suggests considering the following questions about your job duties:
1. What would have happened if you had done a bad job? How much money would have been lost; how many clients would have been disappointed; how many files misplaced? This helps you see your impact, she says.

2. Ask yourself if your contributions improved your organization. "Are things more efficient than they were before you came along? If so, by how many days was the turnaround time improved? How much staff time was saved, in hours per week? Are things being done in a higher quality way? If so, how many errors per month were reduced? Did you win an award or recognition for the improvement? Do your best to add numbers or percentages," she says.
3. For every bullet point in your résumé, look for the nouns in the statement and ask if a number or percentage can be added. "For instance, how many phone calls did you answer? How many records were in the database you managed? Make sure to include context -- list the timeframe within which you did the work," she suggests.

5. If you don't already, start keeping track of your accomplishments as soon as possible, she says. "Go back to your job and start a tally of how many clients you see per day, then make a guesstimate of how many you see per month. Look at your client notes, or go through your calendar and compile your appointments. Tracking your accomplishments will help you in performance reviews, even if you aren't job seeking. Even if you left a job, you can often call your former boss or co-workers and ask whether a project you worked on led to a certain result. Did your recommendations get considered, or better yet, implemented? If so, have they led to the desired result?"

No matter what your duties entail, it is possible to attach a number to your accomplishments. Take the time to do it, and you could find yourself in the running for your dream job.

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The Resume Black Hole

By : Rachel Zupek


Many job seekers today will tell you that the most frustrating part of the job search is after they hit "send" and their resumes are sent out into application oblivion -- never to be seen again.

It's the common perception of the résumé black hole -- a place where, instead of stars and planets, resumes and cover letters are just floating around, waiting to get sucked back to Earth and into a hiring manager's hands.

Matthew McMahon, partner at McMahon Partners LLC, an executive search firm, says the ease of online job boards is a double-edged sword for candidates. While they can see what's available and apply to what interests them, the little time and monetary cost also causes them to apply to anything and everything.

"The resulting volume ensures that some candidates might be lost in the shuffle. If a recruiter posts an attractive job, she might get a few hundred responses. There's a chance that the recruiter won't get through every response," McMahon says.

So what happens to your application materials when you apply for a job online? Who sees your resume? More importantly, who doesn't? Why can't someone acknowledge your application? And, most importantly, what can you do to ensure that your résumé doesn't fall into cyberspace?

McMahon and Caitrin O'Sullivan, public relations coordinator at iCIMS, a leading software-as-a-service provider, answer all of your burning resume black-hole questions.

Does a black hole really exist?
McMahon: It depends entirely on the company. The main culprits, in my opinion, are volume and the abilities of the people who read your résumé. Usually the résumé goes to a gatekeeper of some sort, typically someone within HR. If the gatekeeper is experienced with the field for which she is recruiting, she'll have an idea what she is looking for. The danger in this process, however, exists when one person has to screen résumés for too many departments. There just isn't a way for that person to speak every language they need to. That person will usually rely solely on keywords and will miss things.

For example, we had a client that had a fully automated applicant-tracking system (ATS). Candidates would submit a résumé to a posting and the ATS would import it automatically to the database. Internal recruiters would then mine the database against current openings using keyword searches. What that meant, ultimately, was that there was no guarantee that submitted résumés would be viewed by a human at any point.

Where do résumés go after I hit send?
O'Sullivan: Large, enterprise-sized organizations may be receiving hundreds of applications per day, which virtually no one could manually acknowledge one by one with individualized e-mails. There is a plethora of applicant-tracking systems available today. The majority of these ATS come equipped with comprehensive candidate relationship management tools. These CRM tools enable automated messages to be sent to all candidates alerting them of their status within the review process and also acknowledging receipt of the application or résumé. This eliminates the "black-hole effect" of the job-seeking process. Assuming an organization is leveraging an ATS, a candidate's résumé and job application should automatically be stored in a central database with an individual candidate profile.

Please describe an ATS system
O'Sullivan: An applicant-tracking system is a software application designed to help organizations recruit employees more efficiently. Its primary function is to automate and streamline the recruitment process. It can also be leveraged for such tasks as posting job openings to corporate Web sites and job boards, screening and ranking résumés, or generating mass communication, such as rejection notices or interview requests to candidates. ATS also provides the ability to track applicant statuses per job and enables users to streamline and automate application tracking with online employment applications, electronic candidate and recruiting forms, and configurable applicant flow reports and metrics.

Résumés that are "accepted" through an ATS go into the same place as résumés that are rejected; it's just that different actions are taken on them. Résumés that do not meet requirements are denoted as part of the group that will receive rejection letters; applicants that are deemed an appropriate fit will be designated to a group that will receive an automated message alerting them of their status and scheduling an appointment, whether it is phone or first- or second- round interviews. Many organizations even go directly to these résumés that were at one point rejected to fill other positions that might be a better match.

Why don't hiring managers and recruiters let applicants know their application was received?
O'Sullivan: If an organization, especially a medium or large one, were not leveraging an applicant-tracking system, it's difficult for job seekers to understand the magnitude of applications flooding recruiters/HR managers' desks, especially during a period of high unemployment. Just visually scanning through all of these résumés can take hours upon hours of manpower. To have to communicate with every one of those applicants on top of that would be a truly formidable task.

What are five ways a job seeker can avoid the "black hole"?
1. Don't apply to jobs for which you are not qualified and don't send résumés to the same recruiter over and over again. "Recruiters are doing this for their livelihood. If they have your résumé and think that there is a chance that you'll get hired for one of their jobs, they'll respond -- usually right away," McMahon says.

2. Customize your résumé. "Read the description and take your best guess at what the employer is seeking. Move relevant experience to the top of each section of your résumé. Use clear language that mirrors the language in the 'qualifications' section of the posting," McMahon says.

3. Use your cover e-mail to address obvious disqualifiers. "Make it hard for the screener to disregard you. If you're in Florida and the job is in Alaska, mention that you went to school in Alaska and yearn to return," McMahon says. "Better yet, put the address of your aunt in Juneau on the résumé and mention that you are moving there in three weeks."

4. Keywords, keywords, keywords. "We can't say this enough. You have to tailor your résumé to each job description. Using the same keywords and phrases used in a job description, and repeating them as frequently as possible in your résumé -- while remaining logical -- will make the ATS rank you as a higher and better match for this job," O'Sullivan says. "Many ATS weigh more heavily when those keywords appear at the top of your résumé, because it indicates you're currently or very recently enacting those key terms."

5. Keep it simple. "Don't include graphics, logos or pictures. Also, don't try to get fancy with text boxes, headers or footers. While résumé-parsing tools are a great resource and save hours upon hours of manual data entry, they can't always parse text boxes, headers or footers with 100 percent accuracy," O'Sullivan says. "It's best to avoid the risk and leave out these features altogether. Furthermore, almost all ATS will strip down resumes into their most basic format, text only. So don't stress over font or color -- it ultimately doesn't matter."

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Help for Women Entrepreneurs Starting a Small Business.

By : Paym Bergson

For anyoneconsidering the giant leap into being an entrepreneur or running a small business, The Women's Small Business Start-Up Kit is a must. Published by NOLO, a company dedicated to "making the law accessible to everyone," this book truly provides a one-stop set-up shop. Note though, both the book and site are specifically designed for legal advice in the United States. Despite that small limitation, both the book and site provide much needed general legal and business set up information in such a way that any country and reader will benefit.
Written/created by Peri Pakroo, Accomplished Entrepreneur

The book is written by Peri Pakroo, an accomplished consultant and entrepreneur, as well as a lawyer. She has also written Starting and Building a Nonprofit (also published by NOLO), and teaches adult education classes for women and minorities in New Mexico.

The kit contains 13 chapters, a CD Rom (with forms and interviews), and an appendix on how to use the forms and files contained in the CD Rom. As Ms. Pakroo uses many quotes and insights from other women entrepreneurs, she handily provides the reader with a quick synopsis at the beginning of each contributor. Full interviews are contained in the CD Rom of these participants.
Maintain a Work/Life Balance by Following the Advice in the Chapters

A quick rundown of the titles of the chapters shows the fullness and particulars this kit presents to the reader:

* Crafting a Solid Business/Life Fit
* Targeting a Profitable Market With a Winning Idea
* Making the Financial Transition to Self-Employment
* Drafting an Effective Business Plan
* Understanding and Choosing a Legal Structure
* Your Business Location: Working from Home or Renting Space
* Dealing With Start-Up Requirements and Bureaucratic Hurdles
* Getting the Word Out: Cost Effective Marketing
* E-Business: Conducting and Marketing Your Business Online
* Keeping Your Books and Managing Your Finances
* Federal, State and Local Tax Basics
* Building Your Business and Hiring Employees and Other Workers
* Lawyers and Accountants: Building Your Family of Professionals

How to Change Careers to Become an Entrepreneur/Small Business Owner is Explained

Each chapter delves into specifics, with commentary provided by the contributors in a neat chart or table. Each chapter is thorough: key concepts to understanding marketing are explained, as is how to do a detailed analysis for the reader's particular business. Even better though, are the outlined steps on how to get an idea into reality. This kit actually takes the time to explain the why and wherefore of each step. Note this is not done in a "follow me" pattern but gently guides the reader into thinking about all aspects, then delves into specifics with chapter 7. This allows for the complexity of every situation to be decided on its own merit.

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Find Soccer Jobs at the 2011 World Cup, 2014 World Cup (and Beyond)

By : Noel Rozny

Are the sounds of the vuvuzela calling to you? Do you want to wish you could be part of the World Cup action in South Africa, rather than just watching the games on TV?

This year's competition might be halfway over, but the job opportunities for you are just beginning. If you love soccer (or should we say football) and want to turn that love into a career, check out these opportunities at the 2011 Womans World Cup, the 2014 World Cup, and with some of the world's largest soccer organizations.

Soccer Jobs at the 2011 Woman's World Cup
Mark your calendars: the Woman's competition will be held June 26 - July 17, 2011 in Germany. The best way to get your foot in the door to this elite soccer world is to volunteer. Volunteers are responsible for a wide range of activities, including guest services, hospitality, IT and communication, logistics, marketing, transportation and more.

Volunteering will not only help you make contacts at FIFA, the Fédération Internationale de Football Association and the world's governing body for all things soccer, but the experience will look great on a resume. In addition, World Cup volunteers typically enjoy free refreshments, travel, and other perks during their service. For more information, visit the Fifa Women's World Cup volunteer page.

Soccer Jobs at the 2014 Man's World Cup
Like the Woman's World Cup, the best way to get involved is to volunteer with FIFA, the organization that runs both events. The 2014 event will take place in Brazil, and the opportunities will be announced as soon as this year's World Cup ends. For more information, watch the 2014 World Cup website.

Soccer Careers with the UEFA
The Union des Associations Europeennes de Football (UEFA) works to promote the game and develop unity and solidarity between the different Europe's different football associations. You don't have to bend it like Bechkahm to work for them; UEFA currently employs administrators, IT specialists, coaches, journalists, and translators who offer a variety of backgrounds and skill sets. For information on job opportunities with UEFA, visit their "work with us" page.

Jobs at U.S. Soccer
Kindergarten co-ed teams. Middle school travel leagues. Professional teams. In the United States, U.S. Soccer is the governing body that oversees all soccer teams, leagues and organizations in the States. Although soccer is still relatively new to many Americans, U.S. Soccer was founded in 1913 and was one of the first organizations to be associated with FIFA. For a list of jobs and internships at U.S. Soccer, visit their jobs page.

Soccer Jobs with Major League Soccer
Whether you root for the Chicago Fire, the New England Revolution, or the Kansas City Wizards, Major League Soccer (MLS) has the job of overseeing them all. MLS works to promote and support professional soccer clubs in the U.S. Check out the MLS jobs page, which not only features jobs at MLS, but also links to each team's individual job listings.

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A Career As a Radiological Technician

By : Deon Du Plessis

In the United States, radiologists and technicians are referred to as radiographers and they are primarily responsible for operating x ray machinery. In recent years the field of human imaging expanded significantly and today a radiographer can do anything from a simple x-ray to a highly sophisticated magnetic resonance image. Regardless of what they are involved in, radiographers play a crucial role in assisting doctors and helping patients.

As a radiographer one of your main tasks will be to capture images of the human body using a variety of highly sophisticated machines. Although these machines are designed to help us, they can be extremely dangerous and unless you are a very precise and through person, this career might not be for you. There is a lot more to it than merely operating machines though. You will have a lot of one-on-one interaction with patients and the ability to assist and deal with them is a large part of the job. People skills is definitely a must.

The careers prospects are continuously expanding and with more and more sophisticated machines becoming available, the need for more skilled technicians is continuously growing. Getting Qualified as a radiographer is the first step, but it pens up a lot of opportunities once you get qualified and gain a bit of experience. You can choose to specialize and become an Ultrasound technician, a MRI Technician, a Bone Densitometries or even a Mammogram Technician. The potential is endless and the opportunities to advance your careers and your qualification is always there.

The future for Radiological Technicians look really good. With an estimated 15 % growth over the ext 6 years, there is a great demand in both the public and the private sector. With private health facilities demanding a high level of service, the potential for a high paying job in a private clinic is indeed a great lure for any fresh graduate.

The starting salary for a radiologist in the USA is between $30k and $35k per year and is way above the average for medical assistants. If you choose to specialize and qualify for a more advanced career I MRI for instance you can easy expect to earn $55k per year. The real rewards however is not financially. This is a very rewarding job emotionally and like doctors you get to help people - without the emotional trauma that many doctors and surgeons have to deal with.

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Transcription Might Just Be the Right Job For You

By : Ajay Prasad

With people preferring to work from home, and with the internet opening opportunities to wide base of fields, transcription has become a favored job among many. The work of a transcriptionist includes transcribing reports and other administrative details while listening to audio or video and using software for the purpose. There are different fields in transcription that require specific skills - the general skill sets for being a good transcriptionist being the same otherwise.

One of the most important of all the skill sets needed for this vocation is the passion for the work. You must have answers as to why you would like being a part of this industry. If you have the will and the passion, everything else will fit in. Again, in case you are working from home, you need to be able to manage time and priority. You should be able to finish your work without delays and should be capable of doing the major part of the work without assistance. A good relationship with the company that you are working for also counts in getting the work done easily. Organizational skills, thus, become a must when it comes to being a transcriptionist for marketing purposes.

The work profile of transcription includes typing and listening. This work, thus, requires a proficient typing skills and acuity in listening. You must also have a good reading speed which in counted in words per minute. A good reading along with a good typing speed always forms an essential skill set. Usual typing speeds of 60 to 80 words per minute are the industry requirements.

Transcriptionists are required to listen well. They must have a very good coordination between their ear and brain, which helps in quick transition of topics and keywords from the dictator.

A good amount of computer knowledge is essential, as the work profile of a transcriptionist requires working on computers and specific software such as MS Word as the text editor.

Since, this job profile requires a lot of reading and writing, the transcriptionist must be proficient in grammar and communication. Grammar focuses on the punctuations and the sentence structure. Language plays an important role here. Communication skills take priority when you have to deal with clients. Specific fields in transcription require good knowledge about the jargons that are used for the fields. If the transcriptionist is involved in medical transcription, he must have the efficacy to understand the medical terms used frequently. He also must have the details about the human body, the anatomy, and the physiology.

People who wish to be a part of this challenging vocation must have the ability to apply common sense as when needed and with great accuracy. There will be cases when the data that is given to you would hold no meaning to you, often there will be difficulties in the dictation- a good transcriptionist should be able to figure out the context to which the dictator is referring to and must be able to finish his work using the same.

If you posses these skill sets or are willing to learn to incorporate them, transcription might just be the right job profile for you.

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Job Searches - How to Improve Your Chances in a Job Loss Situation

By : Olive Bush

Job cuts are big news right now. We know the chop is going to come and it is coming down swift and hard. Instead of worrying and fretting about how to survive should the axe swing your way, here are some thoughts to consider regarding job searches and how to improve your chances in a job loss situation.

1) Get proactive: pull out all the stops and start looking immediately. Scour all the local and national ads as well as online job ads. Don't forget to check your own staff notice board. Your company may be in a position where although involved in job losses, they need to fill different roles within the company, either where you are based or at a different location.

2) Fine tune your CV: Having a professional-looking CV is key to improving your chances in a job search. If you need help, check online for guidance. It needs to be clear, with all the relevant information easy to follow. You want to appear attractive, professional and worth investing in, so take all the time you need to make sure it's right.

3) Get networking: who do you know? Make a list of every single person you know and what they do (don't forget to include all the people you have met at weddings etc.) Start chatting to see if they know of any new opportunities opening up. Who is the top person in your sector or industry? See if you can attend functions where you are most likely to meet and find a way to introduce yourself. If you want to improve your chances in job search situations, you have to swallow your pride and get proactive.

4) Seek financial help. If you know you are likely to suffer with money shortage - don't wait. Check out the Moneymadeclear website which has numerous step-by-step guides to help with finances in job loss situations and also have free printed guides. The Financial Services Authority have tried hard to make an accessible site with good quality help, so make use of it. Check what redundancy money you will receive and also what benefits you would be entitled to in case of job loss situation. Having all the information to hand will help stem the worry.

5) Use what's available. If your job search produces zero results and you have your own computer and internet access, research ways to turn it into an income producer. Use what you have now. Internet marketing is big business and currently there are 2 billion online users. This has created a worldwide marketplace. People are using it to showcase their idea, product or service to provide for their families where other sources have failed. Invest your time and money to gain up-to-date training on using this amazing resource for your own benefit.

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Human Resources Career Growth

By : Sally Alkazin


Demand for HR professionals is expected to grow much faster than average in the next decade compared to other fields, according to the latest statistics from the U.S. Government Bureau of Labor Statistics. Overall employment in this sector - including HR, training, and labor relations managers and specialists occupations - is set to grow 22% between 2008 and 2018.

What's driving this positive picture for HR professionals? The recently passed health care reform legislation will likely increase demand for specialists who can design creative benefits packages for prospective employees. Similarly, "legislation and court rulings revising standards in various areas-occupational safety and health, equal employment opportunity, wages, healthcare, retirement plans, and family leave, among others-will increase demand for HR, training, and labor relations experts," according to the BLS website.

The market for training and development specialists will increase faster than HR managers. With Baby Boomers retiring and jobs becoming more complex, it is expected that job-specific training will see a surge in demand in the coming years.

College graduates and those who have earned certification will have the best HR career growth paths. A bachelor's degree is a typical requirement for HR jobs, however, the educational path to a career in HR widely varies. Because many colleges and universities don't offer degree programs in personnel administration, human resources, or labor relations until the graduate degree level, an interdisciplinary background with a combination of courses in the social sciences, business and behavioral sciences is acceptable. Someone without a HR degree or experience could also complement their bachelor's degree with a certificate in human resources.

HR professionals also have the option of completing several different certification programs, which will likely enhance career growth opportunities. The Society for Human Resource Management offers two levels of certification, including the Professional in Human Resources (PHR) and the Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR). Other certification programs are run by the American Society for Training and Development (ASTD), International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans, and WorldatWork Society of Certified Professionals.

Linfield offers an online Human Resource Management certificate where all four HR courses are offered online, making access to an HR education easier than ever.

Sally Alkazin has been teaching HR courses for Linfield College's Division of Continuing Education for 13 years. She is a member of the Society of Human Resource Management and the American Society for Training and Development.

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How to Become a Medical Assistant

By : Val Mcqueen

Have you heard of the job of medical-assistant? A medical-assistant is a skilled health professional. Generally they work in medical offices or clinics, and have a variety of tasks depending on their workplace. Some also work in hospitals, or even small private offices.

They will work under the direction of a physician or physicians at their workplace. Mostly they do administrative and clinical tasks, and contribute to the efficient running of the office.

Some of the tasks that a typical medical-assistant will perform include receiving and greeting patients, filling out paperwork, scheduling appointments, and answering phones. They may even help in preparing and maintaining medical records.

Other duties are clinical. These will include preparing patients for their checkup, collecting specimens, preparing and giving medicines under a physician's direction, and documenting patient histories. Generally, a medical assistant will be working in a regional health corporation, community-based health care program or private physician's office.

How do you become a medical assistant? These professionals complete programs in technical high schools or post-secondary vocational schools or junior colleges. The programs are generally one to two years. Some receive on the job training.

Medical assistants who have training and experience have the best employment prospects. Job chances are even better if they have certification.

These professionals generally work in clean surroundings. They work with an office of other people, not alone, and must be able to multitask. A typical work week is 40 hours. There are also part time positions out there, for medical assistants who want to work evenings or weekends.

Medical assistants are increasingly recognized as the important health care professionals that they are. Many employers now recognize the skills and benefits that medical assistants provide to an office. We have an aging population in this country, and there will only be increasing need for professionals who work in the medical field.

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I Just Had a Great Interview. Now What Do I Do?

By : Don Straits

Thank-you letters are so boring. But you feel compelled to write one because the career books, career counselors and HR managers tell you that is what you are supposed to do. If you don't do it, then you failed to show professional courtesy. If you do send one, the recipient will appreciate it, but it is rarely the defining factor that gets you the job. Furthermore, they all sound alike. Yawn.

I collaborate with the Professional Resume Writing and Research Association (www.prwra.com). It is a great organization for resume writers and career coaches. We recently had an interesting debate on thank-you letters and appropriate follow-up strategies, so I thought I would put together an article on the topic for the benefit of all job seekers.

Instead of the traditional, boring thank-you letter, let's hit a grand-slam home run with follow-up strategies that tip the scale in your favor.

1. Within 48 hours, follow-up with a value-added response. Do not write a letter or e-mail that just restates your qualifications; instead provide something unique that dramatically sets you apart from others. Here's how: focus on a topic discussed in your interview, and then provide your prospective boss with additional information on that topic. Here are a few examples that illustrate what I mean:

- One of my clients had a great interview for a senior sales leadership position. During the interview, his potential boss discussed how the salespeople were not successfully selling to C-level executives. I had my client follow-up by sending his potential boss a book on C-level selling strategies. His thank-you note looked like this (abbreviated): "Dear Joe, I enjoyed our discussions yesterday on the sales position and on the challenges of selling to C-level executives. Here is a book I recommend to help overcome the selling problem. You might want to pass it among your sales execs. As the vice president of sales, I will provide the leadership to achieve C-level selling success . . . ." He got the job.

- After an interview that focused on the discussion of building strategic alliances, a client sent his prospective boss an e-mail link to a contemporary article on strategic alliances. Another client sent a follow-up e-mail on new products that were going to be launched by a competitor. An administrative assistant sent a list of office organization techniques. TIP: Go to any search engine or news site (like MSNBC.com) and register for "News Alerts." It's free and can be a great source for follow-up articles, breaking industry news and relevant information on your targeted companies.

Guaranteed, your innovative and unique follow-up response can be the edge that gets you the job. But here are two more steps to make your follow-up successful.

2. Call, write or personally visit your potential boss once a week with a value-added benefit. Do this until you land the job or they tell you the position has been filled. Some career strategists think this is overkill, but my client track record of success teaches that persistence pays off. At the very least, you will usually learn where you stand.


3. If you are turned down, write a very cordial thank-you note to HR and, more importantly, to the person who interviewed you, thanking them for their time and consideration. Indicate you would appreciate being looked at for other jobs. If you are really interested in the position or company, follow-up in a month with an inquiry about other opportunities that may have recently opened up. Do NOT rely on the company to get back to you. Even though you were turned down, you may have been "number two" and they will be eager to have you interview for another position.

Whatever happens, don't get discouraged. Your continued follow-up does nothing but breed good will. Professionalism and persistence produce positive results. Hang in there.

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Do You Really Want to Work There?

By : Selena Dehne


One lesson many people have learned in recent months is that it's not unusual for an organization to be doing well one month and on the brink of crisis the next. After all, haven't we all heard from at least one person we know who was shocked to be laid off or to discover that her employer was suddenly struggling? News headlines alone are testament to the fact that thousands of people lost their jobs before having any idea they were in jeopardy.

As a result, it has become more important than ever for job seekers to ask themselves an essential question before accepting a job offer: "How secure will my future be with this employer?" Although this is an issue people should consider in good and bad economic situations, it's particularly critical for people thinking about leaving their current employer for another.

"If your new employer is on shaky ground because of poor finances or leadership, chances of your long-term success with the organization are already slim. A fast failure at a new job can kick off a series of frustrating, downward-spiral career experiences," says career coach Katy Piotrowski, author of "The Career Coward's Guide to Job Searching."

Without a crystal ball, there is no guarantee how much security you will have with a new employer. Fortunately, there are several indications that can help you assess the amount of security you'll have with an employer. Piotrowski says to be aware of the following clues that a company is or is not doing well:

Signs a company or organization is not doing well

It has a poor reputation in the marketplace. Conduct a quick check-in with a few people you trust in your industry, and ask what they've heard about the potential employer. If multiple accounts of poor product or service quality pop up, beware.

It has a dicey credit history. All businesses go through ups and downs, but in general, the better-run operations will maintain a healthy credit rating. A number of business credit-reporting services exist on the Internet. For less than $100, you can obtain some telling details about a company's financial status.

There is frequent turnover of team members. If there's been a revolving door of employees coming and going, find out why. Request the opportunity to speak with the person who last held the position for which you're being considered. If the hiring manager refuses your request, it's a red flag that something may be awry.

You get a gut sense that something's just not right. Most of us can recall times when we didn't trust our intuition about saying "yes" to an opportunity, and it backfired. If something about the potential employer seems off-kilter, take the time to learn more before accepting.

Signs an employer may offer some promising, long-lasting rewards

There's evidence that leaders at the company are invested in the success of the business. Ask your interviewer to describe the significant managers in the company and how they're involved in the day-to-day success of the operation. If you hear, "Bob is constantly looking for new ways to improve our position in the market," or "Sarah checks in with her team nearly every day to make sure they have what they need to succeed," chances are good that the business is in capable leadership hands.

It has a solid standing in the market. Within any given industry, it's no secret which companies are most respected and successful. While you don't need to work for the "No. 1" business, your career will benefit from alignment with a company solidly positioned in the top five. If you're not sure which companies these are, ask a few movers and shakers in your industry which companies they most respect.

Its products and services are in strong demand in the market. Because the economy is in such flux right now, it can be a challenge to sort out which industries hold the most promise. But a quick review of fast-growth and high-employment industries at a source such as www.careeronestop.org can help with some career decisions.

It has sound fiscal footing. The credit report you check to determine if a company is on shaky financial ground will also help you identify the smarter money managers.

You're passionate about company's offerings and culture. As a new employee, you will be a key part of the future results of the business. Knowing this, ask yourself how committed you'll be to its success. If you're not motivated to give the company your best, keep searching.

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5 Ways to Battle Job-Search Rejection

By : Joe Turner

Success in a job search is easy to deal with; a job offer feels good, validates us and allows us to move forward in life. We all want it and strive for it. Nevertheless, for most job seekers, our successes are infrequent. They're sandwiched between boatloads of indifference, rejection and apparent failure. If you've been hunting for a job very long, you know what I'm talking about. Job search is one big exercise in rejection until you win that job you've been pursuing.

So, what can you do when you get rejected?

Here are five survival tips for dealing with those vast and daunting oceans of rejection and failure that encircle the tiny islands of success that we all seek.

Put on your sales hat
Any successful commission-driven salesperson knows that success is a numbers game. Salespeople know that every rejection brings them just one step closer to success. With this attitude, you know that rejection leads to success, and you can put rejection into perspective. Just keep going. Count those rejections, and know that you're one step closer to success -- and a good job offer.

Know there is a positive end to this
Step back and observe your job-search process from a larger viewpoint. You may feel as if you're wandering in the desert and that you can't see the solution or find the right job, but know that your search is finite. You will eventually find employment that's right for you. Accept that you're in a process, and let yourself live with the questions. One day you will grow into the answers, and you will find the right job for you.

Be grateful
When you lose out on a job opportunity, it is because it wasn't the right job for you. You do not want to win a job that is wrong for you. I can think of at least four jobs that I was rejected from in my own past. I remember feeling dejected and depressed at the time because I thought each one was the "perfect opportunity" for me.

As so often happens, the irony of life plays itself out and I later realized that, for various reasons, none of those jobs would have worked for me. Because of events in the economy and my own life, I realized I would have failed in all of those jobs. The flip side: Less than two months later, I found and accepted an opportunity that allowed me huge career growth and financial reward beyond my expectations.

Try this: Set a goal and hold a vision of what you want. Then give the universe room to deliver the best job for you. Always set your intention with the words "or better." You can say, "I will win job X job or better." Admit that you don't really know which job is right for you. Know that the right job will come to you. This will alleviate some anxiety.

Activity over passivity
Do something every day to further your search. Positive action diminishes anxiety and other negative feelings. To prevail in today's competitive job-search process, it requires an iron will and determination that you will not be defeated. Remind yourself daily that you will prevail and succeed at this challenge.

If you're really serious about finding employment, become more proactive. Stretch yourself. Get out of your comfort zone and aggressively seek out the so-called "hidden job" market. It's been estimated that 70 to 80 percent of job hires come from sources other than Internet job postings or recruiters. These are the jobs that aren't listed, don't have an actual requirement or are otherwise "created" when the right person shows up -- this is the segment known informally as "inside referrals."

What's your game plan for tapping into this market? There are many approaches involving direct marketing, personal branding and networking. Whatever approach you choose, develop a concerted action-based game plan with the expectation that you're going to win. You'll feel more in control of your destiny when you move beyond searching the Internet postings for your next job opportunity. Job searching is tough enough. Don't isolate yourself behind a computer screen.

I don't need this job
As one HR director once told me, "We can smell blood five miles away." Lose the emotions of "desperation" and "defeat" in your interviews. Sure, one particular opportunity may look great walking in, but remember this: You may need many things in life but you don't need this job. Register this in your brain.

Also remember that the employer has a problem, not a job. Think of the interview as a problem-solving opportunity with this hiring manager. It allows you to focus on what the employer needs, not your needs. Now you're able to sell yourself in the many specific ways you can help solve their problem. That's all they really care about. Once done, you gain their attention, respect and desire to know more about you. You can't get there by walking in wounded and bloody with anxiety and desperation.

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Hundreds of Applications and Still No Job?

By : Anthony Balderrama


Here's how every job seeker secretly hopes his or her search will go:

8:00 a.m. You see an ad for the job of your dreams: close to home, makes use of your skills, offers the right pay.

8:05 a.m. You apply for the job.

8:07 a.m. The hiring manager, out of breath, calls you. "We must have you. The CEO said to pay whatever you ask for -- we need you on our team ASAP!"

8:10 a.m. After you give your demands (a high salary and access to the company jet), you're faxed the job offer.

8:15 a.m. You head out the door to your first day of work.

In reality, the process takes a few weeks or months longer, and you probably won't get every single perk you want. Along the way, you don't hear back from the companies you think are perfect matches for you, and it takes weeks to get an interview after sending in your application.

You probably spend a few days (at least) wringing your hands over whether or not you'll ever find a job. No matter who you are and what industry you're in, anxiety is just part of the process. But everyone has a different breaking point, and after so many résumés, you're bound to start asking, "I've sent out hundreds of applications -- why isn't anyone hiring me?"

Here's a checklist for you to review so you can either put your mind at ease ("It's not me; it's them") or revamp your searching technique ("Well, it might be me"). Maybe the factors slowing down your job hunt are not under your control. But it doesn't hurt to double-check.

1. Location
Before you start blaming yourself for not getting any leads, take a look at your surrounding area. Not all cities have the same job market. A dearth of construction jobs in a northeastern suburb might be the polar opposite of the situation in a southwestern boomtown. Whether or not you want to or can relocate for your job is a personal matter, but you should consider the unemployment rate of your region when assessing how your hunt is going.

2. Which jobs
When you look at how many applications you've sent out and how many you've heard back from, you might want to divide the list into two columns: jobs you expected to get and jobs you applied for on a whim.

Many job seekers decide to send out applications for jobs they know they're not qualified for, whether they just want a paycheck or they think it would be fun to try a completely unrelated field -- even though they know the odds of getting a call are slim. These Hail Mary passes are perfectly acceptable, but don't consider their failures to be, well, failures. The jobs that align with your experience, education and skills are the ones that should be the gauge of your success.

3. The resume
Here's where a lot of things go wrong. That one piece of paper, digital or hard copy, causes a lot of problems. Here's a quick rundown of what you should check:

· Is your contact information (including your name) listed so the employer can call or e-mail you?

· Did you target the content to the job posting? Use the same phrasing, list experience that correlates to the requirements and give specific examples of achievements that will intrigue the employer.

· Did you attach the resume as a document in an e-mail? For security reasons, many employers won't open attachments, so your résumé might go unread. In addition to the attachment, paste it in the body of the e-mail to be safe.

· Was there a cover letter attached to it? No cover letter can mean no consideration for some hiring managers.

4. The interview
If you've been called in for interviews already, then you're doing something right. Not getting a job after interviewing doesn't mean you blew it -- it means you made the shortlist, but someone else might have been a better fit. But it never hurts to review your performance.

An interview is often a chance for the employer to see if you fit into the company culture. Are you too rigid for a casual environment? Are your verbal communication skills good enough for your position? Hiring managers also use this opportunity to learn about you in a way they can't through a résumé. They want you to elaborate on your experience and answer any questions they still have.

To make a good impression, preparation is key. You don't want to sound rehearsed, but practicing your answers to questions, your handshake, how you'll sit in the chair and anything else you're likely to encounter will help you. If you can avoid being the deer in the headlights, you'll be able to focus on the quality of your answers.

5. Appearance
Not to be superficial, but presentation means a lot. From the layout of your résumé to the wrinkles in your interview attire, your professionalism is being judged. How are you presenting yourself to employers?

Don't start your cover letter with, "Hey!" and don't end it with a smiley-face emoticon. Your résumé shouldn't be full of ClipArt butterflies and smiley faces. And you should leave some white space between sections so that the entire page isn't a single paragraph of text. The hiring manager needs to see a job candidate who takes the job seriously, even before you're called in for an interview.

During an interview, you should dress appropriately. That doesn't mean trying too hard -- say, a tuxedo for an administrative assistant's job -- but it does mean dress for the environment and look like you spent time preparing. If you're told the environment is business casual, then you don't need a suit, but you still need to iron your pants.

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