Every Position Has Its Pitfalls

By : Rich Heintz

When Money magazine, in cooperation with Salary.com, produces its list of the 50 best jobs in America, you would expect the results to be credible. And for the most part, it’s a fresh approach to the standard formula.

So, is your career headed down the wrong path if your ideal job didn’t make the list?

Like most such lists, the magazine began by assembling the fastest-growing jobs according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Next, they tossed out jobs paying less than $50K, ones that did not require at least a bachelor’s degree, and professions that employed a small number of workers. Finally, they considered stress, flexibility in hours, working environment, creativity, and how easy it is to enter and advance in the field. The result is an engaging directory of top professions.

By their very nature, lists of best jobs tend to whitewash some of the day-to-day challenges people might encounter should they pursue a particular profession. This is, after all, a list of best jobs – so that’s what the story sells.

CJJ decided to take a closer look at the top ten professions on the Money list and offer a few additional observations that might help readers gain some perspective on the recommendations.
The List

1. Software Engineer – "The best jobs in America," exudes Money. They based that observation on strong growth prospects, average pay of $80,500 and potential for creativity. In particular, Money points out what’s cool – "cutting-edge projects, like designing a new video game or tweaking that military laser. Extra cash from freelance gigs." On the downside, the magazine cites corporate dullness, outsourcing, eye and back strain.

A Closer Look: Consider the comments of Zac Belado, author of the online article Confessions of a Beta Tester. He provides an insight into the ethical scuffles some software experts encounter regarding quality control: "During the test cycle for one of the last two applications, we (the testers) were told that the latest build was going to be the last one before shipping. I, for one, was stunned speechless. The product was nowhere near ready for release. Posted bugs were still causing problems in [the current version] and I was finding new bugs. But a decision had been made." Saner heads eventually reversed the decision. But Belado confesses he avoids buying the first version of a video game or other software.

2. College Professor – "While competition for tenure-track jobs will always be stiff, enrollment is rising in professional programs, community colleges and technical schools," writes Money. The magazine likes how professors have flexibility in their schedules, can exercise creativity and have no dress code. What the magazine does not like is the "tick-tick-tick of the tenure clock," meaning you have to get tenure in a certain time or move on to a different college.

A Closer Look: Apparently Money was running out of time when it alluded to the tenure issue. Consider (untenured) professor Kathy Newman, who wrote in an online essay about her own career angst: "To the outside world, the ivory tower looks like a good gig. Nice work, indeed. But for those of us inside the academy, the thorny issues of tenure, salary, workload, teaching evaluations and research quotas are rarely laughing matters. We (the untenured) are not a lighthearted, fun-loving lot . . . I do not have tenure, and I am trying to maintain my sense of humor."Apparently was running out of time when it alluded to the tenure issue. Consider (untenured) professor Kathy Newman, who wrote in an online essay about her own career angst: "To the outside world, the ivory tower looks like a good gig. Nice work, indeed. But for those of us inside the academy, the thorny issues of tenure, salary, workload, teaching evaluations and research quotas are rarely laughing matters. We (the untenured) are not a lighthearted, fun-loving lot . . . I do not have tenure, and I am trying to maintain my sense of humor."

3. Financial Advisor – The numbers (many about to retire) and the headlines (pensions are passé) both point to the grand prospects of counseling people on where to invest. Money sees this as offering people the chance to work for themselves, or be employed by a small shop or a giant financial services firm. What’s not so cool are the rules and regs and mountains of paperwork. "Stress? You have to build a practice from the ground up," Money concedes. That point deserves further comment.
A Closer Look: Financial advisor Jim Cramer points out in an article on Allbusiness.com that he had a rude awakening. "A contemporary study indicated quite strongly that the American people were hungering for good, client-oriented financial advice," he writes. Then he opened his practice and nothing happened. "Not to worry, the think-tank study said that potential clients were dying for financial advisors like me," Cramer figured. He found that there was truth to the study – people were eager for the advice, but they put it off like a trip to the dentist. The solution? Independent advisors need to develop a strong marketing campaign. "You gotta sell. The discerning reader will understand by now that my problem was that I didn’t want to," Cramer admits.

4. Human Resources Manager – "At more and more companies, HR is no longer about benefits administration and the employee newsletter," writes Money. "Those tasks are increasingly outsourced, and directors and VPs are considered strategic planners." What’s cool, says Money, is the mission "to make work more rewarding for workers. You help shape corporate culture and strategy." What’s not cool is fighting the "fluffy HR" stereotype and firing people. "At more and more companies, HR is no longer about benefits administration and the employee newsletter," writes "Those tasks are increasingly outsourced, and directors and VPs are considered strategic planners." What’s cool, says is the mission "to make work more rewarding for workers. You help shape corporate culture and strategy." What’s not cool is fighting the "fluffy HR" stereotype and firing people.

A Closer Look: A thorn in the side of every HR career will be the shrinking labor pool (thanks to baby boomers retiring). Not being able to easily find the quality workers your organization needs is going to create more than a little stress in the HR department. A thorn in the side of every HR career will be the shrinking labor pool (thanks to baby boomers retiring). Not being able to easily find the quality workers your organization needs is going to create more than a little stress in the HR department.

5. Physician’s Assistant – "For most doctors, the worst part of their job is filling out paperwork and battling insurers," reports Money."Physician’s assistants get to skip all that. Under a doctor’s supervision, they provide routine healthcare." Good hours, with part-time work available." For most doctors, the worst part of their job is filling out paperwork and battling insurers," reports Physician’s assistants get to skip all that. Under a doctor’s supervision, they provide routine healthcare." Good hours, with part-time work available.

A Closer Look: Money is on target with this profession, at least according to Tanya Wade, who writes in her article for the online version of the Palm Beach Post, how much she enjoys her job. Her biggest challenge? "Many patients don’t know what a physician’s assistant is." More serious concerns include the demands of keeping up with advances in medicine and treatment strategies, while maintaining a full workload. At times, you will also face the stress of making life-and-death decisions (in cooperation with a physician). Money is on target with this profession, at least according to Tanya Wade, who writes in her article for the online version of the how much she enjoys her job. Her biggest challenge? "Many patients don’t know what a physician’s assistant is." More serious concerns include the demands of keeping up with advances in medicine and treatment strategies, while maintaining a full workload. At times, you will also face the stress of making life-and-death decisions (in cooperation with a physician).

6. Market Research Analyst – "If you want to know what the next big thing is, this is your field," Money writes. "Before launching a product or service, companies turn to market research analysts who collect and evaluate data about consumer wants, needs and buying habits." The magazine points out how cool it is to test products before they hit the market. What’s not cool is being mistaken for a telemarketer.

A Closer Look: In another life, I compiled market research reports. Tracking down the sources can indeed be a challenge. A greater challenge? Making sure you work for an ethical company. Sometimes it is hard to know how the information you gather will ultimately be used. Or if the report is truly objective or slanted to achieve a marketing goal.

7. Computer IT analyst – "Seems like the entire world is at the mercy of information technology folks, and all of these jobs pay well, from desktop support technician to webmaster to database worker," says Money. Carpal tunnel injuries and offshoring are the two top drawbacks. "Seems like the entire world is at the mercy of information technology folks, and all of these jobs pay well, from desktop support technician to webmaster to database worker," says Carpal tunnel injuries and offshoring are the two top drawbacks.

A Closer Look: Courtesy of InfoWorld: "A new study claims that IT is the most stressful occupation, ahead of engineering, sales, finance, HR, and pretty much everything else. The study, commissioned by e-learning provider Skillsoft, surveyed 3000 people and found that 97 percent of IT pros report daily stress stemming from user complaints, managers and deadlines. Common complaints included stress due to taking on other people’s work, lack of job satisfaction, lack of control over daily duties, interruptions, and bullying.

8. Real Estate Appraiser – "The housing boom has meant beaucoup bucks for appraisers in recent years, but the field hasn’t gotten as crowded as real estate brokerages. And because valuations are needed whenever any property is sold, mortgaged, insured, taxed or developed, there’s going to be work even when the market slows. Abundant self-employment opportunities."

A Closer Look: The workload is unpredictable. At times, requests can trickle in, while at other times you may face a flood of work. Clients typically demand prompt service. And while a down market still requires some appraisals, layoffs are common when home loan orders stall.The workload is unpredictable. At times, requests can trickle in, while at other times you may face a flood of work. Clients typically demand prompt service. And while a down market still requires some appraisals, layoffs are common when home loan orders stall.

9. Pharmacist – "Demand for pharmacists is exploding as the population ages and new medications are developed. By 2010, the number of prescriptions filled is expected to rise 27 percent to 4.1 billion," writes Money.

A Closer Look: Dealing with the public can be a challenge. "Bullies are a pain, and for some reason I get a lot of them," writes Max Gibson in Diary of a Neighborhood Pharmacist at Medhunters.com. "I am, in my own mind at least, the nicest, sweetest, most professional person to walk the planet. But I can’t get delivery of an out-of-stock medication at 3am, and I can’t call somebody from the insurance company to go into the office and OK your prescription, and frankly, I am not afraid of the store manager."

10. Psychologist – "The pay is good, the hours are flexible, and it’s pretty hard to top the psychological benefit that comes with bringing relief to a troubled mind,"writes Money.

A Closer Look: According to the Princeton Review Career Guide, anyone planning a career in psychology should plan on spending many years in school. "Doing graduate work toward a doctoral degree consumes between five and seven years."

So what’s the moral of this story? Don’t accept generalizations (even your own) about any career as gospel. Find out from people in the field or learn firsthand through an internship what the day-to-day reality is in any particular job. Next, explore the courses available through adult education classes, community colleges, or vocational schools. For a small investment of time and money, you’ll get a pretty good idea of what a particular calling is like.

When you find the right career, it shouldn’t matter whether it made a list of best careers – it will be perfect for you, and that’s all that counts.

Job Vacancy , Indonesia Job , Job Indonesia

Konten Social Media Mempengaruhi Pencarian Kerja

Jika dulu untuk mencari kerja harus memiliki cover letter dan CV yang memuaskan, kualifikasi yang sesuai, dan akses besar ke informasi lowongan kerja, maka saat ini ada tambahan satu hal yang juga harus diperhatikan, yaitu konten social media yang pernah dipublish untuk publik.

Mengapa hal ini menjadi satu penting yang harus diperhatikan? Sebuah penelitian yang dilakukan oleh CareerBuilder.com menunjukkan bahwa semakin banyak perusahaan merambah ke social media untuk melakukan background check terhadap calon karyawan mereka. Sebesar 45% dari perusahaan 'melongok' social media sebagai salah satu cara bahan pertimbangan atau screening terhadap calon karyawan. Sebuah peningkatan sebesar 100% setelah setahun sebelumnya hanya 22% dari perusahaan yang melakukan hal ini.

Bagaimana di Indonesia

Mungkin hal yang sama tidak terjadi di Indonesia. Rasanya belum terlalu banyak human resource department perusahaan yang berniat melakukan background check hingga ke social media. Kebanyakan masih melakukannya dengan bantuan referensi yang disertakan dalam surat lamaran. Akan tetapi mengingat besarnya pengguna situs jejaring pertemanan di Indonesia seperti Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, MySpace, YouTube, tinggal menunggu waktu hingga HRD mulai searching nama calon karyawannya di Facebook untuk menilai atau mengetahui lebih jauh tentang calon tersebut.

Penelitian tersebut juga menyebutkan bahwa sayangnya, para pencari kerja justru sering kali mengabaikan konten social media mereka, dengan pertimbangan bahwa tidak akan memberikan pengaruh bagi penilaian sebagai seorang karyawan. Well, they are proven wrong.

Pandangan Perusahaan

Beberapa alasan yang membuat manajemen enggan mempekerjakan calon karyawan karena konten social media mereka antara lain :

1. Kandidat memposting konten tentang kebiasaan minum atau menggunakan obat-obatan.

2. Kandidat menjelek-jeleknya perusahaan tempat ia bekerja dulu.

3. Kandidat membuat komentar yang berbau SARA atau diskriminatif

4. Kandidat berbohong tentang kualifikasinya.

5. Kandidat memposting informasi dari perusahaan tempat ia pernah bekerja.

So, what should you do?

Lalu bagaimana dengan Anda yang sedang dalam proses mencari kerja? Apakah Anda harus ‘puasa’ update status dan memajang foto-foto di akun Facebook? Atau berhenti Twitting sementara sampai ada kepastian? Tentunya tidak sejauh itu. ‘Toh bersosialisasi di dunia maya adalah hak Anda. Rasanya Anda pasti setuju kalau sebenarnya selama kompetensi dan kinerja Anda memuaskan, pertimbangan berdasarkan kegiatan personal Anda tidak bisa dijadikan alasan untuk batal mempekerjakan Anda. Anda hanya perlu memperhatikan beberapa hal untuk menampilkan reputasi dunia maya yang positif, diantaranya:

1. Perhatikan album foto online Anda di Facebook, atau tempat lainnya. Hapus foto yang bisa merusak reputasi Anda.

2. Jangan memamerkan hal-hal negatif ke dunia luar. Fokuskan kepada hal positif, baik yang berhubungan dengan dunia professional maupun personal.

3. Cobalah untuk membuat grup khusus untuk profesi Anda atau bergabunglah dengan professional group yang ada di FB atau media lainnya. Ini salah satu cara menjalin hubungan dengan para pemimpin, rekruter atau sesama profesi.

4. Selektif menerima teman. Hanya karena orang meng-add Anda sebagai friend bukan berarti Anda harus selalu menerimanya. Anda tidak akan pernah tahu siapa dibalik nama di FB atau Twitter.

5. Jika Anda masih bekerja atau terikat dengan perusahaan tertentu, jangan membeberkan pencarian kerja Anda di dunia maya. Bukan tidak mungkin manajemen tempat Anda bekerja sekarang mengetahui hal tersebut dan menilai rendah loyalitas Anda.

careers, Jobs Indonesia, Indonesia Vacancy

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.

careers, Jobs Indonesia, Indonesia Vacancy

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.

Job Vacancy , Indonesia Job , Job Indonesia

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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