job | Journey - Part 11

Tag Archives: job

Are You Looking For a Job in All The Wrong Places?

By Movin On' Up on Friday, May 24, 2013

When embarking on the journey that is your job search, many job seekers only look for jobs online. While online tools are becoming more prevalent than ever, many employers still have open job positions that are never posted online. Offline measures, like employee referral programs, are increasing in popularity because they prove to be more efficient than flooded online job boards.

Diversify
The problem with looking for jobs in all the wrong places is sticking to one tactic. Too many job seekers put all their eggs in one basket. That’s why it’s important to take advantage of both online and offline job search tactics.

Depending on your industry, location, and personality, you’ll be able to find the venues that work best for you. To diversify your job search for success, here are some job search tactics to consider focusing on.

Tap Into Your Networks
There is great value in having a strong network of peers, industry leaders, and influencers during your job search. Tapping into your network can help you stay informed of the latest going on in your field, learn about job openings not posted publicly, and get a foot in the door with a prospective employer.

Go Local
Online job boards and classified ads are great resources to find organizations that are advertising open positions, but don’t lose sight of local resources. Your town or city could have several employers that could be looking to hire people with your skill set. These local organizations might not be advertising their open positions through large online job boards. Search local news sites for their job boards and local classified ads online.

Your community likely has several resources that can help you learn about potential local employers. You can get a list of companies and organizations from your local Chamber of Commerce or visit the library to get information about employers that might not be associated with the chamber. Check company sites directly for open positions. Staffing companies are also well-connected with local employers and could be a free resource to help connect you with those organizations.

Leverage Your Social Networks
Just like your face-to-face network, there is great value in building and strengthening your social networks. Successfully using sites like LinkedIn can help you make connections with key decision makers at prime employers. You can also expand your network to learn from industry experts from all over the world who you normally wouldn’t interact with. Join local networking groups on LinkedIn for access to job openings.

There are several other methods to find a job, and you should consider trying as many as you can think of until you figure out what works best for you. As you look for a job, spread your efforts around so you’re not focusing on one tactic. What are some job search ideas you’ve come up with when trying to expand your job seeking arsenal? Let us know in the comments section below.

At Work Workplace Safety

Do You Know What to do When Severe Storms Hit Your Workplace?

By Jared Cole on Friday, May 17, 2013

While April showers bring May flowers, the threat of severe storms is present all year long. Unlike working in bitterly cold or dreadfully hot environments, sometimes severe storms can strike at a moment’s notice.

Job duties demand most of you time, energy and attention. But, if caught unprepared for a severe storm, serious injury can occur to you, your co-workers, clients, or customers. According to the U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), there were more than 450 weather-related fatalities and nearly 2,600 injuries in 2012.

The more you know about how to prepare, and protect yourself from severe weather, the more likely you are to avoid serious injury or death. Check out these guidelines to keep yourself informed, so you’ll be ready for any oncoming storms.

The Preparation
The most important thing to have ready for any weather related disaster is a plan. Be familiar with your employer’s weather disaster plan to know the proper escape routes or safest rooms to take shelter in during severe weather.

If your workplace doesn’t have a disaster plan, talk with your managers about developing one. Organizations like The Red Cross have checklists and recovery guides for major disasters that can be a great starting place for building a severe weather action plan. It’s always a good idea to be informed on local weather conditions by monitoring media reports by radio or phone.

The Action
If it’s too late to evacuate, stay indoors and limit travel to only necessary trips. Tune in to the radio or television for updates while keeping an eye on the sky for darkening skies, flashes of light, or increasing wind. During a storm, close outside doors and window, blinds, shades, or curtains; stay away from doors, windows and exterior walls; and remain in the shelter location until the danger has passed.

You should also listen for the sound of thunder, because if you are close enough to hear thunder, you’re close enough to be struck by lightning. Remember the 30/30 Lightning Safety Rule: Go indoors if, after seeing lightning, you cannot count to 30 before hearing thunder. Stay indoors for 30 minutes after hearing the last clap of thunder.

If the rain continues to pour for hours or lightly over several days, there could be a possibility of a flood. In case of flooding, do not walk through flowing water. Six inches of swiftly moving water can knock you off your feet.

The Aftermath
When severe weather has passed, remember to analyze overhead hazards such as broken tree limbs, wires and other debris. Be cautious walking around as well. There could be hazards like broken glass, leaking gas lines, damaged sewage systems, flooded electrical circuits, submerged appliances, or structural damage.

If your workplace has flooded, avoid the water as much as possible, because water may be contaminated by oil, gasoline, or raw sewerage. That’s why it is vital to thoroughly clean anything that came in contact with the flood water. If working with food, medicines, or cosmetics that have gotten wet, use your best judgment and throw out if in doubt.

You have no control on when and where severe weather will happen. But, you do have control on how prepared you will be when it does. With these guidelines, you’ll be ready to show the forces of nature that you’re a force to be reckoned with.

Resumes and Cover Letters The Job Search

Infographic: How Does an Applicant Tracking System Read Your Resume?

By Jared Cole on Wednesday, May 15, 2013

Last month, the PDF vs Word Resume whitepaper gave you the ins and outs of how different electronic resume formats affect applicant tracking systems (ATS) and your job search. But, how exactly does an ATS read your resume?

Check out this infographic from the resume building software site Résunate that takes you through the process of how an ATS takes a resume, breaks it down, and files the information into a relevancy score.

What do you think about these programs and how applications are being handled? Sound off in the comments section below.

The Job Search

3 Ways to Improve Your Job Search

By Movin On' Up on Friday, May 10, 2013

If you’ve been looking for a job for a while but haven’t found one yet, you might feel frustrated and defeated. But don’t give up hope. Even if you feel like jobs are harder to find and employers are pickier than ever, you can put yourself ahead of the competition by focusing on your job search. You have the power to take control of your job search, so start by using these three tips.

Develop a Strategy
Before you apply for another job, sit down and think about the outcome you want from your job search by determining what type of position you want, what your qualifications are, and what industry you want to work in. This will help you focus your search on the jobs you really want and are qualified for. When you discover a position that you want to apply for, give it your all. If you can’t give 100% to all the jobs you’re curious about, evaluate the job descriptions and see which ones match your goals best. If it doesn’t match your goals, move on to another opportunity. Don’t waste your time applying for a job you don’t want. Instead, put your efforts toward the job you really want. Affirm to yourself that you truly want the job, and give your résumé, cover letter, and interview preparation the time and attention each new job opportunity deserves.

Think Beyond Your Usual Job
If you’re out of work and need to find employment quickly or are having a hard time entering your field of choice, consider part-time positions, internships, or tempor-ary employment through your local staffing agency. These positions can help you get your foot in the door and provide valuable experience that you can use elsewhere. These situations also have the potential to turn into full-time jobs, which can be just the break you’ve been looking for.

Visit a Career Coach
Don’t be afraid to ask for help from a career coach who can provide you with an honest, unbiased opinion and give you guidance to improve your job search. They can help pinpoint what’s been holding you back and give you the boost of confidence you need. If you don’t seek outside help, you might not realize you’re leaving off an important qualification from your résumé or saying the wrong things in an interview. Coaches can identify what employers are looking for and help you update your résumé and cover letter, as well as help you practice your interview techniques.

Making a few changes to your job search can give you hope, new leads, and potentially a job offer. So, if you’re still struggling to find the right opportunity, improve your job search by using these techniques. You might just find a better job opportunity than you imagined.

Career Options The Job Search

Welcome to The Real World – What to Do After College

By Jared Cole on Wednesday, May 1, 2013

Congratulations to all of you who will be earning a college degree this month. After years of late-night studying, taking early morning exams, and living on a budget as thin as your ramen noodles, you’ve finally made it! But after receiving the important piece of paper and the celebration high is gone, you will probably ask yourself the same question I asked myself after it was all said and done:

“Now what?”

There are those fortunate few who are able to get a job right after or just before graduation; but for many, including me, there is a greater priority put on working unpaid internships, second jobs, and whatever else needed to keep a roof over their heads. While the job search should start before graduation, it’s not too late to begin after graduation.

We’ve got your back. Transitioning into the real world and finding a job doesn’t have to be an overwhelming and confusing journey. If you follow these guidelines on what to do after graduating from college, your job search might be a little easier.

Set a Goal
Before you do anything, you should have an idea of what you’re trying to achieve. Your goal, “to find a job,” is a given, but consider making smaller objectives that will help you achieve that goal, then build a plan to accomplish them. The more defined and realistic your plan is, the more likely you are to stick with it.

Start small by trying to make a few new contacts, send out resumes, or read a certain number of industry articles every week. Take some ideas from the rest of this blog to make small baby steps toward your goal.

Brake on the Break
Graduating from college is a notable achievement. I spent several years of my life working diligently to make my dream a reality. Since I worked so hard for so long, I felt entitled to take a break and enjoy my freedom for a month… or two. Looking back, I wish I hadn’t.

In a way, I felt entitled to a job since I sacrificed so much for a college degree. When I finally got around to starting my job search, I learned that opportunities wouldn’t fall in my lap – I had to earn them. While you may be tempted to take a break to clear your head, now is the time to make the job search a priority. The harder you work, the more likely you will get noticed.

Fail Fearlessly
Be prepared to fail. Trust me; you might fail more than once. You may be perfectly qualified for a job opening and perform all of the best job search activities, but for one reason or another, the potential employer may choose someone else. Your failures don’t define you, but how you bounce back from them does. Try harder, learn better, and then work smarter so you can be more prepared the next time around.

Monitor Your Social Networks
While it’s important to express yourself on social networking sites, it wouldn’t hurt to treat the content you post with a little class. If you are mindful and tactful on sites like Facebook, your growing professional network can prove to be a valuable asset to potential employers. Don’t forget that sites like Twitter and LinkedIn can be great tools to connect with leaders in your field and learn about job opportunities.

Don’t Stop Reading
Just because you may not be as skilled as other seasoned veterans in your industry, it doesn’t mean you should be lacking knowledge on the latest issues and trends. Find out what your industry leaders are reading and mimic them. It sounds cliché, but as the G.I. Joe shows always said, “Knowing is half the battle!”

Practice the Power of Positivity
When trying to get your foot in the door after college, showing passion and a positive attitude can set you apart from your competition. Your skills are still fairly limited, so displaying a willingness to learn with an optimistic point of view can help potential employers see that you are a worthwhile long-term investment.

Beggars Can’t Be Choosers
We all aspire for that dream job, but many times we aren’t qualified to perform the duties that come with dream jobs just yet. When starting at the entry level, you have to keep your expectations realistic. You may have to adjust the goals you set earlier to not only find a job, but develop your career for that dream job. In most organizations, you have to learn to serve at the bottom before you can work at the top.

Network Like There’s No Tomorrow
It really is all about who you know. It’s not so much the amount of people you know, but the right people you network with. You’ve learned how to build relationships with a diverse group of people, so take those skills and network with peers and leaders in your field who can help you accomplish your goals.

There’s a lot to figure out after graduating from college. But, you don’t have to figure it all out on your own. Take these guidelines and start searching for a job now. What was your job search like after college? Let us know in the comments section below.

At Work Cube Life

Express Your Appreciation for Co-workers

By Movin On' Up on Monday, April 22, 2013

If you’ve ever worked in a department with other employees or as part of a team on a project, chances are, someone has helped you out somewhere along the way. From showing you how to complete a task to lending you advice on a project, co-workers often provide guidance and support as you work together to get the job done. Building good workplace habits, such as expressing gratitude, is a great way to build rapport. A little appreciation goes a long way, so make sure to show your gratitude for the help you receive from your co-workers. This doesn’t have to be complicated. Here are three simple ways you can express your thanks any time of year.

Say Thanks
The easiest way to express your gratitude is to simply say thank you. Whether you express your appreciation verbally, through an e-mail, or in a handwritten note, saying thank you to your helpful co-worker shows that you value their help and recognize that you might not have been able to complete your assignment without their assistance.

Share Recognition
If your department or team hosts weekly or monthly meetings, recognize your co-worker for their assistance by formally thanking them in front of your supervisor and other co-workers. A small gesture like this can be very meaningful.

Return the Favor
One of the best ways to show your appreciation for someone’s help is to return the favor. If they need help on a project or advice on a task you’ve completed before, offer to guide them through it. When you have skills or experience to offer, take the opportunity to share your knowledge. This demonstrates not only that you’re thankful for the help, but that you’re the type of person who is willing to lend a hand.

Expressing your appreciation for your co-workers helps build your team. So, make sure to recognize your co-workers the next time they offer to step in to help you out. Your acknowledgement can inspire your co-workers to give more and help others more often.

Resumes and Cover Letters The Job Search

Whitepaper: This is Your Resume Format Fight Night

By Jared Cole on Wednesday, April 17, 2013

Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the main event! Since the dawn of electronic resumes, two formats have stood the test of time – Microsoft Word and Adobe PDF. These two file types have been debated among job seekers for several years, and each side won’t back down. This hot debate is a passionate royal rumble.

Almost all job seekers email their resumes instead of printing them. With so many filling up hiring managers’ inboxes, employers are developing ways to filter these resumes. Which format do you use to get through the noise and grab an employer’s attention?

Check out this informational whitepaper about two popular resume formats to find out which one will get caught in the clutter and which one can help you get hired.

Download “The Heavyweight Debate: PDF vs. Word Resumes”