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Job Search Tips – Finding Employment in Unlikely Places
Finding employment today is a challenge with so many others competing for the same jobs. There comes a time when you have been unemployed for some time that your resources begin to run out. When that happens, you need to find a job and you need to find it fast.
There are places online that you may not have thought of to look at that may help get you through the tough times. Aside from the obvious job search sites such as Monster.com, there are some classified sites that you may be able to tap into to pick up a temporary income while you search for a more suitable job. You may even find your prospective employer or discover a new line of work that you love.
One of the fastest growing industries right now is the services industry. Take a look at your skills. You may have done certain tasks for your past employer that may be in demand as a freelancer. For example, data entry, research, writing and bookkeeping are just a few skills that business owners regularly outsource when they do not have the skilled employees on their staff to perform the tasks for them. They may only need these services sporadically or only a few hours per week and, therefore, it is not feasible for them to hire an employee to fill this role.
A few good places to search out these types of services is online:
- classifieds such as Craigslist or Kijiji.
- Freelance websites, such as oDesk.com or freelancer.com where you can register as a service provider.
- Business networking sites such as LinkedIn.com. Many business owners look here for people to collaborate with or to add to their team on a project.
Browse through some of these sites to see the types of services that are in demand. You may very well find something that sparks your interest and matches your skill set. If not, it might be a starting place to building new skills. Perhaps you have always enjoyed writing but have not had the opportunity to do so in your past employment setting. You might want to turn that interest into a means of making an income. If so, start a blog and begin honing your writing skills. Your blog will then become your portfolio.
The whole point is, there is a world of opportunity waiting for you in the freelance industry. You just have to go looking for it. Who knows, perhaps it will turn into a thriving business for you and you will no longer be searching for a job.
Job Search Tips- Do You Really Need A Cover Letter?
The dilemma of whether to include a cover letter with your resume or not when applying online for a position is often debated. So I went looking for answers from the experts, recruiters who actually do the hiring.
I asked how much importance they place on the cover letter when reviewing job applicants for first-round interviews and got surprisingly mixed responses. While most admitted that the main focus of their attention is placed on the resume itself, 2 out of the 5 stated that they read the cover letters as part of their decision making process.
Two others said they focus solely on the resume and rarely ever read a cover letter. They may read the cover letter if there is a skill or experience lacking in the resume .
The final expert said that if the person applying for the position went to the trouble of doing a cover letter, that she would go to the trouble of contacting them whether they got hired or not.
Do you need a cover letter?
Given the results above, I would say the answer is still a definite “Yes!” Unless the prospective employer has stated they do not want a cover letter, submitting one with your resume will never hurt your chances of getting an interview (unless it is poorly written), but in many cases it does help.
Recruiter Tips For Writing A Cover Letter
- Be professional. Use the standard business letter format for your letter. This means including the date and both the recipient’s and sender’s mailing address.
- Only focus on yourself as it pertains to the position you are applying for. While you need to let your personality come through in the letter, you should not make it all about you. The employer is more interested in why you would be a good match for the job they are offering.
- It is very important that you do not use the same cover letter for every job you apply for. You need to customize each one you submit to the specific company and position you are submitting to. A generic cover letter does not show that you really want this job.
The bottom line is that you should put the most work into your resume as it carries the most weight, but the cover letter can be a deciding factor in being called for a first interview so you should put a great deal of thought and work into it. Even though some employers do not read them, the majority will at some point. Therefore not including one can be the difference between being placed in the “yes” pile rather than the “maybe” pile.
- Keep it short and to the point. A cover letter should not be more than one page.
- Remember to proof read for spelling and grammar mistakes. The cover letter is designed to give a first impression. A poorly written letter will scream professionalism and you will never get a call for an interview if it is not flawless.
- Do not make any claims you cannot support with proof.
- Use the cover letter to compliment the resume, not merely to restate the contents.
Job Search Tips – How To Get Your Resume Noticed and Read
Searching for employment in todays job market can be challenge. With so many people looking for employment it is likely that your resume will be just one in a large stack of job applicants. So how can you give yourself an edge over your competition?
One of the easiest ways to get your resume looked at quickly is to make it stand out from the crowd. The appearance of your resume can have a dramatic impact on not only getting the resume and cover letter read, but it can also have an impact on whether the employer remembers you or puts yours in the pile for further consideration.
Many of the tips below may seem too simple, and they are. BUT, they work. Think of it as subliminal message similar to that used in advertising. If you can reach the HR on a subconscious level you are leaving a very powerful message without being obvious. The HR person sorting through all of the resumes to determine which to take seriously has a stack of papers that typically all look the same. If you can make yours look even slightly different, the eye is naturally drawn to it over and over again.
Here are a few tips that will make sure your resume gets read:
- Text Color: Probably 99% of all resumes will be the typical black text on white paper. One way you can make yours stand out is to use a different color text. A nice navy blue or dark brown will still be professional looking yet at the same time be just different enough to subtly stand out from the rest. If you prefer to stick with the black text, try using color in your headings being careful to keep it professional looking. You do not want to go overboard.
- Paper color: This is my favorite way to subliminally make a resume look unique. Not only can you make it stand out, you are able to upscale the perceived value of the content. By using upscale stationary, your finished product appears more professional and that professionalism rubs off on you. You should keep your stationary choice somewhat conservative. You do not want to use neon pink. A nice off white, grey or cream parchment or vellum with dark brown, black or navy text will give you a very polished and professional look. If you have a cream color resume in a stack of all white, which one do you think you will naturally want to look at first?
- Paper weight: This is the subtlest way possible to give your resume an edge. While on its own it is not as effective as the above methods, the reader will immediately feel the difference in your resume when they pick it up. Most standard printer paper that you buy in packages of 500 sheets is 20 lb. If you print your cover letter and resume on 24 lb. paper it will have a different feel than the rest. This gives the reader a subliminal message that this applicant is different from the rest.
- Envelopes: Don’t forget to make the envelope match the contents. Most stationary shops will sell matching envelopes for their upscale papers. Match the text color and font on the envelopes to that of your cover letter and resume. Get the proper sized envelope so you do not have to fold the correspondence inside more than necessary.
It may seem a bit over the top to pay extra money for high quality stationary for your resume, cover letters and envelopes but I can guarantee that it will make a difference in whether you are seen as just one of many or whether you get top priority when it comes to getting your resume in front of the people who make the staffing decisions. You are inviting them to a meeting for further discussion. If you think of your resume as an introduction, you will then be able to understand why it is important to make a good first impression.
You do not have to spend a huge amount of money on your stationary. Most places that supply printer paper will sell packages of better quality paper. Making this small investment will pay off in the long run.
Related Posts:
Job Search Tips – Writing Effective Cover Letters
Job Search Tips – Writing an Effective and Powerful Resume
Job Search Tips – Job Interview Questions You Should Ask Your Prospective Employer
Job Search Tips – Writing Effective Cover Letters
During your job search, a cover letter is an excellent opportunity to market yourself to your prospective employers. A well written cover letter can be the deciding factor on whether you get the job or not. Therefore, you should give as much attention to its construction as you do to your resume.
The main goal of a cover letter is:
- To bring the focus to the qualifications and experience you have that are specific to the position you are interested in.
- To give a good example of your written communication skills.
- To give your potential employer a bit more insight into your personality, interests, philosophies and enthusiasm that is not easily conveyed in your resume.
In short, the cover letter should outline what makes you a good match for the job being offered. What makes you different from others who may be applying for the job? Entice the reader to want to learn more about you.
What should you include in a cover letter?
- You want to begin with the reason for the letter and where you heard about the company or position available.
- Next you will follow with why you are interested in the position or the company.
- The next topic should be why you feel you are qualified for the position and what makes you a good match. You should make reference to your resume and suggest they get more details of your training from within the resume.
- The important thing to remember is you should not just repeat what you have on your resume. The person reading the cover letter will also have a copy of your resume.
- Let the employer know that you will be in touch and how. Give them a specific time or date that you plan to follow up and then be sure you do!
When should you include a cover letter with your resume?
This will depend on whether you are applying for a position online or in person or by mail. If applying through a job search online, the ability to submit a cover letter will be dependent upon whether the employer has requested or allowed it.
For all other instances, I would recommend including it whenever possible. You must have done some research on the company or the position available to make a cover letter effective. You should avoid a template or broad range cover letter. This defeats the whole purpose.
Related Posts:
Job Search Tips: How to Write a Powerful and Effective Resume
Job Interview Questions You Should Ask Your Prospective Employer
Job Search Tips- Writing an Effective and Powerful Resume
How to write a powerful resume:
Writing a resume can be a bit intimidating if you are new to job hunting or if you have been job searching for a while with little or no results. Using a “one-size-fits-all” resume might be a big mistake when you are looking at a variety of employment opportunities.
You should always tailor your resume to the position you are applying for. This does not mean that you have to write a new resume for every situation, but it does mean you should “tweak” it to make it more meaningful to the person who will be reviewing it.
It does take a little more time to customize your resume for each job you are applying for, but if your resume is more powerful and effective you should not have to send out as many. The key is to do as much research as possible on your potential employers.
The more you know about the company, the products and the position, the better able you are to give them what they are looking for in your resume and land that critical job interview. Once you know more about the employer you can then decide on the format you will use.
Should You Focus Your Resume on Job Skills vs Work Experience?
I suggest you write two resumes. One focusing on your job experience and the other focusing on your acquired job skills. When you find an employer who is most interested in hiring employees with plenty of job experience, you naturally will give them the resume which details your employment record in chronological order so they can see at a glance how experienced you are. For all others, you should put the highlight on the skill sets you have that pertain to the position you are applying for and how you attained them.
Keep your resume brief, concise and specific. You must keep in mind that the company likely will receive hundreds of applications for every position that is available. Make it easy for them to select you over someone else by organizing your information so they can take in as much of the important information in the shortest amount of time. If they can see at a glance that you might be a good match, your resume will quickly be put in the pile of “possible candidates” for more consideration.
Support your skills with numbers and percentages whenever possible. For example: Instead of putting “office supervisor” you might put “Office management supporting a staff of 25 clerical workers”. “Regional sales” might be better represented as “Managed the South Central area comprising of 120 key accounts generating $1.5 million in annual revenue”.
By including these key numbers in your resume, you are giving the prospective employer a glimpse into how well you did your job without having to go into lengthy detail on job performance. This is what makes your resume stand out above all of the others and will help them see the benefits of hiring you.
Career Success Tips – The Importance of Being On-Time
Being late will prevent you from climbing the corporate ladder.
When asked what the number one piece of advice he would give an employee on the subject of office etiquette and career success, Peter Post, co-author of The Etiquette Advantage in Business: Personal Skills for Professional Success answered, “Be on time”. Being punctual for your work day, your appointments, and your deadlines shows respect for others and for yourself.
You want to have the reputation as someone who is prepared, organized and respectful. Being chronically or habitually late gives the impression that your time is more important than everyone else’s since you keep others waiting with your tardiness. It reflects a serious lack of organization skills and perhaps will even give the impression that you do not like your job or the person you are meeting with.
If you are serious about your career and are looking to climb the corporate ladder, the first thing you need to do is change the way you think about punctuality.
Here are a few tips to help you be on time:
- Breaking the Snooze Button habit. Getting up on time will set the pace for your day. If you are the type who likes to roll over and hit the snooze button to grab 5 more minutes of sleep then you need to either break the habit or plan for it. Place your alarm clock out of arms reach. If you have to get out of bed to hit a snooze button you are less likely to oversleep. The other alternative is to set the alarm 5 minutes earlier. This will allow you that luxury of a 5 minute snooze after the alarm goes off.
- Get ready the night before. If much of your morning routine revolves around selecting what to wear, preparing lunch or packing your briefcase you need to shift those tasks to the evening. Preparing your work day before you go to bed will free up time in the morning so you will never be scrambling to get out the door on time.
- Everything in it’s place. Having a designated place for your keys, purse, day planner, etc. will eliminate the panic and the delay the next morning when you can’t find your keys or your glasses and it is time to leave for work.
- Be a clock watcher. Many people no longer wear wrist watches because they use electronic devices such as cell phones as a means to tell time. As a chronically late person, you need visual reminders of the time so you don’t lose track of it. Buy a desk clock for your office and wall clocks for your home so you are more aware of the time. Treat yourself to a nice wrist watch.
- Set the alarm to go to bed. Being well rested is another key to having your day go on schedule. If you are tired and fatigued you are less likely to be prepared for the next day. Just like having a set time to get up in the morning, you should also have a set time to go to bed at night on workdays. Set your alarm 15 minutes before your target bed time. This will allow a few minutes to finish up what you are doing, get through your bedtime routine and get into bed on time. If your night time routine is longer than 15 minutes, adjust the alarm accordingly.
- Lie to yourself. If all else fails and you are unable to get yourself to work, meetings or scheduled events on time, you need to plan to be late. If you have an appointment at 10:00, write it in your day planner as 9:45. This will allow you a 15 minute grace period for tardiness. If you do manage to get there on time you now have a treat of 15 minutes to have a coffee or a quick call to a friend.
Being late because of a traffic jam or freak snow storm is sometimes unavoidable and your boss or your client will understand. Being late because you couldn’t find your keys or you overslept will not be so easily accepted and it may cost you that promotion.
Job Interview – Questions You Should Ask Your Prospective Employer
Let’s face it, job interviews are stressful. Sometimes the stress of the situation makes it difficult to think on the fly so it is best to be prepared and well rehearsed before you go into the interview. Many people focus solely on the questions they may be asked but very few consider the questions they should put forth during the process.
Asking your own questions during the job interview will be of benefit to you in several ways.
- It shows your prospective boss that this job is important enough to you to have done your research about the position you are applying for.
- Questions will help you clarify whether this company and job is really a good fit for your skills, qualifications and personality.
- The more questions you ask, the more aware the person doing the hiring will see that you fully understand what is expected of you.
The trick is knowing what to ask. There are a few questions to avoid as well. Before going into the job interview, get out a piece of paper and write down any pertinent information you would like clarified. Go over the research you have done about the company and write a specific question about the operation.
Here are some samples of job interview questions to ask:
- What are the responsibilities of the position?
- What is a typical work week like in this company? Is overtime expected or required to complete the job tasks?
- Is this a newly created position? If not, where did the previous person holding the job move on to?
- What are my opportunities for growth and advancement within the company?
- What is the management style of this firm?
- Can you tell me what you like best about working for this company?
- Is there anything you do not like about working here?
- Will there be travel involved with this position?
- Is relocation a possibility in the future?
- How many people work in this office?
- If I am the successful applicant, who will my supervisor be? Will it be possible to meet with him/her?
- Would you like a list of my references?
- When will you be making a decision about this position and when can I expect to hear from you?
Samples of job interview questions you do NOT want to ask during an interview:
- If I get hired, how soon can I take vacation?
- If I get the job, can I change my work schedule? (you do not want to give the impression that work is interfering with your daily life or that you will have difficulty showing up for work as scheduled)
- Do I have the job? How soon can I start? (Chances are there are many others to be interviewed and the interviewer will need time to go over all applicants and make a decision. Be patient)
Try to fit your job interview questions into the whole process when they are most applicable. Many interviewers will end the session by asking, “Do you have any questions?” This is your opportunity to ask any unanswered questions you may have.
Health Care Employment Is More Than Just Doctors and Nurses
The health care industry is one of the most stable employment sectors today. Getting a job in health care does not mean you have to become a doctor or nurse. There are many, many employment opportunities waiting for individuals who can think outside the box and apply their skills in this field.
Don’t want to be a doctor or nurse?
While doctors and nurses are always in demand for employment, not everyone has the desire to be up to their elbows in body fluids every day. You need to look at health care as being more than just caregivers. There are massive employment opportunities in the medical service and support industry that does not involve direct contact with patients.
Health Care Employment Opportunities
There are ways for you to re-purpose your existing skills or enhance them with new skills that will make you very desirable for employment. For example, if you have years of experience in clerical work, why not take a course in medical terminology or medical transcription? This will make you 100 times more employable in today’s market than your competition. Every doctor, hospital or health care provider needs someone knowledgeable in medical terminology to handle their paperwork.
If you are a bookkeeper or an accountant, the medical billing field may offer you great opportunities for employment. You might even consider starting your own medical billing business where health care providers could outsource all of their billing to you.
Corporate sales reps that have been let go may want to look at pharmaceutical or assistive devises companies as the way of their future. A little research or upgrading of your education may yield big returns in this industry.
Gaining Stable Employment
The whole point of this being that health care is big business and big money. It is currently stable and will always be so as people will continue to need care and treatment when they are ill. By specializing your current skills in the medical field, you are ensuring that you will always be in demand in the job market.
If you are considering starting your own business, look at ways that you can provide support to health care facilities and providers. It may mean a little bit of re-training or upgrading but the efforts will be rewarded with job stability and security.
Finding Employment in 2011, Where Are The Stable Jobs?
Unemployment and underemployment numbers have jumped to over 26 million people in the US according to figures released on Good Morning America. With so many people competing in the job market today, it is no wonder that times are tough. Job security no longer exists and those few who have been lucky enough to have found employment are most likely working in positions below their capabilities.
Where does that leave you in your job search for 2011?
If you have been unemployed for a period of time, it is advisable for you to take a look at other fields and other positions. While some industries have taken a hit, there are other industries that have enjoyed growth, even in these recessionary times.
Stable employment sectors:
Health care will always be considered a relatively stable industry because no matter how bad times are, people still get sick and need treatment. In 2010, more than 400,000 new jobs were added within the health care industry.
Retail sales are on the rebound and growing. More sales and customer service jobs are becoming available as consumer confidence recovers. Over 55,000 jobs were added in the retail sector in 2010 and the industry is expected to continue growing.
Is temporary employment for you?
Temporary employment is a growing trend and no longer holds the stigma of being considered undesirable employment options. For many this has been a growth experience and a chance to “get their foot in the door” so to speak. Temp positions give you the opportunity to gain new skills and experience in areas that will aid you in gaining permanent full-time positions in the future.
Re-think and re-purpose your skills to fit a new industry.
The important thing to keep in mind when searching for employment in 2011 is that you may need to re-think your past experience and skills sets to determine how you can re-purpose them to fit more stable industries. You need to be more than a one trick pony in order to stand out from the crowd.
Take the opportunity to grow your knowledge and skills if you are currently unemployed. Do volunteer work, re-train, research or network in a stable industry. Do anything you can to gain skills and connections but do not get discouraged and give up. Finding a job in 2011 is difficult, but it is not impossible.
Work-Life Balance – 5 Tips To Help You Restore Harmony In Your Life
Getting Control Of Your Work-Life Balance
Maintaining work-life balance is not a simple task in today’s working environments. If you feel like your life is just “eat, sleep and work”, then chances are your work-life balance is off kilter. There are specific strategies you can implement to help you decrease the stress of work overload.
5 Strategies to Restore Work-Life Balance
- Explore your options with your employer. Perhaps the option for flex hours is available to you. Being able to control the work hours can make you more available to participate in non-work related activities in your life. Another option may be a compressed work week. You could work four 10 hour days instead of five 8 hour days. That will give you one more day off per week to fit in social activities or downtime to help restore balance and de-stress.
- Just say no. Learning to tactfully say no when someone wants you to make a time commitment, whether it is job related or socially, is important. You do not need to feel guilty about making it known you are at your max when it comes to taking on new projects.
- Learn to leave your job at work. Although the technology is in place for most of us to carry on our work day at home, it is important that you leave work at work and concentrate on your home life when you are at home. Keeping a separation and distinction between the two is a very big step in restoring your work-life balance.
- Eat your veggies and get your sleep. One key factor in being able to manage a healthy balance between work and home life is making sure you are taking care of yourself. Eat a proper diet, get enough exercise and make sure you get enough sleep. You can’t expect to perform at your peak levels if you are neglecting your body. Make time every day for physical activities such as walking, yoga or cycling. If you have a friend who will also participate with you that is even better.
- Make a date with yourself. Scheduling in free time to your calendar is a must. In order to be more productive at your job, you need to have a proportionate amount of downtime to just relax, have fun and socialize.
Get help with restoring your work-life balance if you do not seem to be able to get control yourself. Everyone needs a little help now and again. Consulting a life or career coach or a mental health professional will help you turn your chaotic life back into a more fulfilling life where you are able to pause, take a breath and enjoy being you.
January, 2010
(June 2009 issue, page 95)
