Job sites expect hiring to improve this year
GAINESVILLE, TX -- The new year brings a fresh start, and for many people, that means the search for a new job. Job hunting websites expect hiring to improve this year, and January is a particularly busy time because new recruiting budgets take effect. So whether you've been out of work for a while or are simply looking for a change, here are some tips to ensure a successful job search.
Fine tune your resume: Your resume should be chock-full of keywords targeted to the job you want. Work with a recruiter and staffing firm: A new survey by CareerBuilder shows that 36% of American companies will hire contract or temporary workers in 2012. So working with a recruiter or staffing firm could be a great way to jump-start your job search. Take advantage of social media: If your Facebook profile is all play and no work, or if your LinkedIn page is ghost town, it's time to brush up on your digital networking skills.
Network, network, network: It's important to follow through with all leads, no matter how small. Be patient, but persistent: Hiring cycles are still long and drawn out. There are lots of variables that go into making a hiring decision. On the other hand, persistence pays off -- don't assume that simply submitting your resume to an online applicant tracking system will ensure it will be seen by the right people.
Get maximum exposure on job boards and niche career sites
LOS ANGELES, CA -- While the job market is very competitive right now, there are still millions of jobs being offered by hiring managers who search all of the top career sites and niche job boards. Sure it may take some time, but posting your resume on these websites will give you better exposure than your competition!
If you want the benefit of maximum exposure, but don't want to spend 60 hours researching and filling out website forms, consider letting a service like Resume Rabbit do the work for you. With this service, you fill out one easy form and in about 15 minutes you'll be posted on over 84 career websites like CareerBuilder, Job.com, Net-Temps, Dice and more. A comprehensive list of all the sites they post to is on their home page.
If confidentiality is a concern, use Resume Rabbit's new confidentiality feature. Your resume can be seen, however, no one will see your name, street address, phone number or even your current company name. Whether you do it by hand or use a service like Resume Rabbit, creating accounts on all the best career websites will give you access to millions of jobs and exposure to 1.5 million employers and recruiters daily. To maximize your exposure and save time, try out Resume Rabbit today.
Overcome the stigma of long-term unemployment
PHOENIX, AZ -- When someone who has been out of the workforce for more than six months applies for a job, potential employers will have questions about that resume gap. It's important to explain long-term unemployment in a proactive way. Employers will expect you to hold yourself accountable and be able to articulate a solid reason. Mentioning the down economy is not a good reason. This makes you appear as someone who feels victimized and helpless.
A legitimate reason for being unemployed for a long period of time is a combination of the current economy, as well as, mistakes made in the job search process. This demonstrates professionalism and the ability to learn from mistakes. Getting laid off can be a huge blow, but the sooner you start filling your time productively, the better.
So, if you've been unemployed for a long time, make sure you bolster your resume with things you've been doing since that time. Did you consult? Create a website or start a blog? Did you earn a professional certification or take some classes to brush up on your job skills? Anything that's professional and relevant should be included. This will show your commitment to your field and your desire to stay in it. Emphasizing freelance work or volunteer work is also an ideal way to articulate that you have been making an effort to keep your skills current while searching for full-time employment.
Deadly mistakes that kill your job search
DENVER, CO -- As a job search coach, I hear a lot of "why it's not my fault" stories to explain a job search that has lost its momentum. "The economy is bad, there aren't enough jobs, I'm being unfairly treated." Usually, though, the problem is that something isn't right about how the person is going about looking for a job. Here are some common job search mistakes to avoid:
Not knowing what you want. "I'll do anything" is not a job search strategy. Get clear on exactly what kind of job you are qualified for that also fits your career goals. Having a mediocre resume. Create a strong resume that represents you in the best possible way and invest in tools to help you. Not spending enough time on your search. Schedule time every day for your job search at your most productive time, and stick to your schedule.
Trying to do it all by computer. In the age of online job postings and applications, it may seem that time at the computer is productive job search time. However, you need to be efficient with your computer time, and get out there to start meeting people. Avoiding networking events and conferences. Conferences, trade shows and networking events are a great way to uncover a potential job. Resisting new technology. For today's job search, you need be on LinkedIn, know how to Twitter and become a master of online searches. If you want a new job, you have to be willing to learn new things.
Create a resume in minutes! No writing experience required.
MIAMI, FL -- You have just 10 seconds to make an impact on a prospective employer. While your resume is your passport to get a better job, most people don't know how to write one that gets real results. You need to sell your skills, achievements and experience in a way that makes employers want to know more about you. But how? To get real results, you need to:
- Choose the right resume format
- Emphasize your most impressive selling points
- Paint a positive picture of your accomplishments
- Create a visually striking layout and design
It's easy to choose from 100's of premium resume templates developed by certified resume writers covering all jobs and industries. Resume Companion also features an easy to use cover letter builder. Additionally, you can save your finished resume as an MS Word, PDF, Text or HTML document. If you like, you can even request a resume critique by a certified resume writer all from the Resume Companion website. What are you waiting for? Try it for free today.
Tips for staying organized during job search
ATLANTA, GA -- The first month of the year invites resolutions: lose weight, spend less, get organized. These are good initiatives any time of the year, but if you're in job search, you don't have time to spare. Any resolution related to re-employment needs to start now. For example, take the promise to get organized. The reward of good organization is saving time, and when it comes to job searching, time really is money. The sooner you have your new job, the sooner you will be banking paychecks.
Unfortunately, a job search also can be one of the most difficult projects to organize. If you haven't been in the job market in awhile, the unfamiliar tasks can be overwhelming. Another disadvantage for job seekers trying to get organized is the sheer volume of information available. A visit to just one website can trigger dozens of emails all related to the search. Pretty soon, there's so much incoming email you risk missing communications from employers.
Job seekers risk spending large amounts of time on non-productive tasks without the right job tools at hand. Here are two key ideas to help you stay organized during job search. Start your search creating a search strategy so you know what you need to do. Be sure the strategy includes actual steps and numbers. Gather your career documents for the search. You'll need a resume, cover letter, job search email account and access to a computer. Other helpful organizational tools include a calendar, business cards and a system for organizing your application submissions and job leads.
Get Organized: Automate your job search & save time!
SAN DIEGO, CA -- With a new job search aggregator service called MyJobHunter, you can search all top career sites at once & apply to all matching jobs with one click. Just enter your search criteria, review the matching jobs and select the ones you want. Then, click a single button and you'll instantly apply to all selected jobs with your resume and cover letter (without having to log into each job site separately).
Click another button and you can 'automate' the whole process! MyJobHunter can remember what you searched for, search for it again each day, and AUTOMATICALLY APPLY FOR YOU to new jobs matching your criteria. Review jobs in advance or put searching & applying on auto-pilot. The choice is yours.
You'll also get an application history report that makes follow-up a breeze! It shows the jobs you were applied to, full job descriptions, employer contact info, and application dates. You can even add personal notes to each job! This service is proven to reduce hours of job searching and resume submitting to just minutes. Simply upload your resume, enter your job search criteria and let MyJobHunter help you find a job faster.
Ways to take control of your career
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- If you're looking for a job, then the new year requires a fresh focus. You want to keep ahead of the game to make sure you manage your own career. The following suggestions will help you maintain control and succeed with your career goals. Don't be complacent. Even if your company is solid and your industry is in a growth trend, always have a plan B. Ask yourself, "How can I earn income if I lose my job?" Don't be caught off guard. Identify your most marketable skills, your education and experience, and document your accomplishments. Focus on your interests, geographical preferences, and your financial situation.
Go back to school. Do your research and learn what companies regularly recruit from your potential school. Be definitive in your planning--select a college or program that will stack the odds in your favor. Carefully consider trends for future growth. Your goal should be to land a job with a company and industry that's growing. Anything else is a slow and certain death, career-wise. Do your due diligence, research the company and evaluate their website. Check out resources such as Hoovers.com. Google your target employer to identify useful information.
Other ways of determining current and future trends include reading industry publications and trade magazines. These publications often have job opportunities as well. Stand above the crowd. Your resume and cover letter need to have some unique characteristics to stand out from the pack. Don't limit yourself by geography. You could curb your earning potential if you're unwilling to move.
Subscribe to industry and trade publication--free
LOS ANGELES, CA -- In today's competitive job market, it's important to stay on top of your game and up-to-date with all the newest trends, information and news by reading industry magazines or various trade journals. This is an integral part of your job search! In fact, according to a recent survey conducted by Beta Research Corporation, on behalf of The New York Times Job Market, the 85% of employers surveyed agree that keeping up-to-date in a candidate's field of expertise is a very important tool for conducting a successful job search.
So, whether you're looking to move up or to move on, reading business and trade publications can definitely help you move right in to the job of your dreams! For starters, being fluent on the latest trends in your profession can be invaluable while networking or interviewing. These magazines keep you sharp, well informed, articulate and in-demand! To help you stay current, The Career Digest has arranged for its readers to instantly subscribe online to practically every leading industry and business publication, at NO COST to you!
It only takes a minute to search their website and quickly find the magazines matching "your skills and interest". You can search by publication title, industry, or geography. Next, pick the magazines you want, and fill out a brief online subscription form and press submit. It's that easy! Make sure that you do not select other in the "Occupational Information" area. Sign up now for your trade and industry publications.
Career Tools Highlighted in This Issue:
- Resume Rabbit - Maximize Your Exposure Get your resume posted on all the top job boards & niche career sites.
- Free--Resume Builder Program Create a resume in minutes! No writing experience required.
- MyJobHunter: Automate Your Search Search all job sites at once. Apply to matching jobs with 1-click.
- Free--Industry and Trade Magazines Subscriptions Instantly subscribe online to industry, business and trade publications.
