Why Google might be killing your job search
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Columnist Anita Bruzzese solicits advice on managing your online reputation. This one was, especially insightful, and useful not only for job hunters but also for the happily employed!
"I had a client who had a reputation as a hard-nosed manager. After losing his position after an acquisition, he found himself in a job search for the first time in a number of years. Because he was highly respected, he thought the search would go quickly. On several occasions, he would get to the final stages prior to hiring with a company showing great enthusiasm, only to suddenly be dropped from consideration. At this point he came to see me. We did a Google search and found that when we searched his name, No. 5 in the Google search results was a link to an industry forum page where he was being trashed anonymously by some people that had worked for him, calling him an unfit manager.
Here's what we did. We changed everything (resume, cover letters, online profiles, etc.) to his full name. People will typically Google what is on the resume. When his full name was Googled, nothing negative showed up. We took advantage of a few key online profiles like LinkedIn. Google loves it and for most people, if they have a LinkedIn profile, it will show up first if you Google them. I also had my client write a book review on his favorite management book and post it on Amazon. This gave the opportunity to show a little thought leadership and demonstrate his management knowledge. This helped counter the negatives. The result was that within weeks Joshua was hired."
Protect your identity - Confidentially post your resume
LOS ANGELES, CA -- You've decided to take the leap and look for a new job. But where do you start? While the job market is very competitive right now, there are still lots of jobs being offered by hiring managers who search all of the top career websites. Sure it may take some time, but posting your resume on ALL the top 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 up to 80 top career websites like CareerBuilder, Job.com, Net-Temps, HotJobs, Dice and more.
If confidentiality is a concern, use Resume Rabbit's confidentiality feature. Your resume can be seen, however, no one will see your name, street address or phone number. Whether you do it by hand or use a service like Resume Rabbit, creating accounts on all the best career sites will give you access to millions of jobs and exposure to 1.5 million employers and recruiters daily. Try Resume Rabbit today.
Jobless claims remain at a seven-year high
NEW YORK, NY -- New applications for unemployment benefits rose slightly last week to a seven-year high due to a weakening economy and the impact of Hurricanes Ike and Gustav, the Labor Department said recently. The department reported that initial claims for jobless benefits increased by 1,000 to a seasonally adjusted 497,000. That's significantly above analysts' estimate of 475,000.
U.S. stock futures declined on the report. Dow Jones industrial average futures dropped 102 to the 10,785 level, pointing to a lower opening for shares. The hurricanes, which hit Texas and Louisiana, added about 45,000 claims from the two states. As a result, the four-week average of claims, which smooths out fluctuations, jumped to 474,000, up 11,500 from the previous week. In the week ending Sept. 20, Texas reported a 22,235 jump in claims, while Louisiana said claims rose by 9,671.
The number of people continuing to receive benefits increased to 3.59 million, up 48,000 and higher than analysts' estimates. Jobless claims are at elevated levels even excluding the hurricanes. Weekly claims have now topped 400,000 for 11 straight weeks, a level economists consider a sign of recession. A year ago, claims stood at 324,000. The economy is struggling with the financial crisis and slowing consumer spending, leading to increased layoffs by the nation's employers.
Always keep your resume up to date!
NEW YORK, NY -- The number of Americans joining the unemployment line has risen to levels we haven't seen since 2001. Many working professionals are having to rethink their career paths and do some soul-searching about the realities of the job market. With so many displaced workers and uncertainty as to when a turnaround will occur, competition for job openings is getting fierce. Job seekers and even workers who haven't received pink slips should take a step back and re-evaluate their skills and position themselves to succeed in this tough job market. Here are some tips to set yourself up for success.
Is the resume passe? No. Anyone looking for a job will need a resume. It should be strategically crafted, truthful and spellchecked. Work your network. Wow the people responsible for making the hiring decisions. If you're not networking you are crazy, because you're limiting your options and opportunities. Get out of your comfort zone and join industry organizations and introduce yourself to new people.
Manage your brand. Social networking can be a career killer if you are not careful. Remove any inappropriate pictures or postings online that will sink you in the applicant pool. Look beyond borders. If opportunities on the home front aren't materializing, Americans may want to turn their attention overseas. Some of the fastest growing economies -- Russia, China, India, Dubai and countries throughout Asia -- are eager to import American talent.
Professionally prepared resumes without the cost!
LOS ANGELES, CA -- You have 15 seconds (and that's being generous) to catch a potential employer's interest through what's written on your resume and cover letter. It's just a piece of paper, but it can make or break your chances of landing the job of your dreams - so start impressing! In today's competitive job market, a well-written resume is the single most significant thing to getting your foot in the door and on your way to landing the ideal position.
Professional resume writers can charge hundreds of dollars. And there are many websites that claim to help you create an effective, professional-looking resume. But, how can you be sure? Here's how you can get a professional resume for a fraction of the cost! We recommend the Pongo Resume's online resume and cover letter builder that's extremely easy to use!
Pongo's resume and cover letter builder creates customized templates just for you. Don't worry if you're unsure which resume format you need (chronological, functional, or combination). They'll provide the right one for you, based on your unique profile. You'll also enjoy expert advice and guidance as well as a built-in spell checker to help you avoid errors. It's easy to create multiple versions of your resumes and letters, and save them on Pongo's secure and private online servers. Once you have created your resume and love what you see, upgrade to a monthly or annual subscription to be able to print, e-mail, fax, download and track your documents. Ready to give it a try? Sign up and create a free-resume today!
Strategies to help you transition into a new career
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- If you're thinking of changing careers, you're not alone. Many people change careers several times in their working life. Although unhappiness is a common reason for wanting to switch tracks, not everyone who seeks a career change is unhappy with his or her current job. Maybe you've discovered that your real passion lies elsewhere. Maybe you find that your current job doesn't give you a sense of personal achievement or satisfaction. Or maybe you want a less stressful job. Make sure to take all these factors into account to ensure you pick the right opportunities.
Look for opportunities closer to home. Find out if there might be opportunities to learn different skills in your current position. Take courses that are related to the new field. Write a good resume to highlight skills you already have. Study online job advertisements for the career you plan to change to, and note which of your current skills can match up with the "wish list" of recruiters for those jobs. Get a feel of the industry you plan to join by moonlighting on a part-time or volunteer basis. Have a safety net just in case. Make sure you're financially set up to take care of your bills in case the new position doesn't work out.
Changing careers may seem like a daunting task. Your friends and family may advise you that you've lost your mind; employers in your new field may question your lack of experience; and you may find yourself doubting your own ability to make the change. But if you truly feel that you could flourish in a different field, don't be discouraged! The field that you chose when you first entered the working world does not have to be the one you retire from.
Find 100's of perfectly matched, available jobs instantly!
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Most employers find qualified applicants within the first group of resumes they receive. That's why MyJobHunter really works. It gets your resume in the hands of interested employers immediately after their jobs are advertised - and long before your competition. Many of their customers get immediate feedback and interviews within 2 days.
Finally, MyJobHunter helps you win at the job search numbers game. It's simple. Apply to as many targeted jobs as possible, in a timely fashion, and you'll increase your chances of landing one. That's why MyJobHunter searches the major career sites in North America daily, and instantly applies to new jobs matching your criteria. Try it for yourself at MyJobHunter.com.
In a tough job market, effective schmoozing is key
BELLEVILLE, IL -- With job cuts expected to continue, more workers are ramping up their networking efforts, trying to build relationships in these bleak times. Of course, widening circles isn't easy when our free-time already is limited. But the financial climate requires us to shake off our unease and schmooze effectively.
Experts say if you think you don't have time to network, think again. Networking is one of the most profitable activities that can be incorporated into everyday life. The 103,000 members of BNI, the country's largest networking group, have made more than 5.5 million referrals valued at more than $2.2 billion, the group says. Career experts say creating and maintaining contacts should be strategic and focused. It's all about developing relationships with people who can advance your career or business rather than just collecting business cards.
"It's about knowing what you want to catch," says John Remson, a legal marketing specialist. Remson tells his clients to make a list of 15 people they want to meet or get to know better and figure out where those people hang out. Once you meet them, he advises, "stay on their radar screen." Doing that requires touching base with them at least once a quarter, he says.
Career Tools Highlighted in This Issue:
- Resume Rabbit - Newer & Faster Get your resume on over 75 career sites - Takes only 5 Minutes.
- Pongo Resume Wizard Professionally prepared resumes without the cost!
- MyJobHunter.com Search all job sites at once. Apply to matching jobs with one click
