JobStickers Podcast #8: How to Search for a Job While You're Still Employed

LISTEN:


The 8th MJW Careers' JobSticker's podcast series will be focused on those job-seekers that currently have a job, but are proactively seeking new employment. It is important that you conduct your job search in a manner that will not affect your current role, but can also allot enough time and strategy to effectively seek new employment.

On the show, we discussed some tips and don't forget about our Free Resume contest. For more info about these and other great job hunting tips, please visit www.jobstickers.com or our website www.mjwcareers.com.

For more information on the "Free Resume" contest, check out http://mjwcareers.blogspot.com/2011/01/announcing-free-resume-contest.html

Closing Questions Are the Answer to a Successful Interview

Preparing for an interview is just as important as the interview itself. Without proper preparation, you can get caught off guard or even leave the interviewer questioning your ability to deliver once hired for the position. The best interview tactic is to have impressive closing questions.

While working in Human Resources as a Recruiter, I once had a hiring manager hire a candidate simply because of their interview. He was so pleased with the candidate's knowledge and their pertinent closing questions relating to the company's current situation and the actual position being advertised. The hiring manager favored the interviewee over another candidate strictly due to the fact that he showed enthusiasm to learn more and really cared about the organization.

How was that candidate able to do all this? Researching the company. You always want to make sure you research a company prior to attending an interview, so you can:

1. Know if you would enjoy working there.

2. Find out if you would fit into their corporate culture.

3. Ask educated questions throughout the interview.

4. Use verbiage during the interview that relates to the company, industry and specific job for which you are interviewing.

5. Ask insightful closing questions.

Remember, your competition is doing this legwork. There is nothing worse than having no questions at all. You want to add some of these following questions in the mix to make you that much more effective:

1. Is there any other information you need from me regarding my application?

2. Do you have any hesitations about me for this position?

3. How do I compare to my competition?

4. Is there any reason why I would not be an asset in the job I am interviewing for?

5. I want to work for your company; can you see any reason how I might not fit into your corporate culture?

6. Is there anything hindering me from moving forward in the interview process?

7. Where do I go from here? Can you tell me about the rest of the interviewing process?

8. Do you know when I might hear correspondence regarding the next step?

9. Is there any reason why we can't set up the next interview now?

So before you go to an interview, research the company and prepare a list of closing questions. The more work you put into the preparation process, the greater your chance of impressing the interviewer and getting hired!

Surefire Resume Killers That Will Murder Your Career

As a former human resources recruiter with over 10 years experience, I would commonly go through hundreds of resumes for any one particular position. And while it became tedious to sift through the same inadequate pieces of paper over and over, there was always a diamond in the rough.

A resume that stands out can create a sense of urgency for a recruiter to present it to the hiring manager without even calling the candidate first. Of course, that isn't the reality, because we do have to pause and track down the one with the "golden eggsume." Recruiters investigate all candidates to see if they really do match up with the opening.

Now you're asking, "what did that person have on his or her resume to make them stand out?" Simple... they can do the job and the resume reflects that. As much as I would like to just spend time on top candidates, I still want to help the rest of the fold, should they ask why they didn't get chosen. With that, I give you five surefire resume killers that can become deal breakers, in no particular order.

Get Rid of the Fluff - People tend to use too many adjectives (i.e., "fast learner", "hard working") when describing themselves or their experience. Do not be one of those people! Anyone can say they are a "team player". These descriptions are subjective and cannot be proven. We also don't need to know how you helped Bill get to work for a week when his van broke down.

It Isn't a Novel - You do not need to write a paragraph for each job description. I once had a candidate send me a summary of his work experience, as opposed to a nicely formatted section including employment dates, employer, location and title. My hiring manager told me it had to be cleaned up before he would even review it, so I passed the memo along to the candidate and apparently he was too lazy (or offended) to make any edits. Even though he was a fit for our opening, it was on to the next candidate!

Lack of Depth - Write tangible descriptions relating to your skills and duties. Provide numbers or results you produced and quantify the statement with that information. Anything is better than broad statements. They are annoying and a major turn-off for HR people and managers. Data and numbers showcasing your ability to impact the bottom line is what they want to see. So find out how you were able to increase revenue or decrease expenditures for your previous employers and make it known on your resume.

One Title, One Resume - Tailor your resume to the job you are attempting to land and market yourself specifically for this job. Hiring managers are focused on what they need and expect your resume to be geared towards that need. If you are interested in multiple job titles, create multiple versions of your resume. Make sure they are based on the company's job descriptions/titles you apply to and tailor them towards those openings.

Not Enough Buzzwords - Use words from the job posting to customize your resume each time you send it out. If the job posting says "project management," use that same term in your resume as it relates to your experience. Most recruiters are not experts on every single facet of every single opening, so they constantly are seeking out information from actual candidates to further their knowledge about the openings. With that said, try to help them out and put buzzwords onto your resume so they can see that you actually have comparable skills to that job posting. Plus, when recruiters search databases to find your resumes, most of the time they use those same buzzwords.

A superior resume displays your marketable or transferable skills and experience and "pre-sells" you. Not to only gain an interview, but make it so that when you walk in, the interviewer's reaction is: "I've read your resume, and I'm really looking forward to meeting with you." A superior resume puts you ahead of the ever-increasing competition, so you can be confident that you get noticed over the hundreds of other people applying.

JobStickers Podcast #6: Unusual Job Hunting Techniques with Guest Career Expert Mary Sevinsky

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The 6th installment of the MJW Careers' JobSticker's podcast series will be focused on unusual job hunting techniques. In this market, job-seekers need to be creative in order to showcase their skills to potential employers and this podcast will discuss ways to make yourself stand out amongst the competition and to think outside the box with your job hunt. We will be joined by career expert and owner of the firm, Lifeworks, Mary Sevinsky. Her information can be seen on her website, http://www.life-works.info.

On the show, we discussed some tips and don't forget about our Free Resume contest. For more info about these and other great job hunting tips, please visit www.jobstickers.com or our website www.mjwcareers.com.

For more information on the "Free Resume" contest, check out http://mjwcareers.blogspot.com/2011/01/announcing-free-resume-contest.html

Brand: You. Creating and Self-Marketing Yourself to Find a Job During Tough Times

A career brand is an image that portrays you as an expert in your field, attracts your ideal employer, and reveals how you can help their business. How can you promote your career brand effectively, to stand out among increasing competition in the workforce? Self-marketing!

Before you begin self-marketing, you need to understand:
1. What you are going to market about yourself
2. Who you are going to market yourself to
3. Why you are going to market yourself to them

This article offers some important tools to develop your career brand and understand your self-marketing plan.

Goals of Self-Marketing
1. Provide direction to help eliminate trial and error. As a result, save time and money.
2. Network with key industry players.
3. Identify your transferable skills. Marketing these skills, not just job history and accomplishments, puts you in higher demand (i.e., more interviews).
4. Determine what other industries your transferable skills fit into. The industry you are in affects the success of your career. Market yourself in growing industries (green-collar, biotechnology, nutrition, IT). Steer away from dying 5. industries (textile, printing, newspapers, steel manufacturing, etc.).
6. Resolve any setbacks that hurt your career and prevent you from getting interviews. Fix your resume so it does not portray you as "a job hopper", "lacking education", or "unable to advance at a company".

Create Your Own Mission Statement
Just as mission statements provide direction and purpose for companies, individuals can benefit from having their own personal mission statement too.

Your mission statement says what is important to you. Write yours before starting a career to get on the right path and connect with companies that have similar values and beliefs. You can revise it or write a new one at a career crossroads. Its sense of purpose is great motivation!

What to include:
1. Goals - Aspirations in life (short-term and long-term)
2. Core values - Who you are and what your priorities are
3. Successes - Professional, personal, etc.
4. Offerings - How you can make a difference for the world, your family, employer or future employers, friends and community

Integrate Assessments into Your Career Branding
Career and personality assessments reveal consistent patterns in your traits, characteristics, strengths, preferences, and skills. The assessment results may lead you in a new career direction. If you have an established career, they tell you how well your traits and branding messages align with your career path.

Present your distinctive and noteworthy traits to your targeted employers. Remember that not all recurring patterns contribute to good branding (e.g., introversion). Disregard any pattern you feel is not really you.

Incorporate the assessment results into your career branding materials: resume, cover letter, elevator speech, interview responses, portfolio, business card, etc. Convey a consistent branding message throughout all of these materials. But you can use different branding statements for different industries.

Tag! You Are "It"!
Self-marketing is not just about selling your specific skills. Everyone has skills. They get you in the door, but not necessarily get you the job. There can be 100 or more applicants per job posting, and they all have the same or better skills as you. How can you stand out as "the one"?

Develop a tag-line. A great tag-line tells people exactly what a product is and how they will benefit from using it. This is what employers want to know about you! Specifically, how you will help them make and save money. Tell them how much money you helped a previous or current employer make or save on a given project, sale, or time period.

Dear Career Journal...
Did you have a diary or journal when you were young? It helped you express feelings when no one else would listen, or when you did not want anyone else to listen! Similarly, a journal can help and guide us in our professional adult life too.

Writing in a career journal allows you to set aside time to think and learn more about yourself and your career. Just as when you were younger, using a journal allows you to express emotions (good and bad) about career progress. When you read past entries, see how far you have come!

Use your career journal to:
1. Write your personal mission statement
2. React to self-assessment tests
3. Do a SWOT (Strengths/Weaknesses/Opportunities/Threats) analysis
4. Evaluate your current situation
5. Reflect on your successes and failures
6. Devise career goal ideas (breaking into a new career, as a volunteer or consultant)
7. Think about career alternatives
8. Establish daily or weekly career-related objectives or tasks
9. Develop action plans to achieve your objectives and tasks
10. Make checklists
11. Record network contacts, job interview results, etc.
12. Develop job correspondence material (cover letters, resumes, thank you letters, etc.)
13. Practice job interview questions and answers
14. Gather salary information
15. Jot down ideas and information you like and want to use in the future
16. Record things you want or need to learn, skills to improve upon
17. Discover and explore your workplace values
18. Record your job-related likes and dislikes (and employers' likes and dislikes)
19. Note lessons learned
20. Develop ways to improve the workplace
21. Review job-search trends
22. Develop plans for achieving promotions
23. Document the career paths of your peers that you want to emulate
24. Prepare for job performance reviews

Do not keep your career journal at your workplace. Keep it at home on your computer or in a notebook. Try to set a regular time of day to work on your journal, maybe right after work. Maybe before work to get yourself motivated and focused on what you can achieve that day!

Your journal is always ready, and no matter where your career path leads you, you can continue to use it throughout your professional life.

Key Marketing Tools:
Strategic Marketing Plan - Your plan answers these questions:
1. What have I accomplished, where am I now, and where will my career be if I do not take action?
2. Where do I want to go with my career?
3. How do I get to where I want to go?
4. How do I put my plan into action?
5. What do I need to change if I am not getting success?

Market Research
Understand trends in your career field. Consult resources such as the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Outlook Handbook. Interview industry professionals. Study the companies you would like to work for. Use this information for your cover letter, resume and job interview.

Marketing Mix
You are probably already familiar with the 4 P's of marketing, or the "marketing mix". The 4 P's are product, promotion, place, and price. Translate these in terms of you and your career for job search success.

Product
You are the product with unique characteristics, features, and skills. Expose your "product features" in your tag-line and resume. Let employers know your work experience, leadership experience, professional memberships, technical skills, education and training.

Make sure that your on-line marketing tools (i.e., Facebook or Myspace) are cleaned up and employer ready. You do not want a potential employer to see something on your personal networking sites that will land you in trouble.

Do not forget "packaging", to properly present yourself and your credentials to potential employers.

Promotion
This is your cover letter, resume, phone calls, correspondence and interviewing. Promotion tools include anything that you can use to get a job interview and ultimately get a job offer.
Be memorable by utilizing multimedia marketing like email, follow-up phone calls, or try using regular priority mail envelopes to send resumes, cover letters and other "marketing materials". This increases your career brand and distinctiveness.

Place
This includes everywhere employers can access you. How are you reaching employers or people who can connect you with employers?
1. Internet job-searching and applying to job postings
2. Cold calling
3. Networking with current and former coworkers, colleagues and alumni
4. Speaking with recruiters at staffing and employment agencies and company HR departments
5. Visiting your university career centers and alumni offices
6. Attending professional association meetings and seminars

Price
Price includes all aspects of the compensation you can receive from potential employers, as well as your strategies to get the price you want, and that the employer feels you deserve. Your price not only includes salary, but also insurance, benefits, paid time off and perks.

Call in the SWOT Team!
Performing a SWOT Analysis, used in marketing planning, is helpful to use in your career planning. SWOT stands for Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats. It answers:
1. What are your Strengths and Weaknesses (in your internal environment)?
2. What are Opportunities and Threats in your career field (external environment)?

Strengths
Internal, positive aspects which you can capitalize upon, such as:
1. Work experience
2. Education
3. Technical skills and knowledge (e.g., computer skills)
4. Personal characteristics (e.g., superior work ethic)
5. Strong network of contacts
6. Involvement with professional associations and organizations
7. Enjoying what you do

Weaknesses
Internal, negative aspects that you plan on improving, such as:
1. Lack of work experience
2. Inconsistent major with the job you are looking for
3. Lack of specific job knowledge
4. Weak technical knowledge
5. Weak skills (leadership, interpersonal, communication, teamwork)
6. Weak job-hunting skills
7. Negative personal characteristics (e.g., no motivation, indecisiveness, shyness)
8. Weaknesses identified in past performance appraisals

Opportunities
External, positive conditions out of your control, but you plan to leverage or add value:
1. Field trends* that create more jobs (e.g., globalization, technology)
2. Field needs your set of skills
3. Opportunities for advancement in your field
4. Location
5. Strong network

Threats
External, negative conditions out of your control, but you may be able to overcome:
1. Field trends* that diminish jobs (e.g., downsizing, obsolescence)
2. Companies are not hiring people with your major/degree
3. Competition from college graduates with your same degree
4. Competitors with superior skills, experience or knowledge
5. Competitors who attended better schools
6. Limited advancement in your field (too competitive)
7. Limited professional development in your field
8. Find hiring/employment trends in your field. Go on-line to ABI/INFORM, Business News Bank, and Lexis/Nexis.

After completing your SWOT Analysis, add the results to your Strategic Marketing Plan. Also, use your SWOT results to develop the following in your Plan:
1. Career goals
2. Marketing strategies
3. Action plan with deadlines

The Elevator Speech
The Elevator Speech is a clear, concise introduction that can be delivered in the time it takes to ride an elevator from the top to the bottom of a building. It can be as short as 15 seconds or as long as three minutes. Write down your Elevator Speech, and practice it so it comes naturally. Be ready to deliver it!

Use it at:
1. Networking events (including "unconventional" ones, like shopping)
2. Career fairs
3. Cold calls to employers
4. Voice-mails
5. Your current workplace, when you encounter the higher-ups
6. Job interviews when asked, "Why should I hire you?" and "Tell me about yourself"

Your Elevator Speech includes:
1. A greeting
2. Your name
3. Your industry or field
4. Accomplishments, background, qualifications and skills
5. If you are graduating soon, what school and what degree
6. What you want to do and why
7. Why you enjoy what you do or want to do
8. What interests you about the listener's company/business
9. What sets you apart from others
10. Your tag-line that you developed!
11. Your mission statement that you developed!

Finally, capture their interest and request action.
1. At a career fair: "May I have your business card, and give you my card and resume? Can you add me to your company's interview schedule?"
2. Networking: "What advice do you have for me? What employers do you suggest I contact?"
3. On a cold call: "When can we meet to discuss how I can help your company? May I send you my resume?"

JobStickers Podcast #3: Quick Internet Tips to Help Find a Job

LISTEN:


Welcome to the 3rd installment of the MJW Careers' JobSticker's podcast! This week we will be discussing some quick internet tips to help you get started (or continue) your job search.

On the show, we discussed some tips and don't forget about our Free Resume contest. For more info about these and other great job hunting tips, please visit www.jobstickers.com or our website www.mjwcareers.com.

For more information on the "Free Resume" contest, check out http://mjwcareers.blogspot.com/2011/01/announcing-free-resume-contest.html

Internet Links for Job Seekers - General & Niche Job Boards

Links to improve your job search and career focus.

General Job Boards

www.careerbuilder.com

www.monster.com

www.hotjobs.com

www.indeed.com

www.linkedin.com

www.craigslist.org

www.myspace.com

www.gadball.com

www.whatdoyouwantfromthem.com

www.usjobboard.com

www.jobopenings.net

www.twithire.com

www.jobcentral.com

www.bestjobsusa.com

www.jobfox.com

www.wetfeet.com

www.careersite.com

www.careerexposure.com

www.jobbankinfo.org

www.jobrapido.com

www.truecareers.com

www.jobster.com

www.jobofmine.com

www.careerjet.com

www.employmentguide.com

www.job.com

www.justjobs.com

www.simplyhired.com

www.linkup.com

www.nationjob.com

www.jobsearchusa.org

www.jobbankusa.com

Niche Job Boards
Aerospace

www.aeroindustryjobs.com

www.ctsinternational.com

Agriculture/Forestry

www.agcareers.com

www.treecarejobs.com

www.forfarmers.com

www.agindustryjobs.com

Architecture

www.architecturejobs.com

www.e-architect.com

Aviation/Airline

www.faa.gov/jobs

www.avianation.com

www.airlinecareer.com

www.aviationcrossing.com

www.aviationemployment.com

www.aviationjobsearch.com

www.avjobs.com

www.aviationemploymentboard.net

Call Center

www.callcentercareers.com

www.callcenterclassifieds.com

www.callcenterjobs.com

Child Care

www.care.com

www.nannypro.com

www.greataupair.com

www.nannies4hire.com

Communications/Media/PR/Arts/Entertainment

www.talentzoo.com

www.thebiz.variety.com

www.actorsaccess.com

www.krop.com

www.journalismjobs.com

www.washingtonpost.com

www.newsjobs.com

www.prweekjobs.com

www.workinpr.com

www.casinocareers.com

www.jobsinparadise.com

www.proship.com

www.cruiselinejobs.com

www.cruisedreamjob.com

www.creativejobscentral.com

www.nowcasting.com

www.writejobs.com

www.backstage.com

www.tvjobs.com

www.tvandradiojobs.com

www.artjob.org

www.amfmjobs.com

www.massmediajobs.com

www.mediabistro.com

www.careerpage.org

www.getatvjob.com

www.artcareer.net

www.lacasting.com

Construction/Manufacturing/Warehouse

www.mepjobs.com

www.constructionexecutive.com

www.constructionjobs.com

www.jobsinmanufacturing.com

www.warehousejobs.com

www.manufacturingjobs.com

www.hvacagent.com

www.justprojectmanagerjobs.com

www.topbuildingjobs.com

www.infooil.com

www.offshore-marine.com

www.oilandgasjobsonline.com

www.oiljobfinder.com

Contract/Temporary/Freelancers/Home-Based

www.guru.com

www.sologig.com

www.elance.com

www.ifreelance.com

www.gofreelance.com

www.worldwideworkathome.com

www.jobsformoms.com

www.snagajob.com

www.backdoorjobs.com

www.nonprofitoyster.com

www.coolworks.com

www.execsearches.com

www.bridgestar.org

www.xgo.co.uk

www.tides.org

www.opportunityknocks.org

www.jobmonkey.com

www.groovejob.com

www.tjobs.com

www.homeworkers.org

www.net-temps.com

Diversity

www.hirediversity.com

www.diversitysearch.com

www.diversityjobs.com

www.diversityworking.com

www.latpro.com

www.workplacediversity.com

Education

www.eteach.com

www.higheredjobs.com

www.jobsmotion.com/teaching-jobs

www.schoolspring.com

www.teachers-teachers.com

Entry Level/Internships

www.collegerecruiter.com

www.aftercollege.com

www.internjobs.com

www.studentjobs.gov

www.washingtoninternship.com

www.makingthedifference.org

www.summerinternships.com

www.internsearch.com

www.campuscareercenter.com

www.rsinternships.com

www.experience.com

www.collegegrad.com

www.jobweb.com

Environmental/Green/Energy

www.ecoemploy.com

www.environmental-jobs.com

www.energyjobsearch.com

www.greenjobsready.com

www.greencollar.org

www.utilityjobsonline.com

www.greenjobs.com

www.greendreamjobs.com

www.grist.org

www.lowcarbon.com

www.coolclimatejobs.com

www.environmentalcareer.com

www.earthworks-jobs.com

www.ecoemploy.com

www.greenbiz.com

www.environmentjob.co.uk

www.sustainjobs.com

www.stopdodo.com

www.utility-worker.com

www.brightgreentalent.com

www.treehugger.com

www.greatgreencareers.com

www.acre-resources.co.uk

www.ecojobs.com

Fashion/Design

www.aigadesignjobs.org

www.coroflot.com

www.stylecareers.com

www.clothingindustryjobs.com

www.fashioncareercenter.com

Finance/Banking/Accounting

www.eFinancialCareers.com

www.jobsinthemoney.com

www.brokerhunter.com

www.bankjobs.com

www.accountingjobstoday.com

www.careersinaudit.com

www.taxtalent.com

www.careersintax.com

www.careerbank.com

Fitness/Wellness

www.fitnessjobs.com

www.exercisecareers.com

www.ptjobs.com

www.exercisejobs.com

Government

www.governmentjobs.com

www.techexpousa.com

www.fbijobs.gov

www.borderpatrol.gov

www.fedbizopps.gov

www.defensetalent.com

www.hud.gov

www.apps.opm.gov/sppc_directory

www.usmint.gov

www.ustreas.gov

www.recovery.gov

www.usgs.gov

www.brubach.com

www.doi.gov

www.wdrs.fnal.gov

www.govcentral.com

www.usdoj.gov

www.makingthedifference.org

www.studentjobs.gov

www.fws.gov

www.dol.gov

www.senate.gov

www.fda.gov

www.gao.gov

www.whitehouse.gov

www.gpo.gov

www.epa.gov

www.irs.gov

www.atf.gov

www.loc.gov

www.exim.gov

www.faa.gov

www.sealiftcommand.com

www.house.gov

www.nasa.gov

www.usda.gov

www.fcc.gov

www.archives.gov

www.anl.gov

www.nga.gov

www.fdic.gov

www.bnl.gov

www.nih.gov

www.uscourts.gov

www.amtrak.net

www.nlrb.gov

www.dcjobsource.com

www.fbo.gov

www.nhtsa.dot.gov

www.fec.gov

www.noaa.gov

www.bop.gov

www.fema.gov

www.nps.gov

www.census.gov

www.opm.gov

www.ferc.gov

www.nsf.gov

www.cms.hhs.gov

www.dfid.gov.uk

www.cia.gov

www.nsa.gov

www.federalreserve.gov

www.usaid.gov

www.ntsb.gov

www.ftc.gov

www.nrc.gov

www.cftc.gov

www.ed.gov

www.state.gov

www.ornl.gov

www.hhs.gov

www.opic.gov

www.cbo.gov

www.uspto.gov

www.dhs.gov

www.peacecorps.gov

www.cpsc.gov

www.va.gov

www.go-defense.com

www.usajobs.gov

www.sihr.si.edu

www.pbgc.gov

www.ssa.gov

www.supremecourtus.gov

www.nationalservice.gov

www.tsa.gov

www.govtjobs.com

www.usps.com

www.dla.mil

www.sec.gov

www.clearancejobs.com

www.cbp.gov

Hospitality/Food/Restaurant

www.hcareers.com

www.fastfoodjobs.co.uk

www.hsuperstars.com

www.hospitalityonline.com

www.mycateringjobs.com

www.hoteljobs.com

www.foodindustryjobs.com

www.foodindustrycareers.co.uk

www.starchefsjobfinder.com

www.foodservice.com

www.caterer.com

Human Resources/Recruiting

www.jobs4hr.com

www.ihirehr.com

www.shrm.org

www.ere.net

www.workforcehrjobs.com

www.recruitingjobs.com

Insurance/Underwriting

www.greatinsurancejobs.com

www.insuranceunderwritingweb.com

www.underwritingjobs.com

www.insurancejobs.com

www.ultimateinsurancejobs.com

International Development

www.devex.com

www.dev-zone.org

www.eldis.org

www.developmentaid.org

www.fpa.org

www.comminit.com

www.aic2000.org

www.hacesfalta.com

www.bond.org.uk

www.thirdsector.co.uk

www.tol.cz

www.ap.urscorp.com

www.icsc.un.org

www.overseasjobs.com

www.microfinancegateway.org

www.uvm.edu

www.intljobs.org

www.internationaljobs.org

www.oneworld.net

www.vso.org.uk

www.interaction.org

www.careersunited.org

www.globalrecruitment.net

www.devnetjobs.org

www.alertnet.org

www.idealist.org

www.devj.net

IT/Engineering

www.dice.com

www.theitjobboard.com

www.computerwork.com

www.gjc.org

www.databasejobs.com

www.engineerjobs.com

www.engineerjobsearch.com

www.dbjobs.org

www.prgjobs.com

www.tech-centric.net

www.justtechjobs.com

www.computerjobs.com

www.engcen.com

Law

www.lawjobs.com

www.attorneyjobs.com

www.emplawyernet.com

www.lawcrossing.com

Law Enforcement

www.911hotjobs.com

www.lawenforcementjobs.com

www.policeemployment.com

Leisure

www.leisurejobs.com

Linguists

www.toplanguagejobs.co.uk

www.jobsmotion.com/all-jobs/multilingual-jobs

Logistics/Distribution/Drivers

www.jobsinlogistics.com

www.classadrivers.com

www.supplychainjobs.com

www.everytruckjob.com

www.jobsintrucks.com

www.nationaltruckdrivingjobs.com

www.jobsinmanufacturing.com

www.maritimejobs.com

MBAs/Executives

www.MBACareers.com

www.6figurejobs.com

www.execsearches.com

www.theladders.com

www.execunet.com

Medical/Bio/Pharmaceutical/Healthcare

www.medzilla.com

www.biohealthmatics.com

www.globalhealth.org

www.practicematch.com

www.medicalworkers.com

www.healthcareerweb.com

www.pharmadiversityjobboard.com

www.careerpharm.com

www.hospitaljobsonline.com

www.therapyjobs.com

www.rxcareercenter.com

www.healthecareers.com

www.healthjobsusa.com

www.medhunters.com

www.medicalworkers.com

www.biospace.com

www.hospitaljobsonline.com

Military

www.destinygrp.com

www.militarystars.com

www.hireahero.org

www.marineea.org

www.militarycandidates.com

www.military.com/spouse

www.defensetalent.com

www.corporategrayonline.com

www.recruitmilitary.com

www.vetjobs.com

www.militaryjobzone.com

www.va.gov

www.moaa.org

www.army.mil

www.uscg.mil

www.military.com

www.taonline.com

www.afcrossroads.com

www.armypays.com

Mining

www.miningjobs.org

www.minejob.com

www.miscojobs.com

Non-Profit/Volunteer

www.idealist.org

www.backdoorjobs.com

www.volunteermatch.org

www.nonprofitjobs.org

www.reliefweb.int

www.charityjob.co.uk

www.alertnet.org

www.unjobs.org

www.nonprofit-jobs.org

www.opportunitynocs.org

Nursing

www.allnurses.com

www.nursingjobs.com

www.nursingjobs.org

www.expedientmedstaff.com

www.jobsmotion.com/nursing-jobs

www.nursing-jobs.us

Retail

www.allretailjobs.com

www.clothingindustryjobs.com

www.fashioncareercenter.com

Retirees

www.retirementjobs.com

www.retireandconsult.com

www.seniorjobbank.org

Sales/Marketing/Advertising

www.salesjobs.com

www.salestrax.com

www.topsalespositions.com

www.acareerinsales.com

www.marketingjobs.com

www.salesheads.com

www.jobs4sales.com

www.marketingjobs.com

www.talentzoo.com

Science

www.nature.com

www.sciencejobs.org

www.scjobs.sciencemag.org

Security

www.securityjobs.net

www.clearancejobs.com

www.clearedconnections.com

Sports

www.jobsinsports.com

www.sportscareerfinder.com

www.teamworkonline.com

www.workinsports.com

Telecommunications

www.telecomcareers.net

www.tech-centric.net

www.wirelessjobs.com

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Make Networking Work for You in 2011

Are you are someone who says, “I HATE networking”? Why? Maybe you feel intimidated, are too shy, lack confidence, or do not know what to say.

In addition to getting someone you know to introduce you to someone you do not know, networking means you do the same for other people. As you network, keep in mind jobs for which other people are looking. You may be able to help some of them get a new job or career. They may return the favor in the future!

Whether you like to or not, networking is a crucial component in career success. We promise, the more networking you do, the easier it becomes! So get out there and start now! The sooner you start, the sooner you are able to do it with ease. Here we offer tips for taking the “work” out of networking!

Networking is Easy! Just Remember, “Own It”!

Objective: Set your objective. Meet (X) number of people in (X) amount of time (per day/week/month) and swap (X) number of business cards.
When/Where: Schedule informal meetings with them including an agenda (talking points). Prepare a “script” to make speaking via phone more comfortable.
Notify: Notify them of your goals, skills, experience and accomplishments.
Inquire: Ask for advice, information and contacts. Do not ask directly for a job!
Take Away: Obtain at least two more names from them that you can contact.

• Update your resume and have it ready to distribute! If you do not have them already, get business cards. Sign up for deal alerts on VistaPrint.com, wait for Vista Print to offer a free business card deal, and order them!

• Be clear about who you are and what you want.
○ If you are wishy-washy when people ask what kind of job you are looking for, it only makes it harder for them to help you.
○ Never respond with, “I’ll do any job!” It not only makes you look desperate, but unsure about your career.
○ If your job preferences vary between industries, that is OK.
○ Determine if there is anything you are willing to compromise. (Perhaps, relocation?)

• Make sure your online marketing tools (e.g., Facebook or MySpace) are cleaned up and employer-ready. You do not want a potential employer to see something on your social networking sites that might land you in trouble.

• First tell the people closest in your life that you need a job. You gain the confidence to approach others later. Inform parents, siblings, parent’s friends, professors, career services at your college, past colleagues and bosses. Set up a face-to-face meeting to show that you are taking your networking seriously. This also helps them remember to mention you when they encounter a prospective employer.

Some Spots Online Where People Are Networking...And You Should Too

Always be networking! Network online and search for networks you are familiar with, depending on your profession. Use the following sites for researching and networking with business professionals, including companies and their employees:

• Ecademy
• Facebook
• iKarma
• Jigsaw
• LinkedIn
• MySpace
• NetworkingForProfessionals.com
• Ryze
• Spoke
• Twitter
• Xing
• Ziggs
• ZoomInfo

Join groups on Facebook, Yahoo Groups and LinkedIn and go onto Meetup.com, Eventful.com, and EventBrite.com to find groups related to your profession and network with those people. Tweet about the networking events on Twitter to get the word out there for others!

Experiencing Multiple Layoffs & Finding Help

Unfortunately, consecutive recent layoffs or settling for a lower income is becoming more common nowadays. Many Americans have lost two jobs in the past two years. This includes more high-level executives and management.

Those who have experienced multiple layoffs are usually willing to settle for less. With more executive-level employees losing their jobs, people with repeated layoffs have a harder time proving their worth to hiring managers. Many businesses view such individuals as lacking capability and integrity, rather than as victims of a recession.

Remedies for Repeat Job Loss
• Attend training to refresh outdated skills
• Consider a new location, industry or profession
• Keep your best contacts in the loop about your job hunt and make sure they have the latest version of your resume
• Send expert tips, information and newsletters on topics you know well to potential employers. Offer to take questions or give advice as a virtual consultant.
• Create a personal website focused on potential employers*
• Use an outplacement service or career coach, like you are now!

*A customized Web page (on your Website) highlighting your relevance to a specific company is a great way to attract attention. Give hiring managers a private link to this Web page, (for that company’s eyes only!). Describe how your experience would benefit their particular business and the issues they face.

Fighting the Stigma
You can fight the stigma of back-to-back layoffs by giving a sincere explanation during interviews: "I have been laid off twice in the worst economy in 50 years."

Before starting your job hunt, you must overcome any anger about your recurring joblessness. If you have negative feelings, those emotions are reflected in your job interviews. Do not sound desperate, but be positive and enthusiastic!

Try helping the less fortunate to neutralize such negative feelings during your job search. Charity efforts can tap into your key skills (e.g., project management, networking, marketing, organizing, etc.) and rebuild confidence. They are a great resume builder too! It shows you are doing something productive (in addition to other job hunting tasks) during your time out of work.

Find a volunteer activity involving a company where you want to work. Your participation allows you to network with employees and a get a sense of whether you fit into their culture. In making this effort to understand a possible employer, talk with vendors, competitors and former employees. Use this research to discuss the company's challenges when interviewing.

Surviving Multiple Interviews
One challenge for victims of multiple recent layoffs is surviving multiple interviews. As the applicant pool gets smaller with each round, people with recent repeat layoffs may be at a disadvantage.

Tell them about your skills that are better than others or that others probably do not have! For example, emphasize your frequent international business trips. Supply details about work with various country managers and customized efforts based on culture and market conditions.

Have perseverance! Even if you are turned down, stay positive and keep pressing on with your job search. Stay in touch with all potential employers. Circumstances may change for the hiring manager (e.g., the person they did hire ended up not taking the job).


Finding Help
Getting laid off may require using state services that you have never used before. Here are some starting places for finding help. (Most of the websites below are for North Carolina. Go online for corresponding websites for your state.)

Am I eligible for unemployment insurance benefits? If you have lost your job through no fault of your own, you may be eligible. Visit your state’s Employment Security Commission website. For example, North Carolina’s is:
http://www.ncesc.com/individual/UI/UiClaims2.asp

How do I file for unemployment insurance benefits?
There are three options:
• Online: https://www.ncesc.com/individual/webInitialClaims/applyBegin.asp?init=true
• By telephone: 1-877-841-9617 (toll free, 24 hours a day, seven days a week)
• In person: At your nearest Employment Security Commission (ESC) office http://www.ncesc1.com/locator/locatormain.asp

How do I start my search for a new job? While a newspaper provides lots of independent job-seeking ideas, your local ESC office and JobLink Career Center staff can help you locate new employment possibilities and prepare to apply for jobs.

Find your nearest JobLink location at:
http://www.nccommerce.com/en/WorkforceServices/FindInformationForIndividuals/JobLinkCareerCenters

I need training to move into a new career, but how can I pay for training without a job? Look for opportunities within your community and visit these websites:

Apprenticeships:
http://www.nclabor.com/appren/appindex.htm

Financial Aid:
www.cfnc.org

Free Online Training:
http://www.gcflearnfree.org
http://www.microsoft.com/ElevateAmerica

Service Obligation Loans:
http://www.cfnc.org/paying/schol/info_career.jsp
Trade Adjustment Act:
http://www.ncesc.com/individual/training/TAA.asp

Workforce Investment Act:
http://www.nccommerce.com/en/WorkforceServices/FindInformationForIndividuals/DislocatedWorkerToolkit/EmploymentTraining

How to Cope with Job Loss

Losing a job can lead to negative feelings (inadequacy, embarrassment, insecurity and devastation). Recovery can take time, making it easy to become depressed or anxious. Learning how to cope with job loss is crucial for avoiding this. It can lead to an even better future, like undiscovered opportunities or a new career path that you may not have thought about otherwise!

7 Supportive Steps
1. Try not to panic or get overwhelmed. Realize this is an opportunity and move on.
2. Allow yourself to experience natural feelings of denial, anger and grief.
3. Accept what happened. It was just a job; now look to the future.
4. Embrace your forced vacation. Relax, do projects around the house you have been neglecting, visit family or volunteer.
5. Stop all unnecessary purchases. New clothes, eating out, movies and other little luxuries add up quickly!
6. Start thinking about your next career. Update your resume, network and take classes that refresh your skills or prepare you for a new career path.
7. Start your job search. Contact employment agencies, find recruiters, search the Internet, check the classifieds and let people know you are ready for work.

Stress Relievers
Channeling any negative energy into something positive really helps fight off stress. Here are some stress relievers to try. Do what you enjoy and what works for you:
Exercise, walk, do yoga or Pilates
Help others or volunteer
Get a massage
Go back to church, practice your faith
Talk with others
Write in a journal (like in your Career Journal!)
Meditate and breathe deep – try saying "woosah" with your eyes closed
Play games and laugh
Listen to your favorite music or relaxing music
Plant a garden
Eat a balanced, healthy diet
Reduce caffeine and alcohol intake
Do not procrastinate

Calming Down During a Panic or Anxiety Attack
One of the most effective methods is deep breathing. The following exercise physically and mentally calms you. Putting your focus on the breathing and taking it off the anxiety makes the anxiety go away:
Breathe through your nose for a slow 1-2-3 count.
Hold your breath for a slow 1-2-3 count.
Exhale for a slow 1-2-3 count. Do this as long as you want; it really helps.
Stop the anxious thought and replace it with a more calming thought (weekend plans, a family trip, etc.). Or focus on something else: count backwards from 100 by 3's, say the alphabet backwards, focus on an object around you, etc.
If possible have someone you know/trust talk to you and comfort you.
Tense the various muscles in your body for a few seconds and then release, allowing yourself to relax.
If you are able to stand, get up and walk around slowly, while "slowly" deep breathing (change of focus).
Do not lock your jaws together; this worsens any nausea in your panic attack. Relaxing your face helps.

Negative Emotions
For most of us, job loss has a devastating emotional impact. You may experience some of the following emotions.
Rejection, failure, or a sense that you did a poor job
Embarrassment or weakened identity from no longer earning an income
Anger towards yourself, your former employer, the situation, the economy, etc.
Fear or anxiety about the future, your career, your ability to pay immediate financial needs and provide for your family
Depression, which can result in even more challenges for finding a new job (changes in eating/sleeping habits, low energy, avoiding people, neglecting hygiene and appearance)
Stress over any or all of the above emotions

Dealing with Negative Emotions
Any of these feelings are a normal response to job loss, but you must decide how to handle them. If you recently lost your job, you will come across people who recently lost theirs too, which can cause more stress. Job loss is always occurring, you just did not notice because it did not affect you personally. Ignore the fact that everyone around you is unemployed. Focus on yourself. Everyone has lost a job at some point, so do not take it personally. You are not the only one, although it may feel like it now.

You must make a choice when you lose a job: dwell on it or move on. Choose to move on! Feel the pain and then do something about it. Get yourself recharged and head out in full gear for the next lucky employer to see your value. You may realize one day, that this job loss is a blessing in disguise. Many times they are! Everything happens for a reason. So if you lose your job, pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and get back out there!


Coping Strategies
If your job loss was because of performance, learn from it for your future employment. If it was a layoff, it was out of your control. Company reorganization can result in eliminated positions.
Acknowledge your emotions, do not hide them. Take a few days to relax, recover and regroup.
Get support from friends, family and professional colleagues. Maintain the human contact and interaction like you had at work. Do not isolate yourself.
Maintain a healthy diet and avoid alcohol and drugs.
Maintain a positive attitude and receive positive outcomes. It drives you to do better and go farther. Even if you did not get a job today, you may tomorrow!
Finding a job is your full-time job now. When do you get a job, keep looking once in awhile. Always keep your options open.
If you feel depressed, (increased anger, changes in sleeping/eating, hopelessness or sadness) for longer than a week, seek professional help.
Networking is emotionally satisfying and the most effective job search technique. Instead of dwelling on your job loss, you are actively eliminating the cause of your stress. Networking gives you face-to-face human interaction, new friends, new conversation, information and insight!
During your job hunt, keep a calendar with you daily schedule. This really helps you organize, focus and execute your job search. Anything on paper (or Yahoo calendar) is easier to follow than a schedule in your head. You will be prepared and looking forward to upcoming events and tasks.

Play to Your Strengths
Even during a recession, people still have needs to be met. Ask yourself, “What are my career strengths and how can they be helpful to others?” This may mean branching into a related field that requires the same skill-set, or perhaps learning a new set of skills for a related job. You may even start your own business.

Career Counseling
If you experience difficulty in adjusting to unemployed life (job searching, cutting back expenses, etc.) or you feel lost in what direction to take your life, consider seeking the services of a professional life coach or psychotherapist. They can help you escape an emotional rut, and help you recognize your personal strengths and envision your true potential!

Job Loss Counseling: You’ve Been Laid Off?! Now What?!

Overview
A common question most people who find themselves at high risk for a job loss is, “What am I going to do next?” This is a good question and the first step towards persevering through a challenging period in one's life. However, overcoming a job loss depends on you handle this tough question. For instance, do not send out an outdated resume, but get your marketing strategies and proper collateral in place so you can set yourself up for success sooner than later.

Fear Factor
It is typical for most people to respond to the question, “What I am going to do next?” with apprehension. Responding to this potential life-changing question with fear is not the answer. Yes, you have bills to pay, a mortgage, a car loan… Perhaps you have kids in college. These are all real concerns, but do not just jump to the next job that comes along. Make a decision after a thorough review of your economic situation and prospects.

Back to Basics
Cutting back on expenses is the most challenging part of successfully preparing for a potential job loss. Anything involving change usually scares people, even in a time of crisis. It is easy to go into denial about your job security and financial matters, but you must address your expenses to prepare for a job loss.

Figure out unnecessary expenses, such as additional features on your cable services or cell plan. Think about things that usually go to waste, like not finishing food before its expiration date. Realize your spending habits, break them down and adjust them where necessary. This may be overwhelming at first, but once you start you will be eager to see where you can save money and stop bad spending habits.

Talk with your whole family about expenses that need to be spared, until you are back in a more secure position. Look at your spending in the last two months on your bank or credit card statement. Some organize your spending history by type of expense. There are also programs like Microsoft® Money, which help track and budget your expenses.

Researching a Prospective Employer & Using a Combination of Strategies

Researching a Prospective Employer
To write a customized résumé and cover letter for a job position, you need to know about the company advertising it. Research to find out:
• What does the company do?
• How did the organization get started?
• What are its products and services?
• What are the company’s plans?
• Does it appear to be in good financial shape?
• What are some of the industry trends that affect this organization?
• What are some of the organization’s greatest challenges?

Find their website using a search engine like Google. You can also call the company and ask for their Website address. It is often listed in business journals, the Yellow Pages and on company brochures and business cards. If you do not have access to the Internet, use a computer at a public library, your state’s JobLink Career Center or college career center.

You can also learn about the organization by asking questions of people who already work there. People in your network may also be able to provide you with names of people within the organization who could talk with you.

Using a Combination of Strategies
Using a combination of methods is essential for a successful job search; you cannot just do one thing anymore. Develop a strategy that works best for the occupation you are seeking. Consult with people in your field or with a career counselor to see what they suggest.
• If we have not said it enough already, network! The more people who know you are looking for work, the better your chances of finding work.
• Use Internet search engines, job board sites, company websites, industry specific websites, blogs and social networking sites. Reference: See our Internet as a Source document for more details.
• After researching a business, call and ask to speak with the hiring manager directly, inquire about possible openings and ask to set up an appointment.
• Register with your local JobLink Career Center, Employment Security office or other employment placement agency. (Some private agencies may charge a fee.)
• Attend local and school job fairs.
• Search job postings in newspapers, professional/trade journals and other publications.
• Look in the business section in the paper for companies moving into the area, expanding operations or have received patent approvals or other awards; these companies are probably hiring.
• Take a drive through nearby industrial parks, shopping centers and office complexes for worthy companies you can contact.

Job Hunting? Here Are Some Webcasts That Can Help You!

The following is a list of online webcasts provided by third-party companies who are proven experts in the field of human capital management. Check into appropriate listings that suit your job hunting needs.

• http://www.astd.org/content/careers/Careerwebcasts.htm
• http://www.beyondthejob.org
• http://www.careerbuilder.com/jobposter/events/webinar
• http://www.citrix.com
• http://www.elt-inc.com/news/webinars.html
• http://www.ere.net/webinars
• http://www.humancapitalinstitute.net
• http://www.inter.viewcentral.com/events/cust/catalog.aspx?cid=monster&pid=1&signupkey=cthq&lid=4
• http://www.peopleclick.com/resources/webcasts.asp
• http://www.taleo.com
• http://www.technet.microsoft.com/en-ca/cc837417.aspx

Tips for Avoiding Recruiters’ Blacklists

There are reasons why recruiters or hiring managers do not call back some job seekers: blacklists! In today’s tough job market, desperate job seekers are pursuing what little jobs are available. Hiring managers have plenty of applicants to choose from, so they are justifiably selective and quick to record any negatives they discover.

If you are blacklisted, recruiters do not submit you to jobs today, even years from now. Even if you are not on an actual “list”, recruiters do remember if you left a bad impression. They also pass the word along to fellow recruiters, and they remember bad candidates even if they change companies.

Do’s and Don’ts
Recruiters never want to hire any of the 3 L’s: liars, losers and loners. Prove that you are none of those by following these tips:
• DO NOT lie about or exaggerate your experience. Outright lying about experience or skills that you do not have guarantees you a spot on the blacklist.
• DO NOT pit fellow recruiters against each other. Contrary to what you might think, it does not increase your chances of getting a job. You can work with more than one recruiter, but not ones at the same company, unless they are at different office locations (e.g., MJW Careers Wilmington and MJW Careers Raleigh).
• DO NOT mass distribute your resume. Applying to too many jobs with the same recruiter or company makes you look unfocused and creates unnecessary work for them. Make every job application a meaningful one.
• DO remain courteous and professional, even if your recruiter is not. They are dealing with tons of applicants, so do not take unreturned phone calls or missed interviews personally. Do not attack your recruiter for this behavior; it only leaves a bad impression of you.
• DO always be interview-ready. Every conversation with a recruiter is an interview, even a casual chat at a networking event. Always be discussing your qualifications. What you may consider harmless joking, might rub your recruiter the wrong way.
• DO clean up your online presence. Recruiters check LinkedIn, Facebook, Google, etc. Even if it is old, if it is inappropriate, get rid of it.
• DO communicate what job you are looking for. Having a good relationship with recruiters does not mean you have to accept every job they present. If you are not interested, say so; it saves everyone time.
• DO build relationships with recruiters. Always keep your job options open, whether you are employed or not. This means keeping in touch recruiters at all times.

More Turnoffs
• Forgetting or missing scheduled interviews
• Making a faux pas during an interview
• Handling rejection badly
• Rejecting an opportunity after extensive efforts by a recruiter to arrange it for you
• Taking a counteroffer from another company
• Demonstrating poor business skills
• Publicly criticizing other people or companies
• Failing a background check (in which you cannot re-apply for a certain time period)

Removing Your Name from a “Do Not Hire” List
Negative notations beside your name can seriously derail your job search. Unfortunately, it is also very hard to discover or remove a bad mark. With so many candidates today, recruiters and hiring managers are even less forgiving. Getting back on their good side requires some extra effort.

Finding Out
• Speak to key internal contacts and colleagues
• Ask a reference-checking service to find out if a previous boss made unfair remarks about you

Correcting the Situation
• Demonstrate your true reliability and professionalism
• Offer detailed information about candidates for a different job opening and conduct extra reference checks as a courtesy
• Treat them to lunch or coffee
• Request honest feedback about becoming a stronger candidate next time
• Review a background check used to reject you and remove inaccurate records
• Consider switching industries or locations
Contact MJW Careers to revise your possible misleading resume

Guerrilla Marketing for Job Hunters

As competition grows in this ailing economy, guerilla marketing is a new alternative. Just make sure the company culture accepts your methods, so they think you are clever and not crazy! Think of original ways to market yourself in a creative manner. You can get the job you want by not doing what everyone else is doing! Stand out!

Billboards
Place your picture and a brief career summary on a billboard. Although expensive, it shows employers your creativity, passion and drive to land the perfect job.

Personal Resume Website
Create a website tailored towards your skills and resume. Some can be expensive, but the chances on being found increase due to the Internet being used a main search tool for recruiters. Post a portfolio of projects you have worked on to show skills you can offer to a prospective employer.

Windshield Marketing
Distribute flyers on cars promoting yourself, skill sets or resume.

Donuts and Breakfast
Bring the office donuts or breakfast every Friday, specifically to the department where you want to work. They get to know you and your work ethic better. This is a popular practice of clients and vendors to stay fresh in the company’s mind.

T-shirt Promotion
Use a single-shirt maker service such as Cafepress.com, to create a piece of apparel that highlights your career assets and credentials.

Sandwich Boards
Stand (or dance!) on a street corner with a sign presenting your credentials or career summary. Make sure it is a popular and SAFE corner.

Job Hunting Advice: Experiential Learning

Consider experiential, work-based learning to learn more about occupations that interest you. This can be done through internships, volunteering, part-time jobs, study abroad and more.

Gaining experience, while exploring career options, gives you a head start on your future career. Local schools and colleges offer many of these programs. Find more by searching the Internet and contacting businesses and organizations in your community.

Work-based learning is also beneficial if you want or need to change careers. Use your skills and gain new ones while building your job search network.

Participating in work-based learning opportunities gives you an edge when applying for jobs. Not only do you gain valuable work experience, but it offers a world of networking opportunities. Hiring managers always look upon this experience favorably. If you are recently laid off, this is a resourceful way to spend time away from work.

Internships
Internships allow you to observe and perform actual job duties that interest you, similar to a regular employee. Companies usually provide interns more help and guidance while training and may also help you land a full-time job upon completion of the internship. They may even provide a mentor that can support your career decisions and goals.

Employers like to hire people with experience, especially from within the company, including their most successful interns. Internships are typically available to college students in a related major, but companies do hire non-students for internships.

Internships are paid or unpaid and may be eligible for academic credit at a high school or college. They usually last for a couple of weeks to several months.

Cooperative Education and School-Based Enterprises
Cooperative education (“co-op”) is run by individual schools as part of their vocational education programs. Students gain academic credit by working part-time jobs during the school year in their vocational field. The jobs are arranged by their instructor or by the school's co-op coordinator. It follows a training plan that states what the student is expected to learn and what the employer is expected to provide. Business and marketing education programs are generally the largest sponsors of co-ops.

In school-based enterprises, students produce goods or services for other people. Such enterprises include school restaurants, construction projects, child care centers, auto repair shops, hair salons, and retail stores. They prepare students for the transition from school to work or college. They provide a first work experience or an opportunity to build management, supervision and leadership skills.

These programs differ from co-ops and apprenticeships in that they do not place students with employers. Rather, it allows students to apply their classroom knowledge to running real-world businesses. School-based enterprises are a practical option in communities where there are too few employers to provide sufficient jobs and training opportunities in the private sector.

Apprenticeships
These programs offer a combination of academic instruction, structured vocational training and paid work experience, usually lasting one to two years. These programs are offered through employers in collaboration with your state’s Department of Labor and Department of Public Instruction.

Military
Some military veterans and certain members of the Reserve/National Guard may be eligible for educational assistance for state-approved apprenticeships in addition to their VA benefits. To see if you are eligible for GI benefits, contact the Department of Veterans Affairs at 1-888-GIBILL-1 (1-800-442-4551) or visit http://www.gibill.va.gov.

Job Shadowing
This is when you spend a day (or part of a day) at work with someone in a career that interests you. You follow that person throughout the workday and observe what his/her tasks and skills required for the job, experience the work environment and interact with other people who currently work in your potential career field. At appropriate times during the day, ask questions about the work and make a list of possible questions in advance while noting other questions that come up during the day. Job shadowing may not give you a complete picture of a job or career, but it at least gives you a sneak preview.

Volunteering
Volunteering is a good way to experience many careers. Volunteer opportunities are available everywhere: businesses, hospitals, schools, government agencies and community and nonprofit organizations. In some cases, you may be able to do the specific job that interests you. For jobs that require more education or training, ask the supervisor to place you in a related job that still exposes you to your career interests. Check for opportunities at your library and in your local newspaper.

Part-Time Jobs
Working teaches you a lot about your interests and helps you develop skills for many careers while earning some money for school and living expenses. Many part-time jobs do not require a lot of training and skill to get started. Part-time is typically considered anything less than 40 hours a week.

Job Hunting Help: Tapping Into the Hidden Job Market

For every employer who must downsize, there is an employer who needs to hire the right person for the right job. In any circumstance, businesses are always hiring someone that can make them profitable now!

“We have a hiring freeze,” does not mean they are not hiring. It means they are not increasing their headcount. Every year has 20-25% turnover, so in a 1,000-employee company, 200-250 people are going to turn over naturally. Those companies are still hiring but they may not tell you. In fact, 80% of jobs are not publicly advertised.

Networking is crucial for finding the hidden job market. Use your current network and the following contacts.

Contacts in the Hidden Job Market
• Companies you have interviewed with in the past. If you were close to getting a job there, go back and see if they have any current openings. They are glad to re-consider you.
• Previous managers and co-workers. They already know your worth, making easier to recommend you to others. If you are still employed, make sure they are individuals who honor that confidentiality.
• Members of organizations you were active in: fraternities, sororities, professional business associations, charity groups, fundraisers, athletic clubs, etc. In addition, contact their local sponsors. Find the employers, which in turn lead you to the jobs.
• Recruiters focused on your industry. Give them candidate referrals and they will help you in your job search. The nature of their work makes them an invaluable source of information and contacts.
• Business organizations in your field. Join them and more importantly, stay involved. Join committees, become a committee leader or get on the Board of Directors. You meet relevant people while creating a brand for yourself showing your commitment to your industry.
• Non-profit organizations, especially if you are in the private sector. They value talent from any industry to help with management, marketing, sales and consulting. Target organizations which support your passion or cause. Visit http://npo.net/.
• Government sector: the Peace Corps, the FBI, the security division or local government. They pay great benefits and pensions. Their pay scale and number of jobs has increased from the stimulus package. There will be sufficient jobs available until our economy gets stronger.
• Your own advisory board of mentors. Connect with a few individuals within your industry with whom you respect and can contact to guide you through your career.
• Companies that accept volunteers. They will appreciate your help. Act as you would if you were being interviewed; they are considering you as a future employee.
• International companies opening locations in your area. Building their staff with local talent saves them money (no relocation expenses). Applying directly with them also saves them recruiting costs. They also benefit from employees who know about the area and its market.

Make Job Hunting Your Number One Priority

Finding a job is your job right now. So work 8 hours a day doing something relating to your job search and self-marketing. The more you put yourself out there, the higher the chances of being seen.

Ways to make your job search a full-time job:
• Stick to a daily schedule. Create a to-do list and cross them off as you go; this gives you a sense of accomplishment even during down-times.
• Check job boards daily and see if any new jobs were posted, in case your alert notification service missed anything.
• Send printed resumes in the mail. Few people do this any more, which is why it is effective for you.
• Target companies you want to work for and know where you can add value, then network or market yourself into an interview.
• Contact recruiters and temporary work agencies. Recruiters work for you and the good ones do not charge you to help you find employment. However, do not bug recruiters constantly. If they need someone with your skills, they will call you. They might not have an opening right away that fits your qualifications, but if they do, they will call you.
• Only apply to the openings that fit within your realm. Recruiters do get the "jack of all trades" candidates who, in actuality, only fit the bill for one or two jobs at most. So be aware of your resume submissions. Do not market yourself as a “jack of all trades” or a “fast learner”. Market yourself as an expert in a certain industry/field. Hiring managers are not going to figure out where you might fit, they want to know if you fit their immediate need.
• Apply to higher positions than your current position. For your next job, why not go from a rank-and-file worker to a manager? If you are an exempt or professional worker, set your sights high and become a leader.
• Follow the job posting directions and make sure you do what they tell you to do, if you want to apply to their job. They implement rules for a reason.
• Read industry magazines. Keep up with trends and developments in your field.
• Network with industry experts and other people that can help you find a job and create your own advisory board to consult with when you need information or assistance.
• Create an online presence. Sign up for industry blogs, social networking sites and career sites.
• In a worst-case scenario, be flexible to relocating. It is a part of job hunting these days.

Right Place, Right Time…Right Person
Right place: Any place can be the right place, so make the most of where ever you are. An interview, career fair, career mixer, even the grocery store can be a networking opportunity that can turn into a new job or career.

Right time: It is always the right time. Whether they are hiring or advertising a position or not, network with the company decision makers.

Right person: Find the top 10 companies you want to work for and prioritize them. Research the company’s senior management on LinkedIn and Google. Contact them via LinkedIn, their company email, or call the company and ask to speak to them directly.

If you reach someone who can tell you about what the hiring manager is looking for, ask them:
• What are they looking for in a candidate?
• What are they definitely not looking for?
• What turns them off about a candidate?
• Are they having any issues in filling this position?

Once you reach the hiring manager, give them your elevator speech. It is very difficult because you are writing (a resume, cover letter or email) or talking to someone you do not know. So it must be customized for the position they are filling!

Interview Advice: Post Interviewing Tips

Post-Interview
• You did you best, now remember to let it go.
• Always follow-up an interview with a “Thank You” letter within 24-48 hours.
• Understand that the interview is just part of the job search process and there may be many subsequent meetings.
• Never accept or reject a job until it is offered to you and you have weighed out your options, including their offer package.
• Maintain relations with the company via email or mail every other month. They may need you six months or even a year from now.
• Do not get upset if you do not get the job. Interviewing always gives you good practice and new contacts in the process.
• Do not badger them with phone calls if they have decided to hire another candidate. They get plenty of phone calls from candidates and it can become irritating to get calls all the time from someone they cannot place into a job at the moment.

Correspondence Tips
• Start off with, “I hope all is well.”
• Use salutations such as, “Best regards” or “Warm regards”.
• Always include your contact information.
• Be kind, positive and thankful.
• Show your relevant interest in the job.
• Show your appreciation of the correspondence and interview they provided.
• Reiterate your skills or any important information you might have not provided while interviewing.
• Remind them about some key highlights that occurred during the interview.
• Update them with important information they might have requested.
• Convince them as to why you are the solution to their human capital needs.

Follow these tips to help create great post-interview acumen. Your contribution to the hiring process never ends directly after the interview. Just make sure to not abuse or overdue it and to be respective towards the company.