Jobs 101 - The Resource for Job Seekers
Welcome to our website!
You will find all sorts of very important and useful information about finding and getting your dream job. From resumes to interviews, this website will help you on your path to career success!
The unique information here will help you in considering a very important decision that can have a large impact on your life.
Recommended Career & Job Resources:
Latest Career & Job News
Secrets of the Job Hunt
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01/06/2009 10:01 AM
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Why Do I Even Need a Resume?
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Spend a little time in the wonderful world of resume writing, and you will find that it is a far more complex place than most people realize. Back in my college days, I distinctly remember the two extremes, those seniors running around fretting about their resume and whether they had followed all the “rules” to get them that key entry position into some Fortune 500 and those seniors who simply shrugged and said, “what is there to it?”
Personally, I was somewhere in the middle. I didn’t want to be completely apathetic, but I was pretty sure that obsessing over the process wasn’t going to do much good either.
Now that I have moved on from that time, gone through one corporate career, received my MBA, and started a company of my own called No Stone Unturned, I can tell you that things haven’t changed much. Whether it is a recent college grad, a midlevel manager, or a corporate exec, these two extremes still exist (along with a few stragglers caught in the middle).
You have the obsessing camp that wants a formula to follow, wants to “wow” everyone who reads the document, and wants to fret over every comma. In the end, they rarely end up satisfied (mostly because they aren’t sure what will satisfy them) and typically waste a lot of time and energy. Even if they should wind up with a strong resume, they rarely recognize it because they have placed more emphasis on 2 pieces of paper than anyone should.
Then you have the “why bother” camp that sees the resume as nothing more than a nuisance, that barely even glances at the document created for them, and that generally doesn’t take the process too seriously. In the end, they rarely end up with an effective resume, by and large, because they either spent their time with a resume writer downplaying everything and providing vague answers. And even if they should wind up with a decent resume, they also rarely recognize it because they don’t get what all the fuss is about anyway.
And then there are the stragglers in the middle, not really sure how much to obsess over it and how much to downplay the whole thing. They just want something that works.
Unlike the old days, however, I no longer fall in the middle. Personally, I no longer even believe there is a middle ground here.
The problem is that both of the extreme camps really miss the boat when it comes to why they need a resume in the first place. Therefore, it doesn’t do any good to be stuck in between two ineffective camps.
So what is the purpose of the resume? Well, let’s start by talking about a few things the resume is NOT:
1. A resume cannot get you a job.
2. A resume is not a flashy marketing promo, meant to bedazzle its readers.
3. A resume is not a comprehensive professional summary of all past achievements and work history.
4. A resume is not the answer to your career woes. It won’t be the salvation you need.
Now let’s look at what a resume is:
1. A resume is a tool that if wielded effectively will help to secure interviews, which provided the job seeker can manage that discussion successfully, will lead to a new job.
2. A resume is not about the job seeker but about the person reading the resume. The resume needs to anticipate its audience, what the audience wants to hear, and what problems the audience is trying to solve. A resume also needs to be placed in the right hands.
3. A resume is just a document, whose effectiveness lies, again, in its ability to communicate to its audience in a manner that is professional and strategic. It should look nice (neat, really), but nothing more. (Seriously, I worry about hiring managers who want to see flash; after all, who wants to hire form over substance?)
Hopefully, once you break things down this way, you can see the problem with the two camps above. Neither of them is really considering the resume and its purpose. Once you get the expectations right, then you can get the proper perspective. And the proper perspective goes a long way.
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01/05/2009 07:48 PM
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Great Workplaces Far Outperform, Even in Recession
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Atlanta, GA--(PRWEB)—January 6, 2009 – GreatPlaceJobs.com, the leading job search platform and networking community helping job seekers connect with positions in award-winning organizations, released a ground-breaking study comparing layoff trends in top-rated and other Fortune 100 companies. The findings clearly demonstrate that the biggest employers are not necessarily the best.
The GreatPlaceJobs Great Workplace Employment Study shows that companies that have been recognized as great workplaces conducted layoffs at a rate of less than half that of a general sample of companies. Only 35% of excellent employers conducted layoffs in 2008, as opposed to a shocking rate of 73% of companies in the other sample. In addition, the revenue growth rate at great workplace companies in Q3 2008 was 27.4% higher than their competitors, and the average stock price of the excellent employers was close to 10% higher at the end of 2008 (compared to the beginning of 2008) than that of their competitors.
“In this competitive marketplace, it is crucial for job seekers to target their efforts at finding positions with top-ranked employers, such as those featured on GreatPlaceJobs.com. Award winning companies are more likely to survive the current recession without suffering layoffs or a bankruptcy,” said Asher Adelman, founder and CEO of GreatPlaceJobs. “Top-ranked employers have proven themselves to be much more recession-proof than the average company.”
The GreatPlaceJobs Great Workplace Employment Study compared the employment, financial and operating data of the Fortune 100 largest U.S. companies with the Fortune 100 Best Companies to Work For. The year-over-year revenue growth in Q3 2008 was much stronger at the great workplace companies, who, despite the rapidly deteriorating economy, achieved impressive revenue growth of 29.9% from Q3 2007. In comparison, the Fortune 100 largest companies delivered revenue growth of only a paltry 2.5% in Q3 2008 from the same quarter in 2007.
A clear sign of the competitive advantage and resilience of the great employers is evident in the fact that nine of the Fortune 100 largest companies filed for bankruptcy or were bailed out by the U.S. government in 2008, while none of the great workplace companies failed on this magnitude.
A complete copy of the GreatPlaceJobs Great Workplace Employment Study and additional information about the methodology may be requested via email: contact@greatplacejobs.com. For more information about GreatPlaceJobs, visit www.greatplacejobs.com. To receive regular updates about new and interesting data and reports, visit and/or subscribe to the GreatPlaceJobs blog and follow GPJ on Twitter @GreatPlaceJobs.
About GreatPlaceJobs
GreatPlaceJobs offers the largest collection of job listings exclusively from companies that are officially recognized as "great workplaces" and have received one of the prestigious "best employer" awards granted each year. The database currently includes over 100,000 open jobs from more than 1,300 companies from across the U.S. For more information, visit www.greatplacejobs.com.,
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01/05/2009 11:15 PM
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Job Hunting with "Snail mail"
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Definitions first. "job hunting" is when you use contacts (known or unknown) to discover potential opportunities while "job search" is when you search existing jobs (web or print) to try and find a match. Now, on to the topic.
When was the last time you received a letter at work from an individual? In today's world, everyone sends their resumes via email. People even send their thank you notes after interviews via email. One job hunting strategy is to send your resume with a cover letter to a key contact at a company via snail mail.
How do you do this (we will get to the "why" later)? First, make a list of the companies that interest you. Then, using Fortune.com (or a similar site) as discussed in a previous post, look at the list of Corporate Officers and find the one that handles your area of interest (like the CFO if you are interested in Finance). Now, using the Corporate address, write your cover letter to this individual. When mailing, use a large envelope that allows your resume and cover letter to be sent without folding.
Now to the "and why would I do this?". First, for the reasons I mentioned earlier, your resume will be one of the few (maybe the only) that arrives in this way. Even if your resume does not receive the personal attention of the individual, it will be delegated to someone who will give it special treatment which will hopefully lead to an interview. Does this work all of the time? No, but it does work very often.
I've listed links below to the area of several Fiancial Services Firms' websites (there are lots of us from that industry scrambling for a job these days) that lists Corporate Officers. This information can generally be found under investor relations for most publicly held companies.
Happy hunting!
Visit my site www.CareerAlley.com
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01/04/2009 02:51 PM
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Are There Jobs In A Tough Economy?
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A lot of people are worried about the economy. They’re worried about losing their jobs, and worried that they won’t be able to find new ones. I understand why people are worried, but I don’t think they have to be. Tough Economy Jobs is about finding and landing your dream job. Forget the economy.
Forget the economy?!
Yes, you heard right. Forget the economy. Here’s why: it’s not just tough for you, the job seeker. It’s also tough for the companies that you want to work for.
This is an opportunity because when things are great, and companies are making lots of money, they can afford to keep people on staff who are just good at their jobs. When things get tight, though, companies are under a lot more pressure to hire and keep people who are great at their jobs.
This is an opportunity for you, because everyone is great at something. All you have to do is figure out what that great job is for you.
We forget this because we tend to be very self-centered. We focus on the things we’re dealing with, and the things we want, and the things that we need. We forget that in a lot of business transactions (including hiring), the other side isn’t focused on the same things that we are.
Think about it this way. You may be selling can-openers. You’re focused on can-openers, you’re an expert in your field. But your customers aren’t really buying a can-opener – what they’re really buying from you is an opened can.
In the same way, you may be selling yourself to the company, but what they’re buying is a solution to a problem that they’re facing. In a tough economy, the problems that companies need to solve are that much more serious. They’re much more desperate to get that can opened.
So figure out which can you open for a prospective employer. In today’s economy, once you figure that out, it will be very hard for a company to justify not hiring you.
Note: This post is extracted and adapted from the post by the same name on Tough Economy Jobs.
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01/05/2009 09:40 AM
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Whats new on JobRadio.fm
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Here’s whats new in our playlist this week. Listen Live.
1. Total Picture Radio - Dan Finnigan CEO Jobvite
Welcome to an inside Recruiting podcast on Total Picture Radio with Peter Clayton reporting. Joining me from San Francisco is the CEO of Jobvite, Dan Finnigan. Dan has spent his career launching and growing Internet businesses with a focus on the recruitment market.
2. Total Picture Radio - CEO of RiseSmart, Sanjay Sathe
RiseSmart offers services for job seekers, recruiters and corporations. Their “Job Concierge” service provides job seekers with a weekly distribution of customized job leads from “across the internet by leveraging sophisticated technology and human touch to deliver the highest volume of relevant job listings.”
3. Jobacle - The Working Podcast #82
7 courtesy violations happening in your office; Punk rock song about work; Learn about StrongResume, WorkVent and StreetSmartJobz.
4. JobRadio.fm Original Series - Personal Branding Update #2
In episode two personal branding expert Dan Schawbel talks about what you must do in the new year to get ahead and establish that personal brand. Hosted by Chris Russell.
5. Secrets of the Job Hunt - Cool Careers from CoolWorks.com
Kari Quaas of the job site CoolWorks stops by to talk about working in resorts and national parks. The jobs on CoolWorks are the exact opposite of typical ‘office jobs’.
6. Secrets of the Job Hunt - Job Search Roundup
Chris Russell delivers the job search news you can use. Learn about new job sites and trends in the job market in this monthly series.
7. Jobs in Pods - GE Jobcast: Commercial Leadership Program with Katie Bossart
This jobcast will feature Katie Bossart from the GE Sensing & Inspection Technologies’ Commercial Leadership Program (CLP). It is a 24-month program designed to develop commercial sales talent within the GE Sensing & Inspection Technologies Business.
8. Jobs in Pods - GE Jobcast: Commercial Leadership Program with Josh Koontz
This jobcast will feature Josh Koontz of GE’s Water & Process Technologies Commercial Leadership Program (CLP). The CLP program is a 24-month program designed to develop commercial sales talent within the GE Water & Process Technologies Business.
9. Savvy Jobseeker - Creating Maximum Impact with a Professional Portfolio
Competition in the job market is at an all time high. Guest expert, Lisa Parker, CPRW, joins us to discuss how to create a professional portfolio presentation that will impress potential employers and help you stand out from the competition.
10. Career Communique - Six Common Career Mistaken Beliefs
Are you derailing your job search and career because you are falling trap to common career misconceptions? Join us to find out what these are AND how to avoid them.
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01/04/2009 02:04 PM
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Free Teleseminar to Help You Dive Into Your Job Hunt
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By Miriam Salpeter
Keppie Careers
Are you ready to dive into your job search head first? You are really resolving to make a career change this year, but you’re still not sure where to start or how to make heads or tails of all the things you need to do?
Help is on the way!
I am excited to announce that I’m collaborating with certified coach Carolann Jacobs, whose business is Vivid Epiphany, for an 8-week FREE teleseminar: Land Your Dream Job: 8 Strategies For Outrageous Success in 2009.
We’ll be talking about how to set yourself up to win and describing a series of steps to help get your job hunt off to a good start!
We will cover the following topics (each seminar begins at 6:30 p.m. Eastern time):
• Create a Winning Mindset - January 8th
• Craft a Magnetic Marketing Portfolio - January 15th
• Design a Strategy, Devise a Plan and Take Focused Action for Results - January 22nd
• Become a Sought After Expert Using Social Media - February 5th
• Partner for Success - February 12th
• Secrets to Getting in the Door - February 19th
• Interview to Triumph - February 26th
• Command What You’re Worth - March 5th
Participants will have an opportunity to ask questions during each session.
Space is limited for this free opportunity! Register HERE.
Don’t forget that we are here to help you with your goals! If you’ve decided on a change, Keppie Careers can help you identify and communicate your skills. We can write your resume and coach you to a new job. Contact me to see how I can help!
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01/03/2009 10:50 PM
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Job Search Rules of the Road
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Reposted from CareerAlley
In a previous post on my blog I mentioned briefly that you should follow the suggested "rules of the road" when working with recruiting firms. I only mentioned one of these rules, so today's post will cover several of the "unspoken" rules of the road when conducting your job search. Much of this is common sense, but some of it is not and some of the mistakes can make the difference in getting a specific job (or not).
- Search Firm Rules of the Road - Starting with "rules of the road", this article is posted on Addison Search's website. It covers some of the basics (don't send your resume where it doesn't belong, don't let two recruiters present you to the same employer, etc.). Definitely worth a read if you want to maintain your relationship with your recruiter (and not make a bad first impression on a potential employer).
- Effective use of recruiters in your job search - This article, provided by Winter Wyman (this recruiter was reviewed on November 5th), talks about the rules of the road for selecting a recruiter. It covers the basics like expertise and reputation as well as working together effectively.
- The Rules of the Road to a New Career - Associated Content provided this article which focuses on the rules of the road for conducting your job search (what you should be doing). Many of these points have been reviewed and discussed several times on this site, but the article is still worth a read.
- The Dos and Don'ts When Looking for a Position - This article, provided by theladders.com, offers some very good advice on how to conduct your job search. Some of this has been covered here, but much of it has not. While all of the advice is good, the best is "Don't be Discouraged".
We all need to take a break once and awhile from the relentless and sometimes frustrating job search process, so on that note - the lighter side . . .
Good luck in your search.
Visit my site www.CareerAlley.com
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01/03/2009 06:52 PM
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Five Tips for Turning Around an Unsuccessful Job Search, Getting More Callbacks, and Landing More Interviews
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Getting better results in your job search requires changing your game plan. Spend one hour with me during the F*R*E*E teleclass/webcast "Five Tips for Turning Around an Unsuccessful Job Search, Getting More Callbacks, and Landing More Interviews" on Tuesday, January 13th at 3PM EST and I can help you diagnose what's ailing your current job search and get it on track.
During this no-cost, incredibly easy-to-attend event you'll discover:
* What critical mistake can double or even triple the amount of time you'll spend unemployed.
* Two mistakes that most job hunters make and that you're probably making, too.
* Why most job hunters aren't prepared for their job search and how it can come back to bite you.
* How to greatly increase your response rate.
* The best way to get a jump on the competition.
* How to quickly improve your job search skills and get better, faster results.
If you've been struggling with an unsuccessful job search that is much tougher and going on much longer than you'd anticipated it's time to make a change.
Whether you job search strategy needs a gentle tweaking or a total and complete overhaul, one thing is for sure: Doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results absolutely will not work.
If you are ready to turn your job search around and start getting results, complete the form below to reserve your space at this free telephone/web event on Tuesday, January 13th at 3PM: http://thejoblab.com/turnaround.htm
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01/02/2009 05:09 PM
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Cool careers from CoolWorks (podcast)
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Ever wondered how to get a job at ski resorts or a national park? Kari Quaas of CoolWorks.com stops by to tell us how. CoolWorks is a job board that lists all kinds of seasonal positions at resorts and parks nationwide.
Download MP3 >>
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01/02/2009 02:31 PM
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Happy New Year, Happy New Job!
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Reposted from CareerAlley
Happy New Year to everyone. Hopefully everyone has recovered from their New Years festivities and are ready to renew their job search. Let's get the year off to a good start and look at some company career sites featured on one of the lists from "Top Career Sites for 2008".
- Abbott Labs - Abbott is a global health care company focusing on pharmacetuicals and medical devices. They have approximately 33,000 employees globally. In addition to being on the Working Mothers list of best companies to work for, the are also on the DiversityInc magazine's "Top 50 Companies for Diversity" list. The main page of their career website has tabs across the top where you can select info on the company, internship programs and professional development. Featured jobs are listed on the right hand side of the page with recruiting events listed as well. Click "Search Jobs Worldwide" from the left-hand side, followed by your country to get to the main careers sign-on, register and search page. Searching on the US yields 210 jobs across the country.
- Texas Instruments - Headquartered in Dallas Texas, Texas Instruments is a global company with career opportunities around the world. Their main career page has links across the top for "Search for Jobs", Company info, "Students & New Grads", and "Events Calendar". Clicking on "Visit CareerFinder (US)" on the right-hand side of the screen takes you to their basic (or advanced) job search page where you can also register (or sign-in).
- General Mills - General Mills, best known for their cereals but whose brands also include Betty Crocker, Pillsbury, Green Giant and more, employs over 16,000 people. Their career site has tabs in the middle of the page for "Job Search", "Campus Events and Career Fairs", and company information. Clicking on the "Job Search" tab will take you to their job search page where you can also register for their site or sign-in. Clicking on job search yields 65 jobs across the US.
- Dell - The computer retailing giant has approximately 28,000 employees globally. From the main career page, select your country to access the career opportunities page. This page lists quite a few options down the left-hand side (Job Search, Event Calendar, Student Programs and a number of informational links). Click on "Job Search" to submit your resume, create your profile, register and conduct a job search for your country. Their advanced search function provides a large number of options for narrowing your search. Searching on the US yields 286 jobs.
On the lighter side . . .
Visit my site www.CareerAlley.com
Good luck in your search.
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