Great Substitutes for Work Experience

Graduates and career changers are struggling with this concept: how do I gain work experience when I don't have any?  Colleges tell us that degrees open doors, and you're still waiting for the doors to open.

• New grads and people who just switched careers can benefit from internships.  Internships are paid or non-paid opportunities to learn their profession in a company related to the industry.  Internships are mainly for college students, but anyone who switch careers can find internships too. 
• Volunteering in your profession is a great way to build experience on the resume.  Volunteers don't get paid but they gain hands on experience that will become valuable in the financial industry  The trick is finding one that represents your cause as there are many to choose from.  Even if you don't volunteer in your profession if the position you chose can be twisted to your advantage (use it to fit your financial job) then do it.
• Staffing agencies can assist in finding you work.  They match your experience to jobs who are looking for employers.  You never know; companies may hire you permanently.  However, many staffing agencies require prior and steady work experience because many of their jobs require it.  It's going to take trial and error with staffing agencies because of this.  
• Side jobs can count as work experience if you know how to write it in your favor.  If you do something (cut lawns, fix computers, freelance, babysit, etc) and get paid for it, it shows that you are a self-employed entrepeneur.  If you use the skills you learned instead of focusing on the job, it can work out.
• Never underestimate what you learned in school.  Working on the school's newspaper, participating in fundraisers, and placing ads around the school are great examples of work experience.  Use that as work experience.  Use science lab and research papers as possible work experience on the resume too.  It shows that you did more than read books and take tests in class.

No matter how you choose to get experience be sure to network.  Making connections are the key to finding work and future work.  Strike conversations at coffee shops, at work, at school, at previous jobs and more.  Connect using social media as well.  Try to invest in LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and/or Google Plus for work.  Contact us for more information on networking.

It's a double edged sword.  Jobs want work experience.  You need work experience to obtain employment, but no one will hire you because you have no work experience.  These suggestions are the loopholes.  Take advantage of these opportunities and use it to find a job or gain your first job.

Want To Find a Job? Market Yourself

In the current environment, finding any job is a challenge. Landing your ideal job is even more difficult because jobs are just not all that plentiful right now.  In any jobs environment, a fundamental key to your search is whether you're marketed to, or you market to. Let me explain.

If you're doing things like leafing through help wanted ads in newspapers, scrolling through online job boards, or searching craigslist type job listings online, you're being marketed to. The challenge you face with this approach is you're in competition with dozens or even hundreds of other people who want the same job.

This kind of activity is analogous to consumers who want to buy the hottest toy of the current Christmas season for their child. There always seems to be a limited quantity of those toys available, and a seemingly unlimited number of people who want one. It would be easier if you could just reserve one of those toys for yourself before they're made available to the general public, right? Well, I'm sure there are ways you could do that, but I won't go into that here. After all, we're talking about landing a job, not buying a toy.

Just like with the toy analogy, wouldn't it be easier if you could somehow apply for your ideal job before any other potential candidates even know the opening exists? Of course it would, and that's where the idea of "marketing to" comes into play. When you're marketing to, you are in control of the job search situation.

The process of marketing to simply involves marketing yourself as a candidate for employment. This is where you have to apply some creativity. Carefully ponder this question: "How can I find job openings that haven't been publicized yet?" Pondering this question should spur all kinds of unique ideas if you allow yourself to think outside the box a little. Clearly, this will be easier for some than others, but with some time and effort, anyone can come up with a few viable ideas. The next step is simply to identify the best idea or ideas, then implement them.

Here's an example, just to help get your creative juices flowing:

I once read about an individual who was a marketing manager at a newspaper. When she heard that her position was being eliminated, she offered a cash reward on LinkedIn for help in securing a new position. Of course, lots of people use LinkedIn to search for employment, but she generated a lot of buzz around herself by using it just a little bit more creatively than everyone else.

Maybe you could try a variation of this idea, or maybe you'll think of some other unique way to market yourself. Whatever you end up doing, you're bound to enhance your chances of landing that job, and that's the whole point.

Does all this mean you should discontinue your current job search efforts? Of course not. After all, you never really know where you'll find that golden job opportunity. But by incorporating some more proactive job search ideas, you'll increase your odds tremendously.
For more job search tips and ideas, contact us today.

Searching for the Right Temp Agency

Looking for accountants? There's an agency for that.  Looking for IT work?  There's an agency for that.  There's an agency for every line of work.  With so many to choose from how do you know which one is going work for you?  Job seekers must find the right agency.  Search for a temporary agency with the following in mind.

• There are three main types of staffing agencies: temporary/contract, temp-to-hire/temp-to-perm and direct hire/permanent.  Choose one of these types and look for agencies that offer it. 
• What kind of work opportunities interests you?  There is clerical/office, technical/scientific, industrial, health care, managerial and professional (accountants, law staff and advertising/marketing).  You will have to choose one or two you're most interested in.  Find agencies that carry those industries.
• Where do you want to work? Location matters.  Choose an agency in your area.  If you are planning to more to another area, choose an agency in the new location. 

By now, the agencies are down to a handful (maybe more).  Evaluate your skills.  What do you possess in education, work history and through life? Be specific and write them down. Write down personality, interests, certifications, tests taken, and values.  Research those staffing firms online.  Talk to them over the phone.  Meet them in person.  Pay attention to how you feel during the process.  Inform them of the ideal work schedule and the type of work you're after.  Ask about their payment rates, benefits, experience in the industry, how they charge and testing for the right job fit. Narrow down the field some more.  If you feel good about the firm, apply there.  Apply to more than one in case the agency ends up not working out.  See how it goes.

Patience is a virtue with staffing agencies.  It's going to take time to find work that suits your needs.  Check in with staffing agencies weekly and ask about the job hunt.  Let them know about your interest in working, then give them space until the next week.  If nothing is happening for a long time it's time to cut them loose.  Focus on the agencies that are working hard to find employment for you.
The reason why many people don't use a temporary agency is that it's not a match.  Those bad experiences drive people away, and make people think all agencies are just like that one.  It shouldn't.  The truth is there's not enough effort placed in finding good employment agencies.  Working in a staffing agency is a hidden gem that takes research, trial and error.  If we have the energy to hunt for work, we can put the same energy in finding a good employment agency.

Your employment is valuable; it's going to be the job that pays the bills, buys food and takes care of you.  Search for job agencies like you would search for a realtor, plumber or electrician.  Contact us for more information.

Keep a Record of Already-Applied Job Openings

We are always looking for new job opportunities.  The way we start searching for work needs to change.  Many people start placing applications everywhere.  If a company representative calls for a job interview the last thing you want to say is "what did I apply for?"  Being organized during the job hunt will keep us on our toes.  Technology is making it easy to stay systemized.  Keep a record of every job we go after.

Another reason why recording job openings is vital is prevention.  We have a habit of sending resumes through social media, email, fax and company websites that we forget where we applied to.  This forgetfulness will have us applying to the same job more than once.  Applying to the same job more than once is a bad idea.  The company is aware of you; if they weren't interested in you the first time, the second, third and fourth time will not change their mind.  The company also gets the impression that you are desperate.

Our minds isn't going to remember everything, so record as much information about the job as possible.  List company name, address, contact information, job listings, job description, how you applied to job opening, if you get an interview and additional notes of importance.
Now, onto the record-keeping:

1. Create a chart manually.  Use word processing or spreadsheet software to manually create a job seeker chart.  Include the information above as headers.  Fill it out and save it.  Save it to your computer or mobile phone.  Create a backup copy on flash drives, cloud software or email it to yourself.  An option is to print out a hard copy of the information.  You can store them in dividers, manila folders, envelopes or other filing accessory. 
2. Create a profile on job sites.  In addition to searching for jobs on their website, you can create a profile too.  The profile will keep up with the jobs so you don't have to.  Apply for jobs using the provided information and retrieve the information when a job interview arises.  Monster, CareerBuilder, Dice and SimplyHired are examples of this. 
3. Pay for job seeker web software.  If you're willing to pay some cash for coordination, you can find websites that will keep you organized.  Fill out information using their website and it does the rest.  It keep track of contacts, keep information categorized and offer many features to play with.

We all need work.  We have bills to pay, food to buy and people to take care of.  If we remain organized (no matter how disorganized our brains are) we will be one step closer to finding employment.  Contact us for more information.

Study Says Nonconformity May Help When You Reply to Job Listings

What do red sneakers have to do with responding to job listings? A recent study suggests that nonconformity can help your job search but only under very specific conditions.

To test out the premise that dressing down could increase social status, researchers did a number of experiments. In one scenario, a woman posed as a consultant at a seminar at Harvard Business School. When she wore red sneakers, the corporate executives she was instructing assumed she charged higher fees and had more prestigious clients.

The conclusion was that violating the dress code or other norms may give you an edge as long as people believe you already have enough clout to break the rules, you’re in a situation where there are clear rules, and your conduct is seen as deliberate.

Even if you’re going to keep wearing your best suit to your next interview, there are other ways to make a little individualism work for you:

Divulge some personal information. Regard small talk as an important part of the process. In a crowded field of applicants, employers will be more likely to remember you if you mention something distinctive. It’s even better if the details are designed to illustrate qualities important for the position.

Brag gracefully. In most settings, you probably feel conditioned to avoid crowing about your accomplishments. When you have limited time at a job interview, you need to be able to talk about your strengths directly and comfortably. Rehearse until you get it down right.

Accessorize tastefully. As this study shows, appearances matter. Invest in a signature piece that makes you feel like a winner. It could be flattering eyeglass frames or a vintage brooch.
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Fight the 3 Types of Burnout That Get in the Way When You Try to Find a Job

It takes hard work to find a job so you have to sweep any feelings of burnout out of your way. Psychologists have identified at least 3 forms of inertia that could hold you back from finding and thriving in a new position.

In a study of university workers, researchers saw the potential to use targeted solutions to help people overcome habits that undermine their careers. See where you may fit in:

Overload subtype: Maybe you are the type who pushes yourself to exhaustion. You apply for hundreds of jobs a month, network relentlessly, and neglect other areas of your life. These same qualities may also make you prone to complaining and building up resentments. Try building more down time into your schedule. Exercise regularly and find ways to relax like meditating or taking a walk. Reach out to people who can provide encouragement and moral support.

Boredom subtype: On the other hand, you may be tired of rejection letters. Now you are spending more time playing video games than looking for work. Fight growing cynicism by doing volunteer work and remembering the things you are grateful for. Set new goals like sending out 3 applications a week and give yourself a reward for completing tasks.

Worn-out subtype: If you have clear goals but struggle to stay motivated, you may need additional techniques for dealing with stress. Identify the major barriers in your job hunt and how you can deal with them. Try to think more flexibly.

Whether you’re feeling down because your job search is stuck or you’re currently in a position that leaves you feeling drained by the time you get home, don’t let burnout stand between you and your next opportunity.

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Evaluate Work Opportunities by Asking Your Interviewer This One Question

When you search for jobs online, you need to gather information to be able to evaluate the work opportunities that you find. Consider one of the most important questions you can ask your next boss or anyone who is interviewing you. You will learn volumes about the company culture and what they really value.

Of course, you probably go to a job interview with a written list of prepared questions. It is an important part of showing that you come prepared and finding out more about where you may be working next.

The problem is that every company is likely to say pretty much the same thing regardless of how they operate. Instead of asking if they appreciate teamwork and initiative, try to get more specific. Ask them to identify who they consider a star employee and why.

There are several advantages to this approach. If you get hired, you will know who to watch and emulate. While you are a unique individual, you can always look for ways to learn from another person and adapt their style to suit your personal strengths and skills.

It is also revealing to see how much enthusiasm goes into the description. If your potential supervisor seems hesitant to say anything favorable about the employees they already work with, that could be a cause for concern. Maybe they are largely focused on themselves and will not be very available to you. Maybe there are serious conflicts and divisions already in place.

On the other hand, if you hear a generous and insightful round of praise, you may feel reassured. It is a good sign that employees receive appropriate recognition for their efforts and that you may get the same treatment.

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