Friday, May 9, 2014

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.

Sunday, May 4, 2014

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.

Friday, April 25, 2014

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.

Friday, April 18, 2014

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.
Energize your job search with Jobvertise. Contact us to post your resume free, receive job alerts, and get your free resume web page.

Saturday, April 12, 2014

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.

Jobvertise is the world’s largest free job and resume database. Contact us to access more than 250,000 jobs in the US, Canada and worldwide with thousands of new jobs added each week.

Friday, April 4, 2014

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.

Search more than 250,000 jobs worldwide for free at Jobvertise. Contact us. We are the largest free job and resume database.

Friday, March 28, 2014

Search Jobs Free and Feature your Resume

There are many methods of job hunting that cost little or nothing like being able to search jobs free online. However, it may be worth the investment to pay for premium tools such as being able to feature your resume. The extra visibility can help you to land a position faster and get a better job.
When you consider using any premium service online, there are many important factors to consider.

  • Use a secure method of payment like your credit card or PayPal. Check the published statistics on the amount of traffic on the site to see how many employers are likely to see your enhanced resume.
  • Review all your options for pricing and terms. If you believe that your job search may last several months or more, you can often find a discounted price on longer plans.
  • Featuring a resume generally means that you will appear at the top of the search results. In addition, your resume may appear in bold or otherwise be formatted to help it attract more attention.

These tactics are important because there is stiff competition for jobs online. You may be competing with more than a million other jobseekers.

You have probably heard about the advantages of responding to an advertised opening quickly. When employers have to sort through hundreds or thousands of applications, they are likely to cut the process off after they identify a certain manageable number of qualified applicants.

The same phenomenon is true online, and it is even more intense. If you are looking for work in a crowded field, your resume may sometimes be overlooked unless it is seen quickly.
Jobvertise is free to jobseekers because we generate our revenue through advertising and premium services such as Featuring your Resume. Contact us to search jobs and post your resume free, or to learn more about our additional services.