CareerCompile- This week's top Career-Minded articles

Jennifer Fry
Careerminds Consultant

Each week we read articles we find on twitter, blogs and other social media platforms in order to stay ahead of the curve. We want to be able to present our clients, job seekers, HR professionals and recruiters with the most accurate and up-to-date information we possibly can. At the end of the week we always know which articles were the most valuable, so why not share that with all of you? This is the next weekly post compiling what we feel are the top career-minded articles.

Tips & Tricks for a Lucky Job Search: Change Your Job Search Odds
GlassDoor (via MonsterThinking)

Don't let luck work alone-- help yourself by following these suggestions.

Cover Letter Tips: Is Sending a Cover Letter Always Necessary?
Kim Isaacs for Monster

It's always necessary to include a cover letter, right? Maybe not.

The Three Types of Multitaskers
Kimberly Weisul for bnet

How do you work best? Understanding your own habits can help guide you to the right position or help you adjust for the position you're after.

The 12 Most Essential Leadership Traits
Meghan M. Biro for The 12 Most

Employers are looking for leadership-- how do you measure up?

3 Ways to Boost Your Job Search This Weekend
Denise Felder

Three tasks you can complete right away to keep your job search going. Every little step counts!

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Careerminds provides scalable, strategic solutions to organizations seeking affordable, web-based outplacement services. Using a Web 2.0 e-learning platform that delivers affordable, online career transition services, Careerminds provides a high-tech and high-touch blend of on-demand career transition education supported by senior-level career consultants to help displaced workers reenter the workforce quickly.

CareerCompile- This week's top Career-Minded articles

Jennifer Fry
Careerminds Consultant

Each week we read articles we find on twitter, blogs and other social media platforms in order to stay ahead of the curve. We want to be able to present our clients, job seekers, HR professionals and recruiters with the most accurate and up-to-date information we possibly can. At the end of the week we always know which articles were the most valuable, so why not share that with all of you? This is the next weekly post compiling what we feel are the top career-minded articles.

New Resume Tips For Older Workers
Marilyn Katz for Boomers Next Step

Resume writing isn't a one-size-fits-all process; seasoned job seekers have a set of rules all their own! Here are some helpful tips to tweak your resume to best serve you.

4 Ways to Practice and Ace Your Next Interview
Gerrit Hall for Come Recommended

 Creative ways to prepare for your next interview that you probably hadn't even thought of.

New Facebook Cover Photo Provides Creative Options for Job Seekers
Rich DeMatteo for Corn on the Job

 New developments in social media can be used to the job seeker's advantage-- think outside of the box and show off your tech savvy!

Salary Negotiations in the Interview
WetFeet

 During the interview is not too early to start salary discussions, and here are the best ways to go about talking money so everyone is left satisfied with the result.

 How to Stay Up to Date With Every Piece of Info in Your Industry
Branicka for Live Your Love

 We all know (or should know) how important it is to keep up with the latest information on your industry and on specific companies of interest during your job search, but that can make for a lot of research. Here are some tips on how to keep up.

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Careerminds provides scalable, strategic solutions to organizations seeking affordable, web-based outplacement services. Using a Web 2.0 e-learning platform that delivers affordable, online career transition services, Careerminds provides a high-tech and high-touch blend of on-demand career transition education supported by senior-level career consultants to help displaced workers reenter the workforce quickly.

What Else Can I Do With My Skills?

Jennifer Fry

Careerminds Consultant

If you find yourself out of a job after 10, 15, even 20+ years in the same industry, at the same company, in the same position, you may be wondering where to go from here.

For many job seekers in this position, a helpful solution may be to start looking in places and at positions they may not have considered before. As an example, just because you’ve been working as a tax advisor for years, that doesn’t mean you can’t start a new career as financial consultant or auditor. That is to say, your skill set may qualify you for more jobs than you think!

Finding work in an entirely new field may require additional training or education, but there are plenty of career paths out there that utilize similar sets of skills and abilities and won’t require you to spend valuable time or money on classes or new degrees.

Psychology Today posted an article on career changes for those simply looking for a change, but the same advice can apply to job seekers who are on the hunt after separation from their employer.

1. Assess your previous job. Now is your chance to decide what you did or did not enjoy about your experience and use this information to help guide your search. Compiling a list of the good and the bad can act as a good jumping off point to steer you in the right direction.

2. Evaluate your skills. You’ve spent years in the working world building your marketable abilities, and now is the time to lay them all on the table. What are your best skills and traits? What made you a good candidate for the position(s) you held previously, and how might those qualities translate into something new? Career guides and aptitude tests may serve as helpful tools in deciding what skills and background can be transferred from one career to another. (Hint: Take this time to assess any possible weaknesses, as well, so that you are prepared to address them in future interviews, etc.)

3. Do your research. Make use of available career transitions materials; use social networking tools to connect with individuals in your desired career path; seek out professional groups relevant to the position/field; take advantage of possible tools available through your college/university’s alumni office; and familiarize yourself with companies and businesses in the industry—this can help you learn more about the field as well as lead you to possible job openings.

As with any course for a transition in careers, it is necessary to make a plan, but with the plethora of opportunities available to someone with experience and acquired skills, the possibilities for success become even greater.

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Careerminds provides scalable, strategic solutions to organizations seeking affordable, web-based outplacement services. Using a Web 2.0 e-learning platform that delivers affordable, online career transition services, Careerminds provides a high-tech and high-touch blend of on-demand career transition education supported by senior-level career consultants to help displaced workers reenter the workforce quickly.

This Week's Special Edition CareerCompile: Obama's Jobs Speech

Brittany Richter
Careerminds Career Consultant

In light of President Obama's speech on creating new jobs and his stimulus plan, rather than provide our typical CareerCompile, we have decided to focus on this very timtely and important matter. We have provided a series of links to articles that discuss this plan from different perspectives that focus on different aspects to ensure that you are made aware of as much as possible.

Obama's Job Seepch: A Call To Action
The Economist
The focus: Breaking down the details of what The American Jobs Act is asking for.

Obama Challenges Congress on Job Plan
The New York Times
The focus: Obama's speech – what he said, the tactics, how he addressed Congress.


Gold surrenders gains to slide 2 percent
Reuters
The focus: The effects on gold shares as a result of Obama's Jobs Speech

Obama calls on Congress to quickly pass his 'American Jobs Act'
CNN.com
The focus: A re-cap of the speech, including some reactions.

12 Words To Describe Obama's Jobs Speech
The focus: One Fox News contributor's opinion of the speech.

Fact Check: Obama's Jobs Plan Paid Fr? Seems not
MSNBC
The focus: The cost of implementing the American Jobs Act


Please note that the views of those who wrote and represent these articles does not reflect the view of Careerminds, any of its employees or any other involved parties. We are simply providing a list of articles that provide different view points because we understand the value of hearing several sides to the story. 

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Careerminds provides scalable, strategic solutions to organizations seeking affordable, web-based outplacement services. Using a Web 2.0 e-learning platform that delivers affordable, online career transition services, Careerminds provides a high-tech and high-touch blend of on-demand career transition education supported by senior-level career consultants to help displaced workers reenter the workforce quickly.

CareerCompile: This week's top Career-Minded articles

Brittany Richter

Careerminds Consultant

Each week we read articles we find on twitter, blogs and other social media platforms in order to stay ahead of the curve. We want to be able to present our clients, job seekers, HR professionals and recruiters with the most accurate and up-to-date information we possibly can. At the end of the week we always know which articles were the most valuable, so why not share that with all of you? This is the next weekly post compiling what we feel are the top career-minded articles.

What Makes a Technology Resume Look Great To A Screener
Susan Ireland for Job Lounge

We've talked about the services that HR professionals are using to screen resume submissions. Now Susan tells you what to do to combat this process by making your resume look as good as possible.

What You Don't Get About the Job Search: The View From Employers
Derek Thompson for The Atlantic
 
A must read for job seekers! It is always helpful to be able to hear what employers have to say about the job search process – a new point of view!

How To Use LinkedIn To Increase Your Hirability
Melanie Pinola for lifehacker

There's a lot of things that a job seeker can do with LinkedIn to increase his or her hirability. We've told you about some of those things in the past, but as LinkedIn keeps evolving, it's important to stay ahead of the curve, and this post will bring you up to speed.

10 Words You Need To Stop Misspelling
The Oatmeal / CareerBuilder

The oatmeal put out an infographic on 10 words to stop misspelling. CareerBuilder tweeted it to job seekers, and we think that was clever, and useful. Review this infographic and then do another round of proofreading of your resume, just in case!


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Careerminds provides scalable, strategic solutions to organizations seeking affordable, web-based outplacement services. Using a Web 2.0 e-learning platform that delivers affordable, online career transition services, Careerminds provides a high-tech and high-touch blend of on-demand career transition education supported by senior-level career consultants to help displaced workers reenter the workforce quickly.

CareerCompile: Careerminds' Favorite Career-Minded Articles of the Week

Brittany Richter
Careerminds Consultant

Each week we read articles we find on twitter, blogs and other social media platforms in order to stay ahead of the curve. We want to be able to present our clients, job seekers, HR professionals and recruiters with the most accurate and up-to-date information we possibly can. At the end of the week we always know which articles were the most valuable, so why not share that with all of you? This is the next weekly post compiling what we feel are the top career-minded articles.

LinkUp Predicts Better than Expected Jobs Report on August 5th
PR Newswire

 Sixty-day job forecast from over 20,000 company websites relseased today by LinkUp.com. A great, short read on the status of the job market.

Five Ways A Personal Brand Can Help Your Job Search
Cassville Democrat

Not sold on the idea of a personal brand? Check out this point and you'll see why it's so important when applying for a job.

Guerrilla Marketing for a Job at Google: The Resume Your Resume Could Look Like
Miranda Miller for Search Enging Watch

A closer look at the store of googlehireme.com. This was a very creative and risky approach to the job search process. We don't suggest that you necessarily go to these same lengths, but take a look at this case and apply creativity in any way that is appropriate to your situation.

The New Job Search Normal

Alison Doyle for About.com

An expert on the job search, Alison Doyle explains her take on what the new “normal” is in terms of the job search as a result of the shift in our economy.

Build Your Job Search Network
Vancouver.com

Great ideas for how to build and maintain your network. A quick read with clear direction.

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Careerminds provides scalable, strategic solutions to organizations seeking affordable, web-based outplacement services. Using a Web 2.0 e-learning platform that delivers affordable, online career transition services, Careerminds provides a high-tech and high-touch blend of on-demand career transition education supported by senior-level career consultants to help displaced workers reenter the workforce quickly.

QR Codes for the Job Seeker

Brittany Richter
Careerminds Consultant

Have you seen this image here to the left while out and about lately? It is called a QR code and it is very hot right now in print advertising and in storefronts.  Businesses are using these codes and inserting them in to their print advertisements because they can be scanned with a smart phone, bringing the customer straight to the business’s website, or to a special QR-code-only promotion. 

A QR (Quick-response) code, see left, is a two-dimensional barcode that allows instant access to any hyperlink via a mobile device. They are similar to a grocery bar code, but  hold 1000x more information.

How they work:

1. The user decides on a where they want to feature the QR and what website they want the QR code to link to.
2. The user goes to a QR code generator such as this one here: Kaywa. And copies and pastes the  desired URL in to the generator. The generator then instantly creates a code that looks something like the one above that can be copied or pasted anywhere the user would like. And it’s FREE!
3. The QR code is then used in flyer, print advertisements, or if your case, your resume or business card, but we’ll get to that in a second.
4. Customers or target audiences then use an application such as ScanLife on their smart phones to scan the barcode and go wherever the business intended to send them.

What does this mean for you, as a job seeker?

QR codes are great conversation starters right now since they are still relatively new, but extremely hot in many different industries. By placing a QR code on your business card and/or resume that links to your website, blog, LinkedIn account or e-portfolio, you will intrigue those that you are interviewing or networking with, and show a sense of being in touch with the times and ahead of the curve.

These codes are simple enough to generate, following those four steps above, and can separate you from the competition in the job search process or leave a memorable, positive impression in a networking situation.

Final tips:

1. Mobilizing information is really important, and these QR codes are still new. If you do decide to include one on your resume or business car, be sure to add a caption. We suggest something along the lines of : “Scan with your smartphone with the free app “ScanLife” to view my ______.” In the blank you would insert “LinkedIn profile” “e-portfolio” or “blog.”
2. Make sure to link to something professional. For example, if you have a sports blog, and you aren’t in the sports industry, we would suggest linking to your LinkedIn profile instead.

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Careerminds provides scalable, strategic solutions to organizations seeking affordable, web-based outplacement services. Using a Web 2.0 e-learning platform that delivers affordable, online career transition services, Careerminds provides a high-tech and high-touch blend of on-demand career transition education supported by senior-level career consultants to help displaced workers reenter the workforce quickly.

A New Season for you and for the job hunt process

Brittany Richter
Careerminds Consultant

Summer is finally here, and if you’re in career transition, this means more for you than it does for the average person. It means that the way you have been conducting your job search process is going to change, and we want to prepare you for that. Below are a few things you should consider when continuing, or beginning, the job search process during these summer months.

The Up-side For THEM: Summer Means Vacations

Summer Hours: Often times many companies adopt summer hours or slow down entirely during the summer months, depending on the industry and geographic location. What does this mean for you?

Making Calls: Before making calls see if you can do a little research to find out when their business hours are and if they have changed. If you can’t find the answer, try making calls Monday through Friday around ten or eleven in the morning.

Be prepared to act fast: Since the most time off is taken in the summer, those involved in the interview process may have a hard time coordinating with one another. This means that if they find a day and time that works for them, these opportunities may be few and far between, so you may have no choice but to cancel a lunch date or drop what you’re doing and head over immediately.

The Up-Side For YOU: Summers are Slower

Jet lag: Things tend to move more slowly in the summer for most industries so your transition could be eased by this, allowing more time for acclamation within the company and to become familiar with your new position.

Moving during the summer: Although no one wants to lug boxes or carry furniture in the heat, if a move is part of your transition process, the summer hours could give you move time to get settled. And, if you have children, they won’t have to move mid school year.

Work outside: A change of scenery is sometimes all you need to get a little motivation. Now that the nice weather is approaching, try moving your office outside for a few hours a day to get some fresh air, vitamin D and maybe a fresh perspective.



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Careerminds provides scalable, strategic solutions to organizations seeking affordable, web-based outplacement services. Using a Web 2.0 e-learning platform that delivers affordable, online career transition services, Careerminds provides a high-tech and high-touch blend of on-demand career transition education supported by senior-level career consultants to help displaced workers reenter the workforce quickly.

Reminder: Top 10 Cover Letter DONT'S

Brittany Richter
Careerminds Consultant

Cover letters are important, we’ve told you this before. Chances are, if you’ve been in the job search for some time now or have talked to anyone about the fact that you’re on the hunt for a job, they’ve given you some pointers on your resume and cover letter. Sometimes you just need a little reminder of what to do or not to do before sending out your application for a job. So, this post is exactly that: A reminder of the top 10 cover letter don’ts. We suggest you take these seriously as you move forward with your job search.

Don’t be generic
Make sure that each position has its own specific cover letter. Make sure that you mention the company, the position, and the specific traits and experience that the description asks for. If you are too generic you will communicate to the hiring manager or recruiter that you don’t care, and that you have been sending out the same cover letter to tons of jobs. Save the cover letter, too, so that you can review it if you are asked to participate in a phone or in-person interview.

Don’t be modest.
This is your time to shine. Sometimes, your resume isn’t even looked at if your cover letter doesn’t get the HR professional’s attention, so make sure to highlight your key attributes in the top half of your cover letter.

Don’t ramble.
It is important to be specific and to outline your key accomplishments and traits, but don’t ramble. Pick out a few highlights and mention them in your cover letter, but don’t mention every single thing or every single detail. Be short an to the point.

Don’t write more than a page.
Along the same lines as the “don’t ramble” notion, do not write more than a page. There could be over 1,000 resumes in the pile, giving you only a short amount of time to communicate your worth. Writing more than a page could get you tossed aside just based on the length of your cover letter-  so keep it short.

Don’t send your letter to nobody.
“To Whom This May Concern” has become a big no-no. If there’s someone you can ask who to the address the letter to, then do it. The HR professional would rather be addressed personally than consider themselves the one whom is concerned.

Don’t send a blank message.
If you’re sending your cover letter and resume via e-mail, be sure to include a message in the body of the e-mail. Again, keep it very short, but a few sentences about who you are and why you’re applying as well as a thank you can go a long way.

Don’t forget to update.
When you complete a project or make any other steps, make sure to update your resume and cover letter both on your computer and on the web, if you have posted it to job boards or on LinkedIn. Keeping yourself up-to-date as things happen will make it easier when it comes time to writing a letter for a specific position.

Don’t just talk about yourself.
One of the biggest mistakes that you could make when writing your cover letter is forgetting to mention the company. Highlight your key accomplishments and attributes first, but make sure to mention specific aspects of the company next. Whether you mention that you’ve noticed their mission statement and feel as though you are a fit, or you mention something that has been said about them in the news to show that you are keeping up, it will make a huge difference. And you certainly won’t be generic.

Don’t forget to follow up.
You can read what we have to say here about following up on an application, but this is a very important step that should not be forgotten! Show initiative and enthusiasm by making a call or sending an e-mail. Don’t just let the cover letter sit, go after it.

Don’t forget to polish.
Do not forget to proofread your cover letter, and several times. You do not want anything that could deter from your worth, so many sure that there are no spelling, grammatical or mechanical mistakes of any kind. A second pair of eyes couldn’t hurt, either.

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Careerminds provides scalable, strategic solutions to organizations seeking affordable, web-based outplacement services. Using a Web 2.0 e-learning platform that delivers affordable, online career transition services, Careerminds provides a high-tech and high-touch blend of on-demand career transition education supported by senior-level career consultants to help displaced workers reenter the workforce quickly.

Managing The Long-Distance Relationship: Part 2 - Ease Their Hesitations

Brittany Richter
Careerminds Consultant

A common question we always hear is how to handle the job search process from afar. There
are a number of issues associated with this situation, but one of the biggest hurdles when it comes to looking for a job from afar has to do with hesitation from your potential employer. They are concerned about costs and about the likelihood that you may wish to move back. Do everything you can to lessen the burden on them and assume personal responsibility for costs. If it is your dream job, or dream location, this could make or break your opportunity to make it happen, so it could be worth it in the end.

Here we outline 5 tips for combating their hesitations:

1. Mention that you’re moving: If you’re applying for a job that is more than driving distance away, mention that you’re moving to that location and why. If they know that you’re already moving there and that you have a good reason to, they will be less likely to be skeptical. If you don’t, they may be worried that you’d become homesick and want to move back.

2. Get a P.O. Box: The address you have listed on your resume could serve as a giant red flag for the HR professional screening your resume, especially if you’re currently living really far away. If you are in the process of re-locating, consider setting up a P.O. box near where you’re applying, and have them forward your mail to your current address. This way you don’t get tossed aside before your resume is really looked at.

3. Pay your own way: You need to understand, as we talked about last week, that cultural fit
determines success in the workplace, so the face-to-face interview is crucial. Be prepared to
have to fly out for an interview. With the state of the economy most businesses will not be
willing to cover costs, so if you make it clear that you can cover them, they may be less hesitant
to interview you.

4. Keep them in the loop: If you plan to be in your area of relocation at any point in the near
future, tell them that! They may schedule an interview with you during that time in order to
avoid having to pay to fly you out. – they may interview you during that time so that they don’t
have to cover the cost

5. Relocation costs: You may want to add a line on your resume that you are willing to relocate
yourself or "no relocation assistance needed." For the same reason as being able to cover
your travel costs for the interview, letting them know that you’re willing to pay for your own
relocation will help them be less hesitant to hire you.

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Careerminds provides scalable, strategic solutions to organizations seeking affordable, web-based outplacement services. Using a Web 2.0 e-learning platform that delivers affordable, online career transition services, Careerminds provides a high-tech and high-touch blend of on-demand career transition education supported by senior-level career consultants to help displaced workers reenter the workforce quickly.