Jessica’s Website is: http://www.greatresumesfast.com

The process of job seeking has nearly turned upside-down over the past decade thanks to the Internet and changes that have accompanied newer technology. One of the major adjustments we’ve witnessed is the manner in which employers accept applications.

Primarily, companies require candidates to submit applications via their online systems to improve convenience for all parties involved. But believe it or not, if you’re serious about getting a callback, applying online simply isn’t good enough.

Getting Back to Application Basics

The process of applying for a job has always been a bit of a tedious one, which is why many candidates—and employers for that matter—felt a sense of relief when new programs emerged that allowed applicants to submit their materials over the Internet.

Unfortunately, turning in applications online is an impersonal process that results in some resumes never being viewed by human eyes. As a valuable candidate, your job is to ensure a person has the opportunity to see your resume. And while this may not be possible when submitting via the Internet, it becomes easier if you get back to application basics by turning in resumes the old-fashioned way: in person.

4 Additional Ways to Apply for Jobs

Are you curious about some alternate ways to apply for jobs when you’re accustomed to taking the online route? Here are a few to consider:

1. Mail your resume: One way to make sure you stand out from other applicants vying for a position you want is to send your resume via snail mail. Better yet, overnight it so that it shows you’re serious about having it seen by a person.

2. Apply via fax: Another option to consider is sending your resume and additional documents via fax. But before doing so, it’s important that you speak with a company representative to not only find out to whom you should address the fax to but also to ensure that it will be picked up.

3. Drop your resume off with the employer: If you’ve heard about a potential position or simply want to inquire about opportunities, you can make cold visits to companies where you stop in, ask to see a hiring manager or recruiter and, at the very least, drop off your resume with a human being.

4. Attend a job fair: Finally, a great way to not only put your resume in a company representative’s hands but also increase your chances of scoring an interview on the spot, is by visiting a job fair. These events provide job seekers with an amazing opportunity to use charisma to their advantage before ever being called into an interview. Don’t miss your chance to do the same!

It’s always good to remember if an employer carries strict submission guidelines, then you want to adhere to them specifically. But if there’s room to use an alternate route for submitting your application, then by all means, take the extra steps needed to get your resume in front of human eyes.

Article courtesy of the Recruiting Blogswap, a content exchange service sponsored by CollegeRecruiter.com, a leading site for college students looking for internships and recent graduates searching for entry level jobs and other career opportunities.

Special - 50% Off Any Resume Service

Now that we have rung in 2012, it is time to start (or restart) your job search.  Of course, you are going to need a quality resume to help you in this process; however, what type is best to use?  There are two resume formats to consider: the chronological resume and the functional resume.

More experienced job seekers can use the chronological resume.  This resume emphasizes your work history; it includes an objective and/or summary statement of your career status, along with a list of the jobs you’ve had (starting with the most recent job).  Add your education, certifications, and skills below your work history.

A functional resume is a good resume format for job seekers with no or little work experience.  It focuses on your education, skills, and abilities, instead of work experience.  However, be sure to provide any experience you do have at the end of your resume.

Building a quality resume is one key to a successful job search.  Using the right resume format based on your career status is likely to capture more employers’ interests in you as a candidate.

Source:  http://thecareernews.com/newsletter.php?news=2616

Article courtesy of the Recruiting Blogswap, a content exchange service sponsored by CollegeRecruiter.com, a leading site for college students looking for internships and recent graduates searching for entry level jobs and other career opportunities.

The author’s website is www.collegerecruiter.com

Were you impressed by your last interview?  More importantly, was the interviewer impressed?  If the answer to the first question is no, then you may feel that one or more things went wrong in your interview.  For employers, even one mistake can raise a red flag about you as a candidate.  The following are interview mistakes made one too many times by job seekers:

Failing to research the company- By not knowing what a company does or what it values, you will seem uninterested in it, which doesn’t reflect well on a potential employee.

Saying too little or too much- If you are not saying enough when responding to questions, you could leave an impression of holding back; if you’re giving long answers, you might indicate a need to hear yourself talk.

Not asking questions- Asking questions shows initiative and your interest in learning more about the company.

For more interview mistakes to stay away from, please see the source.

An interview goes a long way in telling a potential employer whether or not you’re right for the job.  Leave this meeting feeling good about yourself by not making the mistakes that other candidates do.

-Source-

http://thecareernews.com/newsletter.php?news=2554

Article courtesy of the Recruiting Blogswap, a content exchange service sponsored by CollegeRecruiter.com, a leading site for college students looking for internships and recent graduates searching for entry level jobs and other career opportunities.

Here are some things to consider as you begin your job search:

Take stock of what you have to offer – Employers looking to hire recent grads are not expecting you to have pages of experience.  What they want to see is a well-rounded person with a variety of transferable skills they’ve acquired thus far.  What is a transferable skill?  A transferable skill is an ability learned through life or work experience.  For example – Managing time effectively, motivating others, being proficient in specific software applications.  Make a list of everything that you have to offer a perspective employer.  You’ll use the list when writing your resume.

Manage your expectations – High paying entry-level jobs with great perks and exciting responsibilities are rare.  More likely, you’ll be joining a company at the bottom, in a service, operations or sales role.  These jobs are filled with great learning opportunities and are valuable far beyond your starting salary.  Be open to these roles, it’s the “foot in the door” that everyone tells you is so valuable.

Write a great resume – I’ve seen hundreds and hundreds of resumes from recent grads in my career as a hiring manager.  It’s remarkable how many are poorly conceived and horribly written.  This is your first chance to showcase yourself to an employer.  Anything less than stellar will likely go unnoticed or be immediately eliminated.  Make use of all the great resources online and at your school’s career center, to ensure that your resume is well-written, properly formatted and current in terms of style and content.  Today’s resumes tell employers how you can specifically add value to their team.

Think quality over quantity – Don’t send your resume to every company in the world.  Your resume and cover letter should be tailored to each job specifically, to show the employer that you’re interested in their company.  A generic resume and cover letter will rarely if ever be noticed and considered.

Network, network, network – The classic job search cliché, but it works.  Everyone you know should know you’re looking for a job.  Everyone in your network is a potential resource.  Don’t be shy, but always be professional and respect the time of those from whom you seek assistance.

Clean up your online identity – This is important.  Most recruiters and employers will look for you online.  Be sure to remove all the party pictures from Facebook, and adjust your privacy setting accordingly to prevent a “friend” from posting something that may not present you in the most positive light.  A LinkedIn profile is a must.  Google yourself, and see what you find.  Ask yourself if you’d be comfortable if an employer found the same thing.

Finding a job is a job, approach it as such.  Have a plan for each day.  Set goals and exceed them.  Be successful!

Resume Basics, Part 1

” Success is how high you bounce when you hit bottom. ” – George S. Patton

Congratulations! You’ve received a job offer. Now what?

First of all, ask yourself if you want this job. Hopefully you spent the time up front to evaluate the company and the position prior to pursuing it. Sometimes things happen faster than you expect and you haven’t fully explored the opportunity. There are a lot of important aspects to research and consider when you are evaluating an employment opportunity. The more you know before the offer, the better position you’ll be in.

A company’s values, vision and corporate culture are going to fundamentally affect you on a daily basis. Does the company you are evaluating motivate and speak to you? Do you feel like it will be a fit with your personality and work style? Just as dating someone with a fundamentally different belief system would be a great challenge, so will working for a company where you do not buy into the mission and vision.

What about the size and hierarchy of the company? Are you more apt to want to wear several hats and take broad responsibilities? Do you want a close working relationship with top management and the ability to see the impacts of your personal contribution? If so, a smaller company may offer you the best fit. Are you focused on training or mentoring programs and a clear career path? Do you have specialized skills that you want to focus on specific endeavors? If so, a larger company may be for you.

Location, hours, and flexibility are also important considerations. If you have to relocate, you’ll want to evaluate the area, cost of living, housing options, and community amenities. Will you need to commute? If so what are the costs and time required? Is there flexibility in terms of hours worked in order to avoid traffic? Can you work remotely for some portion of the week? Will the position require travel?

The company’s background and tenure can be discovered via press releases, newsletters, and annual reports. Take the time to inquire about the company by tapping into professional networks, alumni career offices, current employees, and even competitors. Conduct a search on the internet or pick up the phone and ask the front desk who you might speak with. You’ll want to consider the company’s products & services, market position, industry, age, size, employee turnover, and financial condition.

Now back to that offer you received, is the compensation package in line with expectations? Is the salary competitive? What is the overtime or compensated time off policy? What are the benefits? What does the overall package entail? How does the compensation package compare to the industry? Again, the more research you’ve done upfront, the better you can evaluate the terms you are being offered.

The bottom line probably does not boil down to one number. Salaries may be structured to offer an equity piece or bonuses. Flexibility, training programs, promotion opportunities, salary/performance review, vacation, insurance and other perks are an important part of the overall remuneration you will be receiving.

If you choose to negotiate the pay or benefits, the more research you have done, the better you can present your case. There are many sources for salary information by industry and role such as salary surveys by professional associations, the National Association of Colleges, and websites like Indeed and Monster, or the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Speaking with people in your professional network within the industry, consulting employment ads, and discussions with external recruiters can give you a lot of insight into the current compensation trends.

Finally, remember that a written offer letter is often regarded as a contract from a legal standpoint. It is important then that this offer covers any aspects that are important to you and reflects the conversations that lead up to it. If official company policies are codified, ask for a copy to review.

Typically you only have a couple days to review and accept a job offer. Be prepared, know what is realistic as well as what you want and where you have room to negotiate. Good luck in your new job!

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/career-management-articles/how-to-evaluate-a-job-offer-5313023.html

About the Author

Anna Mathieu, Marketing Communications Manager at Redfish Technology, Inc.

Anna’s experience as a recruiter and as a seasoned sales & marketing professional give her a winning perspective on communicating Redfish’s specialized recruiting services. Her evangelization and branding continue to drive bottom line results.

Article courtesy of the Recruiting Blogswap, a content exchange service sponsored by CollegeRecruiter.com, a leading site for college students looking for internships and recent graduates searching for entry level jobs and other career opportunities.

Please feel free to leave your comments and visit these contributors online!

• For Job Seekers: Step away from your computer! Do people find jobs via online strategies? Sure…sometimes. But you’ll increase your chance of success by developing a comprehensive plan that includes a variety of job search strategies. One more thing: be sure you’re consistently putting in the time necessary for a successful job search. The adage ‘finding a job IS a job’ is absolutely TRUE. Carol Camerino, www.lookingfortheonramp.com

• Don’t assume every resume “how-to” book is created equal. Find out who the leaders in the industry are and buy a book written by one of them. Mary Lou Webb, www.writerresourceinc.com

• Get involved in your industry and become the valued go-to person for the latest news and techniques. Take control of your career and pursue training and certifications if your employer doesn’t provide it for you. Ginger Korljan, www.takechargecoaching.com

• Get away from your computer and include networking into your job search. This is a learned technique…find a coach who can teach you how to network effectively. Martha Rockwell , www.confidencebuilder.net

• There were 15.6 million unemployed people in the U.S. in December 2011. If you’re a job seeker today, you’ve got a lot of competition for your next job. If you want to appear competitive, be sure to hire a seasoned, professionally certified resume writer to help you document your successes! Your story is unique; don’t risk telling it with a template that millions of other job seekers are also using. Debra O’Reilly, www.resumewriter.com

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Please feel free to leave your comments and visit these contributors online!

• Keep a folder of documents you may want to refer to when you next update your resume. Include performance evaluations, letters of commendation, notes about your achievements, a list of workshops or courses you complete, etc. This will make the update much easier as you will have all those details in one place. Betty H. Williams, www.customresumes.net

• Only put one telephone contact on your resume. Recent research shows that the majority of people under the age of 30 no longer use land lines. Having two telephones, makes you look “older.” Susan Geary,  www.1strateresumes.com

• Remember you are not auditioning for a spot on The Jerry Springer Show – it is OK to NOT disclose everything. Only include what supports your goal for this resume – where you want this resume to take you. Axe everything that does not do that.Faith Sheaffer-Polen, www.careercurve.com

• It’s all about networking – whom you know and who knows you. The best resume is worthless in the wrong hands. How do you market yourself? Doris Appelbaum, www.appelbaumresumes.com

• Take some time to figure out who you are, what you do and what you can do for the employer BEFORE you do anything else. As part of this process, figure out who you are targeting. Until you know what you are “selling” what sets you apart from the competition and what your buyer (aka “the employer” ) needs and wants, you can’t possibly write your resume or begin your search. Norine Dagliano,  www.ekminspirations.com

Please check back regularly for more great tips from the pros!

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