I decided to reprint of the most asked for post we have ever published. It’s a bit of free job search advice that you can’t live without, because networking is the key to finding your next job. Read it and enjoy!
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Fellow Toastmaster Jim Nudelman has a simple 4-step process for writing an Elevator Pitch — a 10-15 second focused introduction of your “value proposition” that can be given in an elevator when someone asks, “tell me about yourself.” Jim (”the Noodle” as he is known to friends and family) is an experienced National Sales Trainer, so he should know something about putting your best foot forward to capitalize on a brief window of opportunity. Here’s his process: (continue reading at http://careeradvice4u.com/4-step-process…elevator-pitch/)
Guest editorialist, Larque Goodson, wonders if we REALLY love our jobs so much then how come we live for these four day weekends? I’m wondering the same thing!
“Social media posts this week confirmed the three most popular reasons to give thanks – family, friends and a four-day weekend.
Scores of posts and tweets about blissful days away from work have me wondering … does anyone like his job? Do hundreds of thousands of unemployed Americans spend every day grasping for a chance at a job just so they can dream of a four-day weekend?
One friend gave me this perspective; “Don’t get me wrong, I like what I do and I don’t mind my job, I just don’t want to be there.” (continue reading at: http://careeradvice4u.com/flexible-work-options-bring/)
In my last post I recommended 5 things you can do over the holidays to help you find a job. In this post I want to encourage you to volunteer as a way to find your perfect job. That’s right, volunteer. There are many ways to go about it, and lots of organizations need you – especially during the holiday season. Here are some suggestions followed by reasons why this is great career advice! In fact, volunteering may be better than a great resume for getting your foot in the door.
Where to show up. (Continue reading at http://careeradvice4u.com/find-perfect-job-volunteer/)
Today’s post at www.careeradvice4u.com/blog is by guest writer, Larque Goodson — a job seeker, just like you. Here’s what she has to say. . .
“Do you ever have a bad feeling in your gut like you are seven years old and just stole candy? How about a grating irritation that something is not quite right?
Possibly your subconscious is trying to tell you that despite saying you have a job-hunting strategy, you are not working the process.
I have felt an agitation over the past two weeks that I could not seem to shake…(to read more go to http://careeradvice4u.com/swiftkickinthebutt/)
While preparing to write a post on staying positive during the job search I posted a tweet on Twitter and Facebook. I thought I would glean some of the thoughts of my friends and followers – thinking perhaps one or two would respond. Boy, was I surprised when I got more than 15 amazing comments! Instead of compacting them, I thought I’d just share them with you. There are some gems here . . . as well as some, well, let’s just say “tongue in cheek.” I’ve condensed the name to just the initials, because I don’t have copyright permission to share the names. Here’s what I posted, and the responses. (Read more at: www.careeradvice4u.com/blog)
In an article Saturday in Slate magazine, Daniel Gross makes a case for a job recovery sooner than later. Using productivity as a key economic indicator, Gross writes, “we’ve just witnessed the fastest two-quarter productivity surge since the first year of the Kennedy administration. . . but just as hamsters can run only so fast on their treadmills, there are limits to productivity growth.”
Gross goes on to relate a footnote by Michael Darda, Chief economist at MKM Partners, who says, “Should the economy expand in the fourth quarter at the same 2.5 percent annual rate it did in the third quarter—as it shows every sign of doing—companies won’t have any choice but to hire.”
It’s an interesting argument. I’m not sure I agree with Mr. Gross (or Mr. Darda either, for that matter). Most other economists are telling us that it’s going to be Q3 or Q4 of 2010 before we start to see any real job growth in this country. But what is Gross and Darda are correct? Are you ready to get hired when things start picking up again? If not, here are 3 things you can do to prepare yourself: (to read the entire post go to www.careeradvice4u.com/blog)
Go to CareerAdvice4U.com and check out this guest blog post. Larque gives some great insights on
“Sticking to your guns can be difficult when you have been searching for a job for awhile – even a month. You know exactly what you want, from atmosphere to pay, but an “okay” offer seems better than no offer. I am not trying to pick on employment agencies, but I have another story of lessons learned from poor choices.” (continue reading go to www.CareerAdvice4U.com/blog)
Help get the word out to Engineer-types in OR & WA.
So you are looking for a job. Well, sooner or later someone is going to suggest you find a recruiter (sometimes called a head hunter, or a job placement agency). It’s not a bad idea, but it’s not a panacea either. If you are going to work with a recruiter, there are some things you should know.
1) Recruiters do NOT work for you. It’s NOT their job to find you a job. Recruiters are paid by a company to find candidates. As such, you are part of their inventory. Nothing more and nothing less. This may sound “cold”, but understanding that fact up front will save you heartache and time. It will also help you work more effectively with recruiters.
2) A recruiter will not pass your name along to a company if they don’t feel you are a perfect fit for the position. If they pass along a candidate that is determined to be “unqualified” they risk their reputation with the hiring company. If you feel you are a great fit, you need to work with your recruiter to understand the needs of the position and re-tool your resume to fit it exactly. If you can’t, you should not force the issue.
(Continue reading this post at: http://www.CareerAdvice4U.com/blog)
