CMS Career Blog

Alicia Keys is hiring! http://careeradvice4u.com/web-20-passing-fad/

I’m going to tell you something that will piss you off.  If you have been spending more than 30 minutes a day searching the Internet job boards, you have been wasting your time.  I know the drill. This evening your wife/husband/mother/etc is going to ask you how many jobs you applied for. You feel that if you haven’t spent time online, and you haven’t actually submitted any applications, then you haven’t applied for any jobs.  You are WRONG! If you don’t believe me, just c0unt the number of responses you got from all those job applications you submitted last week online.

So if applying online doesn’t work, what does? (continue reading. . . )

Our friends over at Common Craft do some great work.  There videos are simple, yet full of great information.  Today I want to share with you this 3 minute goodie on using LinkedIn for more than just making contacts. (read more . . .)

This week I have been writing about personal branding.  Today I want to share some links of folks who have both influenced my knowledge of the topic, AND who really get it.  Enjoy. (read more . . )

If you are going to build a house you will want to have a blueprint.  Otherwise how would you know if you were supposed to install a window or a door? How would you keep the roof from falling through the floor without the proper placement of the pillars?

If you are going to develop your personal brand you will want to have a strategy — a blueprint for building your personal brand.  Here are the four pillars of that blueprint. (continue reading. . . )

Remember the game your mom used to make you play on long road trips to keep you from whacking your little sister in the head the whole time? It went something like, “I’m going on a trip, and I’m taking with me …” Then everyone would take a turn telling what you would bring along. You had to pick something that used the next letter of the alphabet, but first you had to remember what everyone ahead of you said for their letter.

Hey, I know, let’s try it using only things you need for your job search.

I’ll go first. “I’m going out to look for a job and I’m taking…(continue reading)

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/)

I hear it all the time. Unemployed people tell me that because of the current economy they are willing to take any job just to get by. They write their resume to fit every job posting that comes along. They are willing to expand their job search to cast the widest net possible. They search the Internet for ”fast hiring jobs” and “free resume examples” to copy what others have done, believing that they will increase their luck by increasing the volume of resumes they send out.

Let me offer a bit of free career advice as to why this is a BAD IDEA! (continued at http://careeradvice4u.com/job-bad-idea/)

Here’s a link to a recent Forbes.com article with predictions about jobs in 2009: http://is.gd/cWiZ.

Basically, the author says, “If you’ve got a job you like, hold on to it with all your might.”  Sound advice, IF you can follow it. But what about those who have been recent casualties of the economic crisis facing our nation/world?  If you’ve recently LOST your job, you need more advice than simply, “hold on to what you’ve got.”

Here are some resources that will be helpful in your job search:

• Career Crossroads 2.0 - a social network for job seekers.  It’s free to start an account.
• LinkedIn - A social network for professionals.  Build your network and find opportunities within it.
• O*NET - An online research database provided by the US federal government.
• Resume Bear - “Advance Your Career. Empower Your Resume.”
• “Brand You” - An article by Tom Peters in Fast Company magazine discussing the importance of self branding.

With the new economic stimulus package being proposed by President Obama in Congress, I believe that there will be a significant amount of money being poured into the alternative energy, healthcare and highway/infrastructure sectors.  If you aren’t prepared to enter either of those areas, perhaps this is a good time to get some additional training.  Some state workforce development departments have funds to re-train people through their dislocated workers programs.  It’s worth checking out with your state employment department.

Folks, the news we get is that the economy continues to slide.  DON’T let that discourage you!  People are still finding work.  Develop your network, build a personal brand, and embark on a career marketing campaign.  These things WILL make a difference in your job search.

Best wishes.

A study conducted by the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), concludes that “employees are clearly not benefiting from management efforts to support their careers.”  (From 2000 HR Trendbook)  Out of 1000 employees interviewed, nearly half said their employer’s approach to career development failed to meet their needs.

Here are some of the statistics:

• 44% said their career aspirations are supported by a system for career development through their employers.
• Nearly half (38%) felt that their employers are only concerned about the career development of their “high potential” employees.
• 30% feel their employer is not committed to helping them achieve personal career goals.

Why does this matter?

Well, it matters for both employers and employees.  The coming years will see a shortage of talent in the workforce due to retirement of Baby Boomers.  Most companies have not yet developed a succession plan (42%) or only have an informal plan in place (29%) to meet their needs.  If employees are not given assistance to enhance their career within their current companies, they may find it necessary to move to a different company that provides these services.  Failing to provide programs for retaining and developing employees is a clear case of myopia.  Companies who do not step up to this challenge will find it difficult to keep their brightest and best employees.

It matters to employees, because in today’s work environment you can plan on changing careers every three to 5 years.  You are responsible for “You, Inc.”  Nobody else will manage your company (”You, Inc.”) for you, so the smart money is on managing your own career development.

There are several things YOU, as an employee, can do to enhance your own career from both inside and outside the organization.  Here are a few great suggestions:
1 - Consult your HR or Training department to find out what is offered through your current company. SHRM says that “a lot of unhappiness over career development programs is a communication issue.”
2 - Look elsewhere for career development opportunities.  Check out the local chapter of your professional organization to see what certification or continuing education classes are offered.
3 - Get a degree.  Your employer may offer some form of tuition assistance for this.  Check your employee manual or ask your HR department.
4 - Change companies.  Chances are good that your company’s competitors care more about their employees than yours does.  Why not take a look at working for them?

Are you one of the 44% of employees who feel their employers do not support your career development needs?  If so, what will you do to enhance your own career goals?