Posts tagged Job Search
Weekly Inspiration
Feb 6th
| Print article | This entry was posted by pyramid-admin on February 6, 2013 at 11:04 am, and is filed under Inspiration. Follow any responses to this post through RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback from your own site. |
Facebook – The New Recruiting Network?
Feb 4th
With the creation of the Facebook Graph Application, Mark Zuckerburg has proved that Facebook can compete with any social media platform, including LinkedIn. Last Tuesday, the company announced the introduction of a search tool that will allow people to connect by interest and location. This tool is going to be a huge asset for human resources and recruiters alike. Danny Rubin at the Huffington Post purports the example of a potential employer seeking out an employee who is fluent in French. The Graph Application allows this employer to search for a fluency in French within a Facebook profile. The employer could filter to have the search include ‘friends of friends’ or ‘friends of co-workers’. Predictions indicate this tool will be extremely useful because it allows employers to use their own immediate networks (which they already trust the most) to find a great hire.
Now that you know your Facebook profile could be analyzed in the near future by human resource departments, it may be time you made changes to increase your chance of a hire. Because the tool connects via pre-existing networks, it is important that you think critically before you delete your friends. Your friends can connect you to their networks which will allow for an increase in the number of people that can search for you. This makes sense if you think of Facebook as a new networking opportunity. The logic is don’t burn unnecessary bridges. Another way to increase your potential hire appeal is to make sure you list your full job title. You have to let these companies be aware of your experience in say photography or graphic design. If it is an applicable skill, go ahead and list it in your about me section. The next tip is to make sure your ‘like’ section is filled with companies you would like to connect with. However, this section could be used against your social profile if what you have chosen to like is damaging to your image. Basically, resist the urge to like anything profane or controversial. If you do feel the need to keep some of your more questionable interests or likes then Mashable suggests that you make sure you are adjusting your privacy settings accordingly.
Prior to launching this application, Facebook put up a Job Board search as part of its Social Jobs Partnership Initiative along with the U.S. Department of Labor Initiatives. It doesn’t stop there. Did you know Facebook right now has a plethora of job search applications for job seekers? For example, Be Known is Monster’s Facebook application that will update you with job and internship postings. There is an application called Business Cards which enables users to create personalized messages like a virtual business card that will sync with your Facebook profile. There are also applications like Hire My Friend that lets you to promote your job seeking friends. Furthermore, there are informational applications like Salary that give you insights on salary in a variety of fields. These applications are just the beginning. For a complete list you can use the Facebook Application Search and filter via jobs or resumes and see for yourself what beneficial applications you have been missing!
Since, Mark Zuckerburg is getting paid handsomely I suggest you let him and the Facebook team help you succeed in your own job search.
| Print article | This entry was posted by pyramid-admin on February 4, 2013 at 10:33 am, and is filed under Job Search, Social Media. Follow any responses to this post through RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback from your own site. |
Don’t Fear the Jobless Rate
Feb 1st
Conventional wisdom suggests that if you’re not getting better, you’re getting worse. This philosophy, voiced by football coaches and accepted by business professionals, brought rise to the fear that the US economy was receding in light of December’s unemployment rate remaining unchanged at 7.8%. The Labor Department’s broader rate of discouraged workers similarly remained unchanged at 14.4%, adding to the general concern. While the stagnancy of the rate is unnerving, it overshadows some positive measurements that suggest better figures to come.
November’s unemployment figures were impacted by superstorm Sandy driving job seekers away from the employment search. Despite Sandy’s impact, its effect on the market was seemingly reversed with the labor force increasing in December due to the spike in people seeking jobs. A modest number, but something work reporting is, the number of people who said they are working increased by 28,000 from November. From this data one could gather these increases are a sign of confidence in the state of the labor market, suggesting a projectable decline in the unemployment rate in the months ahead.
Furthermore, figures in the December report from the Labor Department imply a strong likelihood that many part-time workers were successful in finding full-time positions – another positive in light of the rate’s stagnancy.
The job search can be overwhelming, especially in the shadows of an unchanged unemployment rate. It is essential, though, to understand the factors that affect the numbers that the Labor Department presents, as December’s figures can be discouraging otherwise. Be sure to embody the confidence in the labor market when on the hunt for a job.
| Print article | This entry was posted by pyramid-admin on February 1, 2013 at 8:36 am, and is filed under Chronicles For Candidates. Follow any responses to this post through RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback from your own site. |
Tweet your way into a job!
Jan 25th
The first step to using your Twitter to find a job is to ensure your Twitter is acceptable for the work place. Now I’m not pointing any fingers, but some of us on Twitter have a tendency to tweet whatever pops into our heads before we critically think about what we are putting online. Sometimes these thoughts are just funny quips but other times they can be damaging to your social image. A good rule before you send a tweet is to think ‘would I say this in front of a past boss?’ If the answer is yes, please proceed. But if the answer is no then trust me and don’t send that tweet because no one is going to think you are a comic genius anyway and it might just cost you the job.
Some of you are wondering if a company would even look at your online profiles. Many people don’t realize that their twitter profiles can be traced back to them. As of last June, statistics show that “50 percent of mid-sized companies and almost all large corporations use an applicant tracking system to screen candidates for job opportunities.” With the creation of more advanced tracking systems, human resource departments have increased access to what they refer to as your “social resume”. The point here is, don’t rule out the possibility that your potential employer hasn’t looked at your twitter.
Now that I’ve expressed my caveat about using this social media platform, we can discuss how useful it can be. An article posted by Dr. Sarah David purports that 42% of employers use Twitter to tweet candidates for job opportunities. A great article was posted on “Your HR Buddy” that details the top 10 recruiters on twitter. This is a great starting point. Be sure to start following these recruiters in your field. You can also use the Twitter search tools to look for recruiters that specialize in your industry. The advanced search tool on Twitter allows you to narrow your search to location and specific trends so you can find more relevant information.
In addition to searching for job postings, you can use Twitter to engage with others with similar interests. I encourage you to find ongoing conversations related to your field or with potential employers. Get involved in these ongoing dialogues and get someone to notice you. It is highly recommended that you use the ‘hashtag’ tool to tag phrases related to intriguing job postings. If you use Twitter to interact with potential employers, you just might tweet your way into a job!
| Print article | This entry was posted by pyramid-admin on January 25, 2013 at 10:20 am, and is filed under Job Search, Social Media. Follow any responses to this post through RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback from your own site. |
The Key to Using LinkedIn in Your Job Search
Jan 14th
Do you use LinkedIn in your job search? If not, you should start incorporating it into your job search routine. LinkedIn provides access to when jobs open and when they are filled, employees, and a slew of other information. Still not convinced? According to Payscale, 94.5% of recruiters have successfully hired candidates through LinkedIn.
In order to effectively use LinkedIn, there are several guidelines you should follow.
- Makes your profile is completed. Use a professional photo and be sure to add any social media links such as blogs, portfolios, etc.
- Connect with people. Connect with past colleagues, classmates, professors. Grow and expand your network and remember this also grows your 2nd degree connections which can prove to be equally as important.
- Update your status with recent information that is of use to your network. It puts you back on your radar.
- Ask for recommendations. From the survey previously mentioned, employers ranked referrals as the best source for quality of job candidates.
- Don’t ignore LinkedIn endorsements, but don’t misuse them. Don’t just give endorsements and expect them back in return. Endorsements are a great way for quick recommendation, without having to write anything up.
- Use LinkedIn groups to build networks, engage and learn professional development.
Don’t be passive once you’re profile is set up and you’ve connected with everyone you know first-hand. Look to see who has viewed your profile, and add them to your network. If they are recruiters, see if they have jobs you might be qualified for. Don’t be shy. Invite people out for coffee to find out what they do and find out if they can give you any advice. If you don’t feel comfortable doing this, try asking a connection for an introduction.
Are you having difficulty completing your resume? You can use LinkedIn to see where people with your background are working and what their responsibilities are. Some general LinkedIn don’ts to keep in mind: don’t lie and don’t send people an invitation with LinkedIn’s default text. For more mistakes to avoid, click here.
| Print article | This entry was posted by pyramid-admin on January 14, 2013 at 4:09 pm, and is filed under Job Search, Social Media. Follow any responses to this post through RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback from your own site. |
Job Search Tips: How to Stand Out from the Crowd
Jan 11th
As we’ve mentioned in previous posts, the start of the New Year is a popular time of year for job seekers. This is a great time to reinvent your job search and approach it with a fresh strategy. This new strategy needs to come with an approach on how to stand out from the crowd. Throw out your generic resume, focus on growing your network and tap into your creative side.
- Tailor your resume and cover letter
Focus on your two to three of your strongest strengths and link them to the primary responsibilities of the position you are seeking. Show how you have learned new tasks and adapted to changes in past positions. An interest in learning is always appealing to hiring managers, but just don’t say it, show examples.
- Grow your network
Position yourself as an emerging leader in your field by creating a content-rich blogs and establishing strong social media presence. Try to make yourself a go-to resource or “expert” on a specific subject matter. One way to build your network of followers is to cite articles and posts from industry leaders in your field. Become active on industry social platforms, such as specialized LinkedIn groups. Don’t limit yourself to only growing your online presence; attend industry networking events to meet industry leaders and members of your industry face to face.
- Tap into your creative side
Get creative with not only the job search process, but with the application process, too. With regards to job searching, look into niche boards with focus on your industry. These boards generally have smaller applicant pools meaning less competition. During the application process, consider a video, multimedia or infographic resume, if appropriate for the position you are applying to.
Remember, you need take action. You will go nowhere fast if you don’t make any moves. You never know what could come of new job search strategies.
| Print article | This entry was posted by pyramid-admin on January 11, 2013 at 10:22 am, and is filed under Job Search. Follow any responses to this post through RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback from your own site. |
2 Approaches to Keeping Your Career New Year’s Resolutions
Jan 7th
Are you looking to start off 2013 with a new job, career change or possibly that long awaited promotion? We all make New Year’s resolutions, even if we don’t want to admit it out loud. Many of us have those resolutions focus on our careers. As we all know though, it is much easier to make our lists than to stick to them throughout the year.
One approach, as mentioned by Careerealism, to sticking to your resolutions is to assign them into different goal levels: immediate goals, short-term goals and long-term goals. This is a great way to lessen the anxiety over your resolutions and make them look more feasible.
A second approach is to maintain your motivation and drive throughout the year. Don’t succumb to a negative and/or defeated attitude. Only you can make the change you want in your life. As with the idea of the goals list, write down a motivational statement to go along with your resolutions.
Look into developing and enhancing skill lets relevant to your job or desired career. There are many opportunities out there by way of workshops, training courses and books. If you’re not sure where to find these, try looking into local Meetup groups. Another tactic for maintaining motivation is to surround yourself with ambitious people. Speakers, such as Jim Rohn have affirm the law of average, that you are the average of the five people you hang out with most
You may decide you want to modify your career resolutions. This is completely acceptable. Don’t stick to your resolution for the sake of committing. Sometime our goals change, just be sure not to lose sight of your drive. It’s a new year and the perfect time for a fresh start.
| Print article | This entry was posted by pyramid-admin on January 7, 2013 at 2:19 pm, and is filed under Chronicles For Candidates, Inspiration. Follow any responses to this post through RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback from your own site. |
7 Common Myths About Job Searches Debunked
Jan 4th
Many job seekers hope to start the New Year with a new job.
As you start or continue your search, here are a few job hunting myths you should be aware of:
Myth 1: If you haven’t heard back that means the job is filled.
This is not necessarily true. Do not let this discourage you during your search. If you haven’t done so already, send a follow up email or phone call to the hiring manager for an update on the hiring process.
Myth 2: I am not the most qualified so I won’t land the job.
You’re skills and experience are very important, but personality and eagerness to learn can go just as far with employers.
Myth 3: It’s not what you know; it’s who you know that counts.
Truth is: it’s both. A good referral can get you an interview, but if you don’t have the skills and experience your referral won’t get you much further, if at all.
Myth 4: Send out as many resumes as possible.
It is not very difficult to spot out a generic resume. Be sure to tailor your resume for each job you apply for, especially for different roles. You want to showcase your talents for each position and only apply to roles you are qualified for.
Myth 5: It’s best to always accept the first offer.
Receiving a job offer is very exciting, but don’t accept an offer for the sake of an offer. Take a step back and think it over first, perhaps you can even make a pros and cons list.
Myth 6: Nobody reads cover letters.
While we all secretly wish this was true, it’s simply not the case. Cover letters are a great way to provide information that may not be effectively expressed through a resume, while also showcasing your writing skills.
Myth 7: A resume should always be one page.
Limiting your resume to one page presents a huge challenge to experienced job seekers if it means that you must also eliminate potentially important information. Make sure you include the most relevant information in the first page if you must spill onto a second page.
Want to learn about more? Click here for additional job search myths.
| Print article | This entry was posted by pyramid-admin on January 4, 2013 at 3:41 pm, and is filed under Job Search. Follow any responses to this post through RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback from your own site. |
The Top 10 PCG Blog Posts of 2012
Dec 31st
Here is a look back on some of the most memorable posts on The Job Pyramid in 2012!
1 .Job Hunting Tips for Recent Grads
Highlights: Your major does not define your career path. Your major should play to your strengths. Inform employers about the skills you learned through your major, not the major itself.
Highlights: One-way interviews pre-screen candidates by having them respond to pre-set questions without a recruiter on the other end. Two-way interviews are conducted using a video calling service, such as Skype.
3. Resume Writing: What Stays and What Goes?
Highlights: Did you know, 72% of resumes are never seen by human eyes? Unfortunately, there is no way of knowing if a company uses one or not. The best way to approach this problem is to tailor your resume just like you would for a hiring manager. You have to read through your resume, delete all of the clutter and focus on the important key words.
4. Topics You Should Mention in an Interview
Highlights: If you have done the proper research on the company before the interview, you may have knowledge of upcoming developments or recent/on-going projects at the company. You should definitely incorporate this somewhere in the interview, but make sure it’s organic. Other topics you should mention are your skills and how they relate to the job as well as the industry as a whole.
Highlights: You should always treat the phone interview the same way you would an in-person job interview. Make sure you are in an area that has good reception and quiet. Don’t get too comfortable in the room and if possible, schedule the interview for a time of day when you’re most alert.
6. Tips for an Effective Cover Letter
Highlights: Use your cover letter as a method of influence and persuasion. Captivate with the first sentence. Make a personal connection. Follow the “Don’t Overuse ‘I’ Rule”. Showcase your accomplishments. There is no “I” in “TEAM”
Highlights: Research the event to find out the types of people/clients that will be attending. This way you can think of a general topic ahead of time that most would be interested in discussing. Use your own experiences to add to the conversation. Ask people about their work.
8. How to Effectively Use Your Professional Profile
Highlights: Keep it up to date – whenever you have an update, post it. Refresh your keywords and specialties – search online for common words that best describe what you do and use these key words organically. Be aware – create multiple online profiles and a personal blog and make sure they are all connected to enhance your personal search rankings.
9. Mentionings: 10 Musts to Score Your Dream Job
Highlights: If possible, gain some internship experience in the field where you’re applying. Understand that there is a fine line between being persistent and being a nuisance. Make sure you emphasize your accomplishments and not your credentials. Always come prepared with questions to ask the interviewer and customize your resume.
10. Tips for Calming Down Before an Interview
Highlights: Draft some basic questions you know you’ll be asked and rehearse in front a mirror or a friend. Do not start to dream up scenarios about how the interview can go wrong. Think positively. Get enough sleep. Take deep breaths to release anxiety. Take a trip to the office building before the day of your interview. This will reassure you that you are able to get there, how long it will take and will give you a visual of what you’re walking into.
And that’s a wrap! Looking forward to continue writing in 2013!
| Print article | This entry was posted by pyramid-admin on December 31, 2012 at 9:25 am, and is filed under Chronicles For Candidates. Follow any responses to this post through RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback from your own site. |
Not Sure If You’re Ready for a Career Change?
Dec 7th
Are you considering a career change, but not sure if it’s the right move for you? Make no mistake, this can be a challenging time and you want to weigh all of your options carefully. Should I quit myjob to dedicate my time to a job search? Should I go back to school? Should I just remain where I am? These are all common questions that might be running through your head.
To bring some clarity and a starting point, here are 5 questions to ask yourself from Forbes when considering a career change:
- Am I happy?
- Do I feel challenged every day (and more often in a good way than the opposite)?
- What do I love about my job/life? What do I wish I could change?
- Do I see a path for growth in my current position? If so, what does it look like?
- What things are most important to me in a job (i.e. flexibility, autonomy, money, recognition, working with creative people)?
Don’t just answer these out loud. Write them down, read them, step away and reflect. You might be surprised at your answers.
If you aren’t sure about quitting your job or can’t afford to do so, set up Google Alerts and/or sign up for job notification emails from corporate job boards to keep current. Another great way to stay under the radar while working and deciding a career change is networking. Set up for after work events, establish rapport and keep in touch.
Remain level headed, don’t make any rush decisions and consider all of your options and you will make the right decision.
| Print article | This entry was posted by pyramid-admin on December 7, 2012 at 12:47 pm, and is filed under Chronicles For Candidates. Follow any responses to this post through RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback from your own site. |
