My Campus Chronicles
Our college blog dedicated to helping students prepare for life outside of college.
September 2009 archive
Now is the time to stand out in the job market. With thousands out of work and companies flooded with resumes, it is important to make sure that your resume does not end up in the trash.
As one article explains, prospective job seekers should stick with the basics of resume writing and not be too ornate or "creative" about developing a resume. Unnecessary gimmicks or too many block letters and boxed information, could get your resume thrown into the trash.
With more workers looking for employment, recruiters and hiring managers are spending more time sifting through resumes and applications to try and find the qualified talent they are seeking. If resume set ups are too distracting, they may lose their patience and move on to the next.
Furthermore, companies are not hiring en masse right now. Chances are they are only looking for a handful, or fewer, candidates at a time. With fewer jobs and more candidates, workers can ill-afford to have their resumes tossed to the side, or thrown away without even having a chance at an interview.
Several previous Big Time posts have discussed green jobs as possible options for those looking for a new industry or new job to pursue. Part of President Obama's economic stimulus package included funding for environmentally focused jobs and industries.
Although some reports may say that the number of green jobs available is disappointing, these jobs are still options for passive and actively seeking job candidates. Check out the following article about finding a green job.
Not only does this article offer advice about what one might need to do to find a green job, such as relocating and staying focused on particular industries, but it also lists a number of web sites that can keep you up to date on the news and information about green businesses and industry.
"As workers begin to leverage social networking tools in their job search, it is important to keep abreast of changing etiquette for these venues as well. Social networking is no longer just social, it has quickly become a career networking medium as well. Which means a change in how, when and what you post. And as they say... what is posted on Facebook, stays on Facebook."
Q: Dear Seymour, Could my Facebook Page be Keeping me From Landing a Job?
- Submitted by Jane Ayers, Tuscaloosa, Florida
A: Dear Jane,
Facebook started in 2004 as a pet project of then Harvard student Mark Zuckerberg. It was originally designed for students, but in no time it exploded into an international social networking phenomenon that included everyone and excluded no one. Though it was once a forum for students to chat and post photos, now facebook is for anyone and everyone--including potential employers - which means if you're serious about your career, there are rules to follow.
Is this professional?
Before you post anything to facebook, ask yourself: Is this professional? If you knew a boss or a potential boss would see it, how would you feel? What might they assume about you? Social networking is about being friends with people, but now that business and career networking has become part of it as well, it's important to mind your p's and q's. If you wouldn't do it or say it in an office, don't put it on facebook.
Consider creating a career-only profile.
It's a great idea to make a profile that is only for business and networking. You can easily create a separate e-mail address to help you manage this, and it will eliminate the question of whether it's okay to post something on facebook. Make this profile only about your work and your career goals. Post a professional photo if you choose to post a photo at all, and make your updates about industry news. If you have a career blog, link to it there. This is also a great idea for friending people you work with--office rumors can spread quickly, so only having work friends on your business profile will protect you. This will allow you more freedom on your personal site.
Manage your friends and your privacy.
Many people have hundreds, even thousands of facebook friends. It's smart to create lists to help you manage your friend list and also to regulate the privacy settings of each group. You may have one group for closest friends, one group for family, and one for career networking. Privacy settings are so sophisticated now that you can manage who sees what, so it's easy to still post your beach vacation photos but only make them visible to your social friend group. Think about what is appropriate on your profile for friends and what is appropriate for business and use the privacy accordingly.
You never know who is watching.
This is true in life, and it's also true on facebook. Even if you think your privacy settings are set, even if you think you are unsearchable, you never know how word could get out about something you said or did. Maybe one of your friends ends up knowing your next hiring manager even if you are unaware of the connection. Most hiring managers are eager for information about candidates, and while using a friend to view other's profiles may not be completely ethical, it's wise to expect the unexpected.
One short, simple rule for facebook or any social networking: If your grandma and your boss shouldn't see it, don't post it.
Seymour
Karen Valentine has more than 16 years of experience in human resources and outsourcing. As Director of Solutions for SourceRight Solutions, she devises and implements coherent HR strategies while improving internal processes and procedures. Karen has a bachelor of business in HR from Deakin University in Australia and has lived and worked in North America for more than11 years.
1. What are the advantages to utilizing a recruiter in my job search? Recruiters can connect you to job opportunities that you otherwise wouldn't know about. They can also assist in 'selling' you to the hiring manager. They offer guidance on how to present yourself and advice on how to win the job.
2. Is it OK to use more than one staffing/recruiting agency at a time? Yes. However, you have to be respectful and honest with your recruiter to make sure that they are kept in the loop on other opportunities that you have been presented for. You don't want a war of which agency was the first to refer you.
3. What trends have you been seeing in the job market? I am seeing a lot of consolidation. Merger and acquisition activity is currently underway, affecting the availability of jobs in this economy. However, there are some promising growth areas due to government policies, consumer demand and economic conditions that are making way for job creation. These new and/or expanding opportunities lie with companies that are involved with: Biotechnology; Construction and Engineering Services for Infrastructure and Government Projects; Health Products [including Health / Organic Foods]; Health Services; Energy Conservation / Renewable Energies; and Cosmetics Manufacturers.
4. What are some tips for first time job seekers or recent graduates coming into a job market that is proceeding cautiously with hiring decisions? All job offers need a certain level of consideration to ensure that you can commit to the role. However, don't hesitate for too long or someone else will move in. Also remember that the early stage of your career is the best time to explore career paths and take chances.
5.What is the one thing you recommend candidates steer clear of during an interview? During the initial interview it is great to ask questions about the business based on your research in order to showcase your interest. But asking questions about where you will sit, what sort of a computer you will be getting, etc. sounds like you are under the assumption that you will get the job. Also avoid asking questions about vacation time or other company perks; it can leave a bad impression about your level of commitment. It's important to remember you are on a interview and trying to impress your prospective employer.
6. What types of things can candidates do to distinguish themselves from the pack? Structure your approach like a marketing campaign. Research opportunities before they become publicly advertised. Do your homework on the company that you are applying for; personalize your approach in letters and conversations using your research. Most importantly, do homework on yourself. It is important to make sure that you are prepared to answer questions and demonstrate your capabilities. For example, it is a good idea to name your strengths and be prepared with examples of how you have put them to use.
7. What do you enjoy most about your job? Problem solving. I really enjoy working with our clients to understand their needs and deliver creative and achievable solutions to meet their business requirements. The process is always a great learning experience. Plus, I get to meet interesting and diverse people along the way!
Remember the day you were laid off? What was the first thing some of your friends and colleagues said to you? I can probably tell you a couple of answers: "I am sorry", "Tough break, but you'll bounce back".
Those were probably the most common comments. But I bet there was one more that you possibly heard - "Maybe when the economy gets better, they will ask you back." This is always a possibility, but according to one article, it can be a blessing and a curse.
If you want to leave the door open to come back to your former employer, don't burn any bridges as you leave. Stay in touch with your colleagues and manager while you look for another job, and mention that if the opportunity arises, you would like to come back.
Should your former employer call you back, but you are not sure if it's the right move, don't feel pressured to return just because you need to have a job. Weigh the options and potential opportunities you have in front of you, and determine if your previous employer is the right place for you to be.
There is certainly some daylight in the job market, and little by little, more job opportunities are becoming available. If you are out of work, conduct a job search as normal, and keep an eye on your former employer. You never know, there may be a chance that you could be a boomerang employer one or two years down the line.
