How Your Former Colleagues Can Create a New Job for You | Career Rocketeer

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How Your Former Colleagues Can Create a New Job for You Posted: 01 May 2011 03:30 AM PDT I just received great news that someone very close to me got a job after a flurry of layoffs in the science library in which she worked. She hadn't had to look for work for 19 years, but all along she and her colleagues were preparing for the future. Her story illustrates the importance of networking before it's time to rely on your network—the best time to network is while you're working, they say. Below are her words, words that we should all heed. I began a library service at a small biotech in 1991, and my company was fully supportive of growing this function to meet the growth and new functions that came into our company over 19 years. However, the past 2-3 years were financially challenging for the company, and the library staff and services began to be cut back along with everyone else, in several waves of layoffs. Over the years, we formed excellent relationships with our internal customers, most of whom were R&D scientists and clinical and intellectual property staff in a steadily growing company which had one approved product on the market. In recent years, as the layoffs continued, many of our former customers joined other area biotechs. I noticed someone in my group making notes every time he heard someone had been hired by a new company. Our group thought this would be very helpful to others being laid off, so we all set up a web page in-house that linked to the career page of every area biotech we could find, which included our list under each company name of anyone from our company who had been hired there. This list helped our scientist-colleagues who were receiving layoff notices to know where their former colleagues had been hired, so that they would have personal contacts at any company in which they were interested in applying or networking. This web page was also helpful to our company’s outplacement firm, and it kept my library group “in the know” – every time someone at our company heard the news of a hire of a former colleague, they would tell us so that we could add them to our list. Some of our former colleagues would even call from their new jobs and ask us to add them to the list. LinkedIn was another good source to verify a new hire, when the news-bearer wasn’t 100% sure of their source of information. At one of these local companies, several of our former colleagues (scientists and support staff) missed using our services, and requested a dedicated library service like the one they had had while working with us. About a year ago, one of those scientists introduced us to a manager at her new company, and we described our services to her and offered to help in any way we could, while their company considered developing this type of service. We kept in touch with our former colleagues and this manager as the months went by. They contacted us recently when their new librarian position was posted, and invited us to apply. In addition, several other former colleagues now at that company contacted us and offered to forward our resumes, using an in-house process of recommending candidates. I prepared for my interview by studying closely the current activities and goals of the company, their history, the information they provide to the investment community, and I used LinkedIn to learn the job responsibilities of the people I would be meeting that day. It was very useful to request these names before going to the interview. I also looked through the company’s careers page to study the types of positions they are putting in place, to understand the job responsibilities/work processes of the people whose information needs I hoped to support. In preparing answers to possible questions I thought might be asked, it was important to skip back several months, before I was focused on “deconstructing” the library services, to reflect on all of the years that my group and I were continually building and adjusting services to meet our company’s changing needs. This was what helped me at the interview to convey my passion for and describe my experiences in helping scientists get exactly what they need to move ahead. Most of all, I am thankful to our former colleagues for taking the initiative at their new company of talking about what we used to do to support their work, and for everyone at (my) new company who did so much great work to make this position possible! Guest Expert: Bob McIntosh is a career trainer at the Career Center of Lowell, where he leads more than 20 workshops on the career search. He consistently receives ratings of "Very Good" on customer evaluation forms. Bob is often the person people go to for advice on the job search. As well, he critiques resumes and conducts mock interviews. Bob's greatest pleasure is helping people find rewarding careers in a competitive job market. These he considers to be his greatest accomplishments. Please visit his blog and connect with him on LinkedIn. what where job title, keywords or company city, state or zip jobs by

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30 Interviews and No Offers: Is the Economy that Bad?

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30 Interviews and No Offers: Is the Economy that Bad? Posted: 30 Apr 2011 11:00 PM PDT I've been unemployed for five months. I've been told I interview well, and have had coaching in a job club. Is the economy still that bad? To get this useful advice and many other helpful career resources, visit us now at CAREEREALISM.com.

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The Work Buzz's Latest News: Graduating college this year? Start your job search off right

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Graduating college this year? Start your job search off right Posted: 29 Apr 2011 09:35 AM PDT Of all the parties the class of 2011 will be attending in honor of their graduation this spring, a pity party probably won't be one of them. That's because, after three years of dismal hiring and salary reports for new college grads, things are finally looking up this year. "Employers are more optimistic overall, and as a result, are looking to bring in entry-level workers to build their workforce for the future," says Brent Rasmussen, president of CareerBuilder North America. "Companies are adding jobs in a variety of areas and need fresh, educated talent to fill those roles." Indeed, numerous recent reports show positive hiring trends for this year’s graduates. According to a new CareerBuilder survey, for example, 46 percent of employers plan to hire recent college graduates this year, up from 44 percent in 2010 and 43 percent in 2009. Additionally, a new report from the National Association of Colleges and Employers shows that, not only are more companies planning to hire new graduates this year, but those companies are also planning to hire in larger numbers. Employers expect to bring on 19.3 percent more new college graduates this year than they did in 2010, the first double digit percent increase in anticipated hiring since 2007. Besides a better hiring outlook, annual starting salaries for the class of 2011 are also expected to increase. The NACE survey reports that the average anticipated offer to this year's graduates will be $50,462, a 5.9 percent increase from the $47,673 average annual salary offer made to the class of 2010. Plus, the CareerBuilder survey found that, of companies who plan to hire new grads, 26 percent will offer higher starting salaries than they did in 2010. Regardless of the health of the economy, though, the entry-level job market is always competitive, and new graduates will need to work for their job offers. If you'll be looking for your first job in the real world this spring, follow this expert advice in order to stand out from your competition in all areas of your job search. Your résumé Most recruiters spend less than a minute looking over a résumé, so make sure that your most important and relevant skills and experiences stand out. While those will vary depending on the job you are applying for, there are certain things all employers look for in job candidates. According to CareerBuilder survey respondents, the following five most important skill sets and experiences they are looking for from new grads. Skills sets: Strong written and verbal communications Technical skills Project management Research Math Experiences: Internships Part-time jobs in another area or field Volunteer work Class work Involvement in school organizations To ensure potential employers see your crucial qualifications, create a career summary at the top of your résumé that speaks to your “selling points,” and use bullet points when listing accomplishments so that they’re easy to find. Your interview Interviews can be anxiety-provoking, but remember to be yourself, no matter how nervous you may feel, says Jenny Blake, author of the book “Life After College," a resource guide for college graduates, as well as a blog of the same name. "Take three long, deep breaths before your interview to work out any nervous energy that might be building. The more natural and authentic you can be, the better. And don’t forget to smile." Whatever you do, avoid making the following mistakes, cited by CareerBuilder survey respondents as the most common slip-ups entry-level job candidates make in interviews: Going to the interview with no knowledge of the company Acting entitled Dressing inappropriately Not asking good questions during the interview Forgetting to turn off their cell phone before the interview A little preparation can go a long way in avoiding these mistakes, though. For example, “Spend time researching the organization ahead of time by checking out their website, press room and other articles that might be written about them,” Rasmussen advises. “Going to the interview prepared is a great way to impress a hiring manager." Your attitude Your job search might get frustrating or take longer than expected, but don’t give up hope. "Even though the job market is gradually improving, it is still a highly competitive job environment," Rasmussen says. "[But it's important to] stay positive and make sure you show that enthusiasm during your search." To maintain an optimistic outlook while you find a job, "Focus on creating value in your life even outside of your job search," Blake says. "For example, start a blog, take some classes, join networking groups — find activities that will add value to your résumé and your life — which will hopefully take some of the pressure off of relying solely on your job search to provide validation and satisfaction. Besides, you never know when you might meet a fruitful contact through any of those venues." Your approach You'll get a lot more leads in your job search if you vary the approach you take in looking for work. Rasmussen suggests using social media and in-person networking to supplement an online job search, for example. If you job search seems to hit a stagnant point, don't be afraid to look for a job outside of your preferred industry, either. "Consider taking a job outside of your desired field if it will help you gain experience and learn new skills," Rasmussen says. "Plus, you may discover that what you originally planned wasn't as good of a fit as a different path." Agrees Blake, "The important thing to remember is that it’s not the end of the world if you don’t end up madly in love with your first job — focus on the skills you are learning that will serve you for the rest of your career, and know that you can always correct course with the next gig. While you may not see every step of your path defined at the outset (in fact most of the time you won’t), if you can start small and start somewhere, things will unfold naturally. Dream big, trust your gut and don’t be afraid to take great leaps." Graduating this spring? Check out CareerRookie.com for entry-level job and internship listings.

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What’s in a Job Title and How to Create Your Own Captivating Caption | Career Rocketeer

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What’s in a Job Title and How to Create Your Own Captivating Caption Posted: 30 Apr 2011 03:30 AM PDT Barista or Counter Person? Cast Member or Parking Lot Attendant? Genius or Clerk? Starbucks, Disney, and Apple figured out a long time ago that making employees feel valuable makes for more productive employees, attracts better job applicants, and even gives businesses a more upbeat atmosphere that employees and customers alike enjoy. And job titles cost absolutely nothing – they’re just a creative way of presenting something that could be as familiar as cashier or salesperson. If you’re sick of being just another Administrative Specialist or Project Manager, take some initiative and create your own moniker that will attract clients and potential employers and put a little more caffeine in your identity, your networking, and even your business cards. Here are a few key qualities of attention-grabbing job titles I’ve noticed lately, and examples as they appear on business cards: The Titillator Example: Blo Boss Really. I’m not making this one up. Blo Boss is the alter title for the Appointment-Setter/Receptionist at a hair salon that specializes in shampoo and blow-dries. Double and triple entendres aside, the title Blo Boss induces, well, excitement, curiosity, a bit of nervous laughter that makes you want to know more about this person. The titillator could be risky, but then again, when the underlying job is innocent of any real monkey-business it can show that you have a sense of humor and that you, as a matter of fact, aren’t afraid of taking a risk to make a strong impression. But, this strategy may not be ideal for more risk-averse careers, such as actuaries or accountants, or careers where any kind of suggestive teasing is more creepy than cute, such as dentists or driving instructors. The Witty Bombast Example: SEO Mastermind His co-workers know him as the guy who does the website. But by giving himself an exaggerated description of his job, the bombast gives off the impression that he is self-deprecating and able to poke fun at himself while still managing to come off as knowing what he’s doing. Bombasts are walking a fine line that people actually buy. If the mastermind didn’t know what he was doing, he’d never be confident enough to poke fun of himself. So maybe he is a mastermind…or guru, superpower, king, or extraordinaire. The Personality Example: The Morning Person (Also Human Resources Manager) In this case, the Human Resources Manager uses the workplace personality she’s developed to distinguish herself. She’s not just the go-to person for your questions about cashing in your 401K and taking off for a beach somewhere, she’s also the one who turns on the lights in the morning, answers the phone with a pleasant voice, and gets the business day going smoothly and efficiently. Everyone needs a morning person in the office. She’s that person. She’s needed, helpful, and pleasant. If it’s your personality that you offer as much or more than your skills, you may want to try it. Maybe you’re The Motivator, The Coach, The Consensus-Builder, The Organizer, The Problem-Solver, or even The Devil’s Advocate The Bottom-Line Example: Relationship and Revenue Builder Whether this person is a sales exec, a manager, or a marketing associate, what he wantsyou to know is his bottom line. This is what I do. This is how I contribute. This is why I get paid the big bucks. Other bottom-lines include Closer, Fixer, Dealmaker, Collector, Networker, and Budget-Cutter. The Sophisticate Example: Wordsmith A friend of mine who writes all the copies for her company’s promotional materials started out with the title of Copywriter. Not bad, but Wordsmith has such a renaissance-like feel to it, doesn’t it? Elevating her creative position from hack writer to artistic craftsman, she sounds more valuable, her work feels more valuable, and other people treat her time and work with more respect. Other fancy words I’ve seen that add a touch of gravitas and can be sprinkled into more ordinary titles include Liaison, Innovator, Artist, and the word Creative used as a noun instead of an adjective. The Old Stalwart – With a Twist Example: Director of Crazy Ideas That Just Might Work Some words still hold that mystique of cachet and success no matter how overused or everyday they may be. Start with a zany or creative description of what you do and tack on an old stalwart for a memorable and snappy juxtaposition. Good ol’ boys to use: Executive, Strategist, Analyst, Chief, or President. Job titles can do a lot for you – or they can do nothing. A boring business card with a boring job title gets tossed. A creative job title makes people look twice, maybe makes them chuckle, and tells them you’ve got something unique about you. That special something might be an extremely wacky way of looking at the world, but people want to work with interesting people who will help them see things in new ways. Is your boring job title hiding what’s so great about you? Maybe it’s time to unleash your fascinating self with a new identity. Tell the world what they don’t know about you. Guest Expert: Bill Post, Small Business Research Analyst, has been providing research on issues of concern to small businesses for 123Print.com Business Cards for three years. Prior to his involvement with 123Print, Bill was a small business owner himself, providing marketing and branding services to other small businesses in the Washington, DC metro area. Before working with 123Print on Business Card Templates, Bill spent several years after receiving his degree in the fast-paced corporate world. It was there that Bill not only honed the skills he uses to help small businesses get ahead, but it is also where he realized that he’d rather help the little guy prosper than make huge corporations money.

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How Do I Convince a Business to Give Me a Chance?

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• How Do I Convince a Business to Give Me a Chance?
• 8 Golden Rules to Getting a Job in a Bad Economy
• 3 Easy Ways to Overcome the Challenge of Resume Writing

How Do I Convince a Business to Give Me a Chance? Posted: 29 Apr 2011 10:00 PM PDT I'm having trouble getting my experience taken seriously. Could it be age discrimination? How do I convince a business to give me a chance? To get this useful advice and many other helpful career resources, visit us now at CAREEREALISM.com.

8 Golden Rules to Getting a Job in a Bad Economy Posted: 29 Apr 2011 09:30 PM PDT Many people mistakenly assume if a company is not looking for someone then a job isn't available. Wrong! Get a job now in a bad economy! To get this useful advice and many other helpful career resources, visit us now at CAREEREALISM.com.

3 Easy Ways to Overcome the Challenge of Resume Writing Posted: 29 Apr 2011 07:00 AM PDT Trying to get your job search off to a strong start? Here are 3 reasons why resume writing can be hard, followed by 3 ways to make things easier. To get this useful advice and many other helpful career resources, visit us now at CAREEREALISM.com.

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