Job sites and Resources

Just found a great site for job sites and resources here:

http://www.ficgs.com/Best-Job-Sites-forums_3900.html
Regards

Andrea Drew

Feeds from Ezine articles

Why Selection Criteria? (as published on ArticleBase)

Job hunting and your online presence

The following blog article about "social networks as a marketing tool" got me thinking about a persons online presence, and how this could affect your ability to gain (or fail to gain!) employment.

http://wazza.com/blog/uncategorized/social-networks-as-a-marketing-tool/

In this age of Big Brother, there are few aspects of your life that can't be checked up on. In an article on ABC News: Good Morning America journalist, Tory Johnson, raised the spectre of personal blogs, or sometimes worse, blogs operated by friends or family, could be sabotaging your job prospects or opportunities. But forewarned can be forearmed and it can be possible to turn this looming disaster in your favour.

The latest in the U.S. (and as I always say Australia is never far behind) is for employers or prospective employers to run a search to see what they can pick up about an employee or applicant. Positions or promotions have been won or lost by what they have found. Sometimes it is not even an entry by the owner of the blog, but comments made by outsiders, that have caused the problems.

Kathie Thomas, Director of global virtual organisations, 'A Clayton's Secretary' and self confessed 'Blog Guru', tells of an individual here in Australia who lost his job because of things he said about his employer's company on his blog. He also had to remove the blog because of threatening legal action by his former employer.

One incident cited by Ms Johnson was that of a lady who posted her holiday photos, some in a bikini, on her blog for family and friends. There was nothing distasteful about the photos, however some of the comments posted by visitors to the site were most distasteful. As she seldom checked the site these comments remained, and were seen by her employer and co-workers causing a great deal of discomfort for her at work.

Points to consider if you, your friends, or family have a blog:

• Be sure your children undertand the importance of exposing themselves, or their family, unfavourably to the world. Teenagers who write about excessive drinking or wild parties on their blog - or yours - could be damaging their job prospects

• Be aware that you can block others from posting to your site

• If you do allow posts, monitor your site regularly and edit or delete if necessary

• If you are job hunting - or other - never post anything you wouldn't want your current or prospective employer to read - or anyone else of influence or importance in your life

• Always remember that this is your face to the world

• Post positive information about achievements, organisations your may be involved in, community service etc. It does not have to be - or should be - trumpet blowing, but casual references to your many positive attributes could go a long way

On a positive note, professional colleague, Dean J. told me that some time ago he joined a table tennis club and was rapidly inducted as Membership Manager. He has found that with the job title, listed on the club's web site, has come unexpected business relationships and new clients.

"Now when prospective clients, former clients, colleagues, recruiters etc do a Google search...up pops my exploits in Table Tennis," Dean says "They even know the scores of my games. UGH!"

"The amazing result is that it has been great for business. Clients and others see that I am not all business...but actually have a life. The personal connection has been great."

That you have an online identity does not necessarily tell against you. It is what you do with your online life that can be the deciding factor, and it can be a positive influence if handled correctly.

BOOK ANNOUNCEMENT

Work has started on Andrea's latest book - "Finders Keepers - More than a resume. How to find, get and keep that job."

An excerpt from the introduction is included here, more to follow. We are very interested in any feedback as far as what you would like to see included within it's contents. Scheduled release date is July 2009 in both paperback and e-book.

Finders Keepers: More than a Resume - finding, getting and keeping a job.

About the author.

Andrea Drew is the founder and chief professional writer of Impressive Resumes professional resume writing service, established in 1998.

This book is written based on her experiences, her own job search journey (started and experienced some years ago now) as well as her business background. Her knowledge, gained through training, practice, trial and error are detailed within this book.

Although I am an Australian author, many sections of this book are universal and can be applied on a global scale.

It is my wish and hope that you use this book to enable you to flourish and prosper, and find, gain and keep that job you have always dreamed of!

Index

Chapter 1 – Determine your goals and purposes

Chapter 2 – Where to start looking for your new job

Chapter 3 – The Hidden Job Market – finding an unadvertised position

Chapter 4 – Responding to an advertised position

Chapter 5 – Working for yourself?

Chapter 6 – Temporary versus permanent work

Chapter 7 – Resume and cover letter

Chapter 8 - Government applications and selection criteria

Chapter 9 – Dealing with Recruitment Agencies

Chapter 10 – Following up on your job application

Chapter 11 – The job interview

Chapter 12 – The rejection and the job offer

Chapter 13 – Negotiating salaries

Chapter 14 – Accepting (or declining) the job offer

Chapter 15 – Starting and Keeping your new job

Introduction

Prefacing the writing of this book was my own personal research. Placing myself in the job seekers shoes, I decided that what I would be looking forward would be a book that could guide me through the entire job search process from start to finish. That is, from deciding on a goal, finding a job, accessing the hidden job market to find jobs, responding to job advertisements, writing and updating a resume and cover letter, government applications and selection criteria, dealing with recruitment companies, job interviews both telephone and face to face, panel interviews, thank you letters and follow up, negotiating salaries, accepting or declining the job offer, temp work, starting your new job, and keeping your new job.

Researching the current books on the market, I noticed that most books covered one or two sections of this process only, rather than the entire job searching journey from start to finish. It also seemed that the majority (although not all) of them were US based. My purpose was to provide a streamlined, comprehensive guide which covered all aspects of the job search process, but that was also fun and interesting to read. I do hope you find it so, and good luck!

Chapter One – Determining your purposes and goals

The very first thing you need to do is work out your purpose and goals in finding a new job? Why do you want to change jobs? Or you may not be changing jobs at all, you may be re-entering the workforce. Examining your circumstances and reasons .......

TO BE CONTINUED

Have a query, question, comment or need for advice?
Post it here, we'll reply to you as quickly as we can (usually within 12 hours)

Regards

Andrea Drew

Tapping into the "Hidden Job Market"

How to Find Great Jobs

Have you applied to every job you've seen posted in your local newspaper, Monster.com, and all other career sites, without even a single interview? Did you register with every employment agency in the phone book? Are you about ready to enlist in the Army just to get free room and board? Before you make any hasty decisions, make sure you have explored every possibility out there.

Many employers are reducing or eliminating their budget for recruiting and hiring, at all levels. It costs a good deal of money to use a staffing agency, and it's also very expensive to advertise jobs either in the newspaper or on a professional job board such as Monster.com or CareerBuilder.com. Even Craigslist.com now charges to post jobs. Instead, most companies have even established a formal in house policy of rewarding employees with hefty referral fees when they refer qualified candidates for open positions.

Many of your neighbors and friends might work at companies that offer these rewards and would love to be able to make money and help you find a job at the same time! Ask around!

Where else can you meet people who might be able to help? Almost anywhere! Here is a list of some of the best places to meet business people, strike up conversations, hand out some cards, do some networking, and hopefully land a job!

• Head to a nice bar about 6:00 PM. Local business people will be congregating there to discuss the day's activities and maybe even wait around for a table for dinner. Grab a seat and strike up a conversation. Even bartenders are great sources for jobs! I have a friend who sat down at a bar one evening, started talking to the bartender, and the bartender said that the HR Manager of a local software company happened to be at the end of the bar. Guess who found a job that night?
  
• Hang around an airport bar or restaurant – before the Security check point. You might need to pay a few dollars for parking but it could be very worth it! Any business person who travels is probably in a job where they are very aware of open opportunities.
• Go to a café or large coffee shop. Many people in smaller businesses and start ups will actually work there for hours and hours each day using their free WiFi setup. Even start ups need new people! And these companies frequently refuse to pay for recruiting simply because of the additional financial drain. I know one small business owner who spends days at a time at a local café just scouting for new talent!
• Some large companies actually have all their job postings on a huge bulletin board in their lobby. Go check out ones near you. These jobs aren't just for hourly employees. I've seen MD and CFO positions neatly typed out and stuck up there right next to the available chef position in their company cafeteria!
• Local universities are a great source for open jobs! Sure, most are targeted at the students and recent graduates, but if you have the same qualifications, send in a resume. It can't hurt! These postings are usually found in their student resource center and many are even posted online on the university website!
• Social networking sites are turning into quite the professional arena. No longer just for teens talking about how cool their weekend was or badmouthing their parents, many companies are using sites like Facebook.com and MyPage.com as adjunct websites to offer additional, more "fun" information AND to do some recruiting! Simply sign up for an account and search for "companies". You'll be amazed at what you can find!
• Accept every invitation you get. Think there's something happening but haven't received an invite? Ask! This is not the time to be shy. Everything from backyard barbeques to wine tastings to free financial seminars has the ability to produce at least one person with some sort of lead.
• Join a club. Any club. Whether it's a place to work out or a high end yachting club, these are great places to meet people. They usually have some sort of social calendar with parties, meetings, dinners, things like that.
• Go to church! This is and always will be one of the best places to meet people. There's nothing like a good old fashioned Saturday night church dinner to meet everyone in your town from the garbage collector on up to the Mayor!

Now that you know where to hang around to meet new people, you should have a few simple tools with you.

First, make up some personal cards. These are just like business cards but instead of advertising a business, they advertise you. On the front make sure you have your name there, in a prominent place – not tucked away in a corner in 6 point type. Add all your contact information, too. Mobile phone number, email, instant message screen names. (Note: Never put your street address or home phone number on these cards.) Also add things like your website, Facebook.com page, Twitter account. Anything that adds value to your abilities, makes it easy for someone to learn more about you, and to contact you easily.

On the back, this is where you can list what it is you do, what your job title is, what you're looking for, etc. Something like "licensed dental technician", or "accountant", "truck driver", "web designer and programmer" is all important information in who might be calling you. Remember, your card might be passed over to someone who might be able to help later on, too.

With these cards you have the equivalent of a tiny pocket sized resume. This little piece of paper is invaluable in the job hunting game!

Along with these cards you will also need something to take notes on and a pen. Even a PDA such as a Blackberry will work fine, too. You just don't want to be in a position where someone is saying, "Call Bob Blaine at this number next Wednesday", and you have nothing to write on.

If you even commit to trying half of these suggestions, you are almost guaranteed to get at least a few leads for jobs in the hidden market.