Articles

Career Advancement Corporation periodically posts articles that will help job-seekers everywhere.

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Need Help Staying Positive?

Posted on June 24, 2011

STAYING POSITIVE

We have seen it time and time again – a candidates who is down because they lost their job and confidence. Often, candidates in that state of mind have trouble answering questions, “What are your strengths?” Their eyes glaze over and you can see the panic in their face. When a job has been lost due to budget cuts – it’s difficult to stay positive. However, it is necessary to stay positive! Below are some good coping tips.

It’s important to keep a routine through unemployment.
In fact, you could say your ‘new job’ is to find a job! Get up at your ‘regular time’, shower, get dressed and do your hair. Develop a schedule with a ‘start’ and ‘end’ time.

Develop a plan.
The prospect of sitting at a computer for hours, looking at job descriptions can be daunting and overwhelming. Set job searching daily goals. Take a day to update your resume and have someone you trust proof it. While you were typing away deep in your thoughts, you typed ‘two’ instead of ‘too’. Spell Check won’t pick up that mistake. Take another day to post your resume on as many job boards as possible.

Make a list
This might sound silly, but it helps. Make a list of your strengths, things you like about yourself, projects you have completed and are proud of, things you are good at, etc. When you feel down, read the list to remind yourself what you are capable of.

Good deeds
Volunteering is a great way to stave off the feeling of uselessness. Volunteering will give you people interaction, a sense of accomplishment, and it can also serve as a great networking opportunity.

Control
Put your energy and focus into things you can control. For example, your resume, your cover letter – these are things you can control. You control what they say, where they go, etc. Put your energy into them to make sure they are tailored to the jobs for which you are applying. Focus on setting up meetings with people in your networking groups.

Laugh
Hard as it may be, take time to laugh. Stay away from the news – bad news sells. Bad news brings you down. You will find out the things you need to know through friends and family. Listen to music. Listen to self-help CD’s. Watch the Comedy Channel and reruns of “I Love Lucy”. Do something that makes you laugh.

To view full online article: http://www.helpguide.org/life/unemployment_job_loss_stress_coping_tips.htm

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Cover Letters - How To Make Them Work For You

Posted on June 01, 2011

Often times candidates will apply for a job online and not include a cover letter. A cover letter can explain several things about your resume that could be a concern for a hiring manager. A cover letter can be crucial in convincing the hiring authority to view your resume.

There are several reasons a cover letter can work in favor for a candidate. For example, if a resume states a candidate worked in California for one year, South Carolina for two years and Virginia for one year, one could assume the candidate is a ‘job hopper’ and disregard the resume. However, in reality, the candidate’s husband is in the military. Another example, a candidate is applying for a job in insurance after 6 years of working as a Personal Assistant. One could assume that the candidate is a ‘serial applier’, someone who applies for everything, and disregard the resume. However, in reality, the candidate is looking for a career change. Both of those examples can be explained in a cover letter.

Writing a cover letter, as writing a resume, can be a daunting task. The upside, a cover letter should be very brief. With hiring managers reviewing hundreds of documents a week, the last thing they will do is read a two page cover letter. The cover letter should make the hiring manager want to look at the resume.

The first paragraph [two to three sentences] of the cover letter should include why the candidate is interested in the position available, “I am interested in this position because I was laid off at XXX Company.” The second paragraph [three to five sentences] should include why/how the candidate is qualified, and state accomplishments or experiences to support why the candidate is qualified, “I am qualified for this position because I have X years of experience in the industry. At XXX Company, I accurately managed a client database of X people and successfully planned X events per week.” The final paragraph [two to four sentences] should be the close and request interview, “I have attached my resume and would like the opportunity to speak with you at your convenience.”

There are several sites that are helpful in creating a cover letter. For candidates who are confident in their writing skills; http://www.trincoll.edu/depts/career/guides/cover_ltr.shtml
For candidates who are interested in a more plug and chug with the option to edit;
http://www.thepcmanwebsite.com/free_cover_letter_creator.shtml

Happy Writing!

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Linked In

Posted on May 25, 2011

Networking using social media can seem a little daunting. The professional networking website, Linked-In, can be a resource for employers to look for you. The article below will help you to promote yourself on the website.

The website is free and is often used by employers. Employers use websites such as Linked-In, Facebook, Twitter, etc. to research candidates before setting up an interview. This article will help you to promote your professional self! Keep in mind, the more your profile is filled out, the more ‘searchable’ you become.

(website link http://www.everydayinterviewtips.com/how-to-promote-yourself-on-linkedin)
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How to Promote Yourself on LinkedIn
Author: Micah September 10, 2010 Job Search Tips, Social Media No Comments Tags: Tags: Job Search Strategies, LinkedIn, Social Media Tips
LinkedIn is quickly becoming one of the most commonly used social networking tools on the Internet. It is one of the only websites that business professionals can use to link to other business professionals without the unprofessional features of websites like Facebook and MySpace. LinkedIn is single handedly changing the way people network.

Of course, the point of a network is to improve your business opportunities. If you are looking for a job, it is time to put that network into use. How do you utilize your network on LinkedIn in order to find employment?

LinkedIn Job Search Tips

According to an article from the self-proclaimed “LinkedIn Speaker,” you should perform the following actions immediately:

•Add “Looking” Into Your Headline – This allows your network to know you are interested in finding new employment, so that they can contact you if they believe you have skills that meet their needs.
•Add a Marketing Phrase to Your Headline – Basically, make your headline something that markets your abilities and grabs attention, rather than some basic like “Graphic Designer.”
•Participate in the QA – Participate anywhere on LinkedIn and you could potentially find someone that requires your expertise. It is a great way to get yourself noticed by people that have evidence that you understand the subject matter simply because you were able to answer questions effectively.
These are all useful tips. You should also prepare your LinkedIn to read like a resume for the type of job you are hoping to land. Also, don’t be afraid to contact your network about any job opportunities or see about getting an introduction to someone inside a company that may need someone just like you. That is the purpose of having a network – to help you find job opportunities and expand your professional reach. Don’t be afraid to use it.

Take Away Interview Tips

•Change your headline.
•Answer questions in the QA.
•Use your network.
Read Also

•Wall Street Journal Article
Related posts:

1.How to Prepare LinkedIn for Your Interview
2.Using Twitter to Find a Job
3.Twitter is the Best Friend of the Unemployed
4.Social Media Jobs and a Clever Way to Get Them
5.5 Ways to Improve Your Job Interview Communication Skills

Read more: http://www.everydayinterviewtips.com/how-to-promote-yourself-on-linkedin#ixzz1NOTn5dDZ

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Jobs Rated 2011: Ranking 200 Jobs

Posted on May 03, 2011

While some people ponder going to back to school, many are unsure of what to study. This article (link below) from Careercast.com ranks 200 jobs from best to worst. The list is informative in that it also rates Work Environment, Stress, Physical Demands and Hiring Outlook.

Careercast.com Article: http://bit.ly/f7qRaM

As always, if you have any questions regarding our articles, please call us. 314.963.9797

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Phone Interview Tips

Posted on April 06, 2011

We often come across candidates who are unsure of how to prepare for phone interviews. According to About.Com, below are tips to help you. This article is great for preparing you, as well as informing you on the difference between a phone interview and face-to-face interview.
Link to article: http://bit.ly/EaK1j

As always, feel free to call our office if you have any questions. 314.963.9797

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Employers use telephone interviews as a way of identifying and recruiting candidates for employment. Phone interviews are often used to screen candidates in order to narrow the pool of applicants who will be invited for in-person interviews. They are also used as way to minimize the expenses involved in interviewing out-of-town candidates.
While you’re actively job searching, it’s important to be prepared for a phone interview on a moment’s notice. You never know when a recruiter or a networking contact might call and ask if you have a few minutes to talk. Review these tips, then take a look at our phone interview tips video for more advice on how to pull off your phone interview without a hitch.
Be Prepared to Interview
Prepare for a phone interview just as you would for a regular interview. Compile a list of your strengths and weaknesses, as well as a list of answers to typical phone interview questions. In addition, plan on being prepared for a phone conversation about your background and skills.
• Keep your resume in clear view, on the top of your desk, or tape it to the wall near the phone, so it’s at your fingertips when you need to answer questions.
• Have a short list of your accomplishments available to review.
• Have a pen and paper handy for note taking.
• Turn call-waiting off so your call isn’t interrupted.
• If the time isn’t convenient, ask if you could talk at another time and suggest some alternatives.
• Clear the room – evict the kids and the pets. Turn off the stereo and the TV. Close the door.
• Unless you’re sure your cell phone service is going to be perfect, consider using a landline rather than your cell phone to avoid a dropped call or static on the line.
Practice Interviewing
Talking on the phone isn’t as easy as it seems. I’ve always found it’s helpful to practice. Have a friend or family member conduct a mock interview and tape record it so you can see how you sound over the phone. Any cassette recorder will work. You’ll be able to hear your “ums” and “uhs” and “okays” and you can practice reducing them from your conversational speech. Also rehearse answers to those typical questions you’ll be asked.
During the Phone Interview
• Don’t smoke, chew gum, eat, or drink.
• Do keep a glass of water handy, in case you need to wet your mouth.
• Smile. Smiling will project a positive image to the listener and will change the tone of your voice.
• Speak slowly and enunciate clearly.
• Use the person’s title (Mr. or Ms. and their last name.) Only use a first name if they ask you to.
• Don’t interrupt the interviewer.
• Take your time – it’s perfectly acceptable to take a moment or two to collect your thoughts.
• Give short answers.
• Remember your goal is to set-up a face-to-face interview. After you thank the interviewer ask if it would be possible to meet in person.
After the Interview:
• Take notes about what you were asked and how you answered.
• Remember to say “thank you.” Follow with a thank you note which reiterates your interest in the job.
More Interview Tips:
Phone Interview Etiquette
Phone interview etiquette is just as important as in-person job interview etiquette when it comes to getting hired. That’s because, regardless of how you interview, a successful interview will get you to the next stage of the hiring process.
Phone Interview Questions and Answers
It’s important take time to review the typical phone interview questions you’ll be asked and to prepare answers. In addition, plan on being prepared for a phone conversation about your background and skills.

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