Job Boards May Not Be Effective, But You Shouldnt Ignore Them

Job Boards May Not Be Effective, But You Shouldnt Ignore Them In a workshop I went to they said that job boards and posted jobs account for some 14% of hires, as opposed to the much higher percentage networking. So, focus on networking, right? Actually, the point of the stats was that if 14% of jobs came from posted jobs, then spend 14% of your time on job postings.  Sounds logical, although a bit flawed.  Nick Corcodilos, at Ask the Headhunter, told me in an interview that around 2% of jobs are gotten from job postings. Holy moly that is a super low number. Why do most job seekers spend most of their time on job boards, when the success rate is SO low?  Because its much easier than networking. You dont have to do your hair, brush your teeth, be nice, get out of bed early, or anything uncomfortable to apply to jobs online (as opposed to networking).  And, at the end of the day you can say I applied to five jobs today! which sounds a lot more productive than I went to a networking meeting this morning and ate three donuts! Let me diverge for a minute. Until I was eleven, I lived in Santa Rosa, California. Back in the 70s and 80s this my neighborhood, and everywhere I could bike to, was like the Garden of Eden.  There were tons of animals around, and I spent most of my time looking for snakes, lizards, newts, salamanders, and anything else that would fit in a cage or aquarium.  It was common for me or my brothers to come home with an animal, our new pet. How did I find animals all the time? BY LOOKING EVERYWHERE. I must have turned over thousands of rocks, and rolled hundreds of logs. If it was a rock big enough for a snake to rest under, I turned it over (if I could). EVERY SINGLE ROCK I COULD. I was obsessed with finding that next snake, and was especially hopeful to find a California King Snake (my dream snake). I never found that snake but lets undiverge As you look for your next gig, even your dream job, are you looking under every single rock? Or are you focusing on just one area (where most other job seekers focus)?  Let me suggest that your (job) hunt looks like my (snake) hunt look everywhere. Be relentless.  Be hopeful. And be ready, when the right one is there, to land it.  I was always ready to land that next animal. Back to job boards should you spend any time there? Yes.  There is a lot you can get out of a job board, including information to help you understand market opportunities and prepare for interviews. How do you get value out of job boards?  Check out Barb Pooles excellent LinkedIn post titled A 10-Step Strategy for Acing Advertised Job Openings. Its not a long post, but every single line can open up a world of ideas on how to include job boards and postings into your current strategy, and get real, significant, immediate value. Ive been reading job search posts for over eleven years (since I started JibberJobber), and this is the best post on job boards that I can remember reading.  Print it out, mark it up, and figure out how to implement ideas from it every single day. Job Boards May Not Be Effective, But You Shouldnt Ignore Them In a workshop I went to they said that job boards and posted jobs account for some 14% of hires, as opposed to the much higher percentage networking. So, focus on networking, right? Actually, the point of the stats was that if 14% of jobs came from posted jobs, then spend 14% of your time on job postings.  Sounds logical, although a bit flawed.  Nick Corcodilos, at Ask the Headhunter, told me in an interview that around 2% of jobs are gotten from job postings. Holy moly that is a super low number. Why do most job seekers spend most of their time on job boards, when the success rate is SO low?  Because its much easier than networking. You dont have to do your hair, brush your teeth, be nice, get out of bed early, or anything uncomfortable to apply to jobs online (as opposed to networking).  And, at the end of the day you can say I applied to five jobs today! which sounds a lot more productive than I went to a networking meeting this morning and ate three donuts! Let me diverge for a minute. Until I was eleven, I lived in Santa Rosa, California. Back in the 70s and 80s this my neighborhood, and everywhere I could bike to, was like the Garden of Eden.  There were tons of animals around, and I spent most of my time looking for snakes, lizards, newts, salamanders, and anything else that would fit in a cage or aquarium.  It was common for me or my brothers to come home with an animal, our new pet. How did I find animals all the time? BY LOOKING EVERYWHERE. I must have turned over thousands of rocks, and rolled hundreds of logs. If it was a rock big enough for a snake to rest under, I turned it over (if I could). EVERY SINGLE ROCK I COULD. I was obsessed with finding that next snake, and was especially hopeful to find a California King Snake (my dream snake). I never found that snake but lets undiverge As you look for your next gig, even your dream job, are you looking under every single rock? Or are you focusing on just one area (where most other job seekers focus)?  Let me suggest that your (job) hunt looks like my (snake) hunt look everywhere. Be relentless.  Be hopeful. And be ready, when the right one is there, to land it.  I was always ready to land that next animal. Back to job boards should you spend any time there? Yes.  There is a lot you can get out of a job board, including information to help you understand market opportunities and prepare for interviews. How do you get value out of job boards?  Check out Barb Pooles excellent LinkedIn post titled A 10-Step Strategy for Acing Advertised Job Openings. Its not a long post, but every single line can open up a world of ideas on how to include job boards and postings into your current strategy, and get real, significant, immediate value. Ive been reading job search posts for over eleven years (since I started JibberJobber), and this is the best post on job boards that I can remember reading.  Print it out, mark it up, and figure out how to implement ideas from it every single day.

Discover 5 Effective Power Words For Resumes

Discover 5 Effective Power Words For ResumesResume power verbs are words or phrases that are used to highlight the main points on your resume. They are different from bullets and keywords in the way that they are simply used instead of described. These are not something that will be learned by rote as a good writer does, but rather, just work.The concept of using bullet point was developed for military recruiters during World War II. During this time, recruiters went through enlistment forms and created bullet points to describe their fields of interest. This is why bullet point captions are the most popular example of resume power verbs.What makes a resume is a description of you and what you are interested in. They help to do a 'convertibility' of your information so that it will be easier to read and comprehend. They should make the audience get excited about you and what you can do for them. In turn, the reader will want to know more about what you can do for them.While resuming power verbs should always be short and simple, there is a way to make them as long as you want. Remember that the goal is to convince the reader that you have the ability to perform the duties listed on your resume. Keep your resume concise and there you go, you can write a resume that is full of power verbs.Resume power verbs are also very useful when you are trying to add credibility to your resume. For example, if you are applying for a technical job, then your resume should show that you have many years of experience in the field that you are applying for. This shows that you are someone who knows what they are doing.A resume power verb that is very popular for technical jobs is ease of understanding. You can use this to describe the things that you have done that make you so special. This will show that you have skills that others want to hire. The last thing you want to do is show the hiring manager that you are not capable of doing the job because you made an error in your re sume.Examples of resume power verbs that are short and simple include many of the wordings that are used in colleges and universities. What are some examples of resume power verbs that should be listed in these situations? The first one is 'undergraduate.' The second is 'mature,' and the third is 'licensed.'There are plenty of resume power verbs that you can use in your own resume. These are used in several places to create credibility and emphasize the things that you are interested in. In the end, the key is to be concise and highlight the important things that you are doing.

How to conduct an information interview

How to conduct an information interview The information interview is a pretty powerful weapon in your job search arsenal. Executed properly and professionally, an informational interview can provide a rich seam of insider information. And future contacts. Surprisingly, UK students still seem somewhat reticent when it comes to the information interview. Maybe the term jars a little, or perhaps theres a natural suspicion of anything too closely associated with networking? Whatever the reason, its time to embrace the information interview and get talking. What is an information interview? Well one thing it isnt.is a job interview. Dont make the mistake of thinking this will lead to a job offer, or work experience placement. Information interviews can help you gain valuable insights into career sectors and crystallise your ideas and goals, but the emphasis is very much on information.  In some ways, an information interview is similar to the conversations you might have with recruiters at careers and job fairs, but with one added bonus: youre not competing with fellow students for time and attention. Most people are generally happy to accommodate requests for information interviews after all, even the most successful and senior executive has a career back story. Theyll certainly remember what it was like to be a student/graduate job seeker, trying to find a career path. Identifying contacts This is often the stumbling block for many students, although the obstacle is more perception than reality. You may feel that professional contacts are beyond your grasp, but this is where the power of networking both on and offline comes into its own.  If youre feeling particularly awkward or anxious, start in a more modest way by adopting the friends of friends approach. Map out your own personal network and see if your parents, tutors, colleagues, peers or friends know anyone in your field of interest. Once youve exhausted close contacts, its time to get serious and step outside your comfort zone. Its at this stage some people lose their nerve, and worry starts to creep in: I dont know anyone. Well, thats exactly the point! Attend alumni and sector events in your department and on campus. These are not recruitment events the speakers are there to share experiences and insights with you.  Why not carry on the conversation afterwards? They half-expect students to follow up so take note of their contact details and get in touch. Used LinkedIn to source potential contacts. You should observe basic etiquette, so dont just send random requests use your primary connections to introduce you or smooth the way. Check the websites of professional/trade associations to generate potential leads. If youre a student or associate member of a professional body, you might be eligible to attend industry events. Harness your social networks update your status on Facebook (interested in PR, looking for helpful leads), and make Twitter lists to organise (possible) contacts by sector. Making contact Theres no received wisdom on how to make contact: some commentators advise caution and suggest third party referrals only (your name was suggested to me by X, I wonder if it would be possible.) whereas others encourage a more direct approach. Im more inclined to take the latter view, primarily because you wont always have known contacts to broker on your behalf. And I cant help but think potential contacts will respond favourably to a professional, considered request. After all it takes initiative (and courage, especially for the terminally shy) to approach more established and experienced people. Just make sure you follow some basic rules to avoid embarrassment: Phone or email to explain your request. Email might be a better medium its easier to get tongue tied on the phone and lose your thread. Introduce yourself and provide some background and context e.g. Im Sarah Jones, a second year law student at the University of Warwick. I attended the recent Careers in HR event organised by Student Careers Skills and found your talk really inspiring and informative. It prompted me to continue with my research into this career path, which has highlighted one or two areas of particular interest. Given your experience in the sector, I wonder if you would mind sparing 10 minutes of your time to answer a few further questions. I can be available by phone or Skype at your convenience. Be clear about your purpose, and dont make implied or subtle requests beyond the scope of information gathering e.g. explicit references to your job hunt, or search for work experience. Researching contacts Theres one thing guaranteed to alienate interviewees and thats a lack of preparation. If someone is giving their time freely, dont waste it! In much the same way as youd prepare for a careers fair, application or interview, you need to thoroughly research the organisation and the individual concerned. Check LinkedIn (for both the company and individual profiles), read current news items or press releases and make sure you have a good understanding of the sector overall by scanning online career portals like TARGETjobs, Inside Buzz or TheJobCrowd. Questions, questions Eliminate the obvious, basic questions that you can google in 5 minutes.  Why not create a shopping list of interesting questions and then decide what to ask once youve established a conversational flow. Some people are more engaging and responsive than others, so be prepared. If youre completely stuck and need a few pointers to get you started, try the following: How much of your time is spent on x or y? What advice would you give to someone at the start of their career? What do you think is a measure of success in this field? I subscribe to/read x publication/journal/news feed is there anything else you would recommend? What do you think are the most challenging aspects of your job? How do you see this profession/industry changing over the next 5 years? Would you be able to recommend anyone else in x than I could approach for a similar discussion? And finally, be professional, courteous and respectful. Look smart, arrive  promptly and dont overstay your welcome. Follow up with a thank you email, and start planning your next move.

Make your Easter vacation count start planning your future University of Manchester Careers Blog

Make your Easter vacation count start planning your future University of Manchester Careers Blog If you are thinking ‘What am I going to do after university?’ or perhaps ‘What am I going to do this summer?’ It is never too early to start planning ahead. Whether you are in your first year, penultimate year or about to graduate, it is definitely a good time to prioritise exploring what you want to do. As a well-known Latin phrase says CARPE DIEM, which means in other words, seize the day! As a University of Manchester student, the Careers Service can provide you with the support and advice to explore options and much more, check out the Careers Website or pop in and contact us in The Atrium in University Place. To get you started, here are some thoughts and ideas: I have really no idea what I want to do for the future? Check out our I don’t know what to do starting point guide Register with Prospects and take their Career Planner questionnaire to generate some ideas If you want to use your degree and unsure of some ideas where it will be useful, check out the Prospects â€" Options with your degree section. Come in or give us a call, you may also need to talk to one of our careers consultants with a guidance appointment Where do I start looking for jobs or internships? Look on our online CareersLink database and search under student placements/ internships or graduate internships Check out the information on the Careers website on finding internships including our guides to download to help. Research the sector to find out about where your industry may advertise. Are there any specialist recruitment agencies, industry journals, or professional bodies with jobs boards? Look on graduate level websites like Prospects, TARGETjobs, RatemyPlacement Explore your own network of contacts, find and research companies of interest from LinkedIN, set up your own profile on LinkedIn and read our advice online. If you are in your final year, check out the Manchester Graduate Internship Programme , more information on what it offers and how to apply to vacancies. If you are about to graduate check out the employers coming to the Graduate Recruitment Fair in June and register to attend. You can book an appointment to have your application, CV, Cover Letter or application checked for a specific internship or job role you are applying to. I have an interview but unsure how to prepare? We have information on interviews in the Careers Service website and within our Preparing for Interviews starting point guide There are a number of other resources that may also help depending on the type of interview, or recruitment process including Presentation Skills, In-tray exercises, Assessment Centres Psychometric tests. We also have videos on interviews on the website that give advice and help. We can also book a guidance appointment to give to support you going for interviews, get in touch with the Careers Service and find out more. What else can I do over the Easter vacation to help with my future plans? Thinks about who you know that works in the career area that interests you, it may be family, friends, ex-colleagues or other contacts. See if you can arrange a chat to talk about what the career or job involves to help you decide if this is what you want to do. (Read our Getting Conntected guide about the importance of building a network of contacts). Arrange some work shadowing for a day or a few days volunteering within the area that interests you. This will give you an idea of what happens on a daily basis, the culture and work expectations etc. Make a plan of action of what you need to do over the next Summer term to work towards finding an internship or graduate job, or to explore your career options.  Look at our Getting Started section and  use the  CareersKickstart questionnaire to help your plan of action. Don’t leave it to the last minute, plan realistically around your study and revision commitments! All Undergraduate Undergraduate-highlighted Applications and interviews career planning Getting started Internships networking summer internships work experience

Writing a Doctor Resume: Do I Need to Write One?

Writing a Doctor Resume: Do I Need to Write One?There are some basic things you need to keep in mind when writing a doctor resume. Remember that this is the resume of someone who is interested in going into medicine. You don't want to put all your skills and experiences together and make it seem like you are a doctor without having any experience at all.Writing a doctor resume for a medical position will have many of the same requirements as any other job. The most important aspect of it is that you do not put all of your knowledge, skills, and experiences on it. It will be obvious to your interviewer that you have little or no knowledge of medicine. If they see you can read and write, they may decide to pass you over for someone with more experience.To avoid this, you should write your doctor resume in a way that makes it appear that you have expertise in the field that you are applying for. Put your education and experience in order of what you feel is the most important aspect of your experience. For example, if you had been a home health nurse before this job, this would be your most important skill. A good way to show this is to list the job you held first followed by your profession.Writing a doctor resume can include education you obtained, but remember that it does not mean you have to include every single one of them. You only need to give them something to read so that the reader can determine what kind of doctor you really are. For example, if you received a degree in nursing, there is probably some room for your nursing experience somewhere in the resume.Another popular resume format is what is known as 'optics.' In this type of resume, you can just list your educational background and experience. Although it is easier for an employer to see if they know about the professional side of a job applicant, it is still best to keep the medical aspect in mind.When you are writing a doctor resume, keep it short and simple. You want to make it so that it is not so long that it takes the interviewer to process the information. Keep the information concise and make sure that you express yourself clearly and well. Use any tools at your disposal to make it easy for the reader to understand what you are trying to say.Writing a doctor resume that is written well, shows that you are taking the time to get everything on paper and you are proud of what you have put together. When you fill out a resume, it needs to be as professional looking as possible. This will also help you in the interview.Remember that you should consider this when writing a doctor resume. Doing it well and using your available resources to the best of your ability will make it come out looking better than it would otherwise. Your potential employer is only going to see your educational background and experience in a very basic format, so use this to your advantage.

A Hands-on Approach to a Career in Home Improvement - CareerAlley

A Hands-on Approach to a Career in Home Improvement - CareerAlley We may receive compensation when you click on links to products from our partners. The home improvement industry has exploded over recent years because of the passion that many people have for making their homes suit their preferences. Therefore, if you are looking to develop a career in this industry, this is a great time to do so. There are a lot of home improvement careers that you can opt for. This article looks at some of the careers and how you can become perfect at each one of them. Interior Design As an interior designer, you will have to work with fixtures, fabrics, and furniture to bring out the desired effect in any home. This career allows you to learn about the specifications of an architect and contractors. You need to be able to prepare specific designs that shall suit the taste and budget of your client. The good thing is that technology has made it possible for you to use computer programs to come up with designs. You can gain this knowledge by going to a college that offers interior design as a course. This is because many clients will not be willing to hire you in case you do not have formal training as an interior designer. Apprenticeship is a vital step if you want to be a good designer because you will get to learn from hands-on training. Plumbing A career in plumbing is an important component for any home improvement activity you have. One of the most distressing sights in any building is a leaking water pipe. If action is not taken immediately, the situation may become unmanageable. With your skills, you will be able to identify and handle any plumbing emergency. You get to know how to use the various tools that are needed for such assignments in the home. If you are considering plumbing as a career, you need to consider the training that is required. You have to handle nearly 150 hours of technical coursework, which includes subjects such as sketching, maths and practical sciences. You will also have to get practical experience by accompanying a plumber to know what happens on daily basis. Carpet Cleaning One of the essential aspects of any home improvement is carpet cleaning. Unlike the first two career choices named above, this one is easier to learn. All you need to know are the types of fabrics and how they need to be handled. Additionally, you have to know how to use various detergents for different fabrics. This is vital because if you do not know this, you may end up spoiling a clients carpet. When going into a carpet cleaning business, you need to invest in high quality equipment, accessories, detergents, cleaning chemicals and more. One way to save on costs is to look for a carpet cleaning franchise and purchase it. This comes with the advantage of saving on advertising and marketing costs that are associated with running such a business. Remodeler If you would love to be a kitchen remodeler, you will prove a valuable asset to many homeowners. One complement to any kitchen is a stacked stone veneer. Many owners prefer this material over manufactured stone. Before you install this material in the kitchen, you need to know how to choose and how to fix it. Make sure you know the various types of walls that you need to install the veneer on before getting out on the market. Additionally, you need to know about the various footings, underlayment, wall ties and wall casings that you need during installation. The reason for training in a home improvement career extensively is that you need to deliver a job that is of high standard. Learn to provide services that are personalized and reliable. You can do this by working with a training facility that is reputable. Author Bio This article was written by Kyle Wright with Norstone USA and aims to encourage DIY home improvement with materials like stone veneer. Also take a look at: Alternate Unconventional Careers for Those Different from the RestAre You a Dedicated Niche Person? This is a Guest post. We are always eager to hear from our readers. Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions or suggestions regarding CareerAlley content. Good luck in your search,Joey Job Search job title, keywords, company, location jobs by

Facebook I See Old People!

Facebook I See Old People! Crains New York (subscription version only) recently ran an article about a 30-something job seeker who landed a position as a senior editor with Fast Company Magazine after reconnecting with a former colleague on Facebook. As Facebook matures, so too has its audience. While its still primarily geared towards millenials, (people in their 20s and younger), as the job seeker profiled in the article states, There are all sorts of old people on Facebook now. While Facebook does not tout itself as a job seeking tool, it can help you build connections for business opportunities.In order to have an effective career management strategy, you need to think outside the box and diversify your network whenever possible. What does that mean? Dont just stay with your own kind. Network with people who are in a different age group, outside your profession, from another city, or of a different gender or ethnic group. Doing so makes you more memorable. For example, if you are a technology professional who specializes in applications for the financial services industry, show up at an event for financial services professionals. You will probably be the only technology professional there and by being different you will be remembered.