Does your job search seem to be getting tougher?
NEW YORK, NY -- For nearly 9% of the working U.S. population, finding a job has become a full-time job--and the search seems to be getting tougher. The Web has come a long way in leveling the playing field for job seekers and employers alike. As the unemployed ranks continue to swell, throngs of displaced workers are looking to job-placement sites for salvation.
In April, such sites attracted 57.2 million "unique visitors," up nearly 50% from last year. The three most popular sites -- CareerBuilder, Yahoo! HotJobs and Monster.com-- have been at this game for a decade. But in recent years a slew of new sites have sprung up and are stealing market share from the big three. Among them are aggregator sites, such as SimplyHired, Indeed, Snagajob.com and Beyond.com.
Certainly the rotten economy is driving demand for more job sites. But there's a heavy psychological component at work here, too. Some new sites carry "the shiny-and-new syndrome". So even if another job site does the same thing, there is a hope that a newer site will do it better. It's vital for all job seekers to remember that posting resumes to job sites is important for maximum exposure. It's also only one piece of the job-search puzzle. Follow-up and relentless networking on job boards and niche sites is critical to job search success.
One-stop resume posting on job boards and niche sites
LOS ANGELES, CA -- There are several lists of job sites (collectively searched by millions of employers and recruiters) available on the internet or through a search engine. And while it may take some time, posting your resume on many top job boards and niche career sites will really maximize your exposure and job opportunities.
If you want the benefit of maximum exposure, but don't want to spend 60 hours researching and filling out website forms, consider letting a service like Resume Rabbit do the work for you. With this service, you fill out one easy form and in about 5 minutes you'll be posted on over 85 top career sites like CareerBuilder, Job.com, HotJobs, Net-Temps, Dice and more. A comprehensive list of all the sites they post to is on their home page.
Whether you do it by hand or use a service like Resume Rabbit, creating accounts on all the best career sites will give you access to millions of jobs and exposure to 1.5 million employers and recruiters daily. Resume Rabbit additionally offers identity protection, spam & virus protection, and job matches via email. To learn more, check out Resume Rabbit.
Job seekers may become successful entrepreneurs
TAMPA FL -- The hot question on people's minds these days is, "should I pursue employment or start my own business?". If you are one of these people, we are pleased to let you know that you can discover your answer simply by taking an honest look at your job search process.
Working on building a business can be very enjoyable and rewarding. In fact, while you are on the fence about starting a business, you can breathe new life into your job search, by looking at it as an entrepreneurial experiment. The way you create and execute a job search plan can reveal a lot about your character, including whether you have the inner resilience and fortitude that is needed to start your own business.
The current buzz language in career development advises you to sell yourself as a unique product and be able to deliver results. It's recommended that you take this one step further by thinking of your job search as a small business venture. If you find that during your job search, you are able to keep this perspective and take a big picture look at "doing the right things", you may be the perfect candidate for self-employment! Now is the perfect time to consult with a business expert about your ideas. In the meantime, continue your experiment and perhaps find part time employment to fund your start up.
Workers forging new career paths
MARLBORO, MA -- The recession and layoffs are prompting many workers to re-invent their careers, by looking for work that is more fulfilling, by finding a job that is more available or by starting their own business. The Washington Post reports that after being laid off from a job as a sales and marketing director, Maxine Gill of Maryland invested in a franchise, College Nannies & Tutors. Her company hires people to be placed with families temporarily or on a long-term basis.
Gill was happy to be able to open her own business. "If I were still in corporate America, I would have to work extra hard just to keep my job because of the economic recession," she said. People like Maxine, who have been laid off, are reassessing what they want out of life and what they need to do in their career.
Career experts agree that a job loss can be an opportunity. The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review lists a number of people who have tried new career paths, including a business executive who became a personal historian, an office manager who started a pet-sitting business, and a non-profit administrator who is beginning a career in real estate. All work out of their homes or a local office where they set their own hours.
How to get started with your own company
LAS VEGAS, NV -- Have you dreamed of owning your own business but don't know where to start? Franchises are becoming more and more popular as a way for people to buy and own their own business. Here are 4 main advantages to owning a franchise.
First, you're able to operate your own business with the security of working with a large company. Second, the start-up, operations and general business plans are laid out for you with training and support from the franchisor. Third, you reduce your risk due to the success of the franchisor's reputation & experience. Fourth, it may be easier to borrow money to start a franchise than an independent business. If you've been thinking about starting your own business, we recommend a complimentary consultation with FranChoice, the premier "matchmaker" of the franchising industry.
During your consultation the consultants from FranChoice will help you identify franchise businesses that meet your criteria based on your goals, skills and preferences. Then they'll guide you through the franchise investigation process and answer all your questions. Because FranChoice is paid for by the various companies offering franchises to help them find suitable matches, it's complimentary to you. To instantly sign up for your complimentary consultation, just go to FranChoice.
How to get a resume noticed in a sea of applicants
CHICAGO, IL -- Even in choppy waters, recruiters are still angling for the perfect job candidate. To boost your chances of being plucked, you'll need a top-notch resume: one that combines eye-catching details and a fast, modern pitch with old-school basics, including impeccable grammar and spelling. Here's how to get a recruiter to fall for your resume:
Be a profit center. Show how you can boost revenue, increase productivity or cut costs for your prospective employer. Focus on accomplishments, not responsibilities. Remember to quantify the results. Browse job search engines to find positions that match your skills. See what terms employers are using and use them in your resume. Get to the point. Many recruiters narrow the field after just a quick scan of your resume. The only purpose of the top of the resume is to get them to read down to the end. Be concise. Keep the document to one page and leave the most relevant, impressive information at the top.
Customize your resume and demonstrate your understanding of the company and the specific requirements of the job. This approach will do better than a slightly rehashed version of an old document. The method of listing your work history in reverse chronological order is becoming passe. A "functional" resume might be the best way to go. Instead of a timeline, this format focuses on skills and experiences, while showcasing a candidate's range of abilities.
Laid off? Try a new approach to your job search
VIRGINIA BEACH, VA -- There's nothing easy about job searching. What's frustrating for many job seekers is a disappointing response rate. However, it's important to note that a job search is a numbers game. For example: If you get your resume in front of 1000 employers, you should get 10-50 quality responses leading up to 5 interviews. If you don't pay attention to 'how' you are sending your resumes, your actions might only serve to put your resume in a pile with hundreds of others.
Consider a more focused approach to your job search. A search that increases the number and quality of responses by using a targeted list of industries and decision makers who are looking for people with your skills. This new type of search also employs an affordable delivery system that ensures your resume will be seen by the right person.
We recommend using a service called JobsByFax. This service is simple to use and an affordable way to ensure a more focused and satisfying job search. You'll have instant access to information on thousands of companies and their decision makers. JobsByFax combines quality and quantity by faxing your resume to potential hiring managers. In fact, it's been statistically proven that sending 1000 resumes using JobsByFax can yield from 10 to 50 quality responses. Take control of your job search by going to JobsByFax.
Tips for over-40 workers in today's job market
SALT LAKE CITY, UT -- Trouble in the job market is bad news for many workers, but those over 40 may be finding these days particularly unnerving because they fear younger employees with smaller paychecks could poach their positions. That's the wrong way to think about the current job environment. Older workers, who make up nearly half of the 141 million U.S. work force, should play up their talents and experience.
To help make that happen, here are some tips workers over 40 should keep in mind. Remain Confident -- Just because the job market is tough these days, don't assume that the over-40 crowd is going to be first to be let go. Know Your Rights -- The Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 protects individuals who are 40 years of age or older from employment discrimination based on age.
Don't Gray Yourself -- Don't make your age an employment issue. Play up your strengths and highlight your skill set and experience as valued tools so that employers recognize why they are worth keeping around. Create a Personal Brand -- An employee with a recognizable name or a sought-after expertise in his or her industry is harder to lose. Companies want people like that working in their ranks. Get involved in activities and groups related to your work.
Career Tools Highlighted in This Issue:
- Distribute your resume fast! Get your resume on up to 85 job sites - Takes only 5 minutes.
- FranChoice - Start your own business Sign up for your complimentary franchising consultation.
- 10 interview calls in 72 hours Let JobsByFax fax your resume to 1000's of employers.
