Gas costs a rising factor in job hunting
LOS ANGELES, CA -- When it comes to making a living, how many miles would you travel? According to many hiring agencies and recruiters, people job hunting are taking climbing gas prices into consideration. "If we were looking at them commuting 20, 30, 40 miles for a work assignment, they're hesitating," Blaise Krautkramer at Firstaff Staffing Services said.
Each week, about 50 people walk into our agency office, all of them expressing serious concerns about these high gas prices. A fair amount of these people are passing up job opportunities. "The cost of gasoline is a component in their decision, and it's a difficult decision for them," Krautkramer said. A short commute is now a top priority for job seekers. "As the gas prices increase, the situation becomes more critical," Lori Reynolds of Manpower said.
Many job seekers these days are second-guessing whether or not they want to take those opportunities too far from their home because of inflating gas prices. As the cost of commuting goes up, hiring agencies are finding themselves promoting ride share programs and making more contacts, while also encouraging employers to consider telecommuting and freelance hiring options.
Tips for reaching your job search goal
NEW YORK, NY -- Experts recommend the following actions to increase your job-search success in an evolving and unstable economic climate. Tailor your presentations; don't be generic. In developing a resume, think about how your current skills and talents apply directly to the responsibilities you'll hold in the new job.
Make yourself and your skills more visible online. Refreshing and posting your resume on multiple job boards and career sites is key, as well as staying active in your industry and attending job fairs and networking events.
Hone and utilize your elevator pitch as often as possible. Prepare a 30-second summary of your professional assets. Keep your spirits high. Don't let the process overwhelm you. Make an effort daily. Do one job search task each day like emailing a new contact or attending a networking event that moves your job search forward.
One-stop resume posting on over 80 job boards
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 80 top career sites like CareerBuilder, Job.com, 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.
Learn what to say and what NOT to say!
SAN MATEO, CA -- Job interview questions are your greatest opportunity to prove to the interviewer that you are the best person for the job! The key is to give better answers than anyone else. To do this, you must anticipate likely questions, develop excellent answers and practice! Be enthusiastic and confident when responding to questions. Don't rush your answers, but don't ramble on and on, either.
Try to, um, avoid, like, using unnecessary words, right? And um, repeating yourself or, like, annoying phrases, you know? A good technique is to write out your answers to the questions you anticipate, then edit them to make them more concise. Then practice your polished answers out loud, over and over. If you can have someone help you, do a "mock interview".
Most questions will relate either to your ability to do the job or to the type of employee you will be. Here's one that is very commonly used to help the interviewer learn about both: "Tell me a little about yourself." When responding to this request, you should focus on both your personal and professional values. Always be honest, and talk about your best traits. Highlight experiences and accomplishments you're most proud of.
Interview tips that get you hired faster
LOS ANGELES, CA -- Did you know that when the job market was booming it took an average of 3 interviews to get 1 job offer? Now it takes 17! When you finally land the job interview of your dreams will you have what it takes to land the job offer? You must stand out during the job interview or you might as well be playing the lottery.
Most job seekers spend hours creating their resumes and cover letters, searching through job postings, reviewing classified ads and networking--all in order to land the job interview. Yet 99% of them don't have a clue what to do when they get one.
There's a little known "secret career document" you can quickly and easily customize for your next important job interview that literally forces the interviewer to picture you filling the position. This powerful technique was created by one of California's top marketing professionals. His method guarantees you'll automatically stand out from the crowd and shoot straight to the top of the "must hire" list for any position you seek. For more information you can visit: The Job Interview Secret.
Make the interviewer feel confident
EVANSVILLE, IN -- A job interview is a part of that philosophy that says your whole career is a conversation. It is a relationship building activity that allows you and a prospective employer to measure your combination of interests and abilities. View a job interview as an opportunity to develop a network relationship.
When you go on an interview, keep in mind you are going to meet people that you've never met before. Also keep in mind that they've never met you either. Be conscious that many people are a little shy or timid when they first meet someone new. Your objective is to leave the interview with that person feeling better about himself/herself than before you walked into the room.
It's not likely that you would get this advice from most career counselors in preparation for a job interview, however this is really an important element. You see, people tend to hire people they like. People like other people who make them feel good about themselves. There are many opportunities you will have in a job interview to make the interviewer feel good about himself/herself. Think about this the next time you interview.
Make sure they remember you and land more interviews!
BOSTON, MA -- Up to 80% of job seekers today find their jobs through networking. That's because it works. Job seekers are having the best luck making networking contacts at places like Alumni Events, Job Fairs and Professional Industry Association functions. But networking can happen at any time, so no matter where you go, employed or not, you must always carry a fresh supply of business cards to hand out when the time is right.
There's nothing worse than making a great contact, searching for a pen and writing your number on a napkin - that they're sure to lose. Personal business cards project an image of professionalism and leave a lasting impression.
Complimentary for The Career News Subscribers: Get 250 premium quality, full color business cards, an $85 value, at no cost to you. (There is however a very small shipping and handling fee). Using pre-designed online templates, you can create professional, attractive business cards in seconds. Instantly preview the cards online before submitting your order. To get your new business cards for networking, follow this link.
Job seekers may want to alter their approach
SAN JOSE, CA -- Whether or not the U.S. economy has hit a recession, one thing is clear these days: Uncertainty is in the air. Nonetheless, experts say job seekers should pay attention to current economic conditions and expect that the job-search process may take longer.
The unemployment rate has risen, but it is not at a point that should cause job seekers to panic, says John Challenger, CEO of outplacement firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas Inc. Even at 5.2 percent or 5.3 percent, there is still demand for workers. Those seeking jobs in construction or mortgage lending might have a more difficult time finding employment, but we have not seen a significant downturn in hiring in other sectors.
Job seekers may want to alter their approach due to economic uncertainties. Perhaps this means earning a paycheck at your current job while conducting interviews over your lunch break. Consider doing volunteer work that might lead to a paid gig. If you're currently unemployed, stay current by reading business and trade publications, and keeping in mind, you may have to take a temporary opportunity in order to keep yourself afloat.
Free--trade publications increase your marketability
LOS ANGELES, CA -- Whether you're looking to move up or move on - reading business and trade publications lets you move right in to the job of your dreams. They keep you sharp, well informed, articulate and in-demand. It's no secret that keeping up with the news and trends of your industry or profession (as well as that of your clients') will give you the competitive edge you need. And now, you can get your trade magazines without having to pay for them.
Through a special offer from The Career News, you can instantly get a subscription to practically every leading industry and business publication. It takes only a minute to search the website to quickly find the magazines matching your skills and interests.
First search by publication title, industry, or geography. Then, pick the magazines you want, fill out a brief online subscription form and press submit. It's really that easy. For more information or to sign up now for your complimentary trade magazines, follow this link.
Career Tools Highlighted in This Issue:
- One-Stop Resume Posting Instantly get your resume on 80 job boards!
- Interview Secrets: Turn interviews to jobs Little known interview secret that practically forces them to hire you.
- Complimentary business cards Get 250 premium quality, full color professional business cards
- Complimentary industry and trade publications Subscribe online to multiple industry and business publications.
