Twitter is all the rage these days. Even organizations like ESPN and CNN are using their own accounts to spread their message far and wide. But for some people, employers may discourage the use of Twitter in the workplace. I'm going to share a few ways that might help you to get your tweet on at work. In my previous job, Twitter was blocked, but I found some workarounds. In my current position, Twitter is not blocked, and I have used it to great success with researching and connecting to other professionals in my industry. I can definitely make the case for tweeting on the job!
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Jobacle
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3 Ways to Use Twitter at Work
20 Nov 2009 | 5:37 am -
Making Common Workplace Fears More Manageable
19 Nov 2009 | 5:41 amYou’re probably thinking that I'm going to talk about the fear of public speaking, which is often identified as our #1 fear. But I’m thinking of more subtle fears that people don’t always discuss that make the workplace extremely difficult for some workers.As a therapist, I’ve treated people with diagnosed anxiety disorders, but also milder anxiety symptoms and signs. Worry over finances, health issues, parenting, school and relationships fall into that category. These fears fall somewhere between the two. What kinds of fears do people struggle with at work? -
6 Reasons Staff Evaluations FAIL
18 Nov 2009 | 6:19 amI've worked on staff evaluations before, but this year, as I pressed forward on a batch of them, it occurred to me how royally f'd up the system is. With the economy still 'uncertain,' many companies are stingier than ever when it comes to raises and praise. Apparently the two go hand-in-hand. The suits think that if you shower an employee with commendations, they will expect a raise to match. But since 2009 is the year of the tide wad, it appears most organizations are holding back in all categories.The annual review is designed to keep employees happy - but not too… -
Obama to Hold '09 Job Forum
17 Nov 2009 | 1:00 pmCNNMoney.com says that President Obama plans to hold a job forum at the White House in December to brainstorm about job creation. Those invited to the forum will include CEOs, small business owners, economists, financial experts, and representatives from labor and non-profits. (Jobacle is patiently awaiting our invite). The president is facing a 10.2% unemployment rate but says there have been encouraging signs of economic growth and a slowing of the loss of jobs in recent months, but also said employers are still reluctant to hire and millions are desperate to find work. -
How to Look Productive While Goofing Off
16 Nov 2009 | 6:00 amIt’s not online Shopping, It’s “Research”We’re approaching that time of year where workers typically develop a case of “holiday distraction disorder.” Most of us become overloaded with holiday plans and the end-of-year work push. (I’ll suggest some stress-busters later this month.)There’s much discussion about being productive in this time of layoffs and working leaner/meaner. But let’s not forget the fine art of looking productive while goofing off. Now, I’m not talking about the slackers in your office - any efforts they make…
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Blue Sky Resumes Blog
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Why I’m Sharing
5 Nov 2009 | 5:51 amWe’ve been working on a new site design for blueskyresumes.com for a while. We started by clarifying our brand, we then went on to site strategy - thinking through everything we want the site to do for us and for our visitors - and now we’re in the design phase, where that stuff is coming together page-by-page. I’m so excited about it I can’t even tell you! One feature that of the new site will be a really amazing resume samples section that I’m not going to give away just yet, but which will be pretty special. I’m always surprised when I go to another… -
So Much Bad Resume Advice, So Little Time
20 Oct 2009 | 7:18 amEvery now and then, one of my clients sends their resume in to another service for a critique. When they send it to some places, they get an honest response - usually saying ‘this is great and you don’t need any more help.’ But when they send it to one of the big resume mills (you know, Career Builder, The Ladders, Monster etc), they invariably get back a long critique telling them the resume needs a complete rewrite and offering to do it for ‘only $695′ or whatever their fee is. My clients and I usually discuss this feedback, address the one or two nuggets that… -
Who Says Twitter Isn’t Useful?
5 Oct 2009 | 8:51 amTweet This Post -
Enough! A Word About Resume Writers
1 Oct 2009 | 5:59 amYesterday I happened to catch a conversation between a few recruiters on Twitter, several of whom were mocking the idea of working with a professional resume writer. When I asked one person why he was so against my profession, he said that he had seen people burned by working with bad writers. I can believe that. We often get new clients who have already paid for a ‘professional resume’ and who now need our help to salvage the mess. But my question to those recruiters is this: What makes resume writing different from any other profession? If a bad car mechanic messes up a repair… -
Are Big Words Better?
30 Sep 2009 | 12:07 pmDo you prefer the word ‘reduced’ to the word ‘cut’? Given the choice, would you use “generated savings of…” or “saved”? I ask because recently I edited some website copy for someone who preferred big words to short ones and long, complex sentences to concise ones. I’m the opposite. I think simplicity is the key to good communication and I practice it all the time in my writing. I don’t like using three words when one will do and I don’t understand why people do it. I see it all the time in the resumes that come across my…
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What Would Dad Say
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How To Think Like the Geezer Bandit
19 Nov 2009 | 4:25 amThe Rule of Three. First, I found and noted the success of @ShitMyDadSays, the now-famous Twitter account of young Justin Halpert, who writes about s$#% his dad Samuel, 73, says. Second, I copied hitchhiked on Nick Bate’s idea of How To Think Like a… series, with some added fun. Third, this morning, I see that San Diego’s banks have been ripped off by the…drumroll, Geezer Bandit, an elderly gent in his 70’s. Voila—THIS is how we get our ideas for blog posts. How To Think Like a Geezer Bandit by GL Hoffman 1. GET OFF MY LAWN! ohsorry, GIVE ME YOUR MONEY. 2. -
Why “Going Rogue” is a Good Thing.
17 Nov 2009 | 1:17 pmAre you a ‘rogue?’ Tell me why. For more information on what it means to be a rogue jump over to the piece on US News and World Report, by clicking here. -
How To Think Like a Pro Twitterer, et al
15 Nov 2009 | 8:30 amEd. Note. This is a takeoff of Nicholas Bate’s How To Think Like series on his blog here. I asked Nick if I could use his idea and he graciously agreed. This could be a meme so feel free to come up with your own series of HOW TO THINK LIKE posts, just link to Nick and me, if you would be so kind. Here are a few of Nick’s. How To Think Like a Pro Twitterer 1. Me 2. Me 3. Me 4. RT especially if really about Me 5. Me, ask for RT 6. Me 7. Join my affiliate group so all of us can talk about me How To Think Like a Poet by GLH –special for Alice Shapiro Poetry blog here 1. Not… -
How To Think Like…
15 Nov 2009 | 5:06 amEd. Note. What’s it’s like to be a FILL IN THE BLANK? Every job seeker wants to know, what it is like to be an architect, surgeon, or Starbucks barrista. So, for me, the father-like advice giver, it was easy to get caught up in Nicholas Bate’s on going feature of HOW TO THINK LIKE found on his blog here. I hope you can add your own, based on your own career or from your own observations. I will be adding some along the way, too. Enjoy. By Nicholas Bate How To Think Like: The Serious Start-Up 1. Switch on phone: sell! 2. Walk briskly (gym membership cancelled to save money)… -
Weekend Frustration: Job Creators Are Under Your Noses
14 Nov 2009 | 6:02 amEd. Note: I wrote this for US NEWS this past week but would like to re run it here, too. BTW, FastCompany contacted me because they were interested in it, as well, but wanted “more details.” I think it stands alone, for now. I am a serial entrepreneur. I start companies. So far in my career, a couple of homeruns, a double or two, maybe a single. Never a strikeout. Flyout maybe. Anyway. For the past THREE years, a colleague and I have been working on a new idea/company, nights and weekends. We have spent cash and time (’incubating’ and ’sweat equity’ are the…
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Sweet Careers
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Surging Start-Ups and Little-Known Firms
18 Nov 2009 | 7:08 pmGuest Author: Lorraine RussoWebsite: http://undergroundjobnetwork.comOne of my mantras (or, as some call them, rants) is to look for work where it is least expected. Or, put another way, determine ways to track down the so-called "hidden" or unadvertised jobs, and build a direct path to the hiring manager.In a recent post, we talked about jobs with venture-backed companies. In it, I discussed the thousands of opportunities with companies at various stages of formation: from seed stage, to product development, through profitability.Now, Inc. magazine has published the new 500/5000 list that… -
The Fastest Growing Companies - Who's Hiring - Vol VIII
5 Nov 2009 | 5:39 pmGuest Author: CareerAlleyWebsite: http://careeralley.comFast is good, especially when you're talking about a company's growth. It's even better when you are looking for a job (and you land one). We continue on our review of Fortune's Fastest Growing Companies where we left off last time. From the entire list, you can see a trend for sure. The post's companies include Crane manufacturing to lots of Oil and Gas Servicing companies. Manitowoc - Ranked 33 on the list, is a crane manufacturer and was not on last year's list. Their careers page has a company overview center page. The left hand side… -
I ask U: College students and recent grads: How do you, or DO you, use LinkedIn?
2 Nov 2009 | 5:46 pmI enjoy getting to know my readers whenever I get the chance. This week, I'd like to learn how, or if, you use LinkedIn. A poll is embedded below; please take a moment to complete it. I'd love to read your comments, too.College students/recent grads, how do you, or DO you, use LinkedIn?(polling) -
Securing your career while navigating the winds of change
2 Nov 2009 | 7:02 amUPDATED! As a member of Career Collective–a community of resume writers and career coaches, this article is one of many responses to Quintessential Careers “Job Action Day”. I encourage you to visit other members’ responses, which will be linked at the end of my article on November 2nd. Please follow our hashtag on Twitter: #careercollective.There is no denying that the winds of economic change have had a significant impact on the job market. In order for college students and recent graduates to be successful in securing your careers, you will need to learn to effectively navigate… -
Common Resume Errors - Focusing on Wrong Skills and Experience
30 Oct 2009 | 3:29 pmMany college students and recent graduates make the error of emphasizing the wrong skills on your resumes - skills that are irrelevant to prospective employers. In this video, we'll examine strategies for ensuring your resume is highlighting the skills and experiences employers care most about. Common Resume Errors - Focusing on Wrong Skills and Experience (video embedded)I strongly encourage you to watch the video in fullscreen mode to see the video clearly. Know of other resume errors you'd like to see highlighted? Not sure if you're making a mistake on your resume? Leave your comments.
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Punk Rock Human Resources
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Punk Rock HR Question: Catty Women
21 Nov 2009 | 3:45 amFrom a sincere woman who is fed up. I work in a car dealership, a very male dominated industry, where women historically hold the jobs in accounting, reception and internet. I am a woman and a manager in the finance department, and work with all men in the finance and sales departments. It’s a position I work well in, not only because I do my job well, but because I don’t subscribe to the typical girly behavior and we all get along and have a fun time working together. So the problem lies with my interactions with the woman-only accounting department and the women in reception and… -
F@%k It Friday: Happiness
20 Nov 2009 | 3:45 amI had a friend ask, “Simple question, Laurie. Are you happy?” I responded, “I’m not a simple girl.” That’s such a stupid answer and I immediately regretted it. Those are the kinds of answers that make me want to puke in my mouth. So let me try answering this again. Of course I am happy. I have an awesome life. I don’t want for anything. Am I always happy? Pffffft, no way. I have flaws. I am hypercritical. Aways on edge, dissatisfied, looking for meaning where meaning doesn’t exist. I am kind of melancholic when it’s unnecessary. Let me… -
Employee Wellness Programs & Health Insurance
19 Nov 2009 | 3:45 amFatty HR writes, I work for a private company that is going to start penalizing employers through a premium increase if said employers don’t provide vital statistics to the insurance co.’s website. Plus, you have to gain so many points through exercise to avoid the raise in payment. There is concern over this amongst everyone, and personally I think it is a violation of personal liberties. I came across your site by doing a random search on this subject and saw at least one of your articles on this issue. Do you have any recommendations on where to start research to show… -
Thanksgiving and Black Friday Horror Stories from Workers
18 Nov 2009 | 3:45 amI spent a few days in New York, this weekend. Many stores in Herald Square will be open on Thanksgiving, and I was so dispirited by the news. I understand that people will flood that area for the parade, but it seems weird to me that anyone would want to shop for crap on Thanksgiving. Obviously I’m totally old school. It’s unfortunate that Americans must consume copious amounts of turkey and Banana Republic scarves on a national holiday. Want my advice? Skip the damn scarves and eat more mashed potatoes. It’s better for America. I also feel sorry for the workers who are… -
Punk Rock HR Question: Unemployed for Two Years
17 Nov 2009 | 3:45 amI’m traveling, today. Rather than respond to a slew of email messages, let me give you some career advice based on a few notes in my inbox. If you haven’t been able to find a job in two years within your field, the universe is sending you a message. You are no longer part of that field. It’s time to broaden your search. You should have expanded it six months ago, but I don’t want to judge you. Look for something else. Now. And no — going back for your MBA will not help. Don’t listen to your stupid brother-in-law who works in finance. He’s an idiot.
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Penelope Trunk's Brazen Careerist
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This is what it looks like to have a hard time making a change
19 Nov 2009 | 10:28 pmSome days I look through old posts, reminding myself of posts that I've written that I like and that I should link to. Often, this process serves to let me procrastinate writing while pretending to be engaged in writing. If I were a body builder, this would be me looking in the mirror instead of lifting weights. Yesterday I was trolling for posts, and I remembered this one, about hiring a babysitter. I never link to it because I can't read it. I get physically ill. It was a short, stinging moment during an absolutely terrible time in my life. But a part of me likes that sting. -
How to know if you'll be good at sales
19 Nov 2009 | 10:39 amIt’s clear to me that emotional intelligence is the most important skill for success in adult life. And the consummate career application of emotional intelligence is the sales department. So I’m fascinated by sales. I used to think I’m not that good at sales. For example, I’m an open book—I have very little ability to bluff or play my hand close to my—actually, what is that expression? I don’t even know the expression. But then, when I told one of my mentors that I’m not good at sales, he said, “Of course you’re good at sales. You’ve gotten three companies… -
What makes a blog successful?
17 Nov 2009 | 6:10 amI have always thought that blogging is a way to reach your career goals. It’s hard to write a blog if you don’t have a goal. You need to know what blogging success looks like to you, so you know what you're aiming for. Like most goals in life, my definition of blogging success has shifted as the circumstances of my life have shifted. 1. Post regularly without messing anything up. My first goal was simply to understand how to get my writing onto the Internet. All the buzzwords overwhelmed me: feeds, trackbacks, SEO. I understood none of it, and it took weeks to get up the nerve to… -
Don't be a snob about career advice
16 Nov 2009 | 7:53 amI have found that the best way to manage myself is by asking for a lot of help. The question is, how do you know who to take advice from? The answer is not always intuitive. For example, you'd think that if Bill Gates wants to give you career advice, you should take it, right? I mean, the guy’s had a pretty decent career. The problem is that if he doesn’t care about your career, he’s going to give you generic advice. Here are five other counter-intuitive principles I have used to figure out who to listen to when it comes to my own career: Listen to people who hate you. People ask… -
How to make business travel manageable
11 Nov 2009 | 9:29 pmLast year I traveled almost every week. Some weeks I traveled to three different cities. If you are excited about business travel, thinking it’s a free ticket to see the world, you should stop reading now. But if you are having trouble maintaining your personal life in the face of tons of travel, these tips from a cynical traveler will make life easier for you. 1. Stick with your priorities. When people travel to another city, why do they throw out their to do list for sightseeing in random museums? If you have on your top three things you want in life: go to the gym, stay in touch with…
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Brazen Careerist
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The Horrible, Horrible Truth Hidden In ‘Twilight’
20 Nov 2009 | 1:45 pmSo the eagerly anticipated new movie about abstinence vampires and the women who love them comes out today. And I’ll admit, I’m not a fan. I tried reading the books (well, the first one, anyway). I couldn’t get past the first 100 pages. I tried watching the first movie, and wound up leaving the room after the first hour*. I wanted to understand this trend; I really did. But I’m just not in the demographic that enjoys this sort of thing. Maybe my problem lies in the central conceit of the story’s romance between the two characters, which has been elaborated on… -
I’m An Addict…Of Coffee
20 Nov 2009 | 1:45 pmI believe in starting my day out by taking the time to brew fresh coffee. It is the pause before the storm. I love the sound my coffee machine makes as it brews. It reminds me of the way my grandparents coffee percolator used to sound every morning when I would visit them growing up. (Percolators make terrible coffee by the way, they just sound cool) I look forward to the smell of coffee brewing. There is nothing like coming into the kitchen in the morning and smelling the coffee, it smells like…victory. Pouring the first cup and taking the first sip is what it’s all about. Pouring… -
Jared Allen And Mullets. Oh yeah, And Marketing.
20 Nov 2009 | 1:45 pmIf you’re new to Analogous Friday, welcome to the your awesomeland. This is a little doo-dad I do every week (on a Friday, no duh) where I share with you a wicked video that I’ve come across for your entertainment. Then, after said entertainment, I’ll make some asinine analogy for how it relates to marketing and business. Then, in the comments, you continue the analogousness and come up with your own. So, those are the rules, kiddos, let’s get ready to rumble! Today’s video features Jared Allen of the Minnesota Vikings, but you don’t even have to be a sports fan to… -
Gen Y, I’ll Be Your Mentor
20 Nov 2009 | 1:45 pmAs an older member of Gen Y, I know that I have a wealth of knowledge to impart to my younger generational brethren. I help out as a “coach” to potential new hires at my company where I talk to them about the firm or give interview advice. On a larger scale for the past 4 years I have been guest lecturing at Penn State University where I always try to give real world honest advice. I talk about being a professional, dealing with office politics, minding one’s personal appearance and online brand, and most relevant to seniors… how to get a job in today’s market. -
Announcing the Winners of the Brazen Careerist Brand Rock Stars Contest!
20 Nov 2009 | 10:22 amCongratulations, Krista Reaves (@kristamarie1)! You just won a Garmin GPS! Here is Krista’s prize-winning tweet: Congratulations to our runners ups, too. Each Brazen Careerist member listed below will be receiving a $25 iTunes gift card: Mary Qin (@laelene) Mario Awad (@marioawad) Connie Rice (@daytonafood) I had a lot of fun with this contest! One of the coolest parts was that some of the brands we were talking about jumped into the conversation. Which tells me that there are more brands out there that are starting to “get it.” Thanks again to…
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About.com Job Searching
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Pregnant and Job Searching
20 Nov 2009 | 10:00 pmIf you're pregant and job searching, how should you handle it? When's the best time to mention your pregnancy to a prospective employer? Before the interview or after you have a job offer? Here's advice on how to handle employment issues when you're pregnant, what you need to know about pregnancy discrimination, and suggestions and tips on handling your pregnancy while working or conducting a job search. For prospective moms (and dads) here's what you can expect as far as maternity leave and parternity leave (now usually called family leave) after you have a baby or adopt a child. More:… -
Your LinkedIn Profile When You're Unemployed
19 Nov 2009 | 11:31 pmGeorge is just one of the job seekers who have written to me asking what they should put in their LinkedIn Profile when they are unemployed. It's definitely an issue because even though you, like many other people, are out of work, you want to present yourself in a positive light to prospective employers and to networking contacts. Krista Canfield, Senior PR Manager at LinkedIn has suggestions: "If you're currently unemployed list your current position as "open to opportunities." If you just recently lost your job, make sure you update your status field in your profile so your network… -
Job Search Holiday Travel Tips
18 Nov 2009 | 10:00 pmDo you have Thanksgiving travel plans? When you're traveling while you're in the midst of a job search, it's important to be able to not miss out on emails or phone calls from prospective employers. Hiring doesn't stop, just because of the holidays, and staying connected could give you an advantage over other candidates who don't check messages until they get home from a trip. You won't want to miss out on a job opportunity or a conversation with a connection who can help your job search, because you're not at home or out of touch. As long as you have the right job search travel tools… -
New Unemployment Extension News
18 Nov 2009 | 9:01 amUpdate November 20: Here's additional information from the National Employment Law Project on unemployment benefits running out at the end of the year: The National Employment Law Project (NELP) released a new analysis finding that one million workers will become ineligible for unemployment benefits in January 2010 unless Congress reauthorizes the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act's unemployment insurance programs by the end of December. The critical benefits provided to jobless workers by the ARRA are set to expire at the end of the year, which means that even with the latest 14 to 20… -
Employee Benefit Packages
17 Nov 2009 | 10:26 pmWhether you are job searching or deciding on a job offer it's important to review what benefit coverage is provided by the companies you're interested in and to decide whether the employee benefit package is one that fully meets your needs. Not all benefit packages are created equal and it's better to be informed, upfront, rather than have an unpleasant and possibly expensive surprise later on. For example, a former colleague of mine accepted a new job and presumed that his benefits package would be equivilent to what he had at his old job. It wasn't - it provided single health insurance…
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J.T. and Dale Talk Jobs
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‘No Calls or E-Mails, Please’
17 Nov 2009 | 7:32 amDear J.T. & Dale: I applied for a job online for which the ad said, “No e-mails or calls, please.” I am used to seeing this in ads, but since I am also (unfortunately) used to hearing absolutely nothing from potential employers, I don’t know how to check the status of the job. Should I call, since it’s been a few weeks since I sent out the resume? — Susan J.T.: I can appreciate your frustration with this pesky request from employers. However, when they explicitly put that in the ad, they really mean it. If you call, you’ll get labeled as someone who… -
Don’t Tell Me I Can Come Back & Then Leave Me Out in the Cold
17 Nov 2009 | 6:59 amDear J.T. & Dale: I was working at a company in Illinois when my brother got sick and I moved to Phoenix to help out. When I resigned my old job, the company told me the doors were open to me because I had “rehire” status. However, now that my brother is better and I’ve returned home, I reapplied and HR no longer will even answer my e-mails. Don’t tell me I can come back and then leave me out in the cold. — Jess J.T.: While I understand your frustration, it’s great that you got rehire status. That says a lot about you and your work. Dale: But what it does… -
Can Your Work and Personal Lives Be Separate?
10 Nov 2009 | 9:47 amDear J.T. & Dale: I’d like to take your advice and do more networking, but I don’t have much to work with. I haven’t kept up with former co-workers, and among my friends and family, no one knows anything about my work or that I’m now unemployed. I believe in keeping my work and personal lives separate. — Rick J.T.: I need to be blunt, Rick: Work and personal lives are NOT separate. They are interdependent, even if you try to compartmentalize them. For instance, when we are unhappy at work, it affects our personal life. And being unemployed certainly affects your… -
Applying for Unemployment Is Out of Question, Right?
10 Nov 2009 | 9:32 amDear J.T. & Dale: The company I work for was sold, and I went to work for the new owners. Recently my hours have been reduced to nothing. It might be 10 hours one week, nine the next. I have looked for other employment, but no one is hiring. I want to apply for unemployment, but if my employers call me, I have to work. If I don’t, that’s a refusal, and unemployment would be denied anyway. Any advice? — Ned J.T.: Sadly, this is a common way for a company to get employees to leave voluntarily. By cutting your hours, they are hoping that you’ll find another job, thus… -
The Next Job You’re Going To Hate
4 Nov 2009 | 7:33 amDear J.T. & Dale: You experts keep saying to “network.” Most jobs I’ve gotten by networking have turned out very badly for me. I won’t go into details, but they often ended in lack of advancement, being knifed in the back by a supervisor or other not-so-nice happenings. I have a long list of industries I’ve been in and know I have no desire to work in again — finance, insurance, retail, any type of food service, any job requiring answering phones or being on the computer all day and sales (including all the titles that try to hide that it’s a sales…
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Personal Branding Blog - Dan Schawbel
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“Twitter #in” — Better Than Peanut Butter And Chocolate?
21 Nov 2009 | 4:15 amIf you missed it this week, Linkedin added some new functionality this week. Now you can sync up your Linkedin and Twitter profiles to share content you chose with either network. From the Linkedin blog: Now you can tweet your LinkedIn status to your Twitter followers or automatically post your tweets as your LinkedIn status. Make your Twitter account visible on your profile Use #in to share posts from Twitter to your LinkedIn status (#li also works) Choose which LinkedIn status updates you share with Twitter This is big news for your personal brand. It is becoming increasingly easier to… -
Personal Branding Interview: Scott McGrew
20 Nov 2009 | 7:23 pmToday, I spoke to Scott McGrew, who has 20 years experience as a television reporter, 10 of them as a technology reporter. His work has been seen on CNN, CNBC, MSNBC and the BBC. He has been nominated for 10 Emmy Awards and reports on technology on the Bay Area’s NBC. In this interview, Scott goes over his impression of personal branding, why he has a website in addition to his NBC content, and then talks about authenticity. What’s your take on personal branding? I think people vastly underestimate the importance of managing their online presence. We’re all familiar with… -
Are You Qualified to Write a Book?
20 Nov 2009 | 1:17 pm“I don’t know whether or not I’m qualified to write a book!” The process of helping others write books to build their personal brand often starts by addressing a curious paradox: Published books establish their authors as experts in their field BUT, What qualifies someone to write a book in the first place? Unfortunately, many otherwise-qualified individuals question their “right,” or “qualifications,” to write a brand building book to promote their career or build their business. These individuals are sabotaging themselves before they even… -
A Quick Way To Measure Your Personal Brand Using Twitter Lists
20 Nov 2009 | 4:15 amUse Twitter Lists to see how people are branding you on Twitter. Are the results what you expect? A simple branding test One of the nice things about personal branding is the ease of verifying your efforts- just ask people in your target audience what comes to mind when they think of you: If their answers match up with your personal branding, good job! Keep doing what you’re doing and look for ways to reach more people. If their answers don’t match your personal branding, try to understand why so you can decide what action to take. Is this really necessary? What if this… -
Secrets to Getting More Referrals – Part 1
19 Nov 2009 | 4:15 amAssessing Your “Referability” Factor Do you need new customers or clients but can’t seem to get enough of them? People generally want to make referrals when they can. It feels good to be able to connect those who can help with those who need that help. But, you need to make it as easy as possible for them to do so. We’re all busy, faced with too much on our plate and not enough hours in the day, so the more painless you can make it, the greater your chances of getting the referrals you want. Here are four key questions to ask yourself to test the strength of your “referability.”…
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Lindsey Pollak Career Blog
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Audio Download: Lindsey interviewed by William Arruda of Reach Personal Branding
20 Nov 2009 | 7:00 amMany thanks to William Arruda, founder of Reach Personal Branding and author of Career Distinction: Stand Out by Building Your Brand, for interviewing me recently. Our topic was “Getting from College to Career in Tough Times” and here is an overview of the topics we covered: - Why careers for Gen Y are fundamentally different than previous generations’ careers - How college students and recent grads can avoid the biggest mistake in job hunting - What parents can do to help - What universities can do to help - Why social media is changing job hunting/career development forever… -
Podcast on MyPath.com: How to Get a Job Now
9 Nov 2009 | 9:17 amI’m excited to announce a brand new partnership with MyPath.com, a new online career management website guided by Manpower, one of the global leaders in employment services. MyPath provides you with a variety of tools and services to help you plot and plan your career journey. As MyPath’s “College to Career” blogger, I’ll be recording a weekly podcast on a timely job search or career management topic for entry-level job seekers. Click here to listen to my first MyPath podcast, “How to Get a Job Now.” Have a topic you’d like me to discuss on a… -
One Way to Help the “Lost Generation”
2 Nov 2009 | 7:00 amA recent BusinessWeek cover story called today’s graduates “The Lost Generation,” citing statistics that young people who graduate in recession years continue to earn less over the long-term course of their careers. This weekend, New York Times columnist Bob Herbert addressed the same issue, writing: “These recent graduates have done everything society told them to do. They’ve worked hard, kept their noses clean and gotten a good education (in many cases from the nation’s best schools). They are ready and anxious to work. If we’re having trouble finding employment for even… -
Are You Building Your Career Pyramid?
18 Oct 2009 | 3:36 pmI had the complete joy today of having absolutely nothing to do. It was pouring rain, SeamlessWeb delivered bagels and coffee directly to my door, and my husband and his best friend had plans to watch nonstop football. So, I camped out upstairs in our apartment — computer turned off! — and read pretty much the entire Sunday New York Times cover to cover. In addition to reading Bono’s op-ed, a review of Gail Collins’ new book about women and, as always, the wedding announcements (“the sports pages for women”), I came across an interview with Carol Bartz, the CEO of Yahoo. -
Virtual Internships: A Growing Trend and Great Opportunity
14 Oct 2009 | 9:35 pmThis is a guest post by my friends Lauren Porat and Cari Sommer, co-founders of Urban Interns. The job hunt is fierce. But a phenomenal new type of internship is on the rise, and it’s one that will boost your skills while at the same time allow you the flexibility of working from home and on your own clock. Employers are turning more and more to virtual interns, and we’re seeing a real rise in this on UrbanInterns.com. In fact, The Wall Street Journal published a story about this a few weeks ago. Other advantages of a virtual internship? You don’t have to go to school in a major city to…
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One Day, One Job
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Second Nature
21 Nov 2009 | 5:14 amWhen I was in college, campus sustainability was just starting to become a common buzzword. I guess it makes sense that higher education institutions would be at the forefront of such a movement—you know, since they deal with students protesting by camping in tree tops all the time. Second Nature is a Boston based non-profit organization that is continuing this movement (no not the camping out in tree tops). They initiate and support “high-leverage national initiatives and programs aimed at re-orienting the higher education sector toward more sustainable outcomes.” It’s a… -
DivX
20 Nov 2009 | 7:55 amWe’ve looked at plenty of Internet video companies in the past, but we haven’t spent too much time looking at companies that provide the underlying technology that drives Internet video. DivX is a San Diego, CA based company that develops and licenses video codecs. Codec is short for compressor-decompressor, which is essentially technology that allows you to more efficiently transfer data. In DivX’s case they provide a codec that allows high definition video to be compressed without sacrificing quality on the other end. They’re a big part of why Internet video finally… -
Berry Plastics
19 Nov 2009 | 7:39 amA couple of days ago the blogosphere exploded (pun intended) with news about bomb proof wallpaper. The story originally came from Popular Science with a video of a wrecking ball trying to knock down a brick wall that has been reinforced with the X-Flex Blast Protection System (the video is included below). I always love news stories like this one, because it puts the spotlight on a company that you never would have otherwise. In this case it’s Berry Plastics, an Evansville, IN based plastics company. Their products range from agricultural films to plastic bottles and from drink cups to… -
Weebly
18 Nov 2009 | 7:53 amI’ve been building websites since 1998 (I think). Even back then, there were online services that made it easy to build a web site without any knowledge of HTML. The difference is that now there are services that enable you to make a website that looks good with no HTML knowledge. These website builders are extremely powerful, and server the purposes of most people who want a relatively simple website. Weebly is a company that offers the ability to create a free website and/or blog. They’re based in San Francisco, and they were named one of TIME’s 50 Best Websites of 2007. -
Big Ten Network
17 Nov 2009 | 7:46 amI love Ivy League sports. I really do. Although I think the league gets less respect than it deserves, I know that they’ll never be the Big Ten—even if a powerhouse like Cornell (hey, I’m biased) continues to excel at the national level in sports like Hockey, Lacrosse, Wrestling, and even Basketball. I didn’t realize how big Big Ten sports were until I walked around Chicago on a Saturday afternoon in the fall. The Ohio State bar is packed with Ohio State fans, and the Michigan bar is packed with Michigan fans. Everyone is dressed in their school’s colors—and these…
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Alexandra Levit's Water Cooler Wisdom
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Get Work at a Small Company
19 Nov 2009 | 5:00 amFrom my colleagues at the Wall Street Journal and John Crant, a career coach and founder of selfrecruiter.com, here’s some terrific advice if you’re seeking work at a small company: What approach should a job seeker take when beginning to look for work at a small business? Start by finding just one individual with a similar background or skill set as yourself. Do a People Search on LinkedIn to find this starter profile. Now search their current employer’s name to find other individuals with similar functions. Look at where all of these individuals worked before. Some places will… -
Students Need Personal Branding Too
16 Nov 2009 | 5:00 amThose of you who are current students need to be concerned about your image beyond how you portray yourself in interviews. Here are some statistics to illustrate how your world has changed: 45% of companies conduct background checks on social networks (Careerbuilder 2009) 10% of college admissions officers conduct background checks on social networks (Kaplan 2009) Hiring is down 7% for the 2010 graduating class (NACE, September 2009) 63% of job-hunting college grads aren’t cleaning up their social network profiles (CollegeGrad.com, September 2009) 71% of college admissions officers… -
Office Politics Dos and Don'ts
12 Nov 2009 | 5:00 amDO - Set boundaries as to how you use various social networks (e.g. Facebook for personal, LinkedIn for professional) and make sure you communicate those boundaries so that feelings aren't hurt. DON'T let your boss and co-workers catch you chatting and playing with Facebook applications when you should be working. DO - Use your real name on Twitter to network with people you wouldn't have the chance to communicate with in real life. DO - send them valuable information or interesting tidbits about their field. DON'T - get caught up in the heat of the… -
The Ability to Learn is Your Most Important Skill
9 Nov 2009 | 7:38 amWhen employers talk about desirable skills they look for in new hires, they usually mean things like marketing, IT, budgeting, and project management. But what about the ability to learn? I’m not kidding. Let’s say a 20-something employee, we’ll call her Amy, starts a new job as a sales representative at a Fortune 500 software company. She graduated from college fairly recently and has never done sales before, so her boss expects her to have lots of questions as she proceeds to develop her first client relationships. He guides her through the process patiently, explaining in detail how… -
Dream Job Spotlight: Andrea Rubin, Director of Marketing, Yelp.com
5 Nov 2009 | 5:00 amI love profiling fabulously successful young professionals, and this time around, I decided to feature someone under 30 who has made it to the top ranks of a very twenty-first century organization. Check out Andrea Rubin, Director of Marketing and Community Management of Yelp.com, talking about how she got to this point in her career:
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Secrets of the Job Hunt
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How to Create the Perfect Resume Profile
20 Nov 2009 | 3:42 pm#3 of The Big Three: The Top Three Elements Every Resume MUST Have But Very Few Do!! The job search can be frustrating, no doubt about it. Often, it seems out of your control. But there is good news! You have more control than you think... ...over how you are perceived by recruiters, employers, human resource personnel and those with whom you network. That's because they forge a perception of you based on the information you choose to present in your resume and cover letter. Every fact, date, job title and organization name you choose to include contributes to that perception. Every skill,… -
Warning: long-term side effects of recession may include…
20 Nov 2009 | 8:41 amby Jeff Dickey-Chasins for OnlineRecruitingNews.com As the recession begins to wane, it’s a good time to assess what effects it has had on the relationship between employers and employees. Why? These changes will continue to reverberate over the coming years and affect how recruiting and hiring is conducted, what technologies and approaches are used in finding candidates, and which resources are brought to bear in retaining top talent. A case of two perceptions Per this recent report from Human Capital Institute and Monster, 84% of employers feel that their employees are loyal and content… -
Navigating Your Job Search Through the Recession
20 Nov 2009 | 12:00 amReposted from CareerAlley "But still they lead me back to the long winding road" - Lennon/McCartney Sometimes it does feel like a long and winding road and I'm sure you're thinking "just my luck to be looking for a job in the worst job market since the Great Depression". Regardless of how long and winding the road may be, you need to ensure you are on the right road (to a job that is). But as bad as it is, there are jobs out there if your know how to navigate the winding road. So, how do you navigate? You need to have a road-map, a timeline as well as a marketing plan. Don't be afraid to… -
GE bringing IT jobs to Michigan!
19 Nov 2009 | 5:50 amAs we all know Michigan is a state that really NEEDS jobs. Hats off to GE for announcing their new tech center for Van Buren Township. Its expected to bring 1100 jobs over the next few years. In this audio jobcast you'll hear all about this new venture. -
RISK: What the ancient Romans can teach you about career change
18 Nov 2009 | 5:00 pmBy CAREEREALISM-Approved Expert, Melissa C. Martin have you ever felt those demonic thoughts that swirl in our inner sanctum and resist giving way to the one thing that humans patently avoid…..changing their comfort zone? That is your risk zone. Stepping out of the comfort zone. Our inner temptations to make that change, even one small change, as we say in solution-focused interviewing and counseling, need a guiding force. Pay attention to those inner tempations! Even if it means confronting the status quo! ( A useful Latin phrase which we still use for the appropriate occasion!) Quite…
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College Recruiter
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How to Measure Results from Social Media Ads, Efforts
20 Nov 2009 | 6:26 amWhen evaluating various metrics and tools for tracking social media, what should marketing and communications professionals look for? First, know what you want to measure. The most complex tools in the world won't do you any good if they don't measure what your business needs to measure. So start with that. Second, look for tools that simplify your job rather than complicate it. If you can find one tool that measures everything you want to measure, invest in it. The alternative may seem cheaper on the front end, but the amount of work required to manage several tools and a dozen separate data… -
How to Find Recruiting Experts on Twitter
19 Nov 2009 | 12:04 pmMany newcomers and even some veterans to Twitter find the process of deciding who to follow to be very confusing. The Twitter home page, for example, has a prominent search engine but strongly implies that you search for content rather than people. I believe that both are important. In fact, I prefer to follow people who discuss content which is relevant to me. So how do you decide who to follow if you know the content but then get thousands and perhaps tens of thousands of matches back? Perhaps the easiest way of adding up to 100 highly relevant people in a flash is a free service from… -
My Worst Interview Experience Ever
19 Nov 2009 | 6:02 amI'm a fully recovered lawyer but before I made the tough decision to leave law, I interviewed for a summer associate position with a law firm back in 1990. Two interviewers and me in one of those awful on-campus interview room with air that smelled like it was imported every decade from the Soviet Union. One of the interviewers greets me like a cold fish and tells me that she's the human resources manager. She definitely knew how to take the human out of human resources. But it gets better. The other takes over and explains that she's the staff psychologist (really) and wants to ask me a… -
Obama Pressured to Create Jobs
18 Nov 2009 | 2:42 pmUnemployment is shaping up as a key battleground in the midterm elections. The Wall Street Journal's Economics Editor David Wessel says the Obama administration is keenly aware, and looking at smaller stimulus follow-ups to generate jobs growth: -
My Nightmare Interviews With Google
18 Nov 2009 | 5:42 am
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Keppie Careers by Miriam Salpeter
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Three tips for making a career change in a tough time
19 Nov 2009 | 8:02 pmI hear from so many people who are in the midst of trying to make a career change. Sometimes, the change is very slight – a writer who wants to use her expertise to write about a different subject. Other times, there is a more drastic goal – a mortgage broker who wants to use transferable skills to get into the insurance business. No matter what the goal, this is a tough time to bridge to a career change. (I’ve written about this HERE.) If you are a job seeker thinking of a change, some tips to consider: 1. Do your research. Know what skills your targeted job and/or employer… -
Going rogue – advice for the rest of us
19 Nov 2009 | 8:45 amRogue (per Dictionary.com): –noun 1. a dishonest, knavish person; scoundrel. 2. a playfully mischievous person; scamp: The youngest boys are little rogues. 3. a tramp or vagabond. 4. a rogue elephant or other animal of similar disposition. 5. Biology. a usually inferior organism, esp. a plant, varying markedly from the normal. –verb (used without object) 6. to live or act as a rogue. –verb (used with object) 7. to cheat. 8. to uproot or destroy (plants, etc., that do not conform to a desired standard). 9. to perform this operation upon: to rogue a field. –adjective 10. (of an animal)… -
How having a blog can help you get a job
18 Nov 2009 | 10:20 amI am so excited to share news from a client who just landed a great job. In and of itself, a client landing a job isn’t extraordinary – that is the point of hiring me to help, after all! What is special about this client is that she was in a transitional search. She was finding that there were not a lot of opportunities in her field, so she needed to make a change. She was looking for jobs doing things she had not done before. Anyone who talks to me about transitioning knows that this is a tough time to make a career change. While I would never discourage someone from trying,… -
Networking with a purpose – ideas from Joe Lavelle
17 Nov 2009 | 5:09 amYesterday, I shared a review of Act As If It Were Impossible to Fail. (You can read it HERE.) Today, I want to share more from Joe Lavelle’s book! Joe talks about “Networking with a purpose.” This is so important. I hear from people all of the time who insist that they have been doing EVERYTHING for their job hunt – including networking. However, upon further inquiry, it is clear that they could be doing a lot more. Joe offers this advice, which I believe is right on target. (Points are his, commentary my own): Make meeting others a priority. So often, networking is… -
Act As If It Were Impossible to Fail – A review
15 Nov 2009 | 7:04 pm“…Act with enthusiasm and confidence – act as if it were impossible to fail. Your beliefs become your reality, and your expectations have a direct result on the outcome of any given situation. Concentrate on your strengths, your triumphs and your successes as you power up the corporate ladder” (p.177). – Act As If It Were Impossible to Fail, by Joe Lavelle I “met” Joe Lavelle, author of Act As If It Were Impossible to Fail – The Employee Handbook That Your Empoyer Hasn’t Given You, via Twitter and when he began to comment on this blog. He…
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JibberJobber Blog
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Nick Corcodilos (aka: Ask the Headhunter): How to Work With Headhunters
20 Nov 2009 | 6:26 amI met Nick Corcodilos in Savannah at a conference. He was telling a bunch of resume writers that resumes were useless, and why they were useless. I thought it was a very gutsy thing to do – come to a conference as a keynote speaker and tell all of the professionals that their chosen profession (and for many, life passion) was obsolete. That is how Nick is: gutsy. Nick Corcodilos is an undisputed subject matter expert and thought leader in the job search space. He has been writing for syndicated columns for years, and many thousands of people have read and benefited from his work… -
Evolution
19 Nov 2009 | 9:22 amThree and a half years ago I had a business plan, and I had a vision statement for my business. I thought I would have a gazillion signups on JibberJobber, and that a percentage (high or low, didn’t matter – because even a low percentage of a gazillion is a lot) would have upgraded. I had no idea that in my future I would write a book or two, or become a professional speaker, or have a product to sell, or become an executive editor, or that I would have different profit centers I would work on. My business evolved… my business plan was for one discrete thing, but because of… -
Facebook for Executives (and professionals) Webinar
17 Nov 2009 | 7:32 amTomorrow at 4ET (1PT) I’m doing a webinar for Netshare called Facebook Essentials for Executives. I’m jazzed about this webinar and have been preparing for it quite a bit. Facebook has power in numbers – and I’m amazed at the connections I’ve made because of Facebook that I didn’t make in LinkedIn. I’m also amazed at the conversation that happens in Facebook that isn’t happening elsewhere. If you want to brush up on your Facebook understanding, or wrap your brain around a Facebook strategy for you, come on over to the webinar. It… -
I Love A Good Email Signature
16 Nov 2009 | 4:31 amIf you’ve heard me speak in the last year, chances are you’ve heard me talk about email signatures. I recently saw a signature that POPPED OUT – let me share it with you: I totally missed the middle name until I saw the hyperlink with the tagline. I LOVE THIS. I clicked on the hyperlink and guess where it took me? SocialMediaIsMyMiddleName.com Brilliant. Thanks for the excellent example of an email signature that helps brand a professional Scott! More information on email signatures as a personal branding tool at Today I (tearfully) Retire My Email Signature and A New… -
Big JibberJobber News: Create Log Entries From an Email
13 Nov 2009 | 7:49 amThis is a feature that has been on our list for over 18 months. We’re really excited to announce it is finally available to you (it is a premium feature). In a nutshell, this new feature allows you to create a Log Entry by sending an email to a special email address. When I say Log Entry, realize you can: Also create an Action Item, Associate it with multiple contacts, companies and job postings, and Change the time when you get an email reminder, if it is an action item. If you are not a Premium users use the Contact Us form and we’ll bump you up for five days so you can play…
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TheJobBored
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What Does It Mean When They Say They’re Still Interviewing Candidates?
18 Nov 2009 | 11:06 amHere’s a quick Ask Brian question that has been sitting in my inbox since last week. It’s a short question, but I think I have a short and possibly unpleasant answer. Here goes: A reader asks: What does it mean, a week after my interview they say they are still interviewing candidates? Brian sayz: Unfortunately, it probably doesn’t mean much good for you. Not to be too harsh here, but interviewing is like dating. When you’ve found the one, you kind of know it right away. The long and short of it is, if they thought you were the one, they probably wouldn’t be… -
Retiree Job Search Tips – Job Tips For Over-65 Job Seekers
27 Oct 2009 | 2:22 pmInteresting article in the New York Times regarding retiree job seekers and the special job search problems facing retirees and those over the age of 65. …In fact, there are more Americans 65 and older in the job market today than at any time in history, 6.6 million, compared with 4.1 million in 2001. Less well known, though, is that nearly half a million workers 65 and older want to work but cannot find a job — more than five times the level early this decade and this group’s highest unemployment level since the Great Depression. The unemployment rate for older Americans is still much… -
The Virtual Job Interview – Job Interviews Via Skype
20 Oct 2009 | 5:20 pmAn article in Time Magazine suggests that virtual job interviewing, via skype especially, is something jobseekers are seeing more and more of. This makes tons of sense to me. For out-of-town interviewing, the money savings alone are astronomical. But also, think about how this is more convenient for interviewer and interviewee alike. Less pressure, less procedure… possibly a greater chance of getting down to brass tacks. My tips for this sort of thing are pretty much along the lines of what the article suggests. You still want to dress up. You still want to be professional (send the… -
The Facebook Job Search – Or How To Find A Job Using Facebook
30 Sep 2009 | 9:18 amI’ve posted several times about how the idea of job search networking can seem nebulous and confusing to people. “Ok, I understand that I send in my resume and hopefully they call me for an interview. But how exactly do I network?” Hopefully you can see several practical strategies on how to network by reading this blog. And keep in mind the old saw of job search: Networking is BY FAR the most effective way to find a new job. For years we’ve told our clients, “Tell everyone you know… everyone… every friend you have, every person you meet on the… -
Ask Brian: How Long To Wait For Approval On A Vacation Request
29 Sep 2009 | 1:58 pmIf you have career or job search question you would like answered on this blog, click here to Ask Brian. D. asks: How long should one expect to wait to get approval on a vacation request? I have three weeks vacation and have only used two. Vacation request? This time of year? I think you’re reading your calender upside down! But, it seems my “how long to wait” answers are very popular. So… Brian has an answer after the jump… Brian Sayz: … Vacation request policy varies from employer to employer. If your employee manual does not spell out a requested lead…
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Entry Level Careers Examiner
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Four ways to take responsibility for your own job search
20 Nov 2009 | 7:26 amMark Stelzner, founder of JobAngels, made a fantastic remark at Jason Seiden’s “Super Staying Power: What You Need to Become Valuable and Resilient at Work” book signing last night: Job seekers need to take responsibility in thei... -
How to prevent job search identity theft
19 Nov 2009 | 4:27 amAs you get ready to start your first search, it’s important to remember that your identity is a valuable asset. With so many of us looking for new opportunities, identity thieves have started targeted employment sites. I don’t know abo... -
Study: Soft skills highly valued by employers
18 Nov 2009 | 9:53 amTo maintain a competitive advantage, most companies are paying attention to the development of professional "soft skills" to boost performance, according to a recent study by the Institute for Corporate Productivity (i4cp). The stud... -
Survey: College recruiting will continue decline throughout fourth quarter
17 Nov 2009 | 4:28 amCollege recruiting activity will likely continue to decline over the next three months, according to results of a new survey conducted by the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE). NACE recently instituted a monthly poll of i... -
Students and employers come together for a 3D virtual career fair in the Big East
16 Nov 2009 | 5:05 amUnicruit announced the first of what will be a series of virtual career fairs in coming months. The “Students of the Big East” virtual career fair will be held on February 25, 2010, and is open to students from the following schools: ...
