When the Going Gets Tough, the Tough Get Going - Job Search in Difficult Times

"All difficult things have their origin in that which is easy, and great things in that which is small." - Lao Tzu


Just recently heard the title of today's post (yet again) and it was meant as an inspiring "we can beat the odds" statement. But, to be honest, I've always been confused about this phrase. It almost sounds like it could have two meanings. So, like any normal person in the 21st century, I looked it up on Wikipedia.com. The explanation is definitely more interesting than my original question and, as I had suspected, it does have two meanings. But, rather than spoil it for you, take a look for yourself ==>> The Tough Get Going.

For many, including yours truly, the times are really tough and looking for a job is no walk in the park when unemployment is so high and the economy is not so great. And while I've written about this so many times, it will never cease to amaze me, the disconnect between the seemingly hundreds of thousands of jobs available and the number of people who can't seem to find a job. Of course, timing and location is everything (not to mention experience and ability). A lot depends on how long you've been looking and your overall approach to job search. So today's post is a little about starting your job search for the first time and a little about refreshing your job search.

   
• Just Lost My Job - Unfortunately, many people have lose their jobs, especially in tough economies. Job reductions have been announced at many companies, and the knock-on impact on other businesses caused by increased joblessness sometimes forces more job losses in other industries. Losing your job is incredibly stressful.  Our job partly defines who we are and the means by which we live. The stages of emotional change caused by job loss are very similar to the stages of grief when losing a loved one and you need to get past this and move on.



   
• Resume – If you don’t already have an updated resume, now is the time.

   
• Cover Letters – Another essential to your job search marketing toolkit.

   
• Companies you want to work for – Make a list of the companies you want to work for and start applying to their websites (look at the New Location post for tips). ==>> The Best Companies to Work For

   
• Business Social Networks – Look at the last post on this.  Once you’ve joined, you should leverage contacts who work for the companies where you may want to work.  Sites like LinkedIn will tell you if you know someone who works at one of your target companies (or if you know someone who knows someone). ==>>Social Networks

   
• College alumni Associations – Check out your college alumni association as well as your colleges job recruiting center.  These can be great resources.

   
• Make a Plan – Job Search Marketing Toolkit  -Build yours now!

   
• Refresh Your Job Search - There is a big difference between having a job and looking for a better one and not having a job and trying to get one (many of us have been there). When you are employed, no matter how bad your situation may be, it is difficult to be as committed to job search as when you are unemployed. Sometimes you’ve been on “the hunt” too long and you need to refresh your approach and other times it’s a matter changing your approach in order to get better results. But no matter the reason for job hunting, sometimes you just need to try something new.



   
• Try These Tips to Refresh Your Job Search – This article, from the Project Management Institute, provides some useful tips on restarting or refreshing your job search. Tips on revamping your resume, switch industries, networking and attitude are all included in the article.  Additionally, there are embedded links in the article as well as a link to their career center at the bottom of the page.

   
• How to Restart a Stalled Job Search – Written by CareerJournal.com and posted on writejobs.com, this article also provides some advice as to how to restart your job search. Much of this tends to be about strategy and getting back to basics. There are additional links on the left hand side of the page for related topics such as Career Advice, Job Listings and Resources.

   
• Refresh Your Job Search

Good luck in your search.

Article courtesy of the Recruiting Blogswap, a content exchange service sponsored by CollegeRecruiter.com, a leading site for college students looking for internships and recent graduates searching for entry level jobs and other career opportunities.
Author:  CareerAlley

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Career Book Review: No More Ramen: The 20-Something’s Real World Survival Guide

I wish this book had been available when I was in my twenties. No More Ramen: The 20-Something’s Real World Survival Guide is a must-read for young people just getting started in their careers. It is full of valuable advice for those who want to set the stage early in life for building a happy and satisfying life that includes a balance of career and personal life.

No More Ramen: The 20-Something’s Real World Survival Guide author Nicholas Aretakis is a successful entrepreneur who spends a significant amount of time mentoring young people faced with the reality of transitioning from college to real life. This book provides practical and valuable tips for getting handle on the many important decisions that young adults must make as they transition to the world of adulthood.

More than just a guide for career success, this book taps into all aspects of what young people need to consider at the outset of their careers. The book does provide practical advice for how to find a great job, but it goes far beyond job search and selection strategies. Readers can glean important tips that can help them become financially independent. For example, the book clearly points out the implications of allowing credit card debt to build, enabling readers to fully grasp the importance of debt reduction.

This book was written with input from young people, and it is clearly written from the perspective of an author who really “gets” what today’s young people are faced with as they move into the world of work. This book is going on my holiday shopping list. I’m not in my twenties anymore, but I have a niece who is. She can expect to find No More Ramen: The 20-Something’s Real World Survival Guide in her holiday stocking this year!

About the Contributor
Book review provided by Mary Gormandy White, M.A., SPHR, Director of Training and Consulting Services for Mobile Technical Institute & MTI Business Solutions (http://www.mobiletechwebsite.com), where she specializes in human resources, management, and public relations training and consulting. She teaches business training seminars in Mobile, AL and provides on-site corporate training and conference presentations throughout the U.S., as well as human resource management and public relations consulting services. She is also the author of 101 Human Resource Management Tips and 101 Successful PR Campaign Tips in the LifeTips book series and edits http://www.DailyCareerConnection.com.

Article courtesy of the Recruiting Blogswap, a content exchange service sponsored by CollegeRecruiter.com, a leading site for college students looking for internships and recent graduates searching for entry level jobs and other career opportunities.

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On-Demand Automated Interview Coaching – Business Launch

 Kathy sparks
Author Website: http://www.careercenterinterviewcoach.com/

CareerCenterInterviewCoach today announced the launch of on-demand interview coaching,(http://www.CareerCenterInviewCoach.com), - A new automated self-coaching system for college and university career centers, federal and state employment centers, career counselors and coaches and employment outsource centers available for purchase.

San Diego, CA November 15, 2011

CareerCenterInterviewCoach available now.

CareerCenterInterviewCoach today announced that its automated interview coaching system for college and university career centers, federal and state employment centers, career counselors and coaches and employment outsource centers

(http://www.careercenterinterviewcoach.com), is available for purchase now. “Interview coaching is not new, but automated, on-demand interview coaching is revolutionary,” said Carole Martin, The Interview Coach. “It’s exciting to finally offer affordable interview coaching for all job seekers that delivers greater focus and value.”

Although there are many ways to prepare for an interview – most people want quick results without investing too much time. Who has time to read?? This system takes you by the hand and leads you in a very interactive manner. When compared to the cost of real-time coaching the online system is a real deal.  The CareerCenterInterviewCoach is an automated, on-demand, self-teaching professional coaching system developed for career centers to offer job seekers at an affordable cost.

Carole Martin, one of the Nation’s leading professional interview coaches, author, and writer for Monstor.com walks job seekers through a series of audio/video training modules, and provides exercises and helpful tips to help them be stronger competitors in today’s tough job market.
She also includes help for students with no experience getting a job for the first time and those who have been out of the workforce for a period of time. Because the system is on-demand, job seekers can practice at their own pace at their convenience.

The CareerCenterInterviewCoach’s revolutionary automated system is an online, interactive experience. Carole Martin makes learning how to interview easy and interesting through listening, doing exercises and practicing interview skills. Martin says she often hears people tell her, “I don’t have time to read a book.” We are in the age of listening and multi-tasking and the automated interview coaching system works, because of its easy access and availability.

Set up is simple for administrators, with a quick login by job seekers --and they are ready to begin.

Press Contact
kathy@careercenterinterviewcoach.com


NOTE TO EDITORS: For additional information and photo gallery please contact Kathy Sparks, Technical Partner at kathy@careercenterinterviewcoach.com more information please visit in link www.careercenterinterviewcoach.com

Article courtesy of the Recruiting Blogswap, a content exchange service sponsored by CollegeRecruiter.com, a leading site for college students looking for internships and recent graduates searching for entry level jobs and other career opportunities.

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Job Searching during the Holidays!

Author Dan Shaughnessy for www.employmematch.com.
Dan Shaughnessy is the owner and CEO of www.employmematch.com, an online job board that matches people to the best suited job openings based on their skills and preferences. EmployMeMatch is created by Resource Navigation, Inc, a Boston-based computer software company providing Payroll & HR solutions to a variety of companies.

Whether you are just starting your job search, are in the middle of it, or just considering a career switch, do not put it off until after the holidays. In fact the holidays might just give you the push you need.  If you want to hear it directly from a professional, “We look for the candidate that does everything possible to land a job and never takes time off to do so including the Holiday season” says  Jane Swansea, HR Director at Preferred Electrical. Here are certain things you should keep in mind with respect to continuing your job search during the break.

Companies continue hiring-

As a job seeker, you have an option to take a break and restart your job hunt process in the New Year. However, the HR managers don’t. If they have a post they have to fill, they will continue looking. Take advantage of this and make sure you apply and make use of the additional opportunities out there for you.

Keep up the momentum-

It’s the end of the year. People will slack off, and you will see much lesser competition for the position you covet. Depending on the agenda for the next year, companies have positions they need to fill irrespective of the number of applicants. So don’t slow down, this might be good way to get in the forefront for your dream job.

Make constructive use of your time-

Use your down-time wisely! Work on your skills, create samples of your work or put together a portfolio. Keeping all your work samples in one place will go a long way even if you just want to go back to it for inspiration. Research the industry or company you are interested in.

Network! Network! Network!

At this time of the year, there will be quite a few personal and professional events you will be invited to. Attend them and network! Never underestimate the power of networking. Go to these events, talk to people and let them know what it is you do and what you are looking for. People are more likely to remember when they have spoken to you personally.

Reach out-

The holidays are the perfect excuse to contact old and current colleagues. You never know who can help!

Article courtesy of the Recruiting Blogswap, a content exchange service sponsored by CollegeRecruiter.com, a leading site for college students looking for internships and recent graduates searching for entry level jobs and other career opportunities.

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Pinky and the Brain within the world of Social Media

Look at what I got delivered to my office today, from none the other than THE One and Only Pinkster!! Thank you and thank you for the latest blog post.

Let this represent how social media can bring two people from the opposite sides of the states together. I reside in TX while Bob is in VA.  Bob also known as Pinkster and I meet through social media and I hate to say I can't remember which LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, or a fun game we were into for a while called Empire Ave. Never the less we are connect on all them now. We share ideas, best practices, and on the lighter side silly nick names as I was originally Bat Chick which came from a random thought I had that inspired Bob to call me that. We then were on a mission together sharing so many ideas I just knew we one day were going to take over the world or so part of it within recruiting and that's how Pinky and the Brain came along leading to Brain E Ac and the Pinkster!!

So a very special thank to Pinkster and a short story of how social media closes the gaps in distance.

HAPPY FRIDAY!!!!

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Tis the Season ( Recruiting/Hiring)

It's been quite awhile since I last posted an article. This has been due to a few reasons...However, we will not go into those....let's instead focus into....the Recruiting/Hiring season which should be well underway.  As we all saw in December, hiring goes on hold because the holidays and in many cases, Companies have not planned out their budgets for the upcoming year.

Many candidates usually will take December/January off from their job search, this not the time to do so...infact there are many things one can do to enhance their standing...

1) NETWORK!!!  You will always hear this....in fact there are more opportunities to network during the holidays..take advantage of them...professional associations, college groups...they could take place in places you might not even imagine.

2) Training/Classwork!!  Take a class. Whether its online or in a brick and mortar setting, go do it.   An Example, My Blog Partner Rachel ( Whom I affectionately call Brain, cause she calls me Pinky or pinkster)  participated in a couple of training sessions put on by her company Siemens USA. The classes will enhance her skill set as a recruiter, which makes her stronger within her position as a Talent Acquisition Specialist. As for me, I reviewed my SAP coursework that I did online...while helpful, you have to continue to work and master any type of software due to constant change in technology.

3) Attend Job Search Groups Meetings...they are always helpful and again  a NETWORKING opportunity.


As you can see by the Interview below ( Yes... thats ERE.net interviewing Rachel...) Siemens is hiring...follow them....


Bob ( Pinky)

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