Career Hub

Are You Annoying?

We got so accustomed to instant communications - quick email exchanges, constant cell-phone availability - that when there is a glitch it can cause quite a bit of frustration. Now, there are some things we can't control, and hiccups do occur in technology from time to time. But particularly if you are in a job search - where professional communication is key! - be certain you are not perpetrating annoying communications behaviors like these:

• Calling after every email to be sure it was received (if you haven't had a response within 5 minutes).
• Responding to emails without addressing or acknowledging all of the questions/issues, so your correspondent has to follow up again.
• Calling, emailing, text-messaging, faxing, FedExing, and otherwise communicating the same information in many ways at the same time.
• Sending much more information than is needed - perpetrating needless paper proliferation.
• Repeatedly playing phone-tag and not leaving explicit instructions about when and where you can be reached.
• Making cell-phone calls from noisy places and yelling in your listener's ear.
• Trying to conduct an in-depth, serious discussion on a lousy cell-phone connection (much better to call back from a landline or try a different, quiet spot to connect from your cell).

Cut through the clutter with crisp, focused, complete, elegant messages in any medium and you'll boost your image as a polished professional.

Posted by Louise Kursmark

Time to Turn the Tables?

Kevin Wheeler has written an interesting article on ERE Network about the future of third party recruiters. "Third Party Agencies - Where Are They Headed?"

I particularly liked his idea of candidates getting a guarantee of the recruiter finding them a job - now that would be something!

Last time there was a shake up in the industry it was the last recession and thankfully it saw the disappearance of many of the unethical 'body shops' that put people in to jobs in the recruiting boom with no thought or care for candidate or even client.

Now technology is starting to shake them up again and it will be the nimble, flexible and creative who will survive.

It's not about just putting someone in a job nowadays - the recruiter has to really understand client, candidate and what is motivating both parties to broker a successful placement.

And successful now means hiring an engaged and contributing employee who is going to make a difference and advance their career at the same time.

If you are a job seeker be sure about the role that you want, the type of company you want to work for and what you want your work day to look like.

If you are an employer be clear about your expectations, be truthful to your mission and become an employer of choice out of strategic necessity.

If you are a career coach think about how you can strategically align yourself with third party recruiters that do not yet offer your services, or work inside companies to help people manage their careers internally - take a look at this coaching colleague, Sue Edwards to see what I mean about being creative and thinking ahead - Development-by-Design

Cross posted on Reflections of a Square Peg blog

WEDDLE's 2007 Top Career Sites Announced

Each year, WEDDLES.com invites job seeker, corporate and third party recruiters to vote for the best career sites on the Web. This year almost 50,000 people cast their ballots.

The winners of WEDDLE’s 2007 Users Choice Awards are:

 

• Absolutely Health Care
• AllRetailJobs.com
• America’s Job Bank
• Best Jobs USA
• CareerBuilder.com
• CareerJournal.com
• CollegeRecruiter.com
• ComputerJobs.com
• craigslist
• Dice
• DiversityInc.com/careers
• EmploymentGuide.com
• ExecuNet
• Experience
• HEALTHeCAREERS Network
• HRJobs (SHRM.org)
• Indeed
• Jobing.com
• JobsintheMoney
• TheLadders
• LatPro
• LocalCareers.com
• MilitaryHire.com
• Monster
• Net-Temps
• USAJOBS
• Vault.com
• VetJobs
• Yahoo! HotJobs

More info at www.weddles.com.

Monster Roars!

10 years ago when I first arrived in Canada the daily main newspapers were full of jobs, on a Saturday as many as 30 pages - now you are lucky to see 3!

The on line job board has taken over, but according to CareerXRoads survey their impact is not as great as perhaps you the job seeker might think.

In fact I will bet that if you are in active job search mode you are spending way more time looking on the job boards than is either necessary or warranted.

The smart job boards are starting to try and do something about this.

Monster.com has added a couple of new features recently that make your job searching life a little easier and even let you know how you stack up against other candidates for a particular job;

- Previously on this blog the JASPER (Job Assets and Strengths Profiler) was mentioned

- Last week they introduced the ability for job canddiates to compare their application against others and see how they stack up - see Press Release. Job seekers can now tell what percentage of other applicants share similar qualificiations in terms of educational level and years of experience. This should also enhance more quality matches. 

- Also there is a quick online assessment you can take to see what type of personality you are, what jobs you are suited to and then direct links to the list of similar positions on their job board. See Discover Your Perfect Career

I was advised that career counselling, management consultancy or HR is where I belonged - PHEW - I thought I was going to have to look for a new job!

Cross posted on Reflections of a Square Peg

Career Comeback Program

I have received several emails between yesterday and today about this great program for Women returning to the workforce.  Here is the basic info and a link for more information.  Happy Comeback!!

Are you a professional woman who is returning to the workforce? Jump-start your transition! UBS and Wharton have designed a program to support women returning to the workforce after a career break. Participants will update their business knowledge, develop transition strategies, and network with business leaders. This highly-selective program is offered at no charge to qualified applicants through funding from UBS.Wharton's Career Comeback Program

Post/Update Your Resume Online Before The Superbowl!

Sounds crazy huh?!?! You are probably asking, "what does posting your resume on a career site has to do with the NFL Super Bowl?"

Well in previous years, CareerBuilder.com and Monster.com have advertised during the Superbowl. Leading up to the game, the sales reps for these sites are selling job postings and resume database access to employers in full force. So if you are active in the job market and have not posted your resume online, I would suggest doing so before kick off. If your resume is already online I would encourage you to update or refresh it.

Historically, the media frenzy and buzz created by the Superbowl commercials leads to an increase in traffic for the whole online career site industry. Traffic not only spikes for the CareerBuilder.com but also for most of the major employment sites.

Timing in life is everything...and the time is now.

If you are looking for a list of top career sites to post your resume, view WEDDLE's List of Top 30 Career Sites for 2007.

A good Acroynm tool

Have you ever wondered what the current acronym of the week means - especially when it pertains to your job search...  I came across this site acronyn finder that has been super helpful.  So if you want to know what the ETA of the RFP for the BMI to TPTB are look it up!

TTFN!

Fear or Fear Not

Have you ever been in an interview when you just blanked out? Or maybe you lost track of the point you were trying to make? Do you wonder and worry about what to say? Feel anxious, nervous, or scared at even the thought of sitting in the hot seat or facilitating an important presentation before clients or colleagues? Well, you're not alone!

In my practice, nearly every day I hear clients reference their fear of speaking or their fear of interviewing. While I love helping clients practice their communication skills, I'm also a raving fan of Toastmasters International. This particular organization can enrich your communication skills and abilities in so many valuable ways.

If you've decided it's high time to do something about your fear of speaking, TMI might be right for you, if you'd like to:

• become a more effective presenter, speaker, leader, job candidate
• boost your confidence in prepared or impromptu speaking
• increase your skill in leading / motivating teams and conducting meetings
• minimize your reliance on connectors of ah's, um's, uh's, and er's
• learn how to give and receive constructive evaluations
• improve your overall listening skills

There are over 200,000 members in 10,000+ clubs in nearly 90 countries. Find a club near you. I can assure you this organization will change you for the better. What you learn will stay with you for a lifetime.

References Upon Request... But are they good or bad?

Recently I had the unpleasant experience of having to give a less-than-glowing reference. Why?

• I didn't really know the candidate that well.
• I had no exposure to her in the role she was seeking.
• I had a negative experience with her in a different arena that certainly colored my perception of what she'd be like to work with.
• I hadn't spoken with her personally in a couple of years.

Yet because she was interviewing with a mutual acquaintance, she gave my name - without asking in advance and without alerting me to the fact.

I don't know if she'll get the job, but I doubt it.

In my opinion, there is NO EXCUSE for a less-than-great reference when you are supplying the names! In a job search, you know you'll be asked, so think about it ahead of time and speak with the people you want to serve as your references. If you sense hesitation or reservation, DON'T USE THAT PERSON!

After all, if they're like me your references will feel their credibility is on the line... and they won't be willing to lie or misconstrue. Their negative or even so-so comments can sink your candidacy.

Posted by Louise Kursmark

Telecommuting? - Yet Another Reason to Communicate Your Brand

If you are currently telecommuting or feel that telecommuting is an ideal part of your next job you are going to want to consider some strategies to make yourself more visible.

According to a recent Korn Ferry survey 61% of executives believe that telecommuters are less likely to advance compared to employees working in traditional office settings.

If that is the perception then you will want to look at ways to raise your brand profile so that you do get forgotten.

Three personal brand actions for the telecommuter to get noticed:

1. Do not rely on just email to keep in touch internally. It is sometimes too easy to send an email when taking a few extra minutes to connect by telephone or just to leave a voicemail reminds people of who you are and makes the connection that bit more personal.
2. Offer to bring departments and groups up to date with what you are doing and to hear where they are at next time you are in the office. Suggest a brown bag lunch update or bring in the coffee and donuts.
3. Volunteer for committees or in projects that you can add value to remotely. With the abundance of various technologies just because you are hundreds or thousands of miles away does not mean you cannot be involved, its just going to take a little more effort.

Its sometimes hard enough to be memorable to the people that matter when you are in an office, telecommuting can add to that 'invisibility' - good personal branding career management means raising your visibility and being memorable.

Cross posted on the Reflections of a Square Peg Blog