Daily Career Connection

CareerAlley
Author Website: http://careeralley.com

“On the road again - Just can’t wait to get on the road again.” - Willie Nelson

I was speaking with one of the recruiters that I work with and he told me that he has trouble filling all of the job openings he has. He told me that he has lots of mediocre applicants but very few high quality candidates. So what does that tell me? Well for one, there are way too many mediocre applicants out there, but it also tells me that the good ones are not marketing themselves to the right people.

Looking at the candidate side of the coin, there are so many job connections (search boards, recruiters, network, company career sites, etc.) and so little time. The generic list of links and contacts across the thousands and thousands of job search sites don’t always get you to where you want to be (no pun intended). Job search should be focused based on your experience and industry, and while I’m a big believer of the mass market method, you still need to focus on the right mass market.

“On the Road Again”, a familiar song for those of us who have been on the job hunt more than one time in our careers. But today’s quote and picture have another meaning, and that is if you’re not on the right road, it doesn’t matter where you are going because you are not going to get there.

Today’s post focuses on targeted job search for the Transportation industry. The same methodologies applied here can be (and should be) applied to every profession.

• Jobsinlogistics.com - This is a job search site and, according to their tag line “Find careers in Logistics, Supply Chain, Transportation, Freight Forwarding, 3PL, Distribution, Purchasing & Manufacturing“, covers the full range of transportation related jobs. The site has a box at top center for Job Seekers which allows search by category or city. You can also register on the site. Below this is the Job Search button which lists a number of job categories (or search all jobs). The center of the page has a very long list of companies (no links), which you can use a resource for looking directly at company career sites. There were over 2,500 job opportunities when I checked the site.

• Kimmel & Associates - This firm is a recruiter and specializes in Supply Chain, Freight Forwarding and Logistics (among other fields). Their main page has tabs at the top and clicking Other Industries leads to their page with links to logistics and freight forwarding. Click on this for a full page on the topic which provides an overview as well as a list of the types of positions they’ve filled. The left hand side of the page has links for job seekers (including creating an account, search jobs and career resources). Either create an account or click on Contact Us from the links at top for their address, email address and phone number.

• Logistics Publications List - This site provides a long list of trade publications associated with this industry. There are several benefits to reviewing trade publications:
  • They keep you up to date on what is happening in the industry
  • They provide resources (names of companies, individuals, etc.) which you can leverage for your search
  • Many have career / job opportunity sections which can provide direct links to jobs

• LogJobs.com - Another Job Search Board, this one focusing on the logistics industry. The site has several links at the top, including Post Resume, Jobs, View Contract Jobs and View Featured Jobs. Below this you can click on Find Jobs Now or Post Resume followed by a list of links to jobs by category. There is also a list of featured companies further down on the page. There were over 1,000 job opportunities when I checked the site.

• LogJobsSocial.com - Associated with LogJobs, this is a social network site designed specifically for this industry. You must register in order to use the site and there are great discussions (such as Networking for a new job). You can start your own discussion or select from the list of discussion categories on the right hand side of the page.

• Supply Chain Comment: Tips for Finding a Job if the Layoff Wave Hits You - A very good article posted on Supply Chain Digest (another good industry source) provides some good advice for finding a job. While some of the tips will be standard across fields, this article provides some additional insight into this industry. Certainly worth a read if you’ve just gotten started on your 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.

Article Conbtributed by 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 speak with others and seek out help in getting yourself started (or revamping your existing approach). Much of the Job Hunt is being in the right place at the right time, but if you don’t have a road-map you won’t know where that place is. Set your goals and create a list of tasks that will help you achieve those goals.

Lots to do, lots of competition and not that many opportunities. But someone will get those jobs and you might as well be one of the lucky ones (although luck is only part of the equation).

• Road Map - The first rule in navigating your job search is that you must have a road map (which means that you must know where you are headed).
  • How to Approach Your Job Search With A Personal Marketing Strategy - This article, by About.com, helps you create your personal marketing plan (please also see the Job Search Marketing Toolkit) including locating leads, contacting employers, getting organized and more. There are more links at the bottom of the article to help you on your way.
  • Find a Job: Create a job search plan - Careeronstop provided this article which echos much of what I said above, as well as additional advice. The article gives advice to making a plan, mapping your skills (see more below), networking, resumes and more. There is a day-by-day guide with links and good advice.

• Search for Jobs - Your Inventory - You need to create an inventory of what you will do next (recruiters, job search sites and company career sites. See the links to my list of lists below for each of these categories.
  • List of Recruiters and Headhunters - Here is a great list of recruiters to get you started in building your recruiter inventory. Don’t forget to keep track.
  • Inventory of Company Career Sites - Company career sites are a great place to start, this list should help you get started.
  • Job Search Boards - While yo don’t want to be registered on every site, you do want to be on the right sites for you. Check out my list.

• Networks and Networking - Not just a catch-phrase, networks can be the most important (and most powerful) tool in your inventory. You’ve seen all of these before, but it is worth the repeat.
  • LinkedIn - Don’t need to say much here, make sure you leverage this site every day.
  • Secrets of the Job Hunt - Amazing articles, lots of resources - the list is too long to list here. Check it out.
  • Networking & Your Job Search - My favorite source for job search (the Riley Guide) also has an article on networking - Check it out!

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.