Archive for the ‘Uncategorized’ Category

The 7 Deadly Sins of the Job Search - Are You Costing Yourself A Great New Career by Exacting Your Wrath On Your Current Employer

Monday, November 16th, 2009

By Nicole Dukehart and Jennifer Bruton, The Job Awful Truth

©Copyright, 2009 All rights reserved. Used with Permission

WRATH….

Do you hate your boss? Are you angry because you were passed over for a position that you were clearly the best qualified for? Are you feeling frustrated and unappreciated in your current position? Sometimes these feelings are a good thing, they are just the push you need to leave your comfort zone and actually pursue your next best career step. However, you need to put all of your negative feelings aside during your job search, this is not the arena to exact your wrath. THE AWFUL TRUTH is, nothing will submarine a great opportunity for you faster than speaking negatively of your current or previous employer. Your interviewer is not your counselor, they do not need to understand why you are so angry or what a big jerk your boss is. All an interviewer sees, in those situations, is a person who will be trashing their company the same way next year and a potential employee problem. You have to put a positive spin on why you are looking at the position. Speak in positive terms about what this opportunity can do for your career, for example, “I think I could grow with this company and have a better chance at advancement”, “I love the team philosophy here and could really thrive in this environment.” When your motivation to make a job change is prompted by feelings such as anger, wrath or rage, then you need to keep that to yourself. THE AWFUL TRUTH is, you need to put on a happy face when interacting with others during your job search, and then if you really need to, go home and punch a wall.

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.

Does graduating in a recession have to mean lower pay?

Tuesday, August 18th, 2009

Article Provided by Career Treking, LLC

Not necessarily, according to Career Treking, a job coaching firm based in Wellesley and Sudbury which specializes in helping college graduates find the right job.  The National Bureau of Economic Research reports that earnings for those who graduate in a recession are 9% lower than those who graduate in strong economic times and this gap may not close for a full decade.  Career Treking believes that the ambitious college graduate can narrow that salary gap much faster with appropriate career planning.

A study conducted by Professor von Wachter at Columbia University studied the impact on compensation on college students who graduate in a recession.  This study followed and measured the career tracks and compensation levels of 70% Canadian college graduates from 1976 through 1995, encompassing 2 recessions. 

The study found that job quality and job mobility were the two critical factors to close that pay gap 30 to 40% faster. 

o “Recession” graduates who found work in their chosen fields, no matter how low the pay or how temporary in nature were able to close that pay gap 30 to 40% faster than the group who took the first job available. When the economy rebounded, this group had developed the skills they needed in their chosen fields and found themselves to be the sought-after candidates.  
o Recession graduates who changed jobs more frequently than average closed the pay gap approximately 30% sooner. 

So how can the college graduate narrow the pay gap? 

o Set a wide range of goals in the chosen field/industry.  Candidates need to have a plan to develop the skills and experience they will need for an economic rebound.  The plan should be realistic and help them to demonstrate their capabilities. 
o Be prepared to change jobs frequently by mastering the art of networking and job searching. 

Career Treking has utilized this strategy with their clients since the economy tanked. “Last year, we worked with our clients to identify their dream job and then determine how the client could land that job.  This year, we are recommending that our clients continue to identify and pursue that dream job, but include backup plans that are realistic and will prepare the client for that dream job”, commented Susan Kennedy, senior partner at Career Treking.  Kennedy likens this process to the college application process: students typically identify their dream schools, schools they feel reasonably confident they will get accepted as well as their safety net.  If a student attends his safety school, he will still get his degree.  Likewise, if a young professional begins his career using “Plan C”, he will still develop the skills he needs to build his career and close that compensation gap sooner.

Take John, who worked with Career Treking.  John wanted to combine his double major in finance and marketing with his passion for sports apparel to land a job in brand management at Under Armor.  John knows the skills and experience he will need to approach Under Armor as well as the gaps in his background.  Career Treking helped him design a plan to build his experience and close his gaps.  Knowing that Under Armor is extremely competitive, John will also pursue an entry level marketing job at Reebok, Saucony and New Balance.  This back up plan (“Plan B”) will enable him to develop his marketing skills and obtain a proven track record of work experience that he can take to Under Armor in the future.  He will also pursue part time work at a high-end health club to market their international golf tournaments so he can get some direct marketing experience.  John identified a gap in his background: graphics design.  He will take a course at a local community college in graphics design.  John will learn the design piece and he will also make contacts that can help further his search. 

“John is not giving up on his dreams,” commented Mitch Bornstein, P.hD.,  founder of Career Treking.  “He is being realistic about the job market and has created a plan to move forward.  By developing the skills and experience he will need for that job at Under Armor, he will be ready to land the job and close any compensation gap sooner.”

In addition to setting a wide net of career goals, Career Treking works with their clients to teach them the life skill of networking and job searching so they can change jobs as frequently as they need to.  “Finding the right job is a life skill that’s best learned at the onset of one’s career”, added Bornstein.  “It puts you in charge of your own career and in any economic climate, it’s a critical skill to have.”  Career Treking provides extensive career assessments, interview skills training and job search strategies for its clients.  Their process has been documented and published in The Job Coach for Young Professionals, an interactive workbook designed to teach the life skill of job searching to college graduates and young professionals. 

 
About Career Treking LLC

Career Treking LLC is a job coaching firm that specializes in helping college graduates and young professionals identify and land the right job.  Based in Wellesley and Sudbury, Career Treking LLC provides customized career development programs to meet the needs of college graduates and young professionals in a challenging job market.  Career Treking LLC also works with current college students to help them build their resumes while still in college so they are ready to pursue their goals upon graduation.

Seminar: Background Checks Revealed

Friday, July 17th, 2009

Is it your responsibility to screen your tenants or employees? Do you wish you knew more about what components make up a good quality background check and how to thoroughly and intelligently identify if your current program meets the standards set by the industry? Mark your calendars for August 4 and make plans to attend Background Checks Revealed – The Good, the Bad, the Ugly. Presented by Sam Ciulla, Vice President of National Application Processing & Screening, Inc. (NAPS), in partnership with Mobile Technical Institute, this seminar is designed to inform and educate apartment management companies, managers, recruiters, and human resources professionals master the art of screening both applicants and vendors.

Information is a “powerful tool” and in your business, negligence and accountability are very serious issues. You need to be armed with meaningful assessment tools that can help you make sound tenancy, employment, and promotion decisions. This informative seminar will focus on helping participants understand the complexities of deciding what actions will impact your screening program going forward.

This seminar will be held at the Mobile Technical Institute training facility from 9 am – noon. Seating is limited and pre-registration is required. The seminar fee is $40. Register online or call  251-478-6848  or e-mail success@mtimail.com to reserve your seat. This course is approved for 3 hours of HRCI recertification credit. Continuing education credit is available for Alabama nurses, nursing home administrators, and a variety of additional professional occupations. For a complete schedule of upcoming Success Seminar Series classes, see www.mobiletechwebsite.com.

Make Your Temporary Job Your Permanent Career

Monday, June 8th, 2009

Many workers tend to shy away from temporary jobs thinking they will be out of work soon again and have to begin a job search all over, however many temporary positions are stepping stones to furthering a career with a desired company or gaining valuable networking contacts in a desired field. The key to accepting temporary employment is to accept job assignments with either a company you wish to become a permanent worker with or in a field you wish to make a career.

One of the benefits of having a temporary job is to try out a company. If the company seems unsuitable to your liking, a temporary position is just that: temporary. A request can be made to the temporary agency to be transferred to another assignment, or if hired on a temporary basis by the company itself, employment contacts can be made by networking with co-workers.

On the other hand, if the company is exactly what you are looking for in a desired company, visits to the Human Resources Department or other hiring area can be made while you are on-site. This is essential to stay abreast of company openings, as well as attend any interviews. Furthermore, if interviewing for a position within the department you are currently working for, the supervisor may be familiar with your recent job performance or may ask your co-workers for input.

Networking opportunities are also great for workers with temporary positions. Letters of reference, personal recommendations and inside job information with other companies in similar industries can be accomplished by networking while on a temporary position. Be sure to exchange contact information and network long before your assignment ends; especially if the length of the assignment is undetermined.

If desiring to work at the company, but no positions are currently open, be sure to leave a positive impression with the company and stay in-touch. When a position opens, by keeping in contact with supervisors or former co-workers you will be a welcomed suggestion or consideration in the mind of the company. Volunteer with the company or temporary agency to work there again to maintain an on-site presence. With perseverance, temporary jobs can and do eventually lead to permanent employment opportunities.

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