Tag: Job Search

Strengthen the Weak Links in Your Online Job Search

by candacemoody

If you’re like most job seekers across most industries, the success of your job search will depend on your ability to reach out to people in the real world through phone calls, meetings over coffee, and conversations at social events. But as vital as face-to-face contact will be, you’ll still need to pay close attention to the online branch of your search. And if your online efforts aren’t taking you anywhere or don’t seem to be paying off, you may benefit by giving your digital strategy a few tweaks.

Confident is as Confident Does

by candacemoody

Being rejected is not fun. If you’re in an extended job search, every call you don’t get feels like a fresh rejection, and that can wear down your confidence fast. That’s a problem, because your confidence and energy level are two of the first things your network – and recruiters – notice about you. Here are some tips on how to boost your confidence.

We’re Not Looking For Anyone Right Now, But…

by candacemoody

You’ve been on the job market for a while now, and you’re starting to wonder if your only options lie in published postings for established positions. What if you really want a job that isn’t available? Or a job that doesn’t technically exist? What if you find yourself attracted to a certain organization, but the company website has no specific “careers” listing? What if a company has no positions to offer right now, but makes a claim like “We’re always looking for great people”?

Guest Post: 5 Places to Find People Who Work at Your Target Company

by candacemoody

One of the best ways to advance your career is by targeting a specific company in the industry where you want to work. You probably already know that customizing the goals and experiences on your resume to the specific company to you are applying will help you get your foot in the door, but imagine how much more impressed that company would be if you had already done deep research on the company’s business and objectives, and knew people who work there. These three actions will increase your attractiveness to any employer, but networking with people who work at the target company can be a challenge. Here are five places where you can find and network with the employees at your target firm.

1. Local Chambers of Commerce and Business Associations

A Great Thank You Note

by candacemoody

It was a good interview. Maybe even a great interview. You felt a connection to the interviewer, you felt that you answered the technical questions well, and there were no unpleasant surprises regarding the duties or the salary. You’re feeling hopeful, but you know they have two more candidates to see. What next step will really advance your chances for this job?

A great thank you note.

Guest Post: Landing Your First Job Out of College

by candacemoody

If you’re finishing up a degree and getting ready to enter the job market, you may be feeling overwhelmed about the prospects for landing your first job out of college. Despite the current economic climate, the job outlook for new college graduates is becoming more positive. The National Association of Colleges and Employers reports that employers will employ at least 10 percent more new college graduates in 2012.

Your Chances Ain’t Good

by candacemoody

Wiens writes, “Good grammar is credibility, especially on the internet. In blog posts, on Facebook statuses, in e-mails, and on company websites, your words are all you have.” People do judge you by how well you speak your native language, and there is still (believe it or not) a standard for how English is spoken and written.

Guest Post: What your College Degree Means to an Employer

by candacemoody

There’s no denying the fact that college graduates face a tough job market today. That will discourage a lot of new graduates, but there’s a silver lining to their predicament. The college degree that they worked so hard to earn is probably the most important piece of paper in their job search – more important than any resume or cleverly written cover letter. Not enough college graduates understand that they’re part of a lucky demographic that gets first consideration when employers consider new hires. Despite what some critics claim, a college education is still the standard qualification for most entry level professional positions.