Job Hunt - Recently Updated Pages

Find a New Job with Job Hunt

Katherine — Wed, 29 Aug 2007 14:53:08 CDT

Why "Job Hunt?"

As a recruiter, I see a lot of recources on the web directed at recruiters, companies, and other HR professionals - but rarely do I see resources and outreach to "jobseekers" - people actually looking for jobs. This site is meant to change that by providing information and resources directly to the job seeker - YOU. This site is here to help you find out where the jobs are and how to do research to find the right jobs for you!

Worst. Interview. Ever.

If you've got a horrible or hilarious interview story, this is your place to share it!

The Site Overview

+ Beginning Your Job Hunt

- Resumes
- Cover Letters
- Applying
- References

+Where to Find Open Jobs

- Links to Online Job Postings
- Networking
- Inquiring
- Applying

Becoming a "Candidate" vs. being an "Applicant"

- The Screening Process
- The Interview Loop
- The Offer

Interviews

- Preparing
- What to Wear
- What (Not) to Say

The Offer

- The Verbal Offer
- Negotiating
- The Written Offer

Resumes

Katherine — Wed, 29 Aug 2007 14:25:04 CDT

The best tip for a resume: Keep It Simple.

Make sure that the most important information is at the top (objective, skills summary, job history).

Look at it on screen and as a printed copy. It has to look good in both places!

Don't

Don't lie, exaggerate, embellish, or "punch it up."
Don't write a paragraph describing each job or each project - be brief, list the highlights.
Don't use a canned template, recruiters see hundreds of resumes that look exactly the same.
Don't use a crazy font, make sure it's easy to read.

Do

Write an objective! You don't have to be specific ("A position as a project manager at Google"). General objectives show what's important to you ("Use my natural leadership ability and programming knowledge in an Agile development environment.") without boxing you in.
Provide a skills summary. What do you know? Rate yourself as novice, intermediate, or expert for each skill. If you don't know what you are, many temp agencies will test you or you can find resources online - it's important not to assume your ability or to list everything as if you know them all equally!
List your job history. Title, company, location, dates of employment. Brief description of the role and the most important things you did in it. Bullet points are great for this section.
Put your education, visa status ( "I do/do not require sponsorship to work in the U.S."), awards, etc. after your job history.
Note that your references are available upon request. Some recrutiers say this isn't necessary now - that it's "understood" - but it's a formality that goes along way toward your professional presentation.

Helpful Links:
How to Write A Resume - Mahalo

Networking

Katherine — Fri, 15 Jun 2007 15:59:08 CDT

Networking is the art of creating good business karma for yourself. It means helping other people connect as well as getting yourself connected.

You might not think you have a network - but you do:

Friends
Family
School friends
Former co-workers & bosses
Current co-workers & bosses

This basic network can do wonders for your job hunt, but you have to let people know you're looking and what you're looking for.

Professional Organizations
Most cities have local chapters of national organizations, or local groups devoted to a profession. These are great places to get networked and get to know what kinds of companies hire people with your skills.

Alumni Networks
If you went to college, you have one. Join it, see if there's a local chapter that meets and go!

If there is overlap between any of your groups (friends are also alums, or alums have the same profession) don't hesitate to invite them to your other networking functions. Larger networks benefit everyone involved and earn you important business karma!

Online Networking

There are many levels of networking - thanks to the Internet, some of the most popular ways to network don't require you to rub elbows at luncheons or seminars.

Email Lists & Groups
Yahoo Groups
Google Groups
Meetup.org
Email lists and online groups can serve as great ways to hear about job openings before they are posted, to learn about companies before you interview or apply for a job, or to enhance your professional reputation. Most professions have

Web Sites
LinkedIn
Jobster
ZoomInfo
These sites are almost completely geared towards connecting professionals to improve recruiting and hiring processes - they require regular attention and commitment to get the most out of it.

MySpace
Facebook
Friendster
These are social networking sites and some are invitation only! They focus primarily on social marketing, online dating, and reconnecting to people you used to know - all of which can lead to job prospects. People tend to become obsessed with these sites and spend lots of time posting comments or messages to each other's profiles.
Tip on Social Networking Sites: Remember - most of these sites are public! Don't put anything on them that you wouldn't do or say in an interview!

Inquiring

Katherine — Fri, 15 Jun 2007 15:54:27 CDT

If you contacting a company without responding to a job posting or without being contacted by them, be sure to state clearly why you're inquiring - just stating that you need a job and you love their product is not going to be enough. Try something like this:

Hi - I looked through your posted jobs and while you currently don't have any open positions that meet my qualifications, I'm a huge fan of how your company combines the functionality of a lawn mower with the safety of an overstuffed couch. I'm wondering if my background as both a small engine mechanic and furniture upholsterer might be a good fit for your company. I've attached my resume to this email and if you'd like to learn more about me and my professional background, please do not hesitate to call or email me.

Sincerely,

Lon Moore
[phone]
[email]

See how the note is specific about what Lon might bring and why he might be a good fit?
By attaching both a resume and including his contact info, Lon increases the chances of being contacted by that company at some point in the future (or, perhaps, immediately).

Links to Online Job Postings

Katherine — Wed, 07 Feb 2007 17:00:44 CST

Craigslist.org
Local job postings for most major cities!

Careerbuilder
Monster
Yahoo Hotjobs
The Big Three online job boards.

America's Job Bank
All positions that are opened through state and Federal agencies, or any company that posts jobs through their state's unemployment office.

USA Jobs
All open Federal positions.

LinkedIn
A business networking site that includes job postings and internet searches for open positions.

SimplyHired
A search engine that only searches for open jobs!

Resume Example #1

Katherine — Wed, 07 Feb 2007 16:58:35 CST

There is no abstract available for this page revision.

References

Katherine — Wed, 07 Feb 2007 16:55:47 CST

Finding References

You should always ask someone to be a reference for you well in advance of needing them. The best times are as you are making the decision to leave you current employer, when you are delivered the news of your termination, or when a someone is leaving the company. Don't ask for a reference unless you are willing to be a reference for that individual.

Many companies now have policies against giving official references, so it is always best to approach individuals rather than rely on the company's Human Resources department to forward references requests.

The Best References

References usually fall into two categories: Personal or Professional. When you provide a potential employer with your references it's best to keep them professional - former managers, co-workers, subordinates, etc.

Who makes the best reference? A former manager who can talk about your strengths and weaknesses. A great combination would be one manager, one co-worker, and one subordinate. If you never managed anyone, use two co-workers or two managers instead. Try and include as many previous employers as possible. Provide a phone number and email address for each of your references if possible.

You should always notify your references that you have given their contact information to a potential employer, what job you have applied for, and what your duties will be in the new role. The more background they have prior to the reference, the better!

Where to Find Open Jobs

Katherine — Mon, 31 Jul 2006 15:16:24 CDT

The Basics

Where do you begin to actually look for open jobs?

Hopefully, you've got your resume ready, a draft of your cover letter, and a good sense of what you want to do.

You now need to do the tedious part of your job hunt: Searching and applying for open jobs. This is often the most time consuming part of a job search (or feels like it).

Target the companies that you want to work for first.

Larger companies will often have their own applications (online or offline) that they will want you to fill out, so be sure to set aside plenty of time for this first step.
Be sure to use your resume as a reference, some job boards allow you to upload your resume completely!

Go to the online job boards and create an account.

Fill out your profile as completely as possible, this can also take a little bit longer, so set aside plenty of time.
Start searching for jobs! Most job boards let you search by company or job title.

Do as many variations on job titles as you can think of - there is no standardization for job titles and duties don't always match the title.

Go to Craigslist.org and start searching for job postings.

Craigslist lets you search by city, job title, and profession. Do all three!

Search online for local newspapers, want ads, etc.

Local papers (and some TV stations) have want ads online. Each ad will have different contact information, so be sure to use the form contact requested in the ad!

Go offline and pick up a couple of local newspapers (daily, weekly, etc.) and persue those job ads.
Go to your local unemployment office.

Believe it or not, unemployment offices often have job postings that no other place has and they have all the resources available to apply (copying, faxing, internet access, etc.) at no cost to you!

If you're hunting for a retail or food service job, go to the store you'd like to work at and ask if they are hiring.

If you've already applied online, let them know, they can then take your name back to their Human Resources and request your application.

Make a list of temporary staffing agencies or recruitment firms and start contacting them.

Agencies are great if you need work right away or know for a fact that the company you want to work for hires people through that agency.
Be aware that agencies will want to have you come in and fill out paperwork, take screening tests, or participate in an interview or orientation prior to them sending you out on assignments. This can take as much as an entire day.

Where to Find Open Jobs

- Links to Online Job Postings
- Marketing Yourself
- Networking
- Inquiring
- Applying

Beginning Your Job Hunt

Katherine — Mon, 31 Jul 2006 15:15:07 CDT

The best time to start looking for work is when you're still working.
Devote some time to your job hunt every day.

Figure out what you want to do.

What aren't you doing in your current/last job?
What do you want to learn?
What kind of manager do you want?
How much do you need to earn?
Do you need benefits?

Find out what companies are doing what you want to do.

Most businesses are small to medium-sized - don't focus on big brands!

Make a list of the companies that you're going to research.
Research those companies thoroughly.

Find out the stated mission of each company - does it match your values?
Use a networking tool like ZoomInfo or LinkedIn to contact current and former employees.

Ask how well the company adheres to the stated mission.
Ask them if they would work for the company again.

Call the HR departments and ask about the best sources for job postings.

Ask if the company uses any agencies for their hiring.

Beginning Your Job Hunt

- Resumes
- Cover Letters
- Networking
- Applying
- References

Applying

Katherine — Sun, 25 Jun 2006 12:41:36 CDT

Applying for a job is relatively easy. You just send a resume to a company you want to work for, right?

If only it were that easy!

Sometimes it's not clear from a job ad how you're supposed to apply and a lot of recruiters are ruthless when it comes to adhering to their application process.

Tips on Applying

If a phone number is listed assume it's okay to call and ask questions.
If a fax number is listed, fax your resume and cover letter.
If only an address is listed either deliver your resume and cover letter in person or mail it "Attention: Human Resources/Recruiting."
If there is only an email address assume you're supposed to email your resume and cover letter to that address. Be sure to put the job title AND any ad information (posting number, job number, etc.) in the subject line!
If you're online, fill out whatever forms you're linked to, redirected to, or are sent to you.
If you only see a web address go to that web address and follow the instructions there.

There are definitely other ways of getting your foot in the door - networking, informational interviews, etc. Don't limit yourself to formal job ads!

Cover Letters

Katherine — Sun, 25 Jun 2006 12:29:35 CDT

Cover letters are great. All that detail that you omitted on your resume can be used in your cover letter to great affect as long as you do it right.

The Basics

Be brief - never longer than a page, or a "screen" if you're emailing it.
If your'e emailing your cover letter, don't send it as an attachment, include it in the body of the email.
Always include all of your contact information on your cover letter. It may become separated from your resume.
Make sure it is free of spelling and grammar errors.

Writing It

The cover letter should have four parts:

Introducing yourself.
Explain why you're great.
Explain why you're great for this company.
Conclude.

Example:

Hello,

My name is Bob Dobbs and I'm applying for the Meat Department Manager position at IGA. I've been a Manager in Deli and Meat Departments for the last six years and prior to that I was an Apprentice Butcher and Butcher for four years.

The reason that I have been so successful in my job is that I am committed to quality and to training. My department staff are always the best trained employees who take pride in their work. As a team, we focus on quality in our product, customer service, and departmental operations. Grocery stores typically have high turnover in their employees - my team had less than 1%.

If given the opportunity, I will have a positive impact on your store by increasing the quality of your meat department and reducing the cost of hiring and training new employees.

Please feel free to contact me at your convenience, I can be reached at (555) 555-5555. I look forward to hearing from you.

Thank you,

Bob Dobbs
1313 Mockingbird Lane
Eerie, Indiana 00001
(555) 555-5555

Worst Interview Ever

Katherine — Tue, 20 Jun 2006 12:16:27 CDT

Share the story of your Worst Interview Ever.

- Did your interviewer get your name wrong?
- Did you spill coffee all over yourself right before the interview?
- Did they lock you in a windowless conference room and not let you see the offices?
- Did you get up to do some whiteboarding and realize your fly was undone?

Share your story in the comments below!