Unemployment Lines Await

According to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), worldwide unemployment is still high at 8.5%, while US unemployment rates linger at a staggering 9.3% and Canada hovers around 7.4%.

The OECD reports that, since the start of the economic crisis some 3.5 million young people worldwide (LINK: http://www.oecd.org/document/21/0,3746,en_2649_201185_46991230_1_1_1_1,00.html) have joined the ranks of the unemployed. According to the Bureau of Labor statistics, those under 30 in the US may be some of the hardest hit, (link: http://www.bls.gov/web/empsit/cpseea13.htm) with nearly thirteen percent of those under 30, unemployed. (link: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/07/08/college-graduates-jobs-unemployment_n_893495.html)
What does all this mean for those trying to establish a new career direction? It means competition in the workforce is fierce. But it’s not impossible. According to a recent survey (Link: http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/careerbuilders-mid-year-job-forecast-provides-encouraging-outlook-for-us-job-seekers-125131929.html) hiring managers are reporting that their companies are confident the economy will continue to expand in the latter half of this year, making hiring more probable. Instead of sipping mojitos by the pool this summer, you’d be better off creating and implementing your new career strategy and getting the jump on the competition.

Summer Slow Down

While you may argue that summer, may be a slower time of year for some industries, with businesses functioning on reduced staffing, summer hours and lowered production, what you’d be missing is the potential opportunities for employment that staff vacations present. For someone looking to garner experience in an industry new to them, summer provides the perfect chance for you to pitch in and help a company maximize production in the absence of staff. Because things are slower, you may also be able to capitalize on some quality one-on-one mentoring.

Interning and Volunteering

Interning has long been a respected way for new grads to get their foot in the door, especially in highly competitive fields, like law and journalism. But interning isn’t just for recent grads anymore. Mid-career interning has become the perfect way to change career trajectories or fill-in resume gaps, while keeping your skills and accomplishments relevant. Often internships like these lead to job offers at summer’s end, with some even offering nominal pay for your efforts. Even if you don’t land a job, though you’ll have gained experience for your future career and made valuable connections in your desired industry.

Just because your industry may not typically employ interns, doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try. Approach and explore the idea with some of your ideal companies, sharing, specifically, what you feel you can offer and why – you might be surprised by their response.

Also, volunteering at a local nonprofit in your field (or a related one) looks great on your resume and builds skills and connections that could lead to the position of your dreams.

Research and Network

If you’re on the lookout for employment opportunities, let people know. No reason to keep it a secret. Reach out to friends, colleagues, neighbors, family and even casual acquaintances – you never know who has a lead on that next great job.

• Go to industry events, conferences and meet-ups. Networking with your peers, in a genuine fashion, can get you the inside scoop on possible job openings and keep you up-to-date on your industry. Nearly 80% of employment positions are filled this way.
• Research:  Where would you like to be, ideally, in your career? Look at who is doing what you want to be doing and find out how they got there. Ask them if they would be open to mentoring you.
• Keep up on changes in your industry, researching the current market and any new innovations.
• Develop your skill set further: Is there a new skill you can cultivate or a knowledge base you could expand that would increase your value in the marketplace? Use this time to take a class, be mentored or read industry newsletters and books. This kind of passion for your career shows employers you care.

Remember, in a competitive job market, employers want to see your potential in action, not your vacation photos.

Copyright, Cecile Peterkin. All Rights Reserved.

The holidays are a great excuse to network and because of the often relaxed and jovial atmosphere of a party, you can be poised to make a lasting impression in a much more personal way.

Even though businesses may not be buying or hiring at this time of year, the people that populate those businesses are primed and ready to make new connections – connections that could end up generating leads for you in the New Year.

Dress for the Part

Whether you’re going to friend’s house or a business gathering, make sure you’re dressed appropriately in clean, dressy and circumspect attire. Though this is after-hours, it’s still a first impression, so make it a great one. You don’t have to wear what you would to the office but you should definitely leave the club clothes in the closet. Most important of all – wear a smile, it’s everyone’s best accessory.

No Hard-Sell

Networking doesn‘t mean marketing, selling or advertising. Networking is a friendly and informal way to let people get to know you and what you have to offer. If the boom of social media has shown us anything, it’s that people like to deal with someone they know and trust. So enjoy yourself, meet new people and when the topic invariably veers towards work – share what you do, whether you’re starting a new business or looking to branch out. If you make a connection or they’re interested enough to ask more about your venture, leave them with a business card. Just don’t palm your card to every person in the room – it’s tacky and won’t win you any new contacts.

Limit the Libations

It’s a party, invariably there will be drinks, but remember this is not happy hour with your best friends.  Keeping your wits about you while maintaining a fun but professional demeanor will serve you well when that next potential client or future supervisor asks why you’re a better fit for their job opportunities than the competition.

Listen

People enjoy sharing about themselves. You endear yourself to others by being a good and interested listener. Nervous about how to approach someone new? Ask questions about them. Excellent icebreakers are those that get people sharing stories like, “How do you know (the host)?”  Avoid questions that only leave room for yes or no answers.

Relax

This is not a job interview, go ahead and have fun. Laugh, dance and chat people up. Be yourself – just at your best. Go, not with the intention of landing a new job or client, but rather a new friend or connection. Be genuine and of course, helpful. If the host needs an extra hand carrying out a tray of snacks or if you have a tip for your new acquaintance – share it. Give generously, by helping them solve a problem or just sharing your experience with a similar situation. There is no better way to make a great first impression than by being kind and generous of spirit  (while networking) – especially during the holidays.

You never know what gifts those holiday parties could yield in the New Year.

Copyright 2010, Cecile Peterkin. All rights reserved.

Unless you are applying for a very conventional job with a conventional employer who will not appreciate a creative resume, you want a job resume that will set you apart for the other individuals vying for the job.  You want a resume that is creatively smart and will best reflect your qualifications, giving you the opportunity to sell yourself to a potential employer.

How to Make a Creative Resume

If you really want to make a job search resume that surpasses the competition, there are some key elements that must be included, especially if you want your potential employer to notice that little something different that you will bring to the company. Here are 4 tips that will help you prepare the perfect job resume:

1.  Choose a font that will catch the attention of the reader.  However, make certain it’s still easy to read and looks professional. Some fonts are great for letters and cards, but they are totally inappropriate for a professional resume.

2.  Choose a theme that reflects a bit of your personality, while still remaining professional.  For example, a person applying for a graphics artist position may create a template that reflects his/her talents in a professional way.  Some resumes include a header that coincides with the applicant’s job qualifications.  A nurse may choose a nursing header on the resume.  It’s a good idea to have the resume divided into sections for easier reading.

3.  Color is also important.  If you are applying for a more traditional position, a white background is best. For example, you probably wouldn’t apply for a job with the FBI on pink stationary.  However, if the job entails computer graphics or artistry, the resume should reflect something of your talents and expertise.

4.  A creative resume should include all of the elements of any job resume.  In fact, there is a recommended order that helps organize the information and assists your potential employer in locating the data.

A creative resume doesn’t have to be difficult.  You simply need to include all of the necessary elements, while making sure the design reflects the position for which you are applying and stands out amongst all of the other resumes in the pile. Then, your job resume is more likely to be selected for the next step in the job application process.

Copyright, Cecile Peterkin. All rights reserved.

The following 3 tips will market yourself in the interview: http://www.jobsjournal.com/articles/312002370/Expert-Interviewing-Tips-Part-1?utm_source=WNW&utm_medium=Email&utm_campaign=20100218-15328-MinedAtomic-31200003

What you Need to Know

If you want to find a new job this summer, think positive.  Many career resources are available.  With effective job search techniques, the occupation of your dreams may be just around the corner.

You need to know that:

• Summer is a good time to revive your search strategies
• There is less competition
• Visibility is vital
• Refresher courses are great
• Recruiters are looking for you
• Summer and friends mean connections

In order to find the career path meant for you, take advantage of all the opportunities to find a job in the summer.  Begin by reviving your search strategies.  The advice of career professionals, with the knowledge necessary for you to improve your job seeking strategies, can prove invaluable.

In addition, there is less competition during the summer months for many career opportunities.  Others are on vacation, changing location, or wrongly assuming that the summer months are bad for finding work.  They don’t understand that visibility is vital.  In other words, if you want to get that much coveted position, you have to go after it. Then, follow up a few days later.  Let those businesses know you are really interested and confident that you have the skills to fill the job.

If you want to be truly successful at finding a new job, consider a refresher course in the summer.  The season is great for taking college courses to improve skills, or learn new ones.  The classes are generally smaller, which allows professors to accelerate the lesson objectives.  In short, you can learn more of what you need to know in half the time.

Once you have satisfactorily completed classes, finding a new job will be easier, because recruiters will be looking for you.  Businesses want people that are self-motivated, willing to learn, and take the initiative toward self improvement. You are the person looking for a career and not just a temporary position. You are exactly what they need.

Last, but not least, consider the value of friends and other job connections you will be more likely to meet in the summer.  One affective job search technique is to take advantage of any connections.  Friends and acquaintances often know of employers seeking good, reliable help.

In short, finding a new job in the summer is not impossible.  In fact, it may be the best time of the year for a career change. Many career resources are more available that will give you the skills necessary to improve your job search techniques. With a little effort on your part and some positive thinking, you may even find the career of your dreams.

Copyright, Cecile Peterkin. All rights reserved.

Cold Calling Career Tips

Some individuals have the mistaken impression that finding a new job through cold calling means opening the phone book to the business section and starting with the letter “A”.  Nothing can be farther from the truth.  For cold calling to be truly effective and ultimately result in gainful employment, there are certain career tips to follow:

Research the Job Prospect

Have a Clear Focus

Be Prepared and Write it Down

Have the Right Attitude

Cold calling success stories don’t just happen. The individuals able to really make potential employers sit up and take notice start with a plan and know how to put it into action.

Research the Job Prospect

Forget the haphazard method of opening the yellow pages at “A” and ending at “Z”. If finding a job is important, then do a little homework first and research the job prospect.  Know about the company and the position of interest before ever picking up the phone.

One of the best career tips is simply to know a potential employer, before pursuing a job opportunity. The main goal is finding a worker with the qualifications to advance business goals. Therefore, finding a job through cold calling is more likely to be successful, if the individual on the phone shows a basic knowledge of, and keen interest in, the company.

Have a Clear Focus

A cold call is not the time to ramble on about professional attributes and yourself as the perfect individual for the position available. Initial contact is simply to get the proverbial ‘foot in the door’, and nail down an appointment for an interview.  Save the sales pitch for the face-to-face meeting.

Be Prepared and Write it Down

Successful finding a job through cold calling means being prepared and writing it down, if necessary.  In fact, good career tips suggest actually scripting a cold call. Include an introduction that is professional and to the point.  Then, nail down that interview time and place with a brief dialogue.

Plan ahead.  Anticipate the responses on the other end of the line. Don’t be at a loss for words, but don’t talk too much. Appreciate that time is valuable to a successful business.

Have the Right Attitude

Finally, finding a job through cold calling is more likely to achieve the desired result, if the caller has the right attitude. Always maintain respect and appreciation for the person on the phone. Treat every contact as if he/she regularly bends the ear of the president of the company.  After all, you never know.

In short, finding a job through cold calling is not an impulsive process.  It is extremely important to be informed, be focused, be prepared, and be respectful.  Without adhering to these career tips, the next caller will be the one to find a new job.

Copyright, Cecile Peterkin. All rights reserved.

In order to best identify effective job search techniques, it’s a good idea to take a closer look at the dos and don’t of finding a new job. Rather than ending on a negative, let’s first take a look at what not to do.

The Dont’s of an Effective Job Search

When you are looking for a job, there are some things that you’ll want to avoid doing. Here are just a few of them:

1. You’ll want to be sure that you aren’t just waiting for the perfect position to come to you.

2. You’ll need to be sure that you aren’t applying for positions that are too far above or below your skill and experience level.

3. It’s important to make sure that you aren’t simply looking for jobs in one place.

In other words, when it comes to finding a job and conducting an effective job search, it’s important to make sure that you are being pro-active. This is especially true if you are not working when you start to look for a new position.

The Dos of an Effective Job Search

By looking at and taking advantage of effective job search techniques, you’re going to find that the process of finding a job is a lot easier. Therefore, you are going to want to make sure that you are considering the following:

1. The best job opportunities are not going to be found simply by taking a look at the classifieds section of the newspaper or by scanning through listings on popular, web-based job search sites. You’re going to want to be sure that you’re talking with people you know and taking the time to contact companies that you would like to work for – even if you aren’t aware that they are hiring.

2. If you’ve wanted to make a career switch for a while, this may be the perfect time to explore something new. While you’ll want to be sure that you apply for positions in your current field, be sure to consider other options as well.

3. Tailor your resume to the company and position that you are applying for; be sure too that your cover letter addresses both your skill set and the needs of the business at which you are applying.

The more that you focus on your strengths, take advantage of the network that you’ve built and are able to communicate effectively with those who make hiring decisions, the more you will be conducing an effective job search. Stay positive, stay focused and take advantage of the resources available to you and you will be able to avoid the mistakes others make when it comes to finding a new job.

Copyright 2009, Cecile Peterkin. All rights reserved

The term recession is likely to be as frightening to many as a job search. Because of this, it’s important to remember that there are ways to simplify job searching in a recession. Whether you are currently employed and concerned about the possibility of a layoff or you are unemployed and eager to find work, the following tips will help with job searching in a recession.

1.Inventory your skills. Whenever you are searching for a job, it’s important to make sure that you know your strengths and that you are able to identify the areas where you could be stronger. While job searching in a recession, if you are aware of the potential for growth in a given area, you may want to make an effort to develop those skills – particularly if they will make you more marketable to employers.
2.Identify your long term goals. When you are searching for a new job, you have a great opportunity to get a fresh start. If you’ve always felt that you aren’t doing the right type of work, you have the opportunity to explore other options – and what you would need to be able to break into a new field – rather than just looking for more of the same.
3.Step up your confidence. When you are frustrated and down about your circumstances, it is going to show. The more that you are able to overcome the stress that you’re experiencing and exude confidence, the better the position that you will be in to go in for the interview.

Ultimately, confidence is one of the strongest factors out there; when you are committed to doing your best work, when you are focused on learning about the companies that you apply to and you are able to focus on developing the full skill set that they are looking for, you will have an advantage.

Staying marketable is something that you can focus on whether or not you currently have a job and regardless of whether you are starting into a new field or looking for a similar position. When there are strains on the economy, there will be more applicants for various positions and that means that there will be more competition; remember that competition can be a good thing – provided you let it drive you to be your best.

Job searching in a recession, in other words, is really just a matter of ensuring that you are at the top of your game – that you have all of the necessary skills, that you know what you are working toward and that you know that you’re able to accomplish all of the things that you set out to do.

Copyright 2009, Cecile Peterkin. All rights reserved.

In other words, rather than focusing on finding a new job and starting a fresh job search, you may want to focus your attention on seeing what you can do to get a promotion. After all, if you like your job and you know that the company that you are working with is stable, why go through the stress of a job search?

In order to get a promotion, you’re going to want to keep the following in mind:

* In order to move up the corporate ladder (even if you work for a small company) you are going to need to show your employer what you can do; you’re going to need to establish a consistent record of accomplishment.

* Getting a promotion isn’t like finding a job in that it’s not always going to come from applying for a new position. Often, the best way to move up within the company is going to be focusing yourself on learning more about the company’s inner workings and gaining the knowledge and skills that a higher position would require.

* It’s important to take the lead. On some levels, leading is about showing others the way, but on others the focus is on your willingness to grow and adapt in the position. Asking for – and acting on – feedback about your performance, working with a mentor can help you to learn a lot about changes that have been made in the past and help you to establish more solid relationships in the workplace.

* Making a commitment to the company and to yourself is important; when you are focused on learning what it takes to get a promotion, one of the most important things that you can do is to show that you are dedicated to the company, to your position and to performing at your absolute best.

On some levels, the process that you’ll go through to get a promotion isn’t altogether different from finding a job, but there are benefits to not starting a job search. Once you have made your way into a company, you’re going to find that you are in a position in which your potential has already been seen; by living up to that potential and showing your supervisors that you have even more to give, you won’t just secure your current position. Instead, you will also be well on your way to finding the growth and long term success that you have been looking for.

Copyright 2008, Cecile Peterkin. All rights reserved.

A corporate recruiter often works with businesses and corporations that are looking for employees with specific characteristics that want to be sure they are able to take a closer look only at candidates who would be a great match for the position.

When you are thinking about working with a corporate recruiter for your business, the first thing that you are going to want to do is to talk with the agency. You are going to want to know whether the corporate recruiter specializes in finding sales professionals, computer technicians, scientists or those in other fields; if your business is sales, you are going to want to be sure that you’re working with a corporate recruiter who will be able to tap into a field of qualified candidates.

Similarly, when you are looking at working with a corporate recruiter, you are going to want to have a sense of what the recruiter looks for in a candidate. By choosing a corporate recruiter who is focused on finding ambitious, passionate, energetic and enthusiastic candidates, you will find that it’s a lot easier to get matched with someone who has the skills, knowledge and drive to fit in at your company.

While knowledge, skills and passion are important, so are the values that you have at your company – and finding those candidates who will mesh well with your staff, the corporate environment that you’ve created and whose ambitions will allow you to feel confident that they will work with you and with the staff at your company to reach those business goals.

You will find also that, at least in some cases, corporate recruiters don’t just look at and screen resumes when they are looking at candidates; it is possible to work with a corporate recruiter who will conduct initial interviews, who can gauge a candidate’s level of interest after providing information about your business. When you are choosing a corporate recruiter, therefore, you are going to want to determine which services are offered, what services you need and that you will be working with a corporate recruiter with whom you can build a long term relationship.

Whether you make the decision to work with different corporate recruiters for staffing different parts of your business (when you start working with a corporate recruiter, you will want to be sure that the contract enables you to work with other recruiters as well) or you look to making a corporate recruiter a part of your human resources department, it’s important to be aware of the process. Some companies also find that it’s beneficial to have “trial runs” while determining whether or not a particular corporate recruiter is a good match.

Ultimately, the key to a successful relationship with a corporate recruiter is simple: focus on finding someone with whom you can make a connection that will be mutually beneficial – and help you to grow your business.

Copyright 2008, Cecile Peterkin. All rights reserved.