Job Hunt Blog

How Do I Survive a Layoff

Question:

Our department is being closed down, and the jobs moved to Asia. We just bought a new house, and we don't want to move. How do I get a local job?

Answer:

Tough spot! But hundreds of thousands of people have been in that spot, including me, and survived just fine. You will too!

If there's any good news, it is that you have some advanced notice, so you can job hunt while you're still employed. Employers prefer to hire someone who is already working. So, don't let it get you down!

Best Sources of Job Opportunities

1. Craig's List - http://www.craigslist.org
Craig's List is a great source of job postings - it's usually free for employers to post a job there, so you'll find some questionable listings.  Pick your state from the geographic listings on the home page, and take a look at what is posted for both "jobs" and "gigs" (short term jobs). For tips on using Craig's List, see this blog posting - http://jobhunt.typepad.com/jobsearching/2006/07/using_craigs_li.html

2. Indeed.com - http://www.indeed.com
Indeed.com "aggregates" job listings from a number of sources including both job sites and employer sites. So it covers a lot of Web space at one time.

3. Job-Hunt.org - http://www.job-hunt.org/jobs/states.shtml
Job-Hunt.org is an "employment portal" that collects links to employers and job search resources. They're pretty selective about what is included - so you shouldn't find a empty job sites or scams. There are over 100 sites listed for North Carolina, like local government, hospitals and health care centers, banks, etc.

4. State's Employment Offices - http://www.job-hunt.org/state_unemployment_offices.shtml
They can be a big help, too. Be sure to register for unemployment compensation as soon as you are laid off! In our layoff, one of my friends didn't register until she was through all her accumulated vacation time and severance package time, and it was too late for her to collect unemployment.

In addition, there may be extra funds for training, if your employer is a large one that is laying off a lot of people, and the state employment office will be your conduit to that.

Before You Leave This Job:

• Collect personal contact information from colleagues and co-workers who are also being laid off so that you can stay in touch. You all could be a big help to each other - your own job search support group.

• Get written recommendations from your bosses, on company letterhead, that you can flash in front of future potential employers.

Other Sources

Your local online Yellow Pages - or even the paper version - will help you identify other potential local employers even though they may not have jobs posted on their Website.  See if you know anyone who works for one of those employers. Employers love employee referral candidates because they are usually well-qualified and more apt to be successful long-term employees.

At least, you won't have to go into a lengthy explanation of why you left your job. It left you, and most people won't need to know anything more.

Good luck!

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How Do I Get Noticed by a Recruiter?

Question:

How do you stand out from the deluge of resumes submitted by other job seekers?

Answer:

Follow the directions.  Sounds simple and obvious, but apparently it isn't.

When I've posted jobs for employers, I've asked job seekers to answer specific questions (e.g., "describe your greatest achievement in your most recent job") in their applications. While many people applied for those jobs, fewer than 5% answered the questions. Which ones had their resumes reviewed? Only the ones who answered the question.

We've also asked job seekers to submit their resume in plain ASCII text, not to attach Word documents to e-mail.  If the job seeker didn't know what ASCII text was, a quick Google search would have told them.  But we got many Word document attachments anyway - and they all went into the "ignore" file.

This doesn't leave a good impression on a potential employer - if the job seeker cannot follow basic instructions, what kind of employee would they be?

Don't apply for a job unless you meet the minimum qualifications.

This seems obvious, but, again, it apparently isn't. I think it's because of the "why not give it a shot" theory.  The job seeker thinks, "Maybe they (the employer or recruiter) won't get the person they want, so why not give it a shot and apply anyway."  Wrong.  You're just wasting their time and looking clueless or dumb - not a good impression

With hundreds of resumes to choose from for every opportunity, employers don't need to risk hiring someone who isn't qualified, so the "why not give it a shot" theory just wastes everyone's time and actually makes it more difficult for everyone.

Don't make them think or guess.

Connect the dots for the employer in your cover lette/rmessage:

• If you are responding to a job posting, put the job posting identifier in the subject of your message, and repeat it again in the text of your message.

• Demonstrate that you have read, understand, and meet the job requirements. Don't make the recruiter/employer work to figure out that you have the qualifications they need. Point it out to them, nicely, but clearly.  "You need someone with 2 years of experience doing [whatever], and I have been doing [whatever] for more than 2 years."

Research the company.

Read the "Tips to Ace That Interview" article for tips on doing effective research, and use that research to focus your resume on the experience you have that relates to the job and the employer, and drop names (products, services, competitors, partners, employees) in your cover letter, too.  With luck, you'll get a chance to use your research in an interview.

Follow up off line.

Use your research to connect with someone inside the employer's organization, even in HR. It's tough, because job seekers don't want to ruin their job chances by becoming a pest, but just submitting a resume and then passively waiting to hear from an employer is not that effective any more, unless you really are the perfect candidate.

Be politely persistent.

You will get a job.  Just don't give up, and don't be careless

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Does Using Monster (CareerBuilder, etc.) Work?

Question:

Does using Monster, CareerBuilder, etc., actually work any more?

Answer:

Kind of...sort of... You can't ignore them, but unless you know how to make use of them, you may be wasting your time.

One of the things I've loved to do for years is ask people how they got their job.  Try it.  It's VERY interesting (and a great way to get to know someone)!

Most of the time, the answer is a variation on "My [fill in the blank - friend, sister, college roommate, former boss, guy I used to work with] already worked there and took my resume to the hiring manager..."

Success!

Until this past week... At a MediaBistro gathering, I met not one, but THREE women who found their jobs online.  Two women writers each landed their "dream job" as an editor for a specialized publication by finding and applying for the job through Monster.  And, the third person landed a Web developer job by responding to a posting on the Boston Craig's List.

Since, in 5 years of asking, this is the first time I've gotten those answers, my assumption is that it has something to do with the fact that the jobs were media-related jobs, because:

• These three women were very Internet savvy.  They understood the process and how to leverage the technology.

• People who work "in media" are more aware of the techniques for standing out from the crowd.  It's called "marketing" when applied to a product or service for sale.

• Two of the three are writers, and, perhaps, as writers, they are much more accustomed to writing FOR an audience, like a potential employer, and in presenting their qualifications and demonstrating their writing skills.

So, how do you emulate their success?

First, focus on the jobs you really, REALLY want.  Use the same amount of time you are using now, but reduce the number of applications you make so that you can make fewer applications - more effectively.

Secondly, differentiate yourself from the people who apparently apply for any job they see, without paying any attention to what they are doing.  Slap-dash, half-a**ed applications make recruiters and employers really question the job seekers' levels of interest and/or intelligence - neither of which will help you land the job.

Bottom Line

Hundreds of people apply for every job posted.  That's a deluge, and it is overwhelming and mind-numbing to be on the receiving end of that deluge.  Remember that when you apply for any job online - lots of competition, but really not "tough" competition most of the time.  If you are careful, you can stand out, just using your common sense.

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Real Work from Home Job?

Question:

Are there any REAL at home jobs I can do?

Answer:

Yes, there are real at home jobs, but there are SO many scams that you need to be very careful.  Be particularly leery of any job offers that come to you via e-mail, even those claiming to have your resume from one of the big job sites.  99.9999% of those are scams.

The U.S. Federal Trade Commission lists "schemes" to watch out for - http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/invest/homewrk.htm

And so does the Better Business Bureau - http://www.bbb.org/Alerts/article.asp?ID=436

Telecommuting

Sometimes, a regular office job can be done at least part of the time from home.  It's called "telecommuting" and it can be great for both the employer and the employees.  But, for that to work out the best, you need to actually start with a real job.  Check Indeed.com to see what is listed.

Self Employment Options

Working from home CAN definitely be done. I do it, and I love the freedom. But, it's a Website business I've developed myself and worked very hard at for 10 years. Hard work - full time - not for everyone.  And, of course, it can be done part time, too, in the beginning or permanently.

*  Sell a Product You Make at Home

It sounds kind of corny, but see if there is something you enjoy doing (writing or making something or cooking or...). See the Work From Home Moms posting for more ideas. I have a friend who is very good at oragami - Japanese paper folding - which she sells on the Internet (Craig's List and eBay). She isn't rich, but she makes a fair amount of money every month doing it, although sometimes she's doing it at 2 a.m. to meet a customer's deadline.  Be prepared to put a good amount of effort into finding ways and places to sell your products.  It isn't easy, but it can certainly be done.

*  Start a "Content" Web Site

You could really study what ever it is that interests you, becoming an expert if you aren't yet.  Then, if you can write well, turn your knowledge into a Website that helps or informs other people about your topic. Don't expect it to be a get-rich-quick idea.  It takes time and a lot of work, but it can be done!

There are Websites on the most amazing things - training parakeets, crocheting afghans, making wine out of weeds or fruit, etc. - but there are lots of people across the world who are interested in those topics, even if just for a few hours. Keep looking for new variations of whatever it is your Website is about, something new and unique, the latest products, the latest news, and put it on your Website. Eventually, you'll attract attention (draw attention to it yourself, to help) and advertisers. Or create ebooks instructing people how to do it, once you've developed a reputation, and sell them to your Website's visitors.

Think Martha Stewart, on a much smaller, more focused scale.  She started out with a home redocorating project in her own house.  That turned into a series of books, which let to appearances on TV, and the rest is history.  Of course, not everyone has Martha Stewart's talent and drive, but you probably don't want to have an business on that scale, either.

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Starting Salaries

Question:

What is the average starting salary for a job?

Answer:

The starting salary depends on a lot of things - the location, the industry (banking, telecommunicaitons, publishing, education, etc.), the function (finance, marketing, information technology, administration, etc.), the kind of job you want, the amount of education and experience required to do the job, the number of people who can do the job, the amount of money the employer can afford to pay, etc. So, it is extremely variable.

Salary Ranges?

Understand that most jobs have a "salary range" which means that not everyone who does the job is paid the same.  Not every one starts a job is at the same level of experience or has the same level of skill.  The difference in starting salary for the same job should reflect differences in experience, skills, and education, not anything else.  So, the bottom of the range is usually for someone new in the job, and the middle is for someone with a few years of experience.  Hopefully, before you hit to top of the range, you've been promoted to the next higher level job.

True Cost of Your Salary

Also, understand that for an employer, the "true cost" of an employee includes both their salary and their taxes and benefits, so the amount that actually ends up in your pocket will depend on the level of benefits the employers provide - vacation days, personal days, sick days, tuition reimbursement, medical insurance, life insurance, disability insurance, unemployment insurance, etc. etc.  So, one employer may seem to pay less, but they may actually provide better benefits.  And, of course, if you work more hours (40 vs 35) or a night shift, you should have better compensation.

Finding Salary Data

How can you find out the starting salary?

1.)  Get a job offer and you'll get one piece of data.  Of course, it may not be the "market rate" for the job, so you need to compare a lot of job offers to see what the average is.  That's not easy to do, obviously.  Try an online job search (Monster, HotJobs, etc.) to see what the data shows on the jobs that actually list a salary.

2.)  Salary.com and SalaryExpert.com provide some free information, so you can do some research at those sites.  Just keep in mind that the data may not be accurate for every employer because they usually reflect the salaries paid by very large companies. Smaller companies may need to pay less.

3.)  See if you can talk with local people you trust who have the job you are looking for in the same or a similar employer.  Ask them if they can tell you in general how much money they are paid.  Then, compare their experience and yours to see what you might expect.

Negotiating Your Salary

Whenever you go into a salary negotiation - AFTER YOU'VE RECEIVED THE JOB OFFER - be sure to know the number that is your walk-away number. Don't accept a job for less than that number unless you are willing to stay at the job for a year or you don't have any choice.

Realistic Expectations

However, if you find yourself turning down more than 3 job offers because the money is too low, re-check your figures, adjust your salary expectations downward, change your target job, or change your location.  Something is wrong somewhere in your calculations.

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Registering for Unemployment Compensation

Question:

Where do I register to receive unemployment payments? I was laid off from my job last month, and recieved my last pay check this week.

Answer:

The people in your state's employment office are the ones who will help you find out if you qualify, and then sign you up for the insurance if you do qualify.  Very likely they also have job postings and other information to help you with your job search.

You may be able to register for unemployment payments online.  Register immediately!  Don't wait to register until you need the money or have the time.  You may wait too long, and then no longer qualify.

Job-Hunt.org has a page which links to each state's employment office Web site - just click on your state's name at the top of the page.

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The Truth About Privacy Policies

Question:

How do you know that a job search Website does not share personal information?

Answer:

Unfortunately, you can NEVER be sure that the site will not share your personal information.  However, within reason (!), making your information public is part of their job.

If a privacy policy is not present, don' t use the Website.  Just walk away immediately.  However, don't be reassured by the mere presence of a privacy policy either.

Privacy Policy Fine Print

Read the privacy policy to see what it says.  Yes, time consuming, but SO important!  Often, once you get past the flowerly language about how they value privacy, you may find out that they don't protect yours.  Look for what personal information about you that they may share, with whom they share it, and how you can control the sharing.

Privacy Seals

Seeing a privacy seal, like BBBOnline or TRUSTe, displayed on a site can give you a false sense of security.  It doesn't ensure that the privacy practices are good or that the site is "safe."  It just means that the site is disclosing their true privacy practices in the policy.  So, it means that they are "open" about their privacy practices, which may or may not be safe (and you won't know until you read it). 

Fake Privacy Seals?

Sometimes a site fraudulently displays a privacy seal.  How do you know?  The seal should be clickable and, when clicked, should take you to a page on the seal provider's Website that verifies that the seal is legitimate.

OOPS?

Often, a site may intend to keep your information private but they may mess up -

• Fake employers can pay to post fake jobs to gather information from applicants and/or to get access to the applicant resume database.  Good sites try to screen employers to make sure they are genuine, but not all sites try very hard.

• The site's employees may not be aware of the privacy practices - although they should be - and release information in violation of the privacy policy.

• The site or its employees may just be inept.  Stupid happens.

• Some sites may even be dishonest. I have found completely bogus job sites out there.  Completely.  All they were doing was collecting resumes.

• Some honest sites that are doing a good job may have a dishonest employee who violates the privacy policy on purpose - like selling resumes to anyone who has the money.

Even Monster apparently mislead people in their Privacy Policy, as discovered by author Pam Dixon in 2001 - read this report for the details.  Hopefully, they've cleaned up their act, but the lesson for all of us is that you really can't trust privacy policies or terms of use, even in the best-intentioned sites.

So, we can't depend on the sites to protect us.

Protect Yourself

1.) Show me the jobs - first!

Never post your resume or "register a profile" at a site before you see the jobs they have posted. The jobs and employers they have may not be the right ones for you. There may not be enough of them, or there may be none!

2.) Always protect your contact information.

Use a "cyber-safe" resume that eliminates or masks your contact information. See Job-Hunt.org's article on making your resume a cyber-safe resume.

For more information:

For more information see these articles on Job-Hunt.org -
* Protecting your privacy
* Choosing a job site
* Using a job site

And these other articles -
* Avoiding online job scams from the Privacy Rights Clearninghouse
* Scams & schemes in work and employment services from the RileyGuide.com

Good luck with your job search!

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Political Party-ing = Job Networking

In the U.S., "the race" is on from Labor Day to Election Day as the political parties swing into high gear for the up-coming election. If you are unemployed and having a hard time getting yourself motivated to hunt for a job or if you are employed but interested in expanding your personal network, it may be time to work on the political campaign for the candidate or issue of your choice.

Most of us aren't really comfortable joining a group of strangers specifically "to network."  However, the election gives you a reason to meet those strangers so it should be easier than just going to a meeting and trying to be social.  You may even see a familiar face.

This time, you'll be joining a group with "a mission," and that misison will be the focus of conversation.  At the same time, there will be opportunities for one-on-one discussions as well.  So, it's the best of both worlds!  Networking and helping a cause/person you believe in!

The benefits, whether your side wins or loses:

• You'll be helping society (hopefully).

• You'll be meeting new people, most of whom will share several of your political beliefs.

• You may learn some new skills and gain some experience you need for your resume.

• You MIGHT get paid for your efforts if you have a skill the campaign needs and if they can afford to pay you.

• You'll have more contacts inside of government (not a bad place to work, actually) and in other local businesses (who knows where other volunteers may work) when the election is over.

• You may be able to pick up a well-known (at least locally) reference when the election is over.  Get the reference in writing if possible.

Call up a candidate or organization you support, or visit the appropriate Website, and get involved.  Hopefully, you'll have meetings to attend, fliers to hand out, people to contact for your candidate or issue, and fun.  Go for it!

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