Relevant Posts in the Past August 27, 2009 Is Your Résumé Free of Zits? June 11, 2009 Have You Ever Been Told You Were Overqualified for a Job? March 17, 2009 10 Resume Tips I Can Agree With

Imagine your BFF is going to introduce you to someone who you may be interested in dating. When you ask for the name, your BFF says the person's nickname is babeecakes69 or HotLikeLavaBoy or even RydeorDieBytch! Hey, if that's how that person wants to be known, so be it, but what does it do to the perception of who you're about to meet? Assuming you're desperate enough to still be interested in meeting such a potential significant other!

The point is when recruiters are looking at resumes and the email address has one of these [or any of the thousands of other ignorant ones I've seen] names, the odds of any attempt to contacting that person is almost zilch. Seriously, your email address should be as generic as possible. Your name is the safest, in whatever form you can make it. Your nickname should be saved for your BFFs. Also, many times people use their birth year on the resume. I highly discourage it. It gives away your age and can contribute to age discrimination though you'll never know it.

» Click Below to Continue Reading:
'Would You Date HotLikeLavaBoy or RydeorDieBytch? What About Hire Them?'

This is a simple technique that I may have mentioned before, but in light of me now finding myself in the position of looking for work, I realize just how important and effective this very simple tip [literally three minutes a week!] is in ensuring you get constant looks at your resume when posted on job boards.

When recruiters and HR directors are searching for resumes on job boards such as CareerBuilder and Monster, the process is essentially just like using Google. Only there's one little additional variable the job boards use that I'm not sure if Google uses, and that's the last modified date. When recruiters do a search for — let's say a project manager with non-profit experience — they'll receive hundreds of results of hundreds of potential candidates. But keep in mind that recruiters aren't going to look at every single one of those hundreds of resumes that come up. There are other tips to get them to look at your resume that I'll discuss in a later post, but this one is an easy and essential start to improving the odds your resume gets a look.

» Click Below to Continue Reading:
'How To Stay Atop Resume Search Results in 3 Minutes a Week'

As we wait until I get back in the game, there are some websites I've checked out [from a Sunday Washington Post article] with some really good advice for anyone looking for work. As you read the advice I have to reiterate that there is no more right way to do a resume. Sort of like beauty, how good a resume looks is in the eye of the beholder. Only with resumes, the effectiveness is actually in the eyes of the one person looking at it at that moment. Some HR directors won't look past the first page and recommend single-page resumes. Others prefer more details to develop a story line of your career. Some like bullet points, other paragraphs and compete sentences. At the end of the day, just make sure your resume says you are aptly [as opposed to overly qualified] qualified for the specific position in which you're applying at that moment.

While sitting in the dentist's office today, planning on how to rip this wisdom tooth out my mouth to stop the torture [more like figure out how much this is going to cost me!], I got a phone call from one of my candidates. Well, former candidate. The staffing agency where I previously worked and I have parted ways, for those who didn't know. And I had to get my number changed, momentarily, because of the high volume of calls I was getting from my candidates. The plan isn't to cut everyone off, but until I get back into the game, I had to take a moment of silence.

But Courtni [reppin' Fayetteville State University] tracked me down, and it got me thinking. Since it looks like I'm just a few weeks away from getting back into the game, I might as well begin connecting with my candidates again. Of course, with the next agency I have to feel out what we'll be looking for there, but might as well get prepped.

It still looks like it may be 2010 before I sign the W2s, but I'll still be recruiting, and something tells me there's still a ton of people looking for work. Or at least a better j-o-b. For a while now I've been posting blog entries on my personal blog, but I finally got around to separating the employment-related stuff from my everyday life. When I am back up and running, I'll be posting job openings and other employment-related stuff on this new blog — It's Jobvious!

There's a subscribe option on the right to receive new postings free in your email. I recommend to anyone who's still looking for a new or better j-o-b to subscribe, keeping in mind that the positions will all be in the DC Metro area. The new year is almost here and on top of a lot of people's list [including mine] is to find that ideal career. Maybe when I find mine I'll be in a better position to help you find yours.

As a recruiter at a staffing agency, I always reiterate to people that we don't necessarily help people find jobs as much as we help companies find the most qualified candidate for any job openings they have. Several years ago there was an educational hierarchy. Opportunities usually were categorized for those with advanced college degrees, a 4-year degree and those with high school diplomas.

Then the recession hit. All of the sudden those with high school diplomas saw their opportunities disappearing to college graduates who finally stopped coming in asking for $45k salaries. College graduates were more than willing to take simply admin and clerical jobs paying $14 an hour. Of course we could've continued to submit high school graduates for the positiosn, but when the competition was submitting college graduates, no one benefited.

» Click Below to Continue Reading:
'Has Your Educational Aspirations Been Derailed Because of the Recession?'

Some of you may know this scenario. Boy eyes girl at the bar. Girl eyes boy back. They coyly smile, look away sheepishly, look back and get that butterfly feeling when they notice the other looking back at each other. Boy makes the first move, moving towards girl. Girl's palms begin to sweat. Boys knees want to betray him. The din around them comes to a complete silence. Everything moves in slow motion. This is Hollywood romance at its best, and neither boy nor girl is breathing, waiting for that moment to exhale.

Boy finally gets within paces of girl when girl suddenly notices this GARGANTUAN zit just to the side of boy's nose!

» Click Below to Continue Reading:
'Is Your Résumé Free of Zits?'

Just when there was a glimmer of hope that the job market was turning for the better, unemployment claims unexpectedly went up and the retail sector continued to fall apart. Which of course means there are still a ton of people looking for work; which means every time a resume is submitted to a job posted online, it's just one of a ton of other resumes.

Whenever I'm asked about applying for jobs online, I find it amazing how difficult it is for some people [and you know who you are] to accept that there are other and much more effective ways to find a job. And not that they don't believe there are better ways to finding a job, they just continue to rely on job boards. What was it that we did before CareerBuilder, Monster and the other job boards? We went door-to-door and asked everyone we knew about opportunities. Job boards seem to have made people too lazy and too complacent from doing the work to find work.

» Click Below to Continue Reading:
'I Promise Applying For Jobs Online Is Not Your Best Option'

It may be just a glimmer, but the job market may start to see more opportunities open up for those still looking for work. We've noticed more activity here at the agency, but a recent Washington Post article validates that things may be turning for the better.

» Click Below to Continue Reading:
'Signs of Recovery for Those Still Looking for Work'

As we put the first half of the year to rest and prepare for the back nine, I was looking at my check stubs to see if I'm on pace to purchase a private island anytime soon. Not only am I not, I'm not even close to where I was last year at this time! How in the world did I find myself in a commission-based position where my money is dependent on filling job openings during the worst recession in decades? As the economy took a nose dive, so did my income. I actually sent off for the rebate for my new phone [I forgot to send off the form the last five times] and used a coupon for maybe the second time ever at Borders the other day!

As the third quarter begins, though, there seems to be some activity going on — finally. Some of our clients have asked us to get on deck while they get approvals from CFOs or whomever to put in requests to start filling some vacancies. Some of the requests look to be the standard short-term reqs covering for people taking summer vacation, but others do look a bit more promising.

Don't take this post as an indication that the job market is about to turn the corner, though. This is one of those examples where it's been so bad for so long that any improvement looks positive, but in reality, things are still pretty bad. For instance, if the Detroit Lions win four games this year, that would be considered a huge improvement from the winless season, but they won't be getting any invitations to the playoffs anytime soon.



So, as we gear up for any potential job openings, I wanted to mention [more like reiterated again and again] a few things for those who are looking for work, specifically my candidates, though this may be useful for anyone anywhere who works with a staffing agency.

» Click Below to Continue Reading:
'Quick Note on Referring People to Staffing Agencies'

Let's say you're about to have surgery. And let's say the doctor walks into the room and he/she looks fresh out of medical school. And just out of curiosity you ask how many times this doctor has performed this surgery. And the answer you receive is "a couple times in medical school, but I'm a really fast learner."

The amazing thing about answers like "but I'm a really fast learner" is that whoever says that thinks that's supposed to put someone at ease. Essentially the phrase is the same thing as saying, "I've never done this before and there are hundreds if not thousands of others more qualified."

When interviewing candidates I cringed when I hear the viral phrase. We don't doubt that you are a fast learner; we just doubt that you're more qualified than someone who has already learned it. And recruiters, HR directors, department heads, hiring managers and anyone else filling a vacancy are not in the business to help someone get a job. Our jobs are to identify the most qualified person for the specific job. And if you have to learn how to do it, you're not the one.

» Click Below to Continue Reading:
'Note to Jobseekers: We're Not Looking for Fast Learners!'

To earn any kind of income while looking for work years ago in Atlanta, I set out to get a waiter job. Comparing myself to the wait staff I've experienced, I concluded that my work ethic, people-person personality and desire for advancement with a company [even if it's a restaurant] would motivate any general manager to hire me. During my interviews I would express my lofty goals in life, how I've held management positions and started my own business. But after receiving exactly zero call backs for even a waiter job, I was starting to wonder what was the problem. Who can't take an order, put it into a computer, bring out food and forget to refill drinks? Finding a job as a waiter was just as hard as finding a job period!

Venting is an understatement of how I reacted back then. It seemed as if the only job I could find was call center, network marketing and temp work. I was b!tching! Was it because I was a man? Black [and Korean but who knew]? Desperate?

» Click Below to Continue Reading:
'Have You Ever Been Told You Were Overqualified for a Job?'

Let's pretend the economy isn't so bad after all. You have a little money coming in from your income tax return, you're enjoying job security and your savings is begging to be spent. So, you decide it's time to buy a new car.

You make a list of all the imperative features [leather seats, GPS, moon roof, built-in DVD player] as well as the basics [lots of MPG, plenty of horse power, enough airbags to save your life if you fell off a cliff]. Your start to develop an image in your head of exactly what you want. This list and image serves as the reference point when you start considering all the options out there.

Instead of going from one car lot to another being stalked by the sales staff pretending to be looking out for your best interest, you decide to post an online ad and select the best offer from those who respond. Should be easy enough, right?

» Click Below to Continue Reading:
'Insight to Shopping for the Ideal Employee'

Every now and again I'll do a search for candidates on CareerBuilder, WashingtonPost Jobs or some other job board, but for the most part, the majority of my candidates are referrals from candidates I already work with now. Birds of a feather flock together, and my candidates already know what type of candidates I'm looking for. Some of my candidates, such as Dominica and Leilani, send me candidates on a regular basis, candidates who have become some of my best employees.

But they're not the only ones who know people out of work. I'd bet everyone knows at least one person who has been laid off or is about to lose their job. Since last fall more than 4 million Americans have lost their job! And if you don't know anyone who has lost or is about to lose his/her job, that person just might be you.

» Click Below to Continue Reading:
'Unemployed Doesn't Mean Avoid Like The Plague'

What happened to loyalty? Commitment? Perseverance? What happened to for better or worse? Whatever happened to the days people made a decision and stuck to it regardless of other opportunities being presented every day?

In today's job market, there is no such thing anymore. Once someone receives a job offer, they update their resume and repost it ISO a higher paying, more prestigious title or closer to the abode job. I've literally interviewed people who just started their current job the previous week.

When I submit resumes to clients, sometimes a candidate seems like a perfect fit but get turned down because he/she hasn't shown stability at previous jobs. I'll get a candidate defending him/herself by saying he/she was at his/her last job for two years. Two years? Is that all you got? Two years? That's the longest you've ever been at a job? A client is supposed to think you're going to stick with them any longer after investing training, time, money and pass on others who have exhibited the ability to get a job and stay with it? Two years?

» Click Below to Continue Reading:
'And How Long Do You Plan On Staying?'

Ok, maybe I wasn't being fair when I said people who apply for jobs online are being lazy. My friend Kathy brought it to my attention, mentioning that even when you do get out the pad and attend a job fair, companies say, "go to the website and apply online." And then don't let it be one of those online applications that takes about an hour to fill out!

For clarity purposes anyone who doesn't get off their duff and network, collect business cards and knock down doors is being lazy. Of course applying online will always be a part of finding employment. But if your plan to getting a job is applying to a couple dozen jobs online and calling it a day, I'd recommend you get a brand new computer and keyboard because you're going to have a long way to go.

» Click Below to Continue Reading:
'Is Applying Online Lazy?'

While riding the train to or from work, you almost always hear people talking about their jobs. And you'd surmise that having a job is enough to make employed individuals happy. If not ecstatic. Instead, the majority of the conversations are about everything that pisses them off at work.

"Can you believe my @sshole manager said I need to work faster? She wouldn't have a job if it wasn't me doing all her d@mn work in the first place!"

"I can't wait until the weekend gets here to shake off this sh!tty job. One more day in this sh!thole of an office and I'm going to hang myself!"

"If I could only put some rat poison in my co-workers' coffee! His breath smells like it every time he comes peering over my cubicle pretending like I don't know he's looking down my shirt!"

» Click Below to Continue Reading:
'What Happened to Freedom of Speech in the Workplace?'

While talking with a friend of mine this past weekend, the subject came up about a recent job interview she went on. She properly prepared for the interview: researched the company, the individuals who work there, the history of the company, its short- and long-term goals and so forth. She has a strong work history to support that she is well-qualified for the position, and then, well, some of the questions asked caught her off guard.

We talked about how she was asked questions that simply weren't what she was expecting. From my perspective as a recruiter, I explained that the questions have to get harder. I'm not sure the motivation behind her interviewer's questions, but in today's environment, it has become much harder to find The One as it was several years ago.

» Click Below to Continue Reading:
'Tell Me About a Time When You Had a Bad Interview'

Sometimes getting a candidate to understand why they weren't submitted for a job opening is like explaining to a creditor why you can't pay the bill in full. "So you want me to pay a settlement of $8,945 on my student loans — right now? While we're on the phone?" The creditor only understands one answer, and that's the answer they want. Anything else you say, for instance, "even if I had it I wouldn't give it to you," goes into one earphone and out the other.

With candidates, it's a bit different but much the same. If a candidate doesn't hear something they want to hear, they hear nothing at all. The difference being they can't threaten my credit; the similarity is that they just ask it again.

» Click Below to Continue Reading:
'You Are Welcome For This Simple Job Hunting Advice'

I was having the usual conversation today with one of my candidates and [as usual] I reiterated that the most efficient way to find a job is to network and get off the computer. But, I think she misunderstood in the sense that I didn't mean not to use the computer as a source. Though your odds are better betting on the Detroit Lions to win the next Super Bowl, it is a source that complements your networking plan.

Just don't do it all day and watch TV all night.

The minimum that everyone should do is post their resumes on as many job boards as they can. It's a one-and-done. You post your resume, and while you're "afk" doing your networking, your resume just might catch someone's attention. In the job hunting industry, it's called multi-tasking. Just make sure you avoid the mistakes most people make on their resume.

» Click Below to Continue Reading:
'Why Of Course You Still Post Your Resume Online!'

It seems like whenever I interview candidates and make suggestions as far as their resume, they either say "no one ever told me" or "someone told me differently." Like limiting your resume to only one page. I don't care if it's one page or three pages [or more] as long as the content of the resume matches what I'm looking for. Or should you put your education at the beginning or end? My short answer is if the education is relevant or required, it goes at the top; if it's not relevant or required, it goes behind the more relevant information.

I'm sure you'll talk to people who'll disagree and swear by the one-page resume "because no one wants to read all that information." My common sense approach says the person reading it isn't concerned about how long as much as how qualified. If I was asked to shorten my resume to one page [it's just under three pages] potential employers won't get to see just how qualified I am at sales and recruiting because nearly two pages of relevant qualifications and past work experience will be deleted. Why would I want to be compared to other candidates after chopping off two pages of information that make me more qualified?

» Click Below to Continue Reading:
'10 Resume Tips I Can Agree With'

Whenever anyone asks for advice in finding employment, I reiterate one tip over and over and over and over and over — get off the Internet and start networking! Of course it's easier to sit in your PJs and send your resume out to everal dozen listed job openings a day, but the odds of getting an interview become hundreds of times more difficult. And that's because there are hundreds of others doing the same thing for the same jobs.

I've almost gotten to the point where I don't even post our job openings online anymore. If I post an accounting position on CareerBuilder, I'll get a hundred or so applicants within 48 hours. And since the majority of the applicants aren't really qualified, it's really a drag to go through all the resumes when I can just reach out to people I know to see who they know who are looking and, well, they usually always know someone.

» Click Below to Continue Reading:
'Rule #1 in Job Hunting: Network'

As I prepare to head out to celebrate Wayne Brockington's birthday with the fellas, I leave you with this posting from CNN. It's 25 reasons why you may not be getting a job. If you have a job [you better love it], know that one day, this advice may be for you. Or perhaps you know someone [or a dozen] who's looking, share this with them. After each of the tips, I leave my thoughts, if I have any, but to see what they have to say or any advice they give by clicking on the link above.

» Click Below to Continue Reading:
'This Is Why You're Still Unemployed'

Near the end of 2007 and beginning of 2008, I remember asking my co-workers what was the deal with all these real estate agents, loan officers and mortgage brokers applying for work at the staffing agency. Shortly afterwards, the headlines were littered with articles of the real estate market's collapse. Fannie, Freddie and then the Jones.

Then just as summer was approaching, there was a surge in applicants from the financial industry, from tellers to portfolio analysts to financial consultants from the banking world. And of course, the financial collapse followed. One of my previous managers once told a client that the staffing industry is a barometer of the employment world. We see which industries are hiring and firing first. She called us the litmus test.

» Click Below to Continue Reading:
'Temp Agencies Are The Litmus Test'

The other day one of my candidates called and asked if there were any job openings. After explaining why there aren't that many job openings right now, I asked what other options has he tried. And for whatever reason, he said he was just going to wait until one of several staffing agencies called with a job, explaining that because of the tough job market, he isn't trying as hard as he normally would. He was playing Xbox all day.

» Click Below to Continue Reading:
'When Your Full-Time Job is Looking for a Full-Time Job...'

I was talking to a candidate of mine here at the agency the other day, and I couldn't get her to understand why she hasn't been sent out on any assignments recently. It's not because I've forgotten her, or we feel she's not capable of working, or because we don't have any job orders at all. Of course we have job orders — every day. We're a staffing agency! If we didn't I'd be applying for jobs myself because the agency would be going out of business soon.

The primary reason she wasn't being sent out on assignments actually had nothing to do with her at all, and it almost never has much to do with a candidate specifically. The reason is because she was a recent college graduate with maybe two to three years of experience in a field that had nothing to do with what our clients were looking for and at our disposal are dozens of candidates with the exact requirements, qualifications and skills that a specific client is looking for in addition to high test scores, excellent tenure and everything else.

We have people with MBAs doing program assistant work; we have former executive administrative assistants doing receptionist work and former controllers doing accounts payable and accounts receiveable. When a client asks to see resumes, considering we compete with 400+ other agencies and various other competitors [virtual recruiters, non-profits focused on the unemployed, the CEO's bratty kid...], we can't send who we like the most or who we feel is in the most dire straits. The goal is not just to fill a position, it's to fill it with someone who no other agency can match. And if don't send that person, another agency will.

» Click Below to Continue Reading:
'Resume Advice? More Like A Requirement In These Days!'

There is a saying that goes something like, "When the lions come running, you don't have to be the fastest gazelle, you just can't be the slowest." Or is it buffalo?

The point is, as long as there is someone slower, you may get away. An interesting note about all these layoffs is that 82 percent of those who are losing their jobs are men, setting up the fast track for women to outnumber men in the workforce. Women dominate industries such as education and health care, industries not as affected by the layoffs.

» Click Below to Continue Reading:
'Women Again Taking The Lead'

Wow!

I really try not to be that doomsday messenger, but I am now officially addicted to reading about layoffs, unemployment rates and the end of the world! The first month of this year saw 598,000 jobs lost, the most in a single month since I was born! Now, I'm not sure if that means 598,000 people lost their jobs or if that includes vacant positions simply eliminated preventing people from getting the jobs, but it's still more than half a million opportunities that existed just last year now gone. All in a single month!

Here are some of the suggestions given in an article on ABCNews.com for Staying Afloat in a Grim Job Market:



The article goes into more details with each of the bullet points. One of the more interesting suggestions is using LinkedIn as a networking source. LinkedIn is a networking site focused on business relationships as opposed to posting photos of your weekend excursions and baby pictures.

Everyone should have a LinkedIn page in addition to their Facebook page. But just as millions of people check their Facebook page daily [more like several times a day], job hunters should check their linkedIn page regularly, look at the connections they have through the connections their connections have and reach out to people who just may be able to help.

» Click Below to Continue Reading:
'Getting LinkedIn To Get a Job -- And Other Suggestions'

Working at a staffing agency, I've become obsessed with layoffs, hiring trends and unemployment. The latest statistic is that last week, there were 626,000 new claims for unemployment benefits. That's in one week. The week before there were 591,000 new claims. In one week! That's 1.2 million new claims for unemployment benefits in just two weeks!

Last month 241,749 people were laid off from their jobs. And I'm sure that number doesn't include those who were simply fired. And in the first week of February, Macy's announced it's planning to let go 7,000 people; PNC Financial is letting go 5,800 people; and aircraft maker Hawker Beechcraft Corp. said 2,300 employees will be losing their jobs with more to come.

But wait, there's more:



Let me just reiterate to everyone, appreciate your job if you're working and bear with us recruiters if it's taking longer than you thought to find you something. And if you have an ogre for a boss, bear with him/her. If you are that ogre boss, fear none — no one is going to quit.

» Click Below to Continue Reading:
'1.2 Million New Unemployment Claims in Just Two Weeks!'

A common question being asked today is "how secure is your job?" It seems like those losing their job aren't limited to a certain pay scale, educational range or industry anymore. A recent Washington Post article addressed how a degree no longer is a shield to suffering a layoff. Another article details how many people are taking second jobs regardless of their current job situation.



When you have a high supply of qualified candidates willing to accept less money or take a lesser position just to get a job, the question may not be a bad one to ask. Especially if you're making a high salary in a position where the available talent is growing.

One way to at least be prepared in the event that the grim reaper pays you a visit at work is to make sure your resume locked and loaded. The last thing you want to do if you lose your a job is spend a week updating your resume.

» Click Below to Continue Reading:
'Don't Neglect The Most Important Piece of Paper You Own'