Tuesday, April 16, 2013

Five Sites to Help Your Phone Find Your Next Job

It seems you can't watch TV or drive a mile these days without being bombarded with phone ads. And they all promise to change the quality of your life by adding more megapixels and apps to your already divided attention. So, you give in and buy it. Now, you've just plunked down $100 or more on that new iPhone and are now beholden to the two-year carrier contract--at least get the most out of your phone by making it work for you. When is a phone not a phone? When it can land you a job.

According to job site Beyond.com 77% of job seekers use mobile search applications when applying and searching for jobs. Using your phone's bells and whistles to search for work has the advantages of accessibility, convenience, and the ability to click on a link and initiate a phone call to the hiring manager all in one place can't be underestimated.

Most websites (including the major job boards) are now easier to use on your phone as they are optimized for mobile phone browsing. Often there's not even any additional work you need to do on your end. Simply enter the normal web address and the device will translate the URL into a mobile-friendly format.

Here are 5 websites and apps to help you get the job you want all from your phone:

To find our more, you also can check out our new eBook "Click to Get Hired: Three Secrets to an Online Job Search" now available exclusively at Amazon and free for a limited time.

Until next time,


www.clicktogethired.com




Wednesday, April 10, 2013

Five Ways to Save Money During Your Job Search

Next Monday, April 15th, is tax day for the more than 130 million Americans who will pay either federal or state income tax this year. This is a good day for those owed a refund--not so for those who must pay before the April 15th deadline or incur penalties. 

Whatever your tax obligation is this year, the stress of paying is keenly felt if you are currently out of work or soon to be.

But, you don't have to spend much to effectively search for your next well-paying job.

Here are 5 ways you can save your money and receive free resources to help speed your search:
  • Get Free Internet. You need the internet to search for work, but don't overpay for your internet service. Free internet service is becoming more widespread at local and national shops and restaurants. A few places to look:
    • Free WiFi search
    • Starbucks. This coffee chain has thousands of locations nationwide that offer free high-speed internet in their cafes. Good for the larger cities where Starbucks is mostly found.
    • McDonald's. This fast-food giant is everywhere and most of their locations now provide free internet. This is ideal for job seekers in smaller or more rural locals where Starbucks can't be found.
    • Public Libraries. Your local public library offers free internet--use it.
    • Community colleges. Many cities have community college campuses that offer free internet for residents of that area.
    • Workforce Centers. These government-supported centers not only provide free Internet, but also free career services like resume writing and job placement.
       
  • Free resume writing.
    • Workforce Centers. These government-supported centers not only provide free Internet, but also free career services like resume writing and job placement.  
    • Resume writing tutorial. Free online course on how to write an effective resume--with examples.
  • Free document creation software. Don't spend extra money on Microsoft Word if you don't have it already on your computer. There are many other alternatives that work just as well.
    • Google Docs. Online--nothing to download. You can even save files in Word format.
    • Open Office. Free software that operates exactly like Microsoft Office.

  • Free Tax Filing. Don't pay $35-50 or a significant cut of your refund to a tax preparer or tool like Turbo Tax when the IRS lets you file for free.
  • Free checking account. When you receive your tax refund, use this resource to find no-fee accounts to deposit the money.
To find our more, you also can check out our new eBook "Click to Get Hired: Three Secrets to an Online Job Search" now available exclusively at Amazon and free to borrow for Amazon Prime members.

Until next time,


www.clicktogethired.com



Monday, April 8, 2013

Could Old-School News be Your Next Job Lead?

How many of us started our Monday morning by opening the daily paper? Did you hear the crinkle of the newsprint as it smudged on your fingertips and were you startled by the damp smell because it was delivered pre-dawn and has been waiting on the sidewalk loaded with dew?

My guess is no. With newspaper readership declining every day, the once ubiquitous daily ritual is now a nostalgic memory as most of us begin our day at work viewing the news online.

But, don't count your newspaper out just yet. If you've struggled recently to find a job or look for a new position better fitting your skill set, take 45 minutes out of your day today to try an old-school approach to your job search that could make the difference.

See, with most of us actively searching on the major job boards like Monster and CareerBuilder, we tend to forget that our communities are continuing to publish new job listings that are local to the area. These local markets know their audiences best and you'll often find jobs listed here you won't see anywhere else. Small companies shine here as they don't have the marketing dollars to post on the national job boards. And the best part is many of these listings and newspapers are online. You don't have to have anything delivered. Just open your browser.

Here are 4 resources you can use today to search local job listings from newspapers:
  • Yahoo Newspaper Directory These are links to the 20+ major market newspapers Yahoo pulls its news feeds from. Use this as a starting point as it represents most of the large metropolitan areas within the US.   
  • Newspapers from all 50 States For smaller markets, use this directory. You can find a link to virtually any newspaper in the US here.
  • Online Newspapers For additional searching, use this directory of solely online newspapers. You might find some hidden gems here.
  • Online Newspaper Search Finally, use this library directory to search most newspapers by keyword all in one convenient place. 
To find our more, you also can check out our new eBook "Click to Get Hired: Three Secrets to an Online Job Search" now available exclusively at Amazon and free to borrow for Amazon Prime members.

Until next time,


www.clicktogethired.com


Friday, April 5, 2013

4 Gov. Sites to Aid Your Job Search

www.clicktogethired.com

Today, the US Bureau of Labor Statistics announced that only 88,000 jobs had been created in March (as opposed to over 200,000 in February) and the US unemployment rate was virtually unchanged at 7.6 %. Not exactly the kind of growth we'd like to see going into the summer months.

But don't let the news discourage your job search today: there are some bright spots. Jobs in construction, professional services, and healthcare have seen moderate growth in the last 12 months and continue to climb upwards. You might think the US government is doing little to effect job growth, especially if you are looking for work now or about to be. But while there are no newsworthy stimulus packages right now, there are several websites the US government and state agencies operate that can help you find a job online today.

 The benefit of these government job boards is that they are off the beaten path as most job seekers first search the major job boards like Monster and CareerBuilder. This means your application becomes more visible. Also, these are non-profit state and US agencies with local support you can call and meet with in-person. Many provide resume-writing and job placement assistance free of charge. They are not out to make a profit, but are supported by your tax dollars.

Here are four of the best government sites to expand your current job search:

  • Career One Stop.  A central job hub site operated by the US Department of Labor.
  • America's Job Bank. Links to state Workforce Development Centers where you can search locally for jobs and receive resume and workforce placement assistance
    .
  •  USA Jobs. USAJobs is the official job site of the United States Federal Government. It's your one-stop source for Federal jobs and employment information.
  •  Vet Success. The purpose of this web site is to present information about the services that the Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E) program provides to veterans with service-connected disabilities.
To find our more, you also can check out our new eBook "Click to Get Hired: Three Secrets to an Online Job Search" now available exclusively at Amazon and free to borrow for Amazon Prime members.

Until next time,


www.clicktogethired.com


Thursday, April 4, 2013

5 Ways to Use Your Professional Association As a Key to Your Job Search

(www.clicktogethired.com)

Every April, like clockwork, the dark blue envelope arrives in the mail. It always comes before the tax deadline and for me it signals a new professional year. Why? Its the renewal notice to my professional association. I can't remember the last time I went to an association meeting, but as I begrudgingly make out the check (which is tax deductible) I'm reminded that my association does more than host lunch and learn get-togethers. They are a pretty good job resource too.

If you are in the HR, accounting, legal, administrative, etc. fields and belong to an association, then the in-person networking is a real asset. But I'll share with you 5 ways you can use your association membership to your advantage if you are currently looking for work or will be soon.
  • Search your association job board. Your association most likely has an online job board. These listings usually include contact and insider info you won't find on the big job boards. 
  • Get a member list. Ask for a list of members and contact for referrals and or inquires about new positions.
  • Read your association's publications and newsletters. Take a  look at these publications and see who's advertising in them--that's who you need to be contacting for a job. Find the company on LinkedIn and you might be surprised that you're connected to someone there already.
  • Ask the editor if they can spotlight you in a future article. Ask to be featured in a member profile--editors are always looking for content for their publications and you can use the exposure to talk about your specific experience and/or skills.
  • Follow your association by Twitter, Facebook etc. to stay informed of news. Follow and 'like' your association on the social media sites so you are the first to know of any new job openings, or companies looking to expand.
To find our more, you also can check out our new eBook "Click to Get Hired: Three Secrets to an Online Job Search" now available exclusively at Amazon and free to borrow for Amazon Prime members.

Until next time,


www.clicktogethired.com



Monday, April 1, 2013

LinkedIn Unchained: Four New Ways to Use LinkedIn To Get the Job You Want

If you've built a profile on Monster or CareerBuilder, then you probably also have patched together one on LinkedIn. Why should you use LinkedIn? Because LinkedIn's more than 200 million users represents professionals and businesses who are committed to hiring qualified candidates--not just the headhunter or recruiter fluff you see on many of the large job boards. It's the Facebook for professionals.

You might be using LinkedIn solely for searching for available jobs and the Jobs search bar is the most obvious place to do this. But, this blog isn't about the obvious: here are four new ways you can turn LinkedIn on its head, unlock its potential, and find jobs where no one else is looking.

LinkedIn Unchained: Four New Ways to Use LinkedIn To Get the Job You Want (www.clicktogethired.com)
  • Quick Resume. Within your Profile, click on :"Edit Profile" and then, "Export to PDF." This will give a PDF rendering of your profile in a resume-style format. While this doesn't replace a resume, it can be a good tool to email connections and contacts letting them know about your qualifications
    .
  • Company Search. Click on the "Companies" link. From here you can search companies you are interested in or who may be hiring. Performing this search you can also, follow the company to stay informed of new job openings, check out posted jobs,  and see how you may be connected to the company

  • Search by Skills. Click on the "Skills & Expertise" link. From here you can add new skills to your profile, see the growth trends for your skill sets, view companies hiring for this particular skill, and also related professionals who've also added this skill

  • Search by Update. Click on the "Update" drop down from the general search bar. Enter what kind of job you're looking for here. This is great undiscovered place to view posts by users looking for candidates outside the normal Jobs link. 
You also can check out our new eBook "Click to Get Hired: Three Secrets to an Online Job Search" now available exclusively at Amazon and free to borrow for Amazon Prime members.

Until next time,


www.clicktogethired.com 




Friday, March 29, 2013

5 Specialty Job Boards You Might Have Missed This Week

I know it's late. You've diligently looked for work all week and now its time to scavenge the fridge in search of leftovers to hold you through that terrible Netflix flick your buddy swore was the best movie ever. Take a break this weekend from your hot-wing hangover to consider some leftovers you might have missed this week.

That would be the specialty job boards. While they don't have the marketing flash of a Monster.com Superbowl ad, or claim to index 10 billion job postings--specialty or niche job boards are an important piece of the job search puzzle. Their limited scope makes them better vehicles to refine your search based on your specific skills or experience. You also can find high quality listings that are less trafficked (meaning less people apply and that means you'll get noticed easier) than the major job boards.

Here are five sites you need to consider during your  overall job search:

  • www.recruitersonline.com:  A site dedicated to recruiters, but also where you can post your resume directly on the site and put your resume in front of thousands of recruiters--many whom have jobs which are not posted on other job boards.
  • www.dice.com: A great site specializing in tech jobs. But you don't have to be a computer nerd to apply, They also list  the major tech company's entire job postings with support and HR jobs as well.
  • www.theladders.com: A site intended to match high quality job seekers with six-figure jobs. If you  have an in-demand skill set or management experience, this could be the place for you.
  • www.workinretail.com: Even if an hourly retail job doesn't appeal to you, use this site for management-level positions at major retailers or for a quick part-time job.
  • www.financialjobs.com: Self-explanatory. Financial jobs for those who are in the field already or wish  to work for a bank, securities company, etc.
Happy snacking!


You also can check out our new eBook "Click to Get Hired: Three Secrets to an Online Job Search" now available exclusively at Amazon and free to borrow for Amazon Prime members.

Until next time,


www.clicktogethired.com 



Thursday, March 28, 2013

Know Before You Go (Five Ways to Research Your Interviewer to Better Prepare)

All of us have faced this same scenario while navigating the job hunt process--you receive a call from a recruiter or HR person at the company where you applied and inviting you to interview. They give you a date and time and maybe the name of the interviewer. That's about it.

This should be an exciting event--the culmination of all your hard work searching, applying, and acing the phone screen to get the chance to tell your employment and skills story in person. But, its not always that way, is it? We work ourselves up to a frenzy trying to prepare for the meeting--maybe even buying a new tie or dress shirt to dampen the anxiety.

It doesn't have to be that way. One of the ways you can effectively prepare for the interview is to know as much about your interviewer as possible. The more you know before you go, the better you can anticipate questions, choose a clothing style appropriate to the person, etc. You can find all of this online--here's how:

Five ways to research your interviewer online.:

  1. Start with Google. Perform a broad search by the person's name and company. Click on relevant links--these may include LinkedIn profile links, press releases from the company, etc.
  2. Compliment your search by finding them on LinkedIn. Even though you are not connected to the person, depending on how public their profile is you can usually gather some of the following: education level and where they attended college, previous positions, and awards and achievements. 
  3. Refine your search by using a business information service like Hoovers. If the interviewer is in senior management this site will usually give you details on their current position, how much ownership by way of stock they have in the company, their age, and other important details.
  4. If you are applying to a public company, search for them at the US Securities and Exchange Commission site.  This can be a trove of information you can't find otherwise, including stock ownership, financial transactions, etc.
  5. Finally, look to social media for information as well. Use Twitter Search to find either the person directly or indirectly by company. You can also search by hash tag for related conversations that can give you some insight into the interviewer. Look also to see if they have a Facebook profile or are on other sites like Pinterest or Tumblr.
 The more prepared you are for the interview, the better you will perform.

You also can check out our new eBook "Click to Get Hired: Three Secrets to an Online Job Search" now available exclusively at Amazon and free to borrow for Amazon Prime members.

Until next time,


www.clicktogethired.com 






Wednesday, March 27, 2013

A Resume by Any Other Name...Still a Resume? (Four Tools to Quickly Build Your Resume)

It seems sometimes that the world of work and looking for work often hinges on the success of the resume. It's the go-to, asked-for document that showcases your skills, education, and past accomplishments as only a 2D Word file can..
 
But if you're among the millions who the Bureau of Labor Statistics considers "long-term unemployed" (out of work for 27 or more weeks) or someone who has been in their current position for a long time and is facing a lay-off or has already been let go--you might not have a current resume just waiting to brandish before any recruiter or hiring manager.

You can pay a lot of money to a professional resume writer, or use some free tools you can find online.

Here's 4 free or low-cost ways to quickly generate a resume:


You also can check out our new eBook "Click to Get Hired: Three Secrets to an Online Job Search" now available exclusively at Amazon and free to borrow for Amazon Prime members.

Until next time,


www.clicktogethired.com 




Tuesday, March 26, 2013

How to Read a Company's Website When Looking to Work There (Five Ways to Get the Job Info You Need)

How to Read a Company's Website When Looking to Work There. (www.clicktogethired.com)


Many of us have a certain company in mind when we begin applying for jobs. Employees idolize Google and Apple for their generous employee benefits like free lunches and laundry service while you work. But what about the other 99% of the companies out there? The one where you will most likely end up?

Sometimes navigating that company's website can be frustrating because information on jobs, company culture, benefits, etc. tends to be buried beneath the flashy graphics on display for customers.

Here's five ways you can translate that company website into meaningful and actionable information:

  1. First check for the obvious--links located at the bottom of the website that say "Jobs", "Employment Opportunities", and the like
    .
  2. If, these are missing, you'll need to dig a bit deeper. Try looking for links which say "About Us", or "Corporate", or "Company Info." These will usually take you to a landing page which will display available jobs
    .
  3. Get an idea about the company culture by visiting their "Executive Team" link. Usually they will list photos and accomplishments of their senior executives--look to see if this fits with where you wish to work. Also, check out their "Community", or "Community Involvement" links. You can learn quite a bit about what a company values by how they give back to their local area.
  4. Another good place to find if this company will be a good match is to look in the "Investors" link. You will find annual reports and SEC filings here--pretty dry stuff, but nonetheless it will help you to quickly determine not just the financial strength of the company (will they be around in five years?) but also gives you a glimpse of their vision and strategic goals.
  5. One last place to look is the company's "Press Releases." These can contain valuable nuggets of info on new products, sales figures, executive changes, etc. that can better prepare you for the interview or give you an edge when writing your cover letter.
 We hope you are able to immediately put these strategies into practice and not be intimidated by any company website.

You also can check out our new eBook "Click to Get Hired: Three Secrets to an Online Job Search" now available exclusively at Amazon and free to borrow for Amazon Prime members.

Until next time,


www.clicktogethired.com

Monday, March 25, 2013

Twitter Unplugged! 4 New Ways to Use Twitter to Search for Anything

While this blog is dedicated to those searching for work, we thought we'd share some new ways in which you can exploit the advanced search features in Twitter to find just about anything you're searching for today.

You already use Google and Yahoo when searching broadly for companies, places, data, jobs, etc. But there's another way where you can obtain real-time results: here's what you can do:

Use Twitter Search Operators for An Advanced Search.



After you’ve performed a general Twitter search and exhausted your options, you’re ready to search deeper within the Twitter sphere by using specialized search commands that pinpoint exactly the job you want, the skills that will get you the job, and where you wish to work. These specialized commands are called “operators” and although the major search engines (Google, Yahoo, Bing) each employ similar functionality, in Twitter the search operators greatly enhance your results. A few of the most useful Twitter search operators are explored below:

  • Hashtag Search Operator: Type “#_____” in the Twitter general search field to search by a hashtag you wish to follow. Example would be “#databaseadminjobs” to search for current conversations regarding database administrator jobs. This is the broadest search. The more specific your hashtag search term is the more narrow results it will return. Remember--hashtags don’t have spaces between the terms--just a long string of text.

  • At Search Operator. Type “@_____” in the Twitter general search field to search by a specific person, place, company, or any particular item you wish to target with your search. An example would be to search “@microsoftjobs” to return a search that included Microsoft’s official Twitter site as well as all tweets and pages that reference Microsoft Jobs.

  • “Near” Search Operator. Type “near:_____” in the Twitter general search field to search items by proximity to a certain location. Examples of an effective “near:” search could include entering dba jobs near:Atlanta to return results specific to database administrator jobs in or around the Atlanta, GA area. This search operator is a powerful tool when you know a city or metropolitan area where you wish to work.

  • Limiting your scope can give your search added focus. (Note: use an additional search operator (“-”) to further filter the “Near” search. The “-” sign in front of a search term means “not” so in effect, entering DBA jobs near:Atlanta -Macon returns database administrator jobs in or around Atlanta, GA area, but not from the Macon, GA area.)

  • “Since” Search Operator. Type “since :( year-month-date)” in the Twitter general search field to search a date range for when a Twitter feed was sent or posted. An example of using this operator to perform a job-related search is to enter dba jobs since:2012-12-01. This search query will return Twitter feeds related or referenced to database administrator jobs and sent, posted, or retweeted since December 1, 2012.

This search operator adds value to the general job search you performed above, as it allows you control over only the most current and up-to-date postings. You want a job now. You don’t want the job that was posted or retweeted five months ago and is not relevant any longer.

Use these advanced search tools to quickly find what you need to be successful today. For more search strategies visit us at www.clicktogethired.com.

You also can check out our new eBook "Click to Get Hired: Three Secrets to an Online Job Search" now available exclusively at Amazon and free to borrow for Amazon Prime members.

Until next time,


Sunday, March 24, 2013

A Sunday to Connect and Share Your Job Search: Three Ways to do it Today!

www.clicktogethired.com

After the kids have been dressed for church, the big lunch eaten, and a long nap on the way, you may be reflecting on your week searching for work. You already know that it takes support from your family and friends to help you during your search, but how strong are those connections outside of your immediate circle?

A Facebook report estimated that the median 'Friends' count on Facebook is 100--this means half of Facebook users have 0-100 'Friends' and half have 100 plus. How many 'Friends' do you count on your profile? How many of these would recommend you for a job? How many would send a personal email to a hiring manager on your behalf? How many would send you a job they found was opening at their company and hadn't been published yet?

The 100 plus connections we develop outside of our immediate circle of friends and family can be the deciding factor when a hiring manager chooses one candidate over another.

Here are 3 ways you can build your connections today and share your job search:

  1.  On LinkedIn ask for a recommendation of your work not just from coworkers or past supervisors, but also friends who know your professional skills. Don't be afraid to send the recommendation request--it's a simple form to quickly send. Just remember to reciprocate and write a recommendation if the connection also asks for one. This process might seem like an exercise in vanity, but employers do look at these recommendations and they only add value to your candidate profile.
  2. On Twitter create a hashtag with your name and the word resume (example: #johnsmithresume) and when tweeting to friends or colleagues, incorporate the hashtag into your tweet. Make sure to include your skills and experience in this. This allows you to organize your search so that others can easily 'see' the conversations that mention you and your search.
  3. On Indeed upload your resume to the site so that its stored there electronically. Take the resume link and add it in multiple places where you are represented online. For example
    :
    • Add link to your email signature line
    • Add link to your Facebook profile
    • Share link on Google+
    • Share link on LinkedIn as a new discussion item
We hope these strategies can help you share your job search successes with your existing and future connections.

Visit us at www.clicktogethired.com for more.

Until next time,



Saturday, March 23, 2013

Deciphering the Jobs Bracket Just in Time for March Madness (Three Ways to Focus Your Job Search Today)

Deciphering the Jobs Bracket Just in Time for March Madness (Three Ways to Focus Your Job Search Today) (www.clicktogethired.com)


If you've tuned in to ESPN in the last week or so, much of what you've heard is heated debate on who will emerge as the national champion in the NCAA basketball tournament--better known as March Madness. Will it be a Cinderella team like 15th seeded Florida Gulf Coast, who shamed perennial favorite Georgetown in the opening round, or a stalwart like Indiana, who hopes to cap a lustrous season by taking home the big prize? Step away from the TV a moment and take a look at the actual bracket or chart displaying all of the  teams and the various match ups. How many of us can accurately predict a winner when so many factors are at play?

Did you know the US government supplies its own bracket each month in something called the Jobs Report?  And its equally as confusing and difficult to predict a winner. Will hiring pick up? Will the long-term unemployed rate fall? What does it mean that the  national unemployment rate rose one percentage point this month?  Take a look at the  Bureau of Labor Statistics chart below and see how much it resembles the basketball bracket in complexity:


What can you as a job seeker, or one who knows someone who is looking for work, take away from either this chart or the NCAA bracket? 

Just because something is as complex and unpredictable as US employment, doesn't mean you can't take charge and change the state you are in now.

Here's 3 things you can do online today to focus your job search:

  1. Explore the new features available in LinkedIn's new job search tool (finding jobs on LinkedIn is a more social experience than other career boards and you can more easily obtain contact information about who the hiring manger is.
  2. Join a new social media site besides Twitter or Facebook. Try Pinterest or Tumblr or Google+ to add more variety and exposure to the online profile employers are looking at when searching for qualified candidates. Just remember to only post items you wouldn't mind sharing with that hiring manager--be professional.
  3. When using traditional job search services like CareerBuilder or Monster, make sure you use the Advanced Features options on these sites to filter your search for jobs only posted within the last 30 days and within 25 miles of where you  wish to work. This will go a long way to excluding jobs that are not current or will be too far out of your range.
Take charge of your Saturday and between watching basketball or CNN, go online and continue your  job search using these proven techniques.

Find more at www.clicktogethired.com.

Until next time,










Friday, March 22, 2013

Your Best Friday Search Ever! Try These 3 Search Techniques Now

Your Best Friday Search Ever! (www.clicktogethired.com)

 

It's already Friday, arguably the best day of the week, so why not make today the absolute best day of the week for your job search? All week you've scanned the listings on Monster or CareerBuilder and clicked your way through countless sub-par jobs trying to find the one the truly matches your current skills and experience.

Just this month alone there are over 3 million job openings (according to the latest report from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics) available to job seekers nationwide. Where is your job? At www.clicktogethired.com we believe the right kind of search will open the door to finding that job.

It's not about how much time you spend searching online or picking your way through classified ads--it's how you go about using that time knowing some key search strategies that we'll share with you now. Use these three strategies to make this Friday the day you find that job:

  1. Don't be afraid to use the "Advanced Search" feature within many of the major search engines like Google, Yahoo, and Bing. They are there to help you filter past unnecessary information and jump directly to what you want. Most have fields where you can include certain words or phrases, exclude words, search for jobs near a specific location, or posted during a certain time period. Try out many different kinds of searches to return the most complete results.
  2. Use Boolean search operators for more control over your search. Thanks to 19th century mathematician George Boole, there is a better way to search Google, Yahoo, and Bing. Try these techniques:
     
    • Use a space between search terms to indicate AND--such as IT jobs Cicso will return results for IT jobs AND Cisco
    • Use "Or" between search terms to indicate a keyword OR another keyword--helps make your search more inclusive
    • Use a minus sign "-" in front of a keyword to tell your search to exclude that term. An example could be, IT jobs -Oracle would return results for all IT jobs but not include references to Oracle
  3. Search for jobs in unconventional sites using the Advanced Search and Boolean techniques. Sure, you search Monster and Indeed for jobs, but so does everyone else. Try searching on sites that are not designed job search boards but can yield job search results if you apply the Advanced Search and Boolean principles.

    • Search Twitter for recent job listings
    • Search Google Blogs for jobs submitted by real hiring managers and recruiters
    • Search Pinterest boards for new jobs
We hope these strategies invigorate your Friday search and lead to your next job. For more tips and tested techniques visit us at www.clicktogethired.com.

Until next time,

Thursday, March 21, 2013

The Future of Job Search Looks a Lot Like YouTube--Here's What You Can do to Prepare

The Future of Job Search Looks a Lot Like YouTube--Here's What You Can do to Prepare.

Ask yourself, how many times did you watch that skiing squirrel on YouTube from a few years ago? Or as my fiance does every so often, replay that clip of the honey badger with the overdubbed British accent giving the video a hilarious kind of chutzpa. How many times a day do you watch the latest video from your  phone, tablet, or even PC?

You're not alone. YouTube just announced they are now averaging about 1 billion visitors each month and are streaming 50% more hours of video than a year ago. 1 in 7 people on planet earth will visit the site this month alone! Think about how many hours of video this represents. Not only are people watching videos, they are creating them at breakneck speed. So, what does the rapid rise in video consumption and production mean to you?

If you are reading this blog you probably are, or know someone who is, looking for a job. The tools and resources you use to search for that job are changing constantly and it is in this flux that we at www.clicktogethired.com see video as the next great avenue for job seekers and job posters to find a match. The paper resume will morph into the video presentation where you will have up to three minutes to sell your skills and experience visually. Video conferences are becoming more routine as a way to remotely interview candidates without having to incur travel expenses.

Here's 5 things you can do now to help safeguard your job search and be relevant in this age of instant video:

  1. Use the webcam most likely already installed on your laptop to shoot a 1-2 minute video of you talking about three of your most recent professional accomplishments. Dress professionally to record the video and upload this 'mini-resume' to one or more of your social media sites or blogs. Don't forget to edit the video. You can also record using your iPad or smartphone--just make sure the resolution is at least 720dpi.
  2. Create a YouTube channel with 3-5 'mini-resume' videos showcasing your skills and.or job-related know how.
  3. Search YouTube for video job postings--many employers are now posting videos to attract candidates beyond the normal online job boards.
  4. Upload your 'mini-resume' videos to a YouTube alternative site like Vimeo to cast the widest possible net in your job search.
  5. Use an online video creation tool like Animoto to upload high-resolution JPGs of your resume and/or professional accomplishments (products you've helped launch, sell, etc.) and set them to music for an interactive professional resume video you can attach when emailing recruiters or hiring managers regarding a job opportunity.
 We hope you are able to incorporate some of these tips and strategies into your current job search.

Until next time,

www.clicktogethired.com

www.clicktogethired.com




Wednesday, March 20, 2013

A Better Job Search...Indeed!

A better job search...Indeed! (www.clicktogethired.com)

There was news recently that the popular job search site Indeed.com now accounts for half of all job search traffic online, accessed by 100 million visitors monthly. That's over 30 million people a day either looking for work or the next opportunity for work. How do you stand out from the masses and effectively find a job that fits your particular skill set and is close to where you wish to work?

By knowing how to search better than the rest. Lots of folks use job search sites like www.indeed.com, but few know how to dive deep into the site to gain a job search advantage.

The general and advanced search capabilities of a powerful metasearch tool like Indeed.com will give you many options for finding relevant jobs and links to where you can apply, but there are also other features within the site you should explore to aid your search. Here are a few of the most significant additional tools:

  • Salary Search. This search feature found on the Indeed.com site at www.indeed.com/salary, is a good resource alongside searching for a current job listing as it can provide added insight to the particular job or field you’re pursuing. Enter the job you want in the “What” field and where you wish to work in the “Where” field. The resulting information displayed can tell you some of the following:
  • Average salary of jobs that match your search criteria and in the location you’re searching. Using this information, you can get a good idea of what to expect in earnings from the job you’re pursuing. You know your budget and the bills that are due, and now knowing what your desired job could possibly earn can help you plan better.

  • The national salary trend for this type of job. This information can be used to benchmark what the job might be paid elsewhere. You can use what you learn here to help you negotiate your starting salary or possibly reach the decision to relocate from your current area to where there may be better opportunities and income.
  • The average salary of jobs with related titles. This trove of information does the hard work for you by grouping together related jobs you might not have considered. Use these suggestions to explore other jobs that might employ your skill sets and click on the job links to go to the job listing.
  • Trends. This search feature found on the Indeed.com site at www.indeed.com/jobtrends can give you a snapshot of how many postings your job or projected company has had over time. The information enables you to determine what the need is for your potential job or skill set and/or the company’s hiring strength. If you see for example that the postings for “database administrator” jobs spiked in 2009 and have since declined steadily, could tell you that the demand for this job might be waning and you might consider another route. (Or use the “average salary of jobs with related titles” option we explored earlier.)
  • Forums. This search feature found on the Indeed,com site at www.indeed.com/forum gives your search a personal component as it allows you to search actual user comments and postings about jobs or companies. Much more job-specific than the forums section on the Amazon.com website we previously explored, these forums can help answer questions you may have regarding a job, company, or particular field.
  • Email job alert. The last additional Indeed.com feature we’ll explore is the option to have Indeed.com send you jobs that match your search criteria. The “Email job alert” is a simple tool that pays dividends in that it saves the kinds of jobs you want and location where you wish to work and automatically emails you a list of jobs that meet those criteria as soon as they are posted by agencies or employers. One key benefit to this is you always have the most up-to-date job listing--a plus when you are racing against time to find work.
Use these additional Indeed search tools and features to separate yourself from the millions of people searching the site each month.

Best of luck with your search.

Until next time,

www.clicktogethired.com



 

Tuesday, March 19, 2013

Get Super-sized Results with a Combo Search

Get Super-sized Results with a Combo Search (www.clicktogethired.com.)

This week NY City Mayor Michael Bloomberg's controversial plan to tax sugary drinks 16 ounces and larger was blocked by a federal judge just one day before it was to take effect. Fans of super-sized sodas and mega coffees can rejoice. But, wherever your position on the issue resides, you can't deny that as a culture we Americans like our option to go big if we want it.

 Does that also apply to how you search online for a job or just to find a good place to eat and enjoy that 32 ounce iced tea?

Often when we search on the internet we limit ourselves to using only one search tool. We might use Google or Yahoo, or even Bing to search by single keywords--like "steak house in Dallas, TX" or "computer jobs in Dallas, TX." This kind of search is fine if you want simple results.driving directions, definition of a word, etc.

But, when something as important to you as a new job, new sales prospect, or even a new place to live presents itself, your searches should be super-sized to get the best results. To do this we use what we call a Combo Search at www.clicktogethired.com. and perform searches using a variety of traditional search engines combined with targeted social media searches.

Here's some examples on how it could work for you:
  1. Use www.Indeed.com to search for database administrator jobs in Atlanta, GA. You don’t find any positions which match your skills, but you see a company hiring for other IT jobs. Use www.facebook.com to research the company and comments posted to their page. You see a customer has posted on their wall that they are hiring for positions with your expertise. You find the company on www.twitter.com and send them a direct message with your resume.
  2. Use www.Dogpile.com to uncover a job listing on www.Linkedin.com that matches your skill set and is a company you admire, but it is outside your job search radius and you are not a direct connection with the job poster. You search for the company using www.Mamma.com and then click on the Twitter search tab and find a recent Twitter feed that the company is opening a new data center only a few miles away. You apply on the company website for the new position.

    (Excerpted from our new eBook "Click to Get Hired: Three Secrets to an Online Job Search.")

To find additional ways to super-size your search and get the results you want, visit us at www.clicktogethired.com.

Until next time.





Monday, March 18, 2013

Free Continuing Education Courses to Give You an Edge

Free Continuing Education Courses to Give You an Edge (from www.clicktogethired.com.)

Welcome Monday morning! Here in the Dallas/Fort Worth, TX area, today marks the Monday students return from a week of Spring Break vacation. Despite their pleas for "just one more day" you shuffle them off to their school, dour faces and all.

But what about you? Are you returning to school too? Have you thought about courses you could take that might just help you get a raise, promotion, or give you an advantage over another candidate when applying for a job?

According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the more education you have the greater your chances are for higher earnings and  employment. Take a look at the chart below:



What the chart confirms is that if you want to advance in pay and/or your job, go to school now. This is great news, but if you're like many who are struggling through this recession-like economy, where do you find the money to attend classes? You can't afford to take on new loans, so what are your options?

The better news is that many of our most prominent universities offer free online courses to anyone who enrolls. This is the same quality of education you would receive if you were regularly enrolled at places like Stanford or MIT. These are 100% free. Take one or many and see where it may lead you: