How do you find that dream job? The one that you are imagining about as you are either sitting at home behind your computer searching or sitting behind your desk doing the same paperwork day in and day out – bored out of your mind.
The most common ways are of course using the internet and going through the most common job sites like Monster and HotJobs, and applying for the same jobs as thousands of other candidates are doing. Maybe you are more advanced in your search and are a member of LinkedIn, but again you are just one job seeker among thousands. Who actually knows what you can do, besides what’s written on your resume? Whatever sources you are using it’s just not enough in today’s economy.
Networking is the one tool that is most commonly overlooked. Do you remember meeting your neighbor’s boyfriend’s cousin at last years block party? Who just happened to be a manager at ABC company, well he would be a perfect person to reach out to. How about the manager at the job you had 5 years ago? Who you heard recently went to work at XYZ company. These are the people you should reach out to first!!!!
You might be uncomfortable asking them for work, but would you feel better approaching them from a different angle? How about if instead of asking if their company is hiring, you say something like “ I find myself back on the job market, if you happen to hear of any opportunities, please keep me in mind” This way, you are not directly asking them for help, which might put them in a weird situation of saying no. However, you are getting your name out there and most likely they will call you, if they hear anything.
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
How can we balance our personal obligations and our career?
This is the question of the century. Between raising children, caring for our parents and trying to succeed in our career, when does it all become too much? And which one of these responsibilities are going to suffer? How do we manage to do it all? Can we manage to do it all?
Do I need to write a cover letter?
You can't imagine how important a cover letter can be. The cover letter should be brief and to the point. It should concisely point out all the qualities the employers advertised for. In other words it's a teaser to get the hiring manager to open our resume and not hit the delete button!And don't send the cover letter as an attachment. The text in the body of your email should be your cover letter. It's one less step for the hiring manager to get one step closer to reading your resume.
9/11
Where were you when the world stopped turning? Less than a day away and 7 years ago, our world changed forever on 9/11/2001.
Were you working in the towers? nearby? Had loved ones there or were part of the groups who responded shortly after and for weeks on end?
OR perhaps you live in the midwest or across the country from nyc, but on this day you felt like neighbors. As if we are one city, and ofcourse one country.
How do you handle a day like this? Years later..but you still have thoughts of that fateful day. You found it difficult to work near the 9/11 site, you survived but your company closed down or relocated to another part of the state.
You re-evaluated your interest in work period, or your choice of jobs. You became more involved in charities and less involved in the stock market, so to speak.
You still find it difficult to talk about but have found healthy ways to cope.
All of the above statements and reactions are normal and valid. To this day and for days to come you can find services to help you through one of, if not the most difficult crises of our time. I will list those services/websites at the end of this post.
How do you cope with the losses from 9/11? Please share this with our audience and readers.
Did you move away? Did you change your profession? Did you change your attitude on life itself and your priorities?
Where were you on 9/11? What were you doing?
Where are you today with work and your life?
Wherever you are, stay safe and gd bless america!
www.nyc.gov/html/fdny/html/memorial/index.html
www.childrenshealthfund.org/publications/pubs/Prepare
www.wtcfamilycenter.org/
Ellie Advisor
Were you working in the towers? nearby? Had loved ones there or were part of the groups who responded shortly after and for weeks on end?
OR perhaps you live in the midwest or across the country from nyc, but on this day you felt like neighbors. As if we are one city, and ofcourse one country.
How do you handle a day like this? Years later..but you still have thoughts of that fateful day. You found it difficult to work near the 9/11 site, you survived but your company closed down or relocated to another part of the state.
You re-evaluated your interest in work period, or your choice of jobs. You became more involved in charities and less involved in the stock market, so to speak.
You still find it difficult to talk about but have found healthy ways to cope.
All of the above statements and reactions are normal and valid. To this day and for days to come you can find services to help you through one of, if not the most difficult crises of our time. I will list those services/websites at the end of this post.
How do you cope with the losses from 9/11? Please share this with our audience and readers.
Did you move away? Did you change your profession? Did you change your attitude on life itself and your priorities?
Where were you on 9/11? What were you doing?
Where are you today with work and your life?
Wherever you are, stay safe and gd bless america!
www.nyc.gov/html/fdny/html/memorial/index.html
www.childrenshealthfund.org/publications/pubs/Prepare
www.wtcfamilycenter.org/
Ellie Advisor
Friday, September 5, 2008
Work vs. College?
You should never compare the two. They usually go hand in hand. College and work. Meaning, in most professions, you need a college degree to obtain a position in your field. Ofcourse there are many positions which do not require an advanced degree but most require at least some college.
Regardless of the fact that most jobs require a degree, it is our privledge to be able to go to college and earn a degree for personal fulfillment if nothing else. If there is a career you are considering and you are unsure of the courses/path to take, make sure you seek out a career counselor personally or within the college you are considering attending. You can take career assessments online. One website to check out is the New York State Department of Labor, there you will find many options but also career assessments which can help clarify your career choices.
www.nysdol.gov. For unlimited information on multiple careers and the outlook on each, visit: www.ooh.gov, This guide can also be found in most libraries. It is the Occupational Outlook Handbook.
We work with may clients who are either starting out in a traditional age for college (17-21) as well as may people returning to college after raising their family or the male who needs to finish his degree in order to earn that promotion in his current position.
In all cases, we cannot stress enough, the importance of college in establishing yourself or in re- establishing yourself. Even if you start out part time, right after h.s., studying is fresh in your mind and your energy level is generally higher. We are aware that because you spent every day all day for the last 12 years in classes, the last thing you want to think about is taking MORE classes. However, I can assure you that college is completely different and you will have your ENTIRE life to work.
It is a whole new experience, new friends, and many colleges offer online courses as well as jobs on campus. Here you can learn first hand about the field you are most interested in without having to be obligated to it for your career, if you choose to go into a different field.
I bet you can tell from this post that the 3 Job Chicks believe VERY strongly in obtaining a higher education and a college degree. Whenever you go to college, in whatever length of time it takes to get your degree, just get it! You will be happy you did!
Ellie Advisor
Regardless of the fact that most jobs require a degree, it is our privledge to be able to go to college and earn a degree for personal fulfillment if nothing else. If there is a career you are considering and you are unsure of the courses/path to take, make sure you seek out a career counselor personally or within the college you are considering attending. You can take career assessments online. One website to check out is the New York State Department of Labor, there you will find many options but also career assessments which can help clarify your career choices.
www.nysdol.gov. For unlimited information on multiple careers and the outlook on each, visit: www.ooh.gov, This guide can also be found in most libraries. It is the Occupational Outlook Handbook.
We work with may clients who are either starting out in a traditional age for college (17-21) as well as may people returning to college after raising their family or the male who needs to finish his degree in order to earn that promotion in his current position.
In all cases, we cannot stress enough, the importance of college in establishing yourself or in re- establishing yourself. Even if you start out part time, right after h.s., studying is fresh in your mind and your energy level is generally higher. We are aware that because you spent every day all day for the last 12 years in classes, the last thing you want to think about is taking MORE classes. However, I can assure you that college is completely different and you will have your ENTIRE life to work.
It is a whole new experience, new friends, and many colleges offer online courses as well as jobs on campus. Here you can learn first hand about the field you are most interested in without having to be obligated to it for your career, if you choose to go into a different field.
I bet you can tell from this post that the 3 Job Chicks believe VERY strongly in obtaining a higher education and a college degree. Whenever you go to college, in whatever length of time it takes to get your degree, just get it! You will be happy you did!
Ellie Advisor
Thursday, September 4, 2008
Dressing for an interview
I wanted to talk about a few of my pet peeves when I interview applicants….. I look at them and think “what the heck are you wearing?” (well not those exact words, but I don’t want to scare anyone off in the beginning) I know you might think that the days of wearing a dark suit to an interview are out, but as an interviewer, trust me when I tell you a little effort is appreciated!
Now what can you wear!
Well for an formal interview (first you need to find out about the company), you need to dress conservatively. I hate to state the obvious, but it is important to go in a suit and tie (for the guys) and either a skirt /pant suit (for the ladies) to any company that's part of a more formal industry, such as banking, law or brokerage. Choose a basic black, dark gray or navy suit. Also opt for black leather shoes - stiletto's - totally don't count!!
To a less formal company such as software development and technology companies will not require a suit. However, it's better to wear something a little nicer than what everyone in the office is wearing and please make sure it’s clean and pressed. A nice touch would be to throw on a blazer to complete the outfit and please adding a blazer to jeans does not mean you are dressing up for an interview.
It is not acceptable, no matter to what company or position you are applying for to wear jeans, shorts, capri’s, tank tops or t-shirts. I do not want to see your belly ring or the tattoo on you lower back, ankle, or boob. I really do not care how hot it is outside, if I make an effort to dress up to meet with you please have the same courtesy for me.
Last, but certainly not least, I do not want your cologne/perfume to linger (stink, is more like it) for days in my office, try skipping it on interview day or for some of you and you know who you are, a few days before the interview..
I will be back with more of my pet peeves… let me know what you think so far…..
Marina Mentor
Now what can you wear!
Well for an formal interview (first you need to find out about the company), you need to dress conservatively. I hate to state the obvious, but it is important to go in a suit and tie (for the guys) and either a skirt /pant suit (for the ladies) to any company that's part of a more formal industry, such as banking, law or brokerage. Choose a basic black, dark gray or navy suit. Also opt for black leather shoes - stiletto's - totally don't count!!
To a less formal company such as software development and technology companies will not require a suit. However, it's better to wear something a little nicer than what everyone in the office is wearing and please make sure it’s clean and pressed. A nice touch would be to throw on a blazer to complete the outfit and please adding a blazer to jeans does not mean you are dressing up for an interview.
It is not acceptable, no matter to what company or position you are applying for to wear jeans, shorts, capri’s, tank tops or t-shirts. I do not want to see your belly ring or the tattoo on you lower back, ankle, or boob. I really do not care how hot it is outside, if I make an effort to dress up to meet with you please have the same courtesy for me.
Last, but certainly not least, I do not want your cologne/perfume to linger (stink, is more like it) for days in my office, try skipping it on interview day or for some of you and you know who you are, a few days before the interview..
I will be back with more of my pet peeves… let me know what you think so far…..
Marina Mentor
"Can I call you back? Im in the bathroom"
What would you think if you were an employer and called a potential employee and received that response? Mort importantly what would you do? You probably wouldnt call him/her back for an interview right? Neither would I, yet I can recall several times when I called a job seeker back and got a similar response: "Im in the bathroom," "I was feeding my kids," I'm on vacation...Vacation??? vacation from what??? You dont even have a job!!!
Lets talk about phone etiquette:
In a world where many communicate via email, I think people have forgotten their phone manners or how to talk onthe phone, which is often the first "introduction" to a potential employer or recruiter who may be placing you in a job.
Regardless of who you are speaking with, keep in mind it is always a potential opening you are speaking about.
1) Do not have loud music or any music at all for that matter, on your voice mail/answering machine. A CEO or his/her HR representative does not want to hear 80's Bon Jovi music or your child's voice saying "leave a message for my mommy!"
Keep the voicemail message clear and short but positive and possibly leave your first name. That would be appropriate.
2)Do make sure when you call a recruiter/employer back, that you are in a quiet location, free of too much external noise or disruption.
3) Do get dressed to make the call. Sitting in your pj's will make you feel you are talking to your girlfriend or mom. Neother of whom can hire you, except if your friend happens to be the employer! Even in that case, it is always good to be dressed appropriately.
4)Have your resume available- to refer to. Many times we forget key things we did in previous positions. You wont have a chance to go over all of your work, over the phone but you will most likely have a moment to highlight your top skills, which can get you the in person interview.
More to follow..good luck!
Ellie Advisor
Lets talk about phone etiquette:
In a world where many communicate via email, I think people have forgotten their phone manners or how to talk onthe phone, which is often the first "introduction" to a potential employer or recruiter who may be placing you in a job.
Regardless of who you are speaking with, keep in mind it is always a potential opening you are speaking about.
1) Do not have loud music or any music at all for that matter, on your voice mail/answering machine. A CEO or his/her HR representative does not want to hear 80's Bon Jovi music or your child's voice saying "leave a message for my mommy!"
Keep the voicemail message clear and short but positive and possibly leave your first name. That would be appropriate.
2)Do make sure when you call a recruiter/employer back, that you are in a quiet location, free of too much external noise or disruption.
3) Do get dressed to make the call. Sitting in your pj's will make you feel you are talking to your girlfriend or mom. Neother of whom can hire you, except if your friend happens to be the employer! Even in that case, it is always good to be dressed appropriately.
4)Have your resume available- to refer to. Many times we forget key things we did in previous positions. You wont have a chance to go over all of your work, over the phone but you will most likely have a moment to highlight your top skills, which can get you the in person interview.
More to follow..good luck!
Ellie Advisor
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