Does this describe you? If so, it seems that you may finally be reaping the benefits of your long-term patience and perseverance. While full-time positions are not as readily available as they were before the beginning of the global economic recession, the availability of temporary, contract, and project assignments has steadily increased in the past few months.

An increase in contract or project work, along with a lackluster number of available full-time positions, can lead unemployed professionals to ask a variety of questions. Why is there still a lack of full-time, salaried positions? Will these positions increase anytime soon? If companies are unwilling to hire full-time employees, why do they seem to be able to steadily hire contractors?

Of course, such questions lead to a two-word answer — the economy. Until the recession begins to slow down and the economy further improves, most organizations will simply not have the funds to provide full-time, salaried positions to prospective employees, no matter how qualified they are.

Ideally, all unemployed workers should have opportunities to improve their skill sets and to display their talents within their desired industries. At the same time, all professionals truly deserve to earn wages according to their past work experiences and skills. However, full-time positions are so few and far between that many workers have focused on another career opportunity for the time being — temporary, contract, or project employment.

In the meantime, contract employment can provide positive experiences to unemployed workers. Some of the benefits of contract positions include:

• Freedom and flexibility — Many contract workers are able to work according to their own pre-determined hours, providing them with a sense of freedom and flexibility that full-time employees may not enjoy. If contract employees happen to work more than 40 hours, they are paid overtime. This is not always the case with full-time employees.
• Opportunity to discover new career options — Through temporary or project assignments, individuals are able to attain a variety of positions within different industries. By obtaining work experiences in various fields, contractors are able to identify what type of career they would likely enjoy in the future, as well as which ones they would never like to experience again. It is important to realize that many contractors do indeed discover their dream jobs through contract engagements — you can too!
• Networking — During contract employment, individuals meet and network with a large number of employees within a wide range of industries. By developing such a vast and varied list of contacts, you can learn about temporary and full-time positions that are currently available, outside of your usual career field, before the positions are posted on career websites. Networking can lead people to acquire unique, highly enriching careers that frequently change their lives.

By accepting contract assignments, you will not only receive regular, weekly paychecks, but you will also acquire meaningful work experiences that will possibly lead to a full-time position once the economy improves and the recession lightens. Often times, many contract workers are well-rewarded for their achievements, as well as the positive impacts they have on their organizations, as they are typically notified of full-time offers within their current organizations.

Looking ahead

If they are not offered full-time jobs, some contract workers may also learn about permanent positions that are available at a variety of other organizations, due to the relationships they have developed through networking. By maintaining a high level of positivism, as well as continuous persistence, you will not only thrive as a contract employee, but you may also succeed in a full-time setting once the economy improves.

Kelly Services, Inc. (NASDAQ: KELYA, KELYB) is a leader in providing workforce solutions. Kelly offers a comprehensive array of outsourcing and consulting services as well as world-class staffing on a temporary, temporary-to-hire and direct hire basis. Serving clients around the globe, Kelly provides employment to 480,000 employees annually. Revenue in 2009 was $4.3 billion. For more information, please visit www.kellyservices.com.

Do your homework

Erika Milonas, director of campus recruitment for The McTigue Financial Group (part of Northwestern Mutual) in Chicago reviews more than 1,000 résumés a year and interviews about 400 candidates to choose 40 for the company’s internship program. With such competition, it would seem that interviewees would be incredibly prepared, but that isn’t always the case.

Milonas finds some candidates unable to answer the simple question, “What do you know about The McTigue Financial Group and Northwestern Mutual?” She calls failure to be able to discuss the company at this basic level a “deal breaker,” regardless of how the rest of the interview went.

Since most businesses have websites, learning about a potential employer is relatively easy. Find out what the company does and its main products/services, and be familiar with recent developments in the industry.

Know yourself

Once you know something about the employer, it’s time to think about why you would be a good match. Since it is often difficult to formulate answers on the spot, practice responses at home.

“Before your interview, write out answers to potential questions you are likely to be asked,” states Robin Ryan, author of “60 Seconds & You’re Hired!” “Keep your answers concise, no more than 60 seconds.”

While question will differ by employer, Ryan recommends thinking out responses to these standards:

• Why did you leave your last job (or why do you want to leave)?
• What is your greatest weakness?
• What is the salary you are looking for?
• Describe the worst boss you’ve ever worked for.

Engage in, but don’t take over, the interview

Employers want workers who bring positive energy to the workplace. Two common pitfalls Milonas sees among candidates are that they lack interest in the opportunity and answer questions with a simple “yes” or “no” rather than engaging in meaningful conversation.

On the flip side, Linda Matias, president of CareerStrides and author of “201 Knockout Answers to Tough Interview Questions: The Ultimate Guide to Handling the New Competency-Based Interview Style,” cautions against overwhelming the interviewer.

“Though it is true that job seekers should be active participants in the interview process, they should not take over the interview,” Matias states. “Usually, job seekers take over when nerves get the best of them or when they feel they have to fill in the silence. It’s a delicate balance, but job seekers need to learn when to ask questions and when to allow the interviewer to take charge.”

Once again, practicing beforehand can make the difference.

Look the part

“In the first ten seconds of meeting a candidate, the interviewer makes a mental decision on whether you look right for the job,” Ryan states. “If your personal presentation is inappropriate, you’ve lost that position without saying a word.”

Some fields accept greater creativity in apparel, but experts generally agree to err on the conservative side.

“This is not the time to be a fashionista,” Milonas says. For men, this translates to a business suit or blazer, shirt and tie. Women should consider a suit (either a jacket and skirt or a matching pantsuit).

“Neatness counts, too,” Ryan says. “Shine your shoes. Clothes should be cleaned, pressed and fit well.”

Remember your manners

Finally, make sure your conduct fits the part. Punctuality shows respect for other people’s time. Use of polite terminology should be standard during an interview, but it also reflects well to be equally courteous when addressing receptionists and other office workers.

A big etiquette faux pas is not sending a thank-you letter immediately after an interview. “Too many job seekers have an ‘if the manager is interested, she or he will call’ mentality and wait by the phone,” Matias notes. “After a few weeks of the phone not ringing, that’s when they decide to follow up. By then it may be too late. Or, if it’s not too late, chances are that the job seeker is desperate. That anxiety may come through and turn off the interviewer. To avoid tripping up, job seekers should follow up quickly, not only because they want the job but because it’s the polite action to take after they’ve been invited for an interview.”

While e-mail makes sending a rapid thank-you note easy to do, consider going the extra mile by composing a handwritten message sent via snail mail. After all, you’re not out simply to be another candidate, you want to shine! 

Beth Braccio Hering, CareerBuilder Writer

Anyone who has ever suffered through long-term unemployment can identify with Schembari’s scenario, and such comforting may be just what is needed to right the world before sending out another application. But what happens when your desire to persevere needs an extra boost?

Before reaching for another scoop of Ben & Jerry’s, check out these motivational tips from experts and fellow job seekers.

Start your day with structure

“Get up every morning at your usual time and dress as if you’re going to work — because you are going to work, except now your work is finding a new job,” states Richard S. Deems, co-author of “Make Job Loss Work for You.”

While it may be tempting to sleep in or lounge around in pajamas, getting your day moving can provide a psychological boost. “I think that keeping a schedule has helped me,” says Cherie C. of Denver, Co., who has been unemployed for nearly a year. “I wake up with my partner as he prepares for work, shower, dress and tackle the job search.”

Use your computer … and then get away from it

Chances are you’ve used a computer to scout job postings, but have you explored the full potential of technology?

Erica Myers of London, England, spent seven months without a steady job. During this time, she learned new ways to connect to others and get an edge in the application process. Her tips to rev-up job search motivation by rethinking computer time include:

• Use social networking sites and Google searches to find a person to contact directly instead of sending a blind résumé.
• Build an online portfolio or a free website. (It not only looks great and tech-savvy, but it secretly gets you organized.)
• Read the websites of companies that interest you.
• Use connections and build on social media by looking through friends lists for useful contacts, searching through Twitter keywords and adding people on LinkedIn.

Designate certain periods of the day as computer time — then resist the urge to constantly check e-mail or see if one new position got posted. Too much screen time can zap energy. Instead, find other productive ways to pass the time.

“Do as much face-to-face networking as possible,” Deems says. “Even if you’ve talked with your network two weeks ago, contact them again.” He also is a fan of hand-delivering applications, noting that the return rate for mail-ins is about 3-5 percent.

While some job seekers may feel guilty about spending free time doing anything besides looking for employment, exploring interests can be rejuvenating — and potentially rewarding — during a trying time.

“If someone is job hunting without getting the response they want, volunteering at a local hospital or for a non-profit organization where they will meet new people who can extend their networking reach is a great game plan,” says Debra Yergen, author of “Creating Job Security Resource Guide.” “Not only will they keep their skills sharp, they’ll also have an opportunity to make a larger networking base aware of their availability.”

Give yourself a break

The familiar advice of persistence paying off holds true for finding a job. After all, you can’t land a position if you don’t even apply. Yet, while dedication will pay off in the long term, sometimes it helps to step away for a bit.

“On days when I lack motivation and don’t want to send a résumé, I really try to push myself to keep working, but sometimes I’ve found it’s best to wait a day,” Cherie C. notes. “Sending a résumé while in a sad or defeated mood could lead to typos or other errors that could cost me consideration for the job. I take a short break and try to refresh myself.”
It is easy to feel frustrated when your inbox is filled with rejections or (worse yet) you aren’t even acknowledged after pouring your heart into landing a seemingly perfect position. Job seekers are often hard on themselves when faced with such disappointments, but it pays to remember that setbacks are only a bump on a long career path that will have both its ups and downs. Take a look at your résumé to remind yourself of what you have accomplished, and when you’re feeling better about your capabilities, get back to sending it out. Someone out there is waiting to read it. 

Beth Braccio Hering, CareerBuilder Writer

It’s important to realize that job searching doesn’t have to be a negative experience. Richard Deems and Terri Deems, co-authors of “Make Job Loss Work for You,” believe there are several small steps one can take to conduct a faster, more rewarding job search.   

“Candidates who are out on the streets talking and meeting with people are those who maintain their energy and confidence,” they explain. “On the other hand, those who sit back at home and merely mail out their résumés are often those who get discouraged. The feedback they get during the job search comes from receiving either no response or some form of a rejection letter. With each rejection letter, the body cringes and shrivels a little bit more.”

In their book, the Deems father-and-daughter duo offers some additional tips to help job seekers boost their drive during the job search:*

Set up some kind of “office” where you can direct your job search

Make this a place where you can take calls, handle correspondence, and keep track of your research and other information. A separate room (such as a spare bedroom) works best, but even a corner in the basement can help.

You will need a desk, chair, phone, computer, Internet access, space to file materials/information and space to work. It doesn’t have to be fancy, but it does need to comfortable and provide you with the privacy needed to direct your plan for action. When you are in this space, you are “at work.”

• Maintain your normal schedule. Don’t sleep late. Get dressed each morning just as if you were going to be out talking to people — because you probably will. One successful person with whom we worked sat down at his “office” every morning at 7:30, coffee in hand, and read the local and national newspapers, just as he had for 10 years prior. His reaction: “It really helped!”
• Participate in some kind of physical fitness program. Some people jog, walk, play golf, lift weights, dance or do other forms of exercise. The important thing is that you’re doing something. Remember, exercise helps relieve stress and anxiety and enables you to think more clearly. Exercise also releases body chemicals that help keep depression away. If you’re a bit overweight, the extra exercise can help reduce the pounds and simply help you feel better about yourself.
• Watch your diet and eat right. Eat balanced, reasonably sized meals. Excessive coffee can increase tension and appetite. Excessive alcohol can dull your thinking ability (plus add weight). Excessive sweets and sugars can increase tension and irritability.
• View your activity as fulfilling your “job requirements.” Except now your job is to find a new position in another company as quickly as possible.
• Set weekly and daily goals in terms of contacts to make and research to conduct. Keep a record of your activity. People who devote four to eight hours to their job search per day become “JobGetters” faster than those who devote only a few hours each week. Take time on Mondays to set up these goals, and time on Friday to review your progress.
• Maintain your physical appearance. First impressions are important and you will want to look good. For some this may mean investing in a new interviewing wardrobe. An investment in an interviewing wardrobe can often have a tremendous payback in terms of higher salary in the next position. If finances are a major concern, look for the recycled-clothing shops or job search “closets” that exist in many cities.

*Excerpted from Make Job Loss Work for You by Richard Deems, Ph.D., and Terri Deems, Ph.D.

Selena Dehne is a career writer for JIST Publishing who shares the latest occupational, career and job search information available with job seekers and career changers. She is also the author of JIST’s Job Search and Career Blog (http://jistjobsearchandcareer.blogspot.com/). Follow her on Twitter at http://twitter.com/SelenaDehne.

What did you think of your last interviewer? Did you feel as if you were mortal enemies? Or were you on the same team? I know that can sound extreme, but many people view a job interview as a fight or a competition — a duel of wits. Actually, it’s just a conversation and collaboration to find the best candidate for the job.

So have you ever thought about the job interview process from the interviewer’s perspective? As a job seeker, you are more concerned about yourself and your personal needs. That is natural, but this selfish attitude could stop you from getting what you need and want: a job.

A job interview is like a graceful dance in which two people come together and find out whether they are in sync. There are three main components to all job interviews at any level:

1. Your personal agenda.

2. The company’s agenda.

3. The common ground you both stand on.

Now here is the thing: The interviewer already sees and understands all sides. And if you as the job seeker can see the different sides as well, you could have an edge on your competition. You’ll be able to communicate more effectively about how you can help the company and how you are the perfect fit for the position.

First think about that common ground. What do you and the interviewer have in common? To begin with, you both want to fill the position. You both want to be working rather than looking for that right fit. See yourself as being on the same side as the interviewer. The more you can find out in your research about the company (and the specific interviewer when possible), the more common ground you are likely to find.

Next, think about the motives: yours and the company’s. Have a clear idea about what you are looking for and why you’re well-suited for the job. That sounds obvious, but if you’re coming from a desperate any-job-will-do place, you won’t be convincing.

What is the company’s agenda? There will be specifics for each job, and remember that all companies are looking for two things: flexibility and loyalty.

How flexible are you? Are you willing to take on new tasks to help the company or are you only going to do what is strictly written in your job description? The more you’re willing to grow and stretch as the company grows, the more valuable you will be.

Loyalty also matters. As much as you don’t want to keep looking for a job, a company doesn’t want to keep training new employees. It’s costly to keep replacing and retraining. So if you are loyal by nature, and you want to grow with a company and be there through thick and thin, then you are an ideal candidate.

So is that the end of it? Know what the company wants and mirror it, right? Not so fast! If you don’t have qualifications, or you don’t believe in the mission of the company, be honest and upfront. That will make you memorable, you both will know where everyone stands, and you won’t waste each other’s time. You’re helping the employer find the right person for the job, and if you aren’t it, simply say so.

It might be tempting to say whatever will land you any job, but by lying, you could you get stuck in a job that isn’t right for you and end up looking for a job all over again. What’s even more likely is that you won’t land the job anyway. Your body language, that nonverbal communication, will rat on you. There’s even a TV show on the Fox Network about this very thing, “Lie to Me.” You may lie with your words, but you cannot lie with your body.

So what is your personal agenda? Do you want the job or just the money? When you apply for a job, are you thinking about how you can help the company and whether you’re just what they are looking for? Companies want people who want to work, want to grow, want to help and want to be proactive. If you are such a person, it will show.

So as you prepare and polish for your interview, practice seeing yourself from the other side of the desk, and go in knowing that you and the interviewer are on the same team, simply finding the right match for the job.

During driver’s education courses, you learn what each road sign signifies. The two arrows converging means you need to merge. A squiggly arrow means the road winds. “Left Lane Ends” means, well, the left lane ends.

Sometimes you don’t even need the signs to know what to expect. If you see a flurry of red brake lights, you know traffic is not moving. In an ice storm, if the car in front of you is skidding from side to side, you can bet that the road is slippery.

Job hunts come with their own warning signs, but they’re not typically as blunt as the bright yellow and orange signs posted on the side of the road. Instead, you’re more likely to get context clues, like the brake lights. The interview process is full of uncertainty for a job seeker, and much of the power is in the interviewer’s hands. Sometimes you don’t know if the interview is going well. Other times you’re so nervous you don’t recognize the signs that this company isn’t right for you.

Therefore it behooves you to recognize the warning signs that your job interview is in trouble. Here are 11 warning signs to watch for when interviewing for a job:

1. You’re pretty sure you know how to get to the interview site, but you’re not positive.
Before you can even look for warning signs of a bad interview, you need to get there first. Lisa Fedrizzi-Hutchins is a human resources/compliance administrator who was heading to a job interview earlier this year. She trusted her GPS unit, but realized the directions were incorrect once she was en route. Fortunately she called the company and asked some clarifying questions so that she could arrive at the interview on time.

2. You’re talking more than the interviewer is.
Job seekers shouldn’t dominate more than 40 percent of the conversation, says John M. McKee, founder and CEO of Business Success.

“Because many job seekers are anxious to show that they are the best candidate for a job, they often dominate the conversation with things like never-ending answers or run-on sentences,” he explains. “The interview time may end before they’ve had adequate time to deal with all the questions the interviewer had prepared.”

3. The interviewer’s eyes are on the clock, not you.
As a managing partner at Winter, Wyman and Co., Mark Gleckman knows the importance of an interviewer’s body language.

“During an interview, be an active observer,” Gleckman advises. “Watch your interviewer’s body language — is she glancing at her watch or noticing who is walking by? These could be signs that the interview may not progress to the next phase.” He suggests asking the interviewer if you’ve provided all of the information she was hoping for or if you can offer anything else to get the most out of the interview.

4. The interviewer decides to take a phone call mid-interview.
An interviewer should treat you with the same respect he or she expects. Jennifer Mounce, executive coach and interview adviser for Coach Effect, has heard her share of bad interview stories. One manager stopped an interview to take a 20-minute phone call without warning the interviewee, who was told to stay in the room until it was over. When the call was over, the interviewer resumed with the questions, but his mind was obviously elsewhere.

“Candidates must ask themselves if they want to work for a person who can’t give them their full attention for a short period of time or who doesn’t have the communication and/or social skills necessary to put the candidate at ease, apologize or explain the necessity of the disruption,” Mounce says.

5. The interview feels like a test of endurance.
Mounce also warns of employers who hold marathon interviews that last seven hours. Applicants are not asked if they’d like a restroom break, snack or glass of water. Mounce advises you to think about what the job would be like if the interview is this bad.

6. No one wants to work here.
An insightful question that many job seekers fail to ask is why the position is available. Or, to frame it so that you sound focused on your future with the company, ask where the employee formerly in the position is today. JR Rodrigues, co-founder of JRBM Software, cautions job seekers to watch for companies with a revolving door.

“[If] the hiring manager complains to the interviewee about having had his last three hires quit after only a short term of employment, you should wonder about what is causing such turnover and whether this job is for you,” he says.

7. You’re participating in a questionnaire, not an interview.
Kris Alban, director of strategic partnerships for iGrad, keeps a list of questions in front of him when conducting an interview.

“During a good interview, I will go off-page as certain responses provoke additional questions or I may ask the interviewee to expand on something they said,” Alban says. “If you notice your interviewer just running down their list of questions, then you know that you need to engage them more. I definitely become more engaged when the interviewee accompanies their answer with a story that anchors it.”

8. You get snippy with the administrative assistant.
The interview begins the moment you are on the premises, so don’t save your best behavior for the meeting room. Monique A. Honaman, CEO of ISHR Group and a former HR manager, stresses the importance of good manners.

“I can’t tell you how many times I have heard of job seekers being dismissive to certain individuals, and I know hiring managers often ask the receptionist to provide input on the candidates as well as those more heavily involved in the job interview process,” Honaman says. “It’s not just about having the skills and abilities to do the job; the personality and respect elements are critical, too.”

9. You spend 10 minutes complaining about your last boss.
Honaman also cautions against going negative during an interview. “Job seekers must never talk negatively about a former co-worker or former boss, even if it seems like this negativity is being encouraged,” she warns. “Take the high road. It’s an incredibly small world out there and it’s amazing who knows who.”

10. The company is in financial trouble.
“[If] there is a loud argument in the office of the company you are interviewing at stemming from a creditor who has not received payment for his product or services that were purchased by the company, you need to consider whether this company will be able to pay you,” Rodrigues says.

11. The employer doesn’t keep his or her word.
Rodrigues also warns against employers who tell you one thing but do otherwise. Blatant lies are obvious warning signs, but other subtle ones also hint at trouble. If you were given a timetable during the interview but you haven’t heard anything since, Rodrigues says you might have fallen off of the interviewer’s radar and need to work your way back into his or her view.

Anthony Balderrama is a writer and blogger for CareerBuilder.com and its job blog, The Work Buzz. He researches and writes about job search strategy, career management, hiring trends and workplace issues. Follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/abalderrama.

Your strengths are what you do naturally and well after a lifetime of experience. You don’t even have to think about what you are doing, you just do it. In fact, you may take your strengths for granted, thinking everyone can do what comes easily to you. As a result, you don’t target employers, clients or customers who need your strengths to accomplish their goals.

Examples of strengths are common sense, intuition, eloquence and the ability to get along with people. If you were an employer, client or customer how would these strengths solve your problems? Who besides you would pay for them? How would using these strengths benefit everyone who works with and for you? When you know the answers to these questions you are on the path to passion, the niche in work where you will exceed your expectations.

Start now
Given the likelihood that safety nets like social security, dividends, and savings may not cover expenses when you are older, it is imperative that you start now to find the work that makes the best use of your strengths. It’s not just a matter of if you should follow your passion. You absolutely must find what you love in order to weather the turmoil that will be around for some time to come. The stakes simply could not be higher.

An added bonus is that when you are paid to exercise your strengths you are always looking for ways to improve. As you age you get better and better at your work, increasing your value in the marketplace to the point that you are virtually recession-proof. 

Focus on what you do best
To survive and thrive in a struggling economy focus on what you do best. Don’t allow fear or other distractions to keep you stuck in a career rut. Begin by streamlining your life. Get rid of everything that you no longer need, keeping only what you love and use. Avoid what and who drag you down, including the media’s negative drumbeat. Instead, expose yourself to uplifting influences, art, music, good books, nature and people whose hearts are on their sleeves, not in their bank accounts. Then you can take the small steps that lead to success:

]]> http://www.primecb.com/identify-and-market-your-strengths/feed/ 0 http://www.primecb.com/old-school-job-hunting-techniques-that-still-work/ http://www.primecb.com/old-school-job-hunting-techniques-that-still-work/#comments Tue, 20 Apr 2010 15:01:25 +0000 frontend http://www.primecb.com/?p=1270 By Anthony Balderrama, PrimeCB.com writer

Nostalgia for better days is nothing new. The world as a whole was a better place back in your day, wasn’t it? The music, your family, manners, society — they really knew how to do things right. At least, that’s what you hear. Depending on what you’re talking about, the past might have been better. In other regards, it might have been worse.

When you talk about the process of finding a job, the biggest changes have come from technology. Once upon a time you couldn’t look at listings online. You needed a newspaper. You couldn’t save 20 different résumés on your computer. You had to type each one out on a typewriter.

Technology has certainly made some tasks easier, but are job seekers relying too much on it? We asked some experts if they thought any job seekers were doing themselves a disservice by ignoring some old-school techniques. While no one thinks you need to toss your online tools aside, they suggest you go back to the basics to boost your chances of getting the job.

Here are the tried and true job search techniques you shouldn’t forget about:

A good follow-up
“The tactic that I see falling into disuse is the personal follow up on a résumé submission … One of the best jobs I ever had came about because I persisted. Years after the president of the company and I became good friends, I asked him why he hired me, initially. He said ‘You kept coming back. I could really tell you wanted the job.’

“In today’s world, the line of distinction between persistence and stalking or being annoying is tough to define, but a candidate who is able to demonstrate or indicate that he or she wants the job more than other, equally qualified candidates gets a real edge.” - Bruce Campbell, vice president of marketing for Clare Computer Solutions.

A personal touch
“Twitter, Facebook, etc are about expanding your reach. The old reliance on networking and accessing the hidden job market remains the same. The advantage of being referred by an employee remains the same. The interview process, which is still live and focused on specific examples and bottom line results, is still the same. The need to negotiate by understanding your prospective employers concerns and constraints remains the same. The new stuff is in addition, not instead of the basics.” – Caroline Ceniza-Levine, career expert, writer, speaker and co-founder of SixFigureStart

Solid application materials
“Job seekers who network and stay top of mind with employers still have the best chances. People who present clear résumés focusing on relevant skills and accomplishments get noticed first. Social networking is great for lead generation, but without a solid résumé as your calling card, you won’t go very far.” – Tony Deblauwe, founder of HR4Change.com

“Write a stellar cover letter tailored to a specific job or company. This is your time to shine, don’t recycle old cover letters. Send something that is unique to this job and this company.” Frank Dadah, general manager for Winter, Wyman and Co.

Informational interview
“One job search tactic that will never be a bad idea is the informational interview. In a nutshell, this is when candidates ferret out key decision makers at the companies they want to work for and set up brief meetings with them. It can be intimidating to do this, but on the other hand the worst that could happen is that they say no. If they agree to the meeting – which can be at their office, a coffee shop, anywhere that’s convenient for them – you have a golden opportunity to meet a decision maker and make yourself stand out from the applicant field.” – Mandy Minor, executive-level resume writer for J Allan Studios

Recruiters
“Sadly recruiters are often forgotten and people forget to cultivate relations with them until they need a job. I maintain relations with recruiters by e-mailing them, sending them friends.” – Steven Savage, writer, blogger and author of “Fan To Pro: Unlocking career insights with your hobbies”

Thank you notes
“Old fashioned etiquette and the writing of a thank you note to each person involved in the interview process will help distinguish you from the other applicants. There may not be statistics to quantify this fact, but for each person considered for a position, the final decision often reaches beyond the best set of skills, to person-to-person considerations. Exemplifying that you, as the candidate, are a person who is considerate and knows the rules of etiquette (appreciation and respect for others) can put you into the “hired” category. Write this and mail it the day of the interview.” – Sandra E. Lamb, career, lifestyle and etiquette expert and author of “How to Write It”

“Definitely a thank-you letter. Notice I said ‘letter’ and not ‘e-mail.’ Big difference. A handwritten letter will not only set you apart from most other applicants, but employers will also be pleasantly surprised that you took the extra effort to write a personalized note rather than sending an e-mail template.” – Kris Alban, director of strategic partnerships for iGrad

Anthony Balderrama is a writer and blogger for CareerBuilder.com and its job blog, The Work Buzz. He researches and writes about job search strategy, career management, hiring trends and workplace issues. Follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/abalderrama.

You don’t need a Ph.D. to conduct a successful job search campaign. Achieving your career goals requires an organized strategy and disciplined approach. Below are six tips to help you search smarter, not harder.

Sell your value.
What makes you unique? How will your strengths, skills, and accomplishments solve prospective employers’ problems? Determine your Unique Value Proposition (UVP) and use this information as an integral part of your personal marketing plan. Consider every document (resume, biography, business card) or face to face meeting (networking, interview) as an opportunity to communicate your value and address strategic business needs.

Energize yourself.
Searching for a job can be exhausting if you do not have a plan to reenergize yourself. Staying motivated and on task is easier when you develop a practical plan and stick to it. Arrange a daily schedule that is feasible and fits into your lifestyle. Determine how many days and hours a week you will invest in your search and create a document to track your progress.

Activate and build your network.
A strong network can provide you with job leads and information to access the hidden job market. Research shows that more than 60 percent of all jobs are found through networking. Everyone you know or meet and every situation you encounter is a genuine opportunity to grow your network. View every family member, social or business acquaintance as a potential member of your network.

Research your options.
The internet is an excellent place to begin your research. If you want to know more about specific industries, average salaries or educational requirements, visit sites such as http://www.bls.gov, http://www.cbsalary.com, or http://www.hoovers.com/. Employer’s Web sites are another source of valuable information; there you can learn more about key decision makers, products, and services. If you want to speak to someone within a specific company, try searching for them on professional networking sites like LinkedIn, Brightfuse or Ning.

Customize your job search strategies.
You will increase your chances for success if you focus on personal preferences. Select two or three strategies that fit your personality and lifestyle, and build your job search around them. If you like to meet new people, volunteer for an organization or apply for work at a temporary agency. If you are introverted or shy, contact others through social networking sites or alumni associations. Other job search channels you can try are job boards, networking groups, job fairs and trade shows.

Harness your creativity.
Market yourself with imagination. Five years ago, job applicants would print their resumes on colored paper to get an employer’s attention. Today, employers want to hire qualified applicants who know how to present their value. Producing project portfolios or video résumés are two original ways to showcase your candidacy.

Whichever method you choose, conduct your job search in an organized, targeted and creative manner. And remember the adage, “Success is the end result of creativity and all of the hard work around it.”

Debbie Shalom, the owner of Amazing Resumes and Coaching Services in Baltimore, MD, is a Certified Career Management Coach and Master Resume Writer. Recognized for being a talented author, speaker, and entrepreneur, she guides her clients to achieve career satisfaction, financial security, and personal fulfillment. Debbie can be reached at http://www.amazingresumesmd.com/.

Age discrimination. Ask any baby boomer who’s been job hunting for several months and they’ll likely tell you a personal horror story. Although the practice is illegal, many over-40 job hunters report that an employer was excited about them as a candidate until they met in person, and then once employer saw they were older, the employers seemed to immediately change their minds leaving the older candidate with the sneaking suspicion that their age had everything to do with not getting hired.

Can age discrimination be hampering your job search? According to the survey results of hiring managers (conducted and published in my new book “Over 40 & You’re Hired”), many employers reported that they believe that someone under 40:

• will work for a lower salary
• may seem more eager
• shows more initiative
• has a “fire-in-their-belly” success attitude
• better computer skills
• seems more adaptable
• less old fashion or struck in their ways

My advice: Don’t look old!

And I’m not just referring just your image. Your résumé, cover letter, networking approaches and your personal presentation and how you perform in the interview all must show your have a lot to contribute.

I had one 69-year-old client, Mary*, who came to see me for interview and salary negotiations coaching. Her hair was completely white, and her face showed the lines and wrinkles of age. Yet, she was fascinating, vivacious and demonstrated exuberance for life. Her résumé was full of recent accomplishments. She went out to four interviews and got four job offers. Those four employers weren’t rejecting this 69-year-old woman, they were fighting over her. Mary had mastered the secrets to self-marketing and using her strengths and talents to prove to the employer she was an ideal candidate.

That is exactly what you must do to get ahead in today’s tough economy. Here are some key strategies and resources to implement:

1. Advertise recent results

   Employers report that the typical résumé get a 15-second glance. Focus on the last 10 years. State the action you performed and the achieved accomplishments. Stress money earned, costs eliminated or time saved. Productivity enhancements get attention so make sure you note any you’ve made. Be a skillful editor; keep your résumé to no more than two pages.

2. Brighten up

   Too many mature workers show up looking weather worn, tired, defeated, desperate, just plain old and worn out. You must have an enthusiastic attitude that radiates energy to reassure an employer you are ready and able to do the job. Look vibrant and contemporary. A warm smile, a firm handshake and great eye contact are an absolute must. Dress in a fashionable suit in a flattering color and style. Fit is critical — don’t wear anything dated, too tight or too loose. To take some years off your appearance, try a new hairstyle, dye your hair, switch to contemporary eyeglasses, and get your teeth whitened. Men should be clean shaven; women should go light on the make up.

3. Network backwards

   Your professional reputation is really other people’s perception of you, your work strengths, image, passion and personality traits. Track down and network with old bosses, former employees and colleagues. They can outline what you are good at, build your confidence (often necessary after a firing or layoff), and be a terrific link in helping you meet potential hiring managers.

4. Be sharp for the interview

   Your next boss can be younger — maybe a lot younger — than you. Know the challenges and trends in your field. Research not only the company but what its competitors are doing. Take steps to modernize your vocabulary so that you can come across current and flexible. Offer examples of recent accomplishments. Emphasize that you are a quick study and constant learner. Write out answers to potential questions. Rehearse your answers and keep them brief. Employers lose interest fast so never talk more than 60 seconds when responding to a question.

5. If you don’t have it, get it

   Skills and certifications need to be up-to-date. Check job ads and see if you are lacking any skill today’s employers ask for when hiring people for your type of job. Computer skills are essential! If you are over 50, expect to get some questions and even a test on your computer ability. Many employers stated they do not accept what you tell them at face value — they test you. So go to class, read books, use the tutorials and practice using these skills — nothing will make you look older than not knowing how to attach a file to an e-mail.

*Last name withheld at person’s request.

Robin Ryan is a bestselling author of “Over 40 & You’re Hired;” “Winning Résumés” and “60 Seconds & You’re Hired.” A career counselor, she provides individual job search services, résumé writing and interview coaching to clients nationwide. Robin Ryan has appeared on over 1000 TV and radio shows including: Oprah, Dr. Phil, Fox News, and CNN. Find more job search help, her blog, and free newsletter at: www.RobinRyan.com. ]]> http://www.primecb.com/should-you-try-to-look-younger-for-your-job-search/feed/ 0 http://www.primecb.com/6-job-search-mistakes-you-cant-afford-to-make/ http://www.primecb.com/6-job-search-mistakes-you-cant-afford-to-make/#comments Mon, 05 Apr 2010 19:38:43 +0000 frontend http://www.primecb.com/?p=1250 By Dr. Paul Powers, psychologist, author of “Winning Job Interviews” and “Love Your Job!”

In any economic climate, job hunting is nobody’s idea of fun. And with the growing number of folks hitting the bricks these days, it seems the task is getting even harder. But that’s not precisely true, because the actual job-hunting strategies and techniques remain the same in any climate. What is bothersome, however, is that the process is likely to take longer. This leads to increased stress: financial stress, physical stress, emotional stress and family stress.

Most people do not perform at their best in stressful situations. They get tired more quickly, they get frustrated and run out of patience, and they make mistakes. Here are six job-hunting mistakes frequently made during a recession.

Mistake No. 1: Feeling entitled
In the new economy, your stellar background, great track record, prestigious degree and glowing references guarantee you nothing. The new employment paradigm is, “What have you done for me lately?” You must be constantly developing your skills and talents, broadening your interests and driving your career development. If you don’t, you may well be left behind.
Mistake No. 2: Focusing on yourself, not the employer
Spend your time finding out which of a potential employer’s needs are unmet instead of touting your brilliance. Saying, “I need a job” is irrelevant and depressing; that’s your problem and has nothing to do with why this organization is hiring. Uncovering an employer’s problem areas demonstrates your bona-fide interest, and offering your solutions demonstrates your critical thinking, creativity and approach to problem solving. This is how to get hired.

Mistake No. 3: Taking rejection personally
Face it; there are a lot of jobs you are not going to land. Use rejection as an opportunity to assess and build your job-hunting skills. Evaluate what you could have done better in your research or interview or with your follow-up. If you aren’t getting rejected regularly, then you either aren’t working hard enough to get your foot in the door or you’re applying for jobs beneath your capabilities. No employer makes a decision not to hire you; they make a decision to hire someone else who did a better job of selling himself or herself into the position.

Mistake No. 4: Focusing on your age
It is human nature to focus more on one’s perceived weaknesses as opposed to one’s strengths. This is especially true for people in the job hunt. Younger folks worry about not having enough experience; older folks worry about looking overqualified. If you don’t want a potential employer to focus on your age, make sure you focus on what strengths you bring to the party: energy, track record, endurance, patience, technology skills, people skills, creativity and work ethic. Sell yourself based on what you have.

Mistake No. 5: Looking for a silver bullet
Some job hunters swear by recruiters; others by online job postings. The latest buzz is that social networking sites are making all other job-hunting techniques obsolete. There is no one best way to job hunt. If you want to increase the effectiveness of your job search, you must spend more time on it and use every technique in the book. This means answering print ads, responding to online job postings, contacting recruiters, cold-contacting potential employers, networking your brains out and using social networking sites to pursue all of these strategies. Sorry, there are no silver bullets or genies in a bottle.

Mistake No. 6: Absorbing too much news
Yes, there’s a recession. Yes, a lot of folks are out of work. And, yes, finding a job is a hard job in and of itself. But, no, the sky is not falling. And yes, if you work hard and long enough at it, you will land a good job. The media’s motto is, “If it bleeds, it leads.” Bad news is their stock in trade. You will never see a story about company hiring back 10 workers or a person who landed a great job after a rigorous job hunt. A regular diet of bad news will convince you that no one is hiring (untrue), that you should avoid employers that have had layoffs (bad strategy) or that maybe you should just move to China (bad idea unless you speak Mandarin). Get out, have some fun, work at keeping your energy and spirits up, and network with optimistic people.

Eventually this recession — like all recessions — will really be over and you’ll be better prepared for (gulp) the next one.

Dr. Paul Powers, psychologist, executive coach, career expert, and noted conference speaker is the author of “Winning Job Interviews” and “Love Your Job!” For a free subscription to his “LifeMap” newsletter, visit www.drpaulpowers.com.

A good recruiter can be worth his or her weight in gold to a job seeker. Good recruiters have access to jobs and information about the market, and they can even give you advice that will improve your chances of getting interviews and offers. Many job seekers find working with a recruiter to be challenging, but it doesn’t have to be.

The following four ways to work more successfully with a recruiter may help you with your job search:

1. Understand what recruiters do
Recruiters work for their clients because the client pays the bill — they don’t work for their candidates. If you understand this dynamic, you can use it to your benefit. The recruiter’s relationship with the client means that he typically has access to inside information. Listen to a recruiter’s advice very carefully when it comes to résumé changes, interview coaching, etc. This advice is given to candidates because recruiters know what will maximize a candidate’s chances of getting an offer.

2. Work with the best recruiters
To find the best recruiters, start by asking colleagues for referrals. Also try to identify recruiters who specialize in your job field, geography, career level, etc. Recruiters want to work with marketable candidates, and that means you want to talk to recruiters who specialize in your discipline.

Once you have found a recruiter, don’t be afraid to ask her about her experience, process and approach to the job search. Recruiters are not obligated to work with you as a candidate, nor are you obligated to work with them. Recruiters will be highly selective about whom they work with, and so should you. A recruiter works for her client, but she is also representing you, so make sure you are comfortable.

3. Work with them, not against them
If you have little or no experience working with recruiters, you may be put off by some of the questions they ask. Understand that recruiters need a detailed and thorough understanding of your background, education, work history, compensation, etc. A recruiter may even ask you if you have a criminal history, bad credit or an arrest record. It is best to answer these questions openly and honestly. If you have some skeletons in the closet, it does not mean that the recruiter won’t work with you. On the contrary, the recruiter may be able to offer advice on how to handle sensitive subjects (such as a drunken-driving charge).

You should also openly share feedback with the recruiter throughout the search process. Honestly discuss your career goals, salary expectations, feedback from interviews, level of interest in a given job, etc. The more the recruiter knows about what makes you tick, the more likely he is to find you a job that is a good fit.

4. Even if you are not actively looking for a job, talk to a recruiter If talking to a recruiter when you are not looking for a job seems pointless, I can assure you it is not. The most valuable candidates to a recruiter are those who are not actively looking for work.

If you consider a recruiter’s point of view, the reason for this is clear. First, employers generally consider employed candidates more favorably than those who are unemployed. Right or wrong, gainful employment suggests that the candidate is good at what she does and relatively stable. Second, a passive candidate means less competition for the recruiter, thereby maximizing the recruiter’s chances that he can earn a placement fee. Conversely, if you contact a recruiter when you are actively looking for a job, the recruiter knows that his chances of placing you are minimized because of other competition.

Finally, and most importantly, a good recruiter can be your eyes and ears on the job market when you are too busy to pay attention for yourself. If a recruiter understands your background and goals, he can contact you if and when a potential opportunity arises. When you have a job that you like, you are probably too busy to keep up on the job market. A recruiter can keep you connected to the market so you don’t miss out on a potentially great opportunity.

David Staiti is a vice president and practice manager at The Charles Sterling Group. David manages the firm’s accounting and finance executive search practice.

Two years after the start of the recession, the unemployment rate is still near double digits, which translates to millions of Americans looking for work. For every open job, employers have dozens or even hundreds of applicants eager to get hired. Yet many employers insist that finding qualified candidates is difficult, even in this economy. How can that be?

These employers don’t have a shortage of applicants — they have a shortage of qualified applicants. For most positions, the necessary skills, experience and education requirements are firm and can’t be loosened because of a lack of suitable candidates. Bad economy or not, employers need to know their workers are the best possible people for the job.

A good worker is hard to find
“These jobs were difficult to fill prior to the economic downturn,” says Julian L. Alssid, executive director of the Workforce Strategy Center in New York. “Hopefully, they will be less difficult to fill as we move more toward a more demand-driven work-force development system in the U.S. This means local employers working directly with community colleges, trade schools and other post-secondary institutions that help people gain skills that are in demand by employers.”

Education is an invaluable asset for any applicant, but as many job seekers can attest, it isn’t the only prerequisite for employment. When employers are choosing the right candidate for their organizations, they want to see years of experience and an education that isn’t outdated. As you can imagine, any worker who falls at extreme ends of the spectrum — such as a new graduate or an industry veteran — can be at a disadvantage. New graduates know the latest research and technology, but they don’t have the years of firsthand experience that employers value.

“We do hear employers complain that younger workers fresh out of school often lack a practical understanding of how to apply what they have learned in their classrooms to the workplace,” Alssid says. “That said, we have heard from several experienced workers that they feel they are losing out on jobs to younger — less costly — candidates.”

Education matters
Don’t mistake a need for experience as a reason to dismiss education. The problem is that job seekers have to take responsibility for their education because many employers no longer have the time and budget to groom new hires.

“Employers seem to be less willing to invest in training in this economy. Again, it is the combination of the right credential and practical experience they look for,” Alssid says.

Take the initiative to improve your credentials so employers see a candidate they’re ready to hire now.

“Many job seekers can make themselves more competitive by getting industry-recognized credentials that are valued in today’s workplace,” Alssid says. “In many cases, that might mean a short-term certificate, not another college or graduate degree.”

But many employers are ready to hire.
“We hear about the skills shortage from industries including health care, advanced manufacturing, IT and energy,” Alssid says. Although no specific job title is in constant need, any positions relying on math and technical expertise are consistently difficult to fill. “I have heard from several advanced manufacturers that they would hire engineers and engineering technicians in a heartbeat.”

Supporting his assessment is the Bureau of Labor Statistics, which expects biomedical engineers and network systems and data communications analysts to be the fastest-growing occupations between 2008 and 2018. As a result, job seekers who are applying to these fields and who have the qualifications need to put their experience and skills front and center. In the cover letter, résumé and interview, don’t let hiring managers forget that you already have the skills they need. After all, you are just one job seeker in a competitive market; show employers that you’re different from the rest.

Anthony Balderrama is a writer and blogger for CareerBuilder.com and its job blog, The Work Buzz. He researches and writes about job search strategy, career management, hiring trends and workplace issues. Follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/abalderrama.

For the past two years, as job growth has gone from nonexistent to lackluster, workers and job seekers have been waiting to hear good news. Job seekers on all fronts want good news. Unemployed job seekers need to pay the bills and get back in the work force. Employed job hunters want to get out of dead-end jobs and earn competitive salaries. College students on the verge of graduating are eager to embark on a career and use the education they accumulated over the past four years.

The job seeker situation can be summarized in one word: frustrating.

The economy is recovering, but the recovery is slow. If you’re in need of a new job, it’s too slow. You can’t wait several years until things are back to their pre-recession levels. Fortunately, the Bureau of Labor Statistics has identified 20 jobs that are expected to grow rapidly between now and 2018. These occupations are in high demand now and are expected to continue on this trajectory for the next decade.

Here are the 20 fastest-growing occupations between 2008 and 2018*:

1. Biomedical engineers
Percent change: 72 percent
Number of new jobs: 11,600
Annual median salary: $77,400
Why they’re growing: As the population ages, demand for new health-care equipment designed by biomedical engineers will increase.

2. Network systems and data communications analysts
Percent change: 53 percent
Number of new jobs: 155,800
Annual median salary: $71,100
Why they’re growing: Companies will continue to upgrade technology (such as networks) and will need to expand their IT workforce.

3. Home health aides
Percent change: 50 percent
Number of new jobs: 460,900
Annual median salary: $20,460
Why they’re growing: As the population gets older and lives longer, home health aides will see a rise in demand.

4. Personal and home care aides
Percent change: 46 percent
Number of new jobs: 375,800
Annual median salary: $19,180
Why they’re growing: The aging population will require more medical attention, often at home rather than in medical facilities.

5. Financial examiners
Percent change: 41 percent
Number of new jobs: 11,100
Annual median salary: $70,930
Why they’re growing: Financial institutions are under increasing watch by the government and will continue to be for the next decade, which provides many new opportunities for financial examiners.

6. Medical scientists, except epidemiologists
Percent change: 40 percent
Number of new jobs: 44,200
Annual median salary: $72,590
Why they’re growing: Advances in biotechnology have created new opportunities for medical scientists over the past two decades and are on track to continue.

7. Physician assistants
Percent change: 39 percent
Number of new jobs: 29,200
Annual median salary: $81,230
Why they’re growing: Health-care facilities will use physician assistants to ease some responsibilities from physicians who are being given heavier workloads.

8. Skin care specialists
Percent change: 38 percent
Number of new jobs: 14,700
Annual median salary: $28,730
Why they’re growing: Spas and other cosmetic centers are expanding at a fast pace and skin care specialists are some of their most in-demand employees.

9. Biochemists and biophysicists
Percent change: 37 percent
Number of new jobs: 8,700
Annual median salary: $82,840
Why they’re growing: Continued advances in biotechnology create opportunities for new research and development careers.

10. Athletic trainers
Percent change: 37 percent
Number of new jobs: 6,000
Annual median salary: $39,640
Why they’re growing: As Americans focus on preventative health care and organizations support these efforts, athletic trainers will see an increase in responsibilities and job opportunities.

11. Physical therapist aides
Percent change: 36
Number of new jobs: 16,700
Annual median salary: $23,760
Why they’re growing: In general, all physical therapy services will be in higher demand, and the need for aides will rise along with them.

12. Dental hygienists
Percent change: 36 percent
Number of new jobs: 62,900
Annual median salary: $66,570
Why they’re growing: Due to the aging population and an increased emphasis on health care, dental health services will create more opportunities for dental hygienists.

13. Veterinary technologists and technicians
Percent change: 36 percent
Number of new jobs: 28,500
Annual median salary: $28,900
Why they’re growing: The need for technologists and technicians will outpace qualified candidates who are graduating from institutions, creating an increased demand.

14. Dental assistants
Percent change: 36 percent
Number of new jobs: 105,600
Annual median salary: 32,380
Why they’re growing: Due to an aging population and better preventative dental care habits for adults and children, dental assistants will see rapid growth in the coming decade.

15. Computer software engineers, applications
Percent change: 34 percent
Number of new jobs: 175,100
Annual median salary: $85,430
Why they’re growing: Advances in technology and a continued reliance on computer networks ensure organizations of all industries will need software engineers.

16. Medical assistants
Percent change: 34 percent
Number of new jobs: 163,900
Annual median salary: $28,300
Why they’re growing: Medical assistants will increasingly assume some health-care provider roles in order to alleviate the increasing demands of physicians.

17. Physical therapist assistants
Percent change: 33 percent
Number of new jobs: 21,200
Annual median salary: $46,140
Why they’re growing: As the population ages, many people will turn to physical therapy for an increased quality of life.

18. Veterinarians
Percent change: 33 percent
Number of new jobs: 19,700
Annual median salary: $79,050
Why they’re growing: Pet owners are willing to spend more money for the health and well being of their pets, thereby putting veterinarians in high demand.

19. Self-enrichment education teachers
Percent change: 32 percent
Number of new jobs: 81,300
Annual median salary: 35,720
Why they’re growing: The types of coursework offered in this field are expected to broaden and create new positions for teachers.

20. Compliance officers, except agriculture, construction, health and safety, and transportation
Percent change: 31 percent
Number of new jobs: 80,800
Annual median salary: $48,890
Why they’re growing: Compliance officers are one of the fastest growing occupations due to tighter restrictions and more scrutiny on financial institutions.

*Growth rates and salary information for all occupations based on data from the BLS.

Anthony Balderrama is a writer and blogger for CareerBuilder.com and its job blog, The Work Buzz. He researches and writes about job search strategy, career management, hiring trends and workplace issues. Follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/abalderrama.

A certain television station likes to pitch its programming with the slogan: “It’s not reality it’s actuality.”  It’s an interesting statement, although a bit confusing — much like today’s job market.

The reality is if you read a variety of articles or talk to a group of “experts” you’ll actually get a broad range of opinions about the current state of the job market.

The National Association for Business Economics reported statistics indicating there has really only been a marginal increase in jobs due to the stimulus money. However, government reports have shown job losses have actually slowed throughout country for the past four quarters.

If we flip over to the recruiter community to look at the Recruiter Confidence Index, 53% of the industry is confident the job market is picking up. However, if you’re actually waiting for your phone to ring from a recruiter with a job offer, the reality is, you’ll be out of work for a very long time.

A 2009 ExecNet survey polling over 8,000 professionals provides an interesting perspective from the trenches.

• Only 5% of companies polled are still cutting back or have hiring freezes. Many “cut back too far”, with 14% adding positions and 57% looking to “trade up.” Why are so many companies looking for top talent? With so many really qualified people out of work, they can eliminate marginal players and upgrade experience and performance.  These numbers are actually up significantly from this time last year.
• Companies have taken their focus off of retention. The reality of this shift will be a different kind of bail-out with disgruntled employees “jumping ship” once the economy becomes more stable. The irony is that this turnover will place more of an emphasis back on retention making the job you land more stable.
• There are expanding industries: health care and clean/green technologies lead the pack in opportunity with energy, pharma/med/biotech and environmental-related industries rounding out the top five.

So what does this really mean for you?  What do you have to do to get employed – now?

Here are a few tips that actually work so you can too:

1. Be positive and action-oriented.
   Shake off the fear, dump the negative perceptions and get to work on your search. You’re still the same competent, skilled and experienced person you were when you had a job. So print up some business cards using your expertise as your title and start networking. You could be a handshake away from your next great success.

2. Get comfortable as an expert.
   There is something you do really, really well and probably enjoy doing more then anything else. Run with it. Mrs. Fields was an expert in cookies. She was never nominated for the Nobel Prize but she made a big batch of money.

3. Be relevant.
   No one cares what you’ve done for the past 20 years. Everyone cares about what you can deliver in today’s economy, industry and market. Tell them in simple, concise, personable language. Dump the jargon and be authentic.

4. Be solution-oriented.
   Forget about the laundry list of responsibilities you’ve had. Talk in terms of bottom-line results. Be the “aspirin for their headache.”

5. Be a master networker.
   There are no short cuts. This is still the best and fastest way to get employed. Create a profile on LinkedIn or Brightfuse and join some groups related to your expertise and interests. Interact with groups, associations and other industry experts you can become aligned with. Go to networking meetings each week and be actively engaged. Give and get business cards and follow up with the objective of building relationships. Offer assistance, provide value and make introductions. The more you give, the more you will receive. Remember, people help and hire others they know, like and trust and this takes time. So speed it up and whatever you’re currently doing – double your activity to reduce time in search.

6. Be focused, proactive and strategic.
   Set objectives for each week and break them out to daily activities. Create a target list of companies where you’d like to work and network your way in. ExecuNet reported that 58% of hires last year were for existing positions. That means 42% were newly created jobs (otherwise known as the hidden job market) and landed by people who acted on this strategy.

7. Be aligned with people and resources that can help you.
   Get a coach; create an advisory board of positive, connected peers; and build a strong diverse network and nurture long-term relationships.

8. Be smart.
   Do your homework and conduct research so you can make fact-based decisions about your career to ensure you’re actually working with reality not hype. Just yesterday I actually met five people over 50 who had landed great jobs … really.

Jeannette Kraar, CEO of Performance Management International is an executive career coach, author and speaker. Contact her at www.jkraar.com and follow her on Twitter at http://twitter.com/jkraar

It’s no secret that finding a job in this economy is difficult at best. Since the recession hit in 2007, the U.S. Department of Labor reports there are now more than 15 million unemployed Americans facing the loss of their homes, savings and sanity. The latest numbers show an unemployment rate of 10 percent, but that number doesn’t take into account the job seekers who have become discouraged. Economists are predicting a slow recovery for 2010; so what can you do to sharpen your competitive edge?

Narrow your search
Throwing your résumé out to every outlet, headhunter and Web site is called “spraying and praying.” Looking for a job is like dating. You need to be discerning about whom you give your résumé to. Putting yourself out there to everyone and anyone can make you look desperate. Look within your industry, but also look at the industries and sectors that are expanding: education, health care, hospitality and energy.

Tailored to fit
Let’s face it, you are not perfect for every job, but the goal here is to get your foot in the door. Let your qualifications on paper stand out to employers. Before you hit the send button or stamp your envelope, make sure you research the company and position you’re hoping to fill. You can highlight your experience and tailor it to complement the prospective job. This is not about lying on your résumé; this is about showcasing your talents and qualifications for the open position.

No means maybe
Looking for work is work. This is not for the faint of heart, and chances are that with such a saturated market, you may never know why you didn’t make the cut or get the interview. This is about persistence, being able to be your own PR agency and not taking rejection personally. Some of the greatest minds and inventors have been rejected and experienced failure time and time again before they made it.

· Don’t take it personally – It’s not about you. Let it go and move forward.
· Look at the lesson — Maybe you blew it on the interview or your résumé wasn’t up to par. Take the lesson and make it different the next time around.
· Take it as experience — Look at the rejections and passes you received from past job hunts. Did you give up? Did those rejections define you? Did you survive and, better yet, did you find a job that was a better fit? “No” doesn’t mean “never.”

Practice your pitch
You’ve heard this before. You walk into an elevator and the CEO of the very company you have been hoping to work for walks in with you. You have until the seventh floor to persuade him to give you an interview. What do you say? This is why you need your elevator pitch, because you never know when or where you may run into someone who asks what it is you do or what you’re looking for. You want to be direct and concise and pique their interest.

Never give up
I am not a Pollyanna and I’m not expecting you to be one either. You are facing a tough market, and your courage and strength during this near impossible time is to be commended; but no matter how bad you feel or how discouraged you become, you must do something every day to reach your goal of getting that job. A phone call, a connection, a networking event, even using social networking as a way to let your friends and associates know you are looking and what you are qualified to do. No one will knock on your door and hand you the job of your dreams; this is something that you will have to make happen on your own.

It may seem like a waste of time to apply for a position that, at least on paper, doesn’t exactly match your skills and experience. After all, many job seekers can’t even get a hiring manager’s attention when they do appear to be a perfect fit.

But if you believe you’re capable of performing a job well despite the fact that your background doesn’t completely align with the requirements of the position, there might still be hope. You need to consider yourself from a hiring manager’s perspective and build a case that shows why you’re the best person for the position. Following are some tips:

1. Don’t waste their time
First, make sure your background meets at least the most basic criteria for the position. If the job requires expertise in three specific software programs, for instance, and you are familiar with only one, don’t apply. But if candidates should possess seven years of experience, and you have five, an employer might consider your application. Keep in mind, however, that some firms simply will not interview you if you don’t meet every requirement, no matter how close your qualifications are. After all, companies still can afford to be picky.

2. Find an inside connection
One of the best ways to get your foot in the door when you’re a near fit for a job is by getting a referral from someone who can speak to the hiring manager on your behalf. Ask those in your network if they — or someone they know — can provide an entrée into the firm. Social networking Web sites such as LinkedIn and Facebook can be especially helpful in uncovering individuals who may have an “in” at your target firm, but be judicious when requesting assistance. You should have established trust and credibility with anyone you ask to go to bat for you.

If you can, try to leverage your contacts to arrange a meeting with the hiring manager. Sometimes, all it takes to get a chance at the job is a face-to-face meeting where you can make your case directly. This allows you to establish a rapport with the employer and demonstrates your enthusiasm for the position.

3. Address concerns upfront
Instead of hiding any shortcomings you possess, acknowledge them. For example, if you’re overqualified for a position, use your cover letter or the interview to explain why the job nonetheless appeals to you. Perhaps after managing a large team of employees for years, you’ve decided you’d prefer to do more hands-on work as an individual contributor and not oversee others. Or if you’re a bit underqualified, you might note how strength in one area (such as a well-regarded certification you recently earned) could make up for weaknesses in another (your lack of necessary experience, for instance).

4. Highlight return on investment
Hiring managers seek employees who have a track record of saving previous employers time or money. Promote the bottom-line benefits you can offer by highlighting accomplishments in your résumé or cover letter. You could note, for example, how you spearheaded the implementation of a new billing system that saved people time when uploading data, freeing up staff to focus on other critical tasks.

5. Offer a trial run
With some companies only beginning to cautiously add new staff, hiring managers are less likely to take a risk on someone who doesn’t exactly match the job criteria. As a result, you might have to sweeten the deal to persuade an employer to take a chance on you. You might offer to start the job on a project or temporary basis, for instance, with the agreement that you will be brought on full time if certain performance objectives are met.

6. Be truthful
Above all, keep in mind that you should never stretch the truth in an attempt to improve the odds of getting a job. Your lie could easily be uncovered, and you could damage your professional reputation, seriously harming your prospects of finding a job not only with your target firm but also other companies.

Many organizations are willing to take smart risks on seemingly promising employees, but it’s up to you to show them why taking a small leap of faith would be a wise move. By addressing any potential concerns upfront and building a compelling case for yourself, you’ll improve your chances of convincing them that an “imperfect” candidate like you is the right choice.

Robert Half International Inc. is the world’s first and largest specialized staffing firm with a global network of more than 360 offices worldwide. For more information about our professional services, please visit http://www.roberthalf.com/. For additional career advice, follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/roberthalf.

By PrimeCB.com

Going into a job interview is difficult enough, but trying to figure out the meaning behind some questions just adds to the anxiety of job-hunting.

Sometimes seemingly simple questions will have a hidden agenda, but more often than not, the interviewer is trying to gauge your true interest in the company and what value you can bring to its work force.

If asked, “Why do you want to work here?” that’s a perfect opportunity to show the company you’ve done your homework. The interviewer wants details — how does this company stand apart from its competitors, what new products or services are they offering — and this is the moment to shine by having well-researched answers ready to deliver. If possible, mention something you are particularly familiar with about the company that you can link directly to your own work experience and talents.

Even when asked the inevitable “What are your strengths?” find something in your own background that shows the particular talents you bring to this company’s table. Put your strongest qualities into the context of what this prospective employer does and how they meet the company’s goals.

Then there’s the flip side: “What are your weaknesses?” For years, people have been counseled to envelope their “weakness” in an answer that actually makes it sound like a strength. But job interviewers have heard them all, and those answers tend to sound hollow these days. Rather, choose a time when you had to face a significant challenge or adversity — without getting too personal — and tell how you overcame that dilemma and were improved by it. Tell what you learned and how that newfound knowledge benefited you as a professional. People who recognize their weaknesses and show they want to do better are showing a prospective employer they are willing to do their best, even if it means learning from mistakes.

The company wants a team player and an independent worker
When you are asked whether you work better alone or in a team, what they really want to know is how you interact with others and how much direction you need when you’re assigned to work by yourself.

If you use time alone well, are you able to keep your boss posted on your progress at reasonable intervals? Are you good at brainstorming in a group, the one who comes up with rapid-fire ideas? Or are you the person who is likely to mold them into a collaborative effort to find a solution for the challenge at hand? Either alone or in a team, you want to convey that you can interact well with co-workers at various levels of authority, but that you’re a person who can be productive and come up with answers on your own as well.

Remember, an interview is a two-way street, and that’s true where questions are concerned. Be sure to ask questions that show you have researched the company and that you’re aware of current issues faced by the company and the industry it’s in. You need to show an interest in the company if you want it to show an interest in you.

In today’s economy, finding full-time work is not easy. As a result, many job seekers are working part-time and temporary positions, hoping to get hired full time.

Not knowing what she wanted to do after graduating from the University of Delaware with a degree in business administration, Carly Rodgers, 24, decided to pursue her love of horses and take a job with a horse trainer. After a few months, she decided she wanted more than “life in the barn,” so she used the job market to her advantage.

“I figured that many companies were laying off workers because they could not afford them, and this meant they were probably short on hands. I decided that I would offer to work for free, in an internship-type position, so that I could get some experience and add to my résumé,” she says. “I knew I wanted to get into Internet marketing, so I contacted many different companies to see if they would be interested in my help. I was connected to an Internet marketing company and started working for free in April. I worked for free for three months, worked as a paid intern for another month, and was offered a full-time job a month later. I feel really good about where I am now, and would recommend this to anyone out of school looking for more experience.”

A new trend
In 2008, more than 38,600 temporary workers were hired by clients, according to data from Kelly Services, a company that offers temporary staffing, permanent placement, outsourcing and consulting services. In addition, from October 2008 to September 2009, more than 21,000 employees were hired by Kelly clients.

“For an individual searching for a full-time position, one of the most difficult challenges is getting a foot in the door with a prospective employer,” says Jocelyn Lincoln, senior director of marketing for the Americas region at Kelly Services. “Many individuals find that working with a company, such as Kelly Services, helps them connect with the companies where many of these jobs exist. Research shows that many individuals chose temporary employment primarily as a method of full-time job search.”

Although working temporarily doesn’t come with a full-time employment guarantee, there are plenty of benefits, such as availability of jobs, convenience, access to top companies and an expedited job search, Lincoln says.

“Individuals like the flexibility and valuable work experience because they can select their work schedule and choose among a variety of challenging assignments,” she says. “Working through Kelly not only helps people find work, they help start and advance careers. For those entering the work force, returning to the work force or advancing in their career, Kelly can assist in finding positions that match their skills, ambitions and work preferences.”

Success stories
If you’re interested in turning a temporary position into a full-time hire, read the following success stories for inspiration:

“Back around the year 2000, I had just moved to the Boston area and was temping to earn a living. Unfortunately, there were very few temp jobs to be had. In a bit of desperation, I took a job that was about an hour a day where I simply went into the office, watered the plants and read the boss his e-mails over the phone for a week while he was out of town. When he returned, he found a few other things for me to do. I moved up to about three hours a day of general assistant work but it was still on an ‘as needed’ basis. After a couple of months, my hours were gradually increasing. After about a year, we decided to make me an official employee and he gave me a raise so that I would be earning what he was paying the temp agency for me. I was the first employee of the company (besides the owner). My hours and responsibilities kept increasing and by the time I was there for about two years, I was working a solid 35 hours a week. It wasn’t a career I had planned, but I ended up being integral to the growth of the company and was there for a total of about five years. I only left because I moved to the West Coast to get married and be near my family. I must have watered those plants really well!” – Alex Remon, president, MegaMouth Productions

“I freelanced for the two weeks before Christmas and then got hired on Dec. 31, 2009, to start in 2010. I was so thrilled. It worked out great for both of us as I was able to see if I liked the place and they were able to get to know me. It was a win-win [situation] for all and now I have a great job at an amazing PR agency. I couldn’t be [happier.]” – Holly Jespersen, account director, Creative Media Marketing

“I have recently hired three people temporarily with the goal of bringing them full time when sales pick up. For employers, it is the perfect time to snap up talent at a bargain price. When we launch our full line at the Surfaces trade show next month, I hope to bring all three to full time.” – M.H. Hanley, vice president of marketing and strategy, TMP/The Tile Doctor

“I started working at FatWallet.com in June 2009, taking someone’s position during maternity leave. It was a really great opportunity and an awesome company to work for, so I took the temp position. I have always been self-employed and did contract work so I could work on projects from home and be with [my] kids. The girl on maternity leave came back and they still had me finish a project. Then it came the time where they would hire or let temporary people go, and they offered me a full-time position. I was surprised and torn because as a mother of young kids, I didn’t know what to do. I took the job … it is also such a great company that I didn’t want to lose [the] opportunity.” – Laura Smith, marketing and administration, FatWallet.com

“In April 2009, I found myself laid off from my first job in the industry after graduating college. I [found a position] advertised as a temporary, part-time position beginning in mid-October through the end of the year (2009) with the opportunity to possibly come on full-time after. But I knew I had to take the chance. After a successful interview, I was hired and started the following week. I learned a lot working as a part-time employee and was entrusted with a lot of responsibility. I was excited as the end of the year approached with the thought of possibly being made an offer to join full-time. A few days after returning [from a trip to Texas with one of the clients I work with], one of my supervisors called me into his office and handed me an offer letter. I would start my full-time in January [2010]. The transition to full time was easy because I already knew the staff and had developed good working relationships with many of them. I knew my way around and did not feel like a new employee, even though technically I was. There is still a lot to be learned as I have more new tasks to work on now, so in that sense I feel a little like a new employee, asking lots of questions. But, the staff has made me feel welcome as a full-time employee and continues to stop by my office to congratulate me and see if I am getting settled in my new home.” – Lauren Mangnall, program coordinator, Drake & Co.

Regardless of the economy’s state — whether it’s booming or withering — people care about money. It pays the bills, after all. While salary is important, it doesn’t exist in a vacuum. How much you earn often depends on where you live, and where you live affects how far your dollar goes. All of these factors depend on the overall economy, which we all know depends on several other factors.

Right now, everyone is looking for a sign that the future is going to be better than the last couple of years. Executives, analysts, teachers and college seniors and everyone in between want to know they will have a job tomorrow and be able to earn a livable income. No one can predict the future, unfortunately, but we can look to the past for signs of what’s to come.

CBsalary.com looked at the wage growth across the United States from 2007-2008, which is the most recent data available. For the entire country, the average was 3.4 percent, but some cities fared much better (nearing 10 percent increases) and others fared worse (hovering near zero). Although no city showed an actual decline, several showed minimal growth, especially in comparison to other regions.

Whether you’re curious to see if your city is one of the best or worst for wage growth, or you are looking for information before relocating, here are 20 cities with the fastest wage growth and 20 cities with the slowest.

Fastest wage growth:
1. College Station-Bryan, Texas
Wage growth: 9.5%

2. Gulfport-Biloxi, Miss.
Wage growth: 7.2%

3. New Orleans-Metairie-Kenner, La.
Wage growth: 6.8%

4. Redding, Calif.
Wage growth: 5.9%

5. Merced, Calif.
Wage growth: 5.7%

6. Boise City-Nampa, Idaho
Wage growth: 5.5%

7. Dover, Del.
Wage growth: 5.4%

8. Baltimore-Towson, Md.
Wage growth: 5.3%

9. Pocatello, Idaho
Wage growth: 5.3%

10. Jackson, Tenn.
Wage growth: 5.2%

11. Wilmington, Del.-Md.-N.J.
Wage growth: 5.2%

12. Atlantic City, N.J.
Wage growth: 5.1%

13. Casper, Wyo.
Wage growth: 5.1%

14. Lakeland, Fla.
Wage growth: 5.1%

15. Santa Rosa-Petaluma, Calif.
Wage growth: 5.1%

16. Waco, Texas
Wage growth: 5.0%

17. Athens-Clarke County, Ga.
Wage growth: 4.9%

18. Houma-Bayou Cane-Thibodaux, La.
Wage growth: 4.9%

19. Chicago-Naperville-Joliet, Ill.
Wage growth: 4.8%

20. Chico, Calif.
Wage growth: 4.8%

Slowest wage growth:
1. Florence-Muscle Shoals, Ala.
Wage growth: 0.1%

2. Ocala, Fla.
Wage growth: 0.9%

3. Alexandria, La.
Wage growth: 0.9%

4. Kalamazoo-Portage, Mich.
Wage growth: 0.9%

5. Saginaw-Saginaw Township North, Mich.
Wage growth: 1.0%

6. Springfield, Ill.
Wage growth: 1.1%

7. Visalia-Porterville, Calif.
Wage growth: 1.1%

8. Brockton-Bridgewater-Easton, Mass.
Wage growth: 1.2%

9. Waterloo-Cedar Falls, Iowa
Wage growth: 1.2%

10. Decatur, Ala.
Wage growth: 1.4%

11. Dubuque, Iowa
Wage growth: 1.4%

12. Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Wage growth: 1.4%

13. Amarillo, Texas
Wage growth: 1.5%

14. Weirton-Steubenville, W.Va.-Ohio
Wage growth: 1.6%

15. Greenville, N.C.
Wage growth: 1.7%

16. Gainesville, Fla.
Wage growth: 1.7%

17. Victoria, Texas
Wage growth: 1.8%

18. Sheboygan, Wis.
Wage growth: 1.8%

19. Tyler, Texas
Wage growth: 1.8%

20. Youngstown-Warren-Boardman, Ohio-Pa.
Wage growth: 1.8%

Anthony Balderrama is a writer and blogger for CareerBuilder.com and its job blog, The Work Buzz. He researches and writes about job search strategy, career management, hiring trends and workplace issues. Follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/abalderrama.