Comments on: Get More Creative With Your Job Applications

By: ogame

ogame — Sat, 13 Nov 2010 13:43:00 +0000

Not sure? Then go to some of the job boards, find the job you want, and read the description they give. Take all the key words from that description and rewrite them into your resume.

By: film izleme

film izleme — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 10:54:20 +0000

has most of his artworks collected on Flickr and quite a few of them are also

By: sikiş

sikiş — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 10:53:25 +0000

Did you know that the London based graffiti artist

By: ogame

ogame — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 10:52:29 +0000

A few of the recipients fired back complaints to the sales rep calling the mass email with addresses exposed a “breach of confidence.” Among the complaints:

By: judy

judy — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 07:10:25 +0000

I am also getting very frustrated with sending out resumes and not getting any feedback. I have been out of work since 4/2008 and have only had 2 interviews with companies that misrepresented the job and really wanted me for sales jobs. I have a human resources background so this should not be a problem for me, I would think, but I have done everything I know and still no job. I have already talked to every person I know about any kind of job and am still getting no where. Anyone have any other suggestions?

By: Bob

Bob — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 15:17:57 +0000

There are still a limited number of jobs listed in newspaper classified ads in addition to the digital sites. I have at least gotten the attention of the hiring person at a company in the classifieds, thanks to an old schoolmate who works there. The resume is critical, but having an advocate is even more critical. Networking is also an important part of the equation along with patience, persistence and flexibility. Age has become a significant issue however, so use that by emphasizing the advantages to the potential employer of maturity, mentoring, stability and decision making abilities that may not be found in the under 30 age group.

By: Samantha

Samantha — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 16:28:06 +0000

I’ve had similar issues as Diane and feel that people are looking for someone younger and having 20 – 30 years experience is not necessarily going to get you the job. I inteviewed at something that was a perfect match and just a few feet from my prior position and still didn’t get the job. Also had people in the industry recommend me. I did the same as Diane by being nervous and not answering the questions as well as I should. Very frustrating.

By: Ridge Tolbert

Ridge Tolbert — Sun, 26 Jul 2009 19:57:20 +0000

Just this week I took over a batch of fresh baked (from scratch) cookies to the HR department of a local university where I have submitted for 57 admin positions in the past 18 months. The receptionist happily took the baked goods and ushered me into the office of one of the directors who was more than eager to examine my resume and make good suggestions for a rewrite to hide some of my age-related over-qualifications.

By: Carla

Carla — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 16:34:34 +0000

I would also like an answer to Ann’s question about knowing anyone who has landed a job thru Careerbuilder. I really like Lisa’s idea. Any other great ideas from anyone?

By: Diane

Diane — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 11:06:46 +0000

Good news to hear Chip. I have been unemployed since 5/2008 with a company for 26 years. I am 55 years old and I keep thinking employers don’t want someone 55 they would rather have some 20-30 year old. I had one interview a month ago and was very nervous, I didn’t answer some of the questions as I should have so I am mad at myself for that. I will do better on the next one. Have to stay positive and it will happen. I will succeed.

By: Mark

Mark — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 04:24:52 +0000

Stay positive and don’t get discouraged. We are not doing anything wrong.

By: Frank

Frank — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 22:03:47 +0000

Team, I feel your passion and love the input. I knew I was going to be laid off 9 months ago and scaling the job boards for 3 weeks, since being laid off June 30. I had my first interview last week. The job was from an old friend but he said my application would be sent around and kept on file. So first , I am contacting friends, applying on job websites. Handing out resumes on the street corner sounds like a great idea. I wonder how that would look if you stand in front of another employer’s business. Just hand the resume to the employees as they go to work. If your 62, no degree, with 30 years Management experience, Project, SAP, and Systems Engineering Mgr. experience, any suggestions?

By: Annette

Annette — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 16:39:33 +0000

Created Power Point presentation of resume and cover letter.

By: Dave

Dave — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 14:43:28 +0000

Every employer with a JOB posted on the net hides behind this screen of secrecy with no company name address phone number just a glorified posting of how much I want this job and the same old mumbo jumbo about what the job entails. How do you break the code and set up the first interview let alone the 2nd.

By: Jeanie

Jeanie — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 12:47:38 +0000

To Ann and the rest,

I got my last two jobs through job boards. I just got my b.s. degree in journalism in 2006 (25 years after I graduated high school). I put my resume on all the major job boards. And my last employer called me to come in for an interview. It was not journalism, but it was a job. And it taught me the ins and outs of building and writing for Websites, along with oodles of experience in internet advertising and search engine optimization. Then 2 1/2 years later I got an e-mail alert from Monster for a copy editor, which is my dream job that I’ve been waiting for. I sent in my resume and was offered the position 30 hours later.

Two things to remember:
1) Even if you already have a job, sign up for the daily or weekly job announcement e-mail alerts from all of the major job boards. You can scan all the available jobs in less than a minute. And you never know; you might just see your dream job flash across your screen!
2) When you submit your resume to the job boards, load it up with all the key words that you think an employer might be looking for. Not sure? Then go to some of the job boards, find the job you want, and read the description they give. Take all the key words from that description and rewrite them into your resume. Employers are not reading your resume. They are submitting keywords that will pull up the resumes they are looking for. If your resume does not include those key words, you’re never seen!

One more thing: Don’t turn down a job just because it pays less than what you want. If, that is, that employer can offer you valuable training in and relating to your field. My last job didn’t pay all that well, and that was definitely a pride buster. But I landed a 60% pay increase from that job to this one, due largely in part to the skills I picked up from the last employer!

Good luck!

By: Aimee (60 yrs old)

Aimee (60 yrs old) — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 12:39:32 +0000

Hi there. Been looking for a new position since 3/2008. Experienced with good track record, but I’ve had very few interviews. Have used CareerBuilder-only responses I have had are from Insurance Agencies-advice: don’t post your resume, you’re leaving yourself vulnerable-(doubt if any “legitimate” employer looks there anyway)- As for Craig’sList, I have had responses (mostly from bogus employers), but the few good ones haven’t been successful as I’m applying for out of state and the employers don’t want to wait – quite frustrating. And again-you leave yourself open when you send your resume to “blind” email addresses. There should be stricter laws regulating entities who advertise for jobs to eliminate those who aren’t really employers. Do we out-of-work people need that on top of everything else?

By: Chip

Chip — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 12:12:42 +0000

Ann; Hang in there. I landed a great job from a company based in Florida. I posted on every job board I could find. I am 53 years old and had worked for my former employer for 23 years.

By: Fredi

Fredi — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 12:03:36 +0000

I have 28 years of exemplary customer service experience. I have been unemployed since 11/2007 and after sending hundreds (yes, hundreds) of resumes/applications have only had 3 responses which produced 3 interviews but no job offers. Frankly, I think these job sites are not helpful and waste time that could be better spent pounding the pavement. Just my humble opinion…

By: Suj

Suj — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 00:33:28 +0000

I went to an open house this month. There were 2 admin type or junior HR persons who spends 3-4 seconds sacnning your resume before deciding if you are worth sending to the 2 hiring managers standing at the booth. They spend another 5-10 seconds scanning the 1st page of resume to decide if they want to talk to you. So, rethink about your resumne strategy – you got just 5-10 seconds to sell yourself

By: Beth

Beth — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 00:24:17 +0000

I had a call from a recruiter (and was one of 3 who got an interview–though I don’t know yet if I got the job)–and I assume he found my resume on one of the job boards. However, I know what you mean; it seems like you send your resume into a black hole…over and over (hmmmm, is this crazy?!).