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Looking for Jobs – Trade Magazines

March 31, 2011 By Leave a Comment

A lot of people who are looking for a job in a specific trade neglect a great resource that can be used in order to help with their search; trade magazines. Trade magazines are available for all sorts of job sectors and as well as being filled with many of the latest and greatest news pieces regarding a certain trade sector, there are also usually a good number of advertisements for jobs.

The reason potential employers would want to advertise for a job opening in a trade magazine is simple, a targeted audience. They know that many people within their very own trade sector will be reading through these types of publications and are far more likely to find them as opposed to looking online where the competition is fierce.

You can take advantage of this fact and gather up as many trade magazines as you can in the different areas that interest you. Just as trade magazines give the potential employer a targeted audience, it also gives you a targeted search. You know that all the jobs you will be looking at will pertain to the specific trades of the trade magazines in which you pick up. This saves you a great deal of needless searching that you might have to otherwise conduct online.

The great thing about searching through trade magazines in order to find a job is that many of these kinds of publications are free. You can find them at businesses that belong to the trade the trade magazine features and they are usually yours for the asking.

Even the ones that do cost money are typically very affordable and also a great resource. While you still want to conduct as much job hunting as you can using other methods, trade magazines are a method you do not want to miss out on.

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Things to Consider Before Taking a New Job

February 17, 2011 By Leave a Comment

When you get a job offer the first thing that you will naturally look at is how much money you will earn. While that is certainly important, as everyone needs money to survive, there are a number of other factors that you should consider before you take any new job position.

Here are some things to consider before you say yes to that new job offer:

  • Growth Opportunities: This is a biggie. You need to be sure that you will have room for advancement where you plan to go to work at. Even if they start you out a decent wage, how good will that wage look in five or six years? Ensuring that you have plenty of room to move up the company ladder will ensure plenty of future opportunities for you.
  • Perks: Will you get any kind of benefits with your new job? Some people will take a job that pays slightly less because the benefits package is so good. Find out what yours is, if any. Things like 401K, company car, health care benefits, and time off are all perks should all be factored into your decision.
  • Compatibility: Don’t get blinded by money. Will you be compatible for the job you will be starting? In other words, will this new job give you personal satisfaction and happiness? Good pay means little if your personal health suffers.
  • Hours: Yes this is an obvious point, but you need to be sure you are okay with the hours you will be expected to work. Make sure that those hours won’t change on a whim and find out how much notice you will be given if the employer does ever plan on swapping your hours around.

Lastly look at the money. Money may make the world go round, but it is also the root of all evil. Less money and a job that you can really sink your teeth into and excel at will do you far better than a job with a little bit higher salary but will only bring you grief.

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Job Hunting Tax Deductions

January 5, 2011 By Leave a Comment

When you are job hunting you will want to keep track of all your expenses that you rack up. Why? Many of the expenses associated with your job hunt may in fact be tax deductable and if you can save a little money in April when Uncle Sam comes knocking, why wouldn’t you?

While not all expenses that you rack up while trying to find a job will be tax deductable, there are always going to be a good number that are. Here are some of the more common tax deductable items related to the job hunt:

•    Resume: If you need to brush up your resume and have to pay someone to help you do so, then you can deduct that at the end of the year.
•    Phone Calls: Any long distance phone calls that you make to potential employers can also be deducted from your tax return.
•    Travel: If you travel to an area and attempt to find employment in the same field that you are currently in or just came out of then you can likely deduct some of these expenses at tax time.

You can find out more tidbits of tax deducting goodness by going right to the source; the IRS. Visit their website and check out Publication 529. Publication 529 is filled with all sorts of allowable deductions related to finding new employment and also lets you know what will not be allowed.

Of course you should always consult with your personal accountant at the end of the year to see what you can and cannot deduct, but no matter what keep your records going. It is better to bring your accountant a pile of receipts and let them tell you what can and can’t be deducted, rather than have no receipts at all for them to look through. While the savings may not be all that substantial, any money saved these days is a good thing.

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Attitude is Everything when Job Searching

November 29, 2010 By Leave a Comment

You know when your mom said to think positive and good things would happen? Well the same holds true when you are searching for a job.

Thinking positive and having a good attitude is the single most important thing you can do for yourself when attempting to find a job. The reason is simple; whatever your attitude is, it will show in an interview.

If you go to an interview and think ahead of time that you stand no chance at getting hired then you are likely to fail. This is because your attitude will be poor and even though you may not see it, the interviewer likely will. Nobody responds well to a person who is down in the dumps with a ‘woe is me’ attitude.

On the other hand, if you approach an interview with a positive attitude and have an upbeat mood while at the interview a strange thing happens. Your good mood can put the interviewer in a good mood because being positive is infectious. As much as people hate to be around gloomy people, they love to be around those who are vibrant and happy.

This may be easier said than done though as you may be experiencing a job searching quest that has lasted for some time now. The worst thing to do is to throw in the towel. If you do not get one job it is probably for the best. Usually when you are searching for a new job, the right opportunity has a way of presenting itself. It may not happen in the time frame that you like, but if you don’t have a positive outlook, that opportunity might pass you by.

Be confident, be happy, and above all else be positive. There is a job out there for everyone and yours may be closer than you think.

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Classic Job Search Method – Hit the Pavement

October 19, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Before there was the internet and the many job posting websites that exist today, a person had to actually go out and make things happen when they were searching for a job. This ‘old fashion’ way of thinking is known as hitting the pavement and although it may be an antiquated method, it is still one that works quite well.

This is not to say that all the modern methods of job hunting don’t work, but if you want to get a job then sometimes you have to work hard and be proactive in order to do so. Here is what you need to do in order to hit the pavement running:

•    Bring Resumes: When you set out on your pavement tour make sure that you bring plenty of resumes that are all accompanied by a well written cover letter.
•    Dress to Impress: The point of getting out and about is to make a great impression. This cannot be done if you dress like a slob. Be sure that your attire is business attire and dress as though you are on your way to an interview, because you never know when a potential employer will have some time to take with you on the spot.
•    Know what to Say: When you walk into a company that you are interested in working for it helps to know what you are going to say. First introduce yourself, then ask to speak with a manager, and then introduce yourself to the manager as you hand them your resume. Explain why you wish to work for them and above all else, keep it short and simple.

Many times a potential employer will view the fact that you are out and hustling to find a job as a sign of how hard you will work if hired. By taking the time to hit the pavement at least a couple of days a week while you are looking for a job your chances of landing a job will increase dramatically and at the very least you will be able to make some strong impressions on some potential employers.

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Finding a New Job While Currently Working

October 14, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Finding a new job is always a challenge and this challenge can be even greater if you are currently working. While you never want to use company time to search for a new job, there are ways to effectively look for a job without having to quit your current job.

The first thing to do when you want to find a new job is to be sure that your resume is up to speed and assuming that it is you then need to distribute your resume. This can be done by posting your resume on many of the job search websites that exists today such as Monster.com, HotJobs.com, and CareerBuiler.com just to name a few. These sites will allow you to post your resume for free and will even let you set up a profile. This allows interested employers to e-mail you if they want more information and this is something you can check in your spare time.

Another technique that you can use to get a new job without quitting the one you have is to use your network. This should start with you preparing a short and concise e–mail stating that you are in fact looking for a new job and what it is exactly that you wish to do. Then send this e-mail to everyone in your social network. While your friends may not have a job for you, they may in fact know someone else who does.

Lastly you can blast out your resume via fax or e-mail to potential employers on your off hours. Even though you will be sending the information when there is nobody at most of these places, chances are they will get it in the morning. Just be sure that you have it somewhere on your resume to contact you at later hours. This avoids your cell phone from going off too much while you are at work.

Whether you are sick of your current job or you just want a change of pace, it never hurts to get your resume out there and see what is available. However, you should extend common courtesy to your current employer and conduct your new job search when you are off the clock and not on. That way you won’t have to ‘quit your day job’ until you are ready to do so.

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Emailing Your Cover Letter and Resume

September 18, 2010 By Leave a Comment

email resumeWhen it comes to getting a job, the name of the game is cover letter and resume distribution. When you think about a fast an efficient way to do this, the first thing that should pop into your mind is e-mail. Not only is e-mailing fast and effective, but it is also able to be done at no cost to you.

When you set out to e-mail your cover letter and your resume you need to make sure that you are following what the potential employer wants. This means finding out if the employer will accept attachments or not and if there is any special information required within the e-mail.

If the potential employer will accept attachments then your cover letter should be placed in the body of the e-mail with your resume then sent as an attachment to that e-mail. However, if the potential employer doesn’t accept attachments then you have to cut and copy first your cover letter and then your resume into the body of the e-mail.

A common mistake that many people make when e-mailing their cover letters and resumes is that they neglect their cover letter. Just because you are in fact e-mailing the cover letter, doesn’t mean that you should give it any less attention that you normally would. Follow the same rules that you would if you were mailing your cover letter and resume and you should be all set.

Additionally, be sure that whatever you type into the body of the e-mail gets a good review and is edited several times for spelling and grammar. Once you have the perfect cover letter formula for one e-mail then you can make that a template and use it for every time you wish to send out your cover letter in e-mail format.

Finding a job is all about exposure these days. The more times your cover letter and resume get viewed, the more your phone will ring with job offers. Make that happen a little faster with the power and speed of e-mail.

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On the Job Hunt – Brush up Your Resume

September 8, 2010 By Leave a Comment

job-huntWhether you are currently unemployed or employed, if you are on the job hunt you need to be sure that your resume is up to the challenge. Many people will use a resume that they have not dusted off in years when attempting to find a job and this is a mistake that can end up costing you big time.

Before you start blasting out your resume to the world you need to be sure that it is not only written well, but that it is up to date as well. This starts with making sure that all of your contact information is in fact correct. This sounds like a no brainer, but you may be surprised as to how many people actually use outdated information on their resumes simply because they did not think to check it over before they sent it out.

Once you have established that all of your contact and personal info is up to date, look at the resume itself. You may read it over and find that it is still as great as you remember and you may also look it over and say, “What the heck was I thinking when I wrote this?” By carefully looking over your resume it gives you an opportunity to add or subtract things that will help the resume read stronger.

Lastly and most importantly, edit your resume over and over again. Spelling and grammar errors will sink your chances of landing a job faster than a ship with holes in the hull. If spelling and grammar are not your forte, then find someone who is good with that sort of stuff and ask for their help.

Once you feel that your resume is back up to par and ready to go out, read it over one last time. While all this precaution may seem like overkill, when it comes to landing the perfect job, you can never be too careful.

Compare resume builders to get an affordable, great looking resume.

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Make the Most of Any Job Fair

August 25, 2010 By Leave a Comment

job fairJob fairs are a great place to go when you are seeking employment, but many people just go to these job fairs and simply think that a job will fall into their laps. This however, is the wrong approach to take when attending a job fair and there are certain things that you can do to maximize the results of any job fair that you attend.

Here are some things to do when you attend a job fair:

•    Be Early: Many employers will be at a job fair, but that doesn’t mean that there will be many jobs available. Some employers may only have one or two openings and if you arrive fashionably late, you may inadvertently cost yourself a good number of opportunities. Remember, the early bird often gets the worm.
•    Bring Business Cards: Even if you are not currently employed you need to bring business cards with you. Simply get some inexpensive business cards made that have all your information on them and this will give you something to hand to potential employers.
•    Bring Resumes: This goes with the last point. Every potential employer you talk to should get a copy of your resume.
•    Dress Appropriately: Dress as though you are going to be interviewed. You only have one chance at a first impressions and that impression will be greatly diminished if you dress in jeans and a t-shirt.
•    Wear Cozy Shoes: Be prepared to walk. Attending a job fair means that you will be doing laps so you want to be sure that your shoes are comfortable. Avoid new shoes as they may give you blisters and women should avoid high heels.

Once you have all the materials you need and are dressed in the proper manner you can head off to the job fair ready to go. Then you simply have to make the rounds and if all goes well decide what offer you like the best and then enjoy your new found job.

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E-Mail Your Way to a New Job

July 29, 2010 By 1 Comment

email resumeSometimes finding a new job is really more about who you know and not so much what you know. Using your own personal network of friends and business colleagues is a great way to land a new job, but is also a method that is not commonly used. Don’t make that mistake, use what you’ve got.

The best way to reach out to as many friends and colleges as possible is through e-mail. Sit down and make a list of every single person you can think of who is in your inner circle. If you do not have their e-mail address then you should call them and get it from them.

Once you have compiled your e-mail list you should then write up a small letter explaining that you are in fact looking for work and be sure to attach your resume to the e-mail. Blast that out to everyone regardless of what industry they are in.

What will happen is that your friends and colleges, who may not even be in the same industry as you, may in fact know someone in their group of friends and colleagues who is in your industry. So essentially you will get your resume e-mailed to many others besides who you initially blast it out to.

It only takes that one right person to see your resume, give you an interview, and then hire you, but if they never get to see your resume how will they ever find out about you? While you may not know who that perfect person is that doesn’t mean that someone you know doesn’t. Your dream job may be closer than you think and only an e-mail away. It may just be someone in your inner circle who can get you the opportunity you need and you can then take care of the rest.

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