About Career Blog

How to Land a Job in a Recession

Just think of it. Employers are probably receiving hundreds, if not thousands, of job applications far more than what they used to get. Many employers use a college degree as a means to make the first cut. If you’re a college grad, you already have a distinct advantage over other job seekers. However, you will still need to do your homework in order to set yourself apart from the rest. Here are some tips that can help improve your chances of landing a job during a recession.

Network. Network. Network - Whether you like it or not, if you are seeking a real job right now, you have to talk to people. And, more importantly, you have to listen to what they have to say. Take advantage of events that are sponsored by clubs, associations, or groups on campus or around town. Seek out professionals in the career that interests you and solicit their advice. You never know – they may be able to connect you to someone in your field who is hiring.

Swallow hard and work for free – You probably don’t have a spouse, kids or a mortgage just yet. Those big expenses often don’t allow job seekers to explore all their options. So, open yourself up to possibly moving in with your folks or friends and taking an unpaid position, as long as it is in an industry that truly interests you. Unpaid internships sometimes turn into paid positions or lead to other opportunities. But most importantly, you will gain valuable experience in the field that interests you.

Embrace the Internet (if you haven’t already) - Search the Internet to find companies in your field that may be hiring. You can also use social networking sites like Facebook and LinkedIn to find people you may know who work at businesses that interest you. Also, identify acquaintances who may know someone who works at a company in your field and ask for an introduction. You should also research companies to prepare for interviews. And when you have an interview, spend some time on the company’s website researching the people you will meet and the company itself.

Write some blogs & read some too – A great way to brush up on an industry or possible careers is to read blogs. If you regularly read blogs and comment on them, you can begin to develop relationships with people in the industry that interests you. Believe it or not, bloggers often offer tremendous amounts of information and expertise that can help you gain a better understanding of their field. You should also start your own blog about the career you hope to work in after graduation. Use it to post research or events. Add a link to articles or information and offer a personal commentary. And, be sure to include a link to your blog on your resume. It is a good way for employers to learn more about you before an interview.

Take a good look around - Some industries continue to hire even during a recession. Consider alternative careers. Watch employment trends and think about other areas where your talents could be used. There is more than one way to put your skills to work.

Most importantly, be persistent. That job is out there, you just have to find it. Good luck!

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Posted by Seymour Jobs on 10/06/2009 04:53:00 PM
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Summertime Body Building… Your Resume, that is!

Ahhh…summer! The sun and sand await you. But, sometimes it takes some serious work to get that surf-side body in shape. While you’re working on your “six-pack” and soaking up the rays, you might also want to start “body-building” your resume while you have the time and the opportunity. After all, your resume probably needs as much work as your thighs. But, how do you “body-build” a resume?” You do it by incorporating valuable leadership and professional experiences into it. Here are five steps to a leaner, meaner resume:

  1. Nail that internship! An internship can be very valuable to your career – more so than your typical hourly job. Internships are a great way to develop skills, professional networking contacts, and opportunities for future full-time employment. And, if your bank account can handle it, consider an unpaid internship. There are no doubt many more of them in this economy. Also, unpaid internships can sometimes count for academic credit. Many companies need interns throughout the school year, so if your schedule allows it, consider an internship while you’re still taking classes. Online resources such as Indeed, SimplyHired, Monster, CareerBuilder, LinkUp and Craigslist can help.
  2. Volunteer. Giving back is what it’s all about. Service trips through community, school or church groups not only look good to employers, but they provide leadership opportunities. Volunteer for an animal shelter or hospital, tutor local students, or donate time at a food bank, for a charitable organization or church in your area. One good resource is Idealist , an online global directory of volunteer opportunities.
  3. Be entrepreneurial. Employers place tremendous value on employees who are entrepreneurial. They typically have a strong business sense and aggressively look for innovative ways to grow businesses. So, be as creative and entrepreneurially-minded as you can – and emphasize those efforts on your resume.
  4. Get involved in extracurricular activities. Whether you’re still in school or launching your career, actively pursue extracurricular activities that interest you. They can offer leadership experience which, in turn, can help build up your resume. Invest time in these groups, and accept additional responsibility and leadership positions when the opportunities arise.
  5. Embrace social media. If you’re not already, get acquainted with Facebook, Twitter and other social media sites that interest you – especially from a business angle. Start a blog on career-related issues. It’s a great was to brand yourself as a “subject matter expert” – something to sell about yourself in interviews. To launch your own blog, consider using Google’s Blogger and Wordpress.

Finally, after you’ve body-built your resume, “flex your career muscles” and join LinkedIn. It’s a great way to show off that newly toned resume and make some heavyweight connections. Good luck!

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Posted by Seymour Jobs on 8/14/2009 03:21:00 PM
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Should You Consider Taking a Gap Year?

You’ve just graduated from college and you’re thinking about taking a well-deserved break in the action before embarking on your new career. Besides, the current job market pretty much stinks. If this sounds like you, consider doing something meaningful as you explore your alternatives.

A “gap year” represents a prolonged period of time between two stages of life. Taking this time off is commonplace in Europe and Australia where young adults often take a break after high school or college. Graduates are encouraged to use this period to take on meaningful experiences for personal development and exploration before moving on to the next stage of life.

But, is becoming a “gapper” a smart move for you – especially given the current state of the economy? Naturally, it depends. Consider the pros and cons of taking a break.

Pros:

  • You can take this time to save money for grad school, an apartment, or a car.
  • If you’re tired of school, you may not do well in a grad school program without taking a break first – which could save you money in the long run.
  • You can use this time to explore careers alternatives, perhaps by interning.
  • Traveling across the country or abroad will allow you to explore geographical options and other cultures.
  • You can use this time to “give back” to your community by volunteering.

Cons:

  • After taking some time off, you may never want to further your education.
  • You could lose contact with those ever-important networking contacts you’ve accumulated while in school – such as professors and professional mentors.

Many educators believe that the increased focus, maturity and motivation gappers obtain are worth the break in the “job search” action. And, given that good jobs are few and far between right now, it might be a good time to escape from the pressure that has left many recent college grads burned out – the pressure of finding a good job in a bad recession. So if you’re inclined, take some time. This gap in your resume could work to your advantage. Good luck!

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Posted by Seymour Jobs on 7/16/2009 10:57:00 AM
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Free time is wasted time.

As I said before, mediocrity is not a desirable trait in today's workforce. If you graduated college and are having a difficult time finding the job you want, not working is NOT an option. Expand your horizons and think outside the box when it comes to finding your next job. You should be looking for ANY job that can help you gain experience in your desired field. 

Companies may not be hiring for the full-time positions you desire, but they may be hiring for entry-level, part-time positions that can help get your foot in the door and may even lead to future job offers. Interning and volunteer work are options available to you as well. These jobs can be great resume boosters, and can show future employers that even in times of economic hardship, you were still trying to get ahead and further your career.  

Free time is wasted time. Employers don't look favorably on gaps in your job history. Fill those gaps with part-time work that helps you move forward toward fulfilling your ultimate goal of success. 


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Posted by Jen on 5/08/2009 08:12:00 AM
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Have you considered temp work or interning?

Although losing your job may seem like your world is crashing around you, there are many career opportunities waiting in the wings. Instead of looking for a full-time job, you may find more success when looking for temp work or interning opportunities at a company that has room for upward expansion. These jobs can 1) help pay your bills 2) become an impressive addition to your resume and 3) may lead to future job offers. These part-time jobs can give you some additional experience that future employers are looking for.

Remember, just because you have found temp work or internship opportunities does not mean that you have to stop searching for that full-time job. Finding a job is a full-time job, so devoting a significant amount of hours each week to the job search can be very beneficial in the long run.

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Posted by Jen on 4/24/2009 01:15:00 PM
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Failure to Launch: When Your Internship Doesn’t Turn Into a Job Offer…


Many times, internships can be used as a route to full-time employment, but what do you do when your internship ends and a job offer does not present itself?
Rest assured that although internships are great resume boosters and can provide access to new networking opportunities, they are not your only option. Temping offers a paid alternative to internships, while still allowing for you to get the work experience and networking opportunities needed to make a smooth transition into the workforce. Temping also enables you to meet people in your desired industry, to understand the internal workings of a company and to become accustomed to the terminology that is commonly used. The employees you meet can give you advice on what future employers may be looking for, lead you to future job offers, and may even be able to write you a letter of recommendation. It is always a good idea to network and both temping and internships are an excellent way to accomplish this.

With internships it is essential to work hard and make the most out of every opportunity you are given. Show up early and stay late—do whatever your company needs and wants. Basically, go above and beyond. The knowledge that practical work experience brings is not something that can be learned in the classroom, it is knowledge that can only be gained through working in your field. To many employers, education and experience do not go hand-in-hand. So, if you just graduated and have little experience working in your field, temping and interning are ways for you to gain the experience that your future employer desires.

The first hand experience and knowledge that entry-level positions yield can put you one step ahead of your competition. It enables you to go into any interview with confidence because you already know what is expected. You may even be able to offer examples of how you have completed similar tasks in the past or offer fresh alternatives for completing the same tasks.
Remember, there is no such thing as a wasted experience. If your internship does not turn into a full-time job offer, then it has still given you invaluable knowledge, experience and networking opportunities that will help you tremendously when transitioning into the workforce. Also, remember that internships are not your sole option. Temp jobs can be just as helpful, and even if your first temp job doesn’t turn into a full-time employment opportunity, you can keep working with a temp agency to help place you in your next position.
Looking for a temp agency? Check out a Spherion local office near you!

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Posted by Seymour Jobs on 1/09/2009 03:59:00 PM
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I’m Going to Graduate… Now What?

Your college days are quickly coming to an end. You are about to face the real world for the first time. In other words, you’re going to need a real job— pretty scary, huh? If you’re wondering what to do next, you’re not alone. Millions of new grads have been faced with this same exact situation. They survived, and I promise, you will too! Nonetheless, there are things that can be done in preparation to help make your transition into the working world a little less jolting.

Like most grads, I’m sure you’re thinking that a great resume is going to take you places. While that’s true for the most part, it’s the substance (not the fluff) that determines the greatness of a resume. These days the job market is intense, so you’ll need to pull out all of the stops in order to land the job of your dreams, or at least one that’s worth bragging about. But, before you even think about writing your resume, make it your ambition to get as much experience as possible. That way, you’ll have something impressive to put on that fresh new resume of yours.

Internships, temp jobs and volunteer work are all great ways to rack up experience. Plus, you’ll gain an insider perspective in the field that you want to work in—something invaluable to finding career happiness. It also gives you the opportunity to network with other professionals in your prospective field. Networking is critical. It means getting your name out there and making connections with people who can assist or influence your job search. The right contact could be your golden ticket to a sought-after career opportunity that may otherwise not exist.

As you gain experience, you’ll find out what you like to do and what you’d rather do without. This is an important part of determining what career path will suit you best. While your degree will set you in a definite direction, don’t overlook jobs that play to your natural talents, interests and abilities. A 40-hour work week is tough enough, so make sure it’s a job you that you don’t mind doing or better yet, that you actually like.

Once you’ve got some experience and a grip on what jobs appeal to you, it’s time to write your resume. Unlike those lengthy research papers you’ve become so familiar with, a good resume should be short, sweet and to the point. It should provide an employer a brief synopsis of your education, work experience, skills and achievements. Since you are new to the workforce, it should not exceed one page in length, unless your experience merits it.

Next, you’ll want to write a smooth cover letter. Your cover letter functions as a prelude to your resume, offering you a platform to pitch yourself to prospective employers. It should include a personal introduction, indicate the position you’re applying for, express interest in the company, and expand upon (not just repeat) the skills and experience that make you the best candidate for the job. Finally, your cover letter should fit nicely on one page with ample margin space.

Once your resume and cover letter are complete, it’s time to make your debut to the job market. There are a number of ways to do that—from uploading your resume to job boards and applying to online job postings, to targeting specific employer Web sites and applying to posted positions or e-mailing your resume to their HR department. While it may be tempting to send out a blanket distribution of your resume, it’s not wise. Instead, research each company and job description. Then, modify your resume and cover letter to appeal to each position.

Now that you are faced with the quickly approaching end to your college career, it’s time to apply what you learned to the workplace. Make it count. Your career is a blank slate. It can be everything you want it to be, it’s all up to you. So, take this information and get experience, network, write your resume, prepare a cover letter, post it to job boards and e-mail it to employers. Go out there and make it happen! Good luck!

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Posted by Seymour Jobs on 11/21/2008 09:53:00 AM
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Hiring Criteria for College Grads

Hello my collegiate friends,
I came across a great article on CollegeGrad.com that I thought I'd share:
CollegeGrad.com released the results of its survey on what employers want most in hiring new college grads. What is most important to entry level employers – the college you graduated from? Your GPA? Or what you majored in? According to the survey results, the answer may surprise you.
The criteria that the employers ranked as most important are as follows:
#1 - The student's major (44%)
#2 - The student's interviewing skills (18%)
#3 - The student's internship/experience (17%)
#4 - The college the student graduated from (10%)
#5 - Other miscellaneous qualifications (5%)
#6 - The student's GPA (4%)
#7 - The student's personal appearance (1%)
#8 - The student's computer skills (1%)

What do you think? Is that in line with what you thought would be rated as important to employers? Is there anything that wasn't included that should be considered? Let me know your thoughts...

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Posted by Seymour Jobs on 10/22/2008 11:12:00 AM
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If at first you don't succeed, try, try again!

I am now going into my second year of college and I still have no clue what I want to do with my life. I have figure out what I do not want to do, however. For instance, after working at a grocery chain for a few months I realized that working for part-time and minimum wage at a place where you do the same menial tasks, every single day, is NOT the job for me. I never realistically considered moving my part-time job into a full-time career, but after working there I knew that I definitely would never want to work there again!

Finding the right career for you is all about trial and error. Like the old saying goes, "If at first you don't succeed, try,try again!" So this past summer, I worked part time for a fairly large company in their marketing department. I was working in an entry-level position on a project that I would definitely not consider fun, but I got to see how the PR and Marketing departments worked from an insider's point of view. I got to attend brainstorming sessions and meetings. I basically got a little taste of the real world and realized that working in an office seems way more appealing then working at a grocery store. Although it may not have been the job I want to have for the rest of my life, it has helped me to narrow my choices. The next couple of years that I am attending college, I will continue to test the waters and each time get a little closer to finding my true passion in life.

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Posted by Jen on 10/02/2008 01:34:00 PM
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Internship

So I never actually blog about my internship experiences. I am in my second internship, working in the communications/media relations of a private university here in Miami, and I love it. It's much different than my first internship, which is great because I am seeing two totally different types of PR.

Our department is much smaller, and we are not integrated with the marketing department, so our role is much different within the university.

I wish I had interned during my undergraduate career. Don't get me wrong, I got some good work experience, but not the kind that paired with my education. With these internships I am working with now I feel better about starting out in the professional world in May.

All I can do is go up from here, and maybe do an agency internship in spring so I can taste another piece of the PR pie.

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Posted by Christina on 9/27/2007 10:46:00 AM
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odd jobs

So I am working my way through school right now, and I have a variety of jobs. I am interning, working as a grad assistant and also working in retail. And I came to a realization the other day: I am working waaaaay too much and its already affecting my productivity and my health. So I am finally dropping my retail job. A big part of this decision was made yesterday while I was at my internship, sitting in on an interview with a spanish channel. It's so exciting to see the real-world applications of what we do in the classroom, and I really don't want to be robbed of energy on my internship, on my job or in my classes because I feel as though I have to work my fingers to the bone. I want to bring energy and excitement to the table, and I like being part of that brainstorming, ideas process.
I did alot of reading on "work/life balance" this summer, and I now realize that it is just as important to keep that a constant, not just at work, but while in school as well.

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Posted by Christina on 9/06/2007 12:34:00 PM
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