Tuesday, July 6, 2010

Resume Templates that will Boost your Resume

 Spiceup Thatresume
1234 Doitnow Rd
Any City, US
Here are some great websites with resume templates. Not getting much attention from potential  employers?It is time to spice up your resume! 

Template Guides:
  • http://www.instantresumetemplates.com/
  • http://jobmob.co.il/blog/beautiful-resume-ideas-that-work/
Resume Tips:
The Next Generation of Resume Writing

Monday, June 28, 2010

Network Network and network Some More

Nowadays, you can send a resume and follow up with a phone call only to discover you are lost in the shuffle.  They have tons of applicants for positions and can not possibly sort through all of them. Honestly, you have to find a way to connect with the employers.  Did you used to live next door to their secretary, have a friend who knows the boss? Utilize your community network to get you in the door.  It won't get you the job but it might get you a face to face!

Here are few examples of how career networking can help:excerpted from About.com

  • Susan noticed a help-wanted ad for a job at a local veterinary clinic. She called a friend who happened to use that vet. Her friend called the vet and recommended Susan. Susan got an interview and got the job. The vet was glad to hire someone who came highly recommended by a good client.
  • John was interested in pursuing a career in medicine. He mentioned his interest to a family friend who happened to be a doctor. The doctor arranged for John to spend a day shadowing him at the hospital and provided an excellent recommendation for medical school.
  • Angela was interested in changing careers and moving from public relations to publishing. Even though she graduated more than a few years ago, she tapped her college career network and came up with a contact at a top New York publishing firm. In addition to being sent new job postings, her resume was hand-delivered to Human Resources when she found a position she wanted to apply for.
  • In casual conversation at the orthdontist's office, Jeannie, the assistant, just happened to mention to a patient's mom that she was interested in horses and in a part-time job working with them. The mom had horses and a bunch of contacts. Jeannie had a part-time job working on a local horse farm by the end of the week!.-About.com
Ways to Network?
Online: 

Around Town 
  • Have coffee with an old co-worker, friend or neighbor.
  • Attend Meet Ups using meetup.com
  • Become a community advocate by volunteering for charity events.
 

Wednesday, June 23, 2010

How Do I Get A JOB?

Well, now it is time to use your many resources.  If you are part of a community then you have several resources.  First, improve your resume.  With so many unemployed now-adays their are tons of employers getting flooded with resumes.  You are a piece of paper!  STAND OUT!  Does this mean you need a scented resume with a bow on top?  I would venture to say maybe! Make certain your resume is organized and specific about your qualifications.  If that means tweaking it for every position to ensure you highlight the important needs of the company then do it!
Resume building resources:
 Free Resume Template Guide
Another Free Guide 
Don't forget a cover letter!
Templates for Cover letters
Now where to look for a job?
Craigslist
Careerbuilder
Job is Job
- Find your industry, grab a yellow pages ( well www.yellowpages.com) and get started.  Once you find local businesses that meet your employment needs contact them.  Email, or fax a resume.  Then, call them to ensure they received it and make sure to chat with the company.  This will increase likability.  They have a great cover letter, resume and now they spoke with you.  If they like the resume and you sounded "professional" and easy to talk to then you are on your way to an interview.

Monday, June 21, 2010

Who Survived the Last Depression?

Unfortunately, there are many similarities with today's economic collapse and that of the Great Depression in the 1930's through the 1940's.
The Great Depression had a worldwide impact . Unemployment in the United States rose to 25% and so many people suffered greatly. Before we all start drowning in our cereal bowl, let me give you the bottom line.  The Great Depression brought the most millionaires then any other time period! Businesses did survive and we can too! But what do I know?  I am a low paid worker, mother, daughter and wife.  My husband had a successful at home business with repairing consumer electronics and due to the phone industry giving the latest and greatest phones away for free; his company suffered.  He is an educated, talented man frustrated with the endless cycle of applying, sending resumes, follow-up calls and dead ends.  Either the companies decide to eliminate the position, say he is over qualified or decide they could pay someone else less money to do the same position.  I'm in the same boat as you all!  What businesses survived and thrived during the Great Depression.  Who were they and how did they do it?
The Successful companies during the Great Depression advertised!  The following companies went against the norm and chose to not cut their advertising funds.

"Proctor and Gamble -   P&G has made progress in every one of the major recessions 
and that is no accident.  When their competitors were bootstrapping and cutting their 
expenditures, P&G actually increased their spending. Radio took P&G's
message into more homes than ever.

Chevrolet - During the 1920s, Fords were outselling Chevrolets by 10
to 1. Chevrolet continued to expand its advertising budget  during their Depression 
and by 1931, the "Chevy 6" took the lead in its field and remained there for the next five years.

Camel Cigarettes - was the top selling cigarette in 1920 but was soon overtaken
by Lucky Strike brand in 1929. Two years later in the heart of the Depression, Chesterfield also 
overtook Camel.  Camel countered with a massive increase in advertising
spending and by doing so demonstrated the power of advertising during
depressed times.  By 1935, it was back on top.
So once again, those companies which took advantage of the Depression
and came through in good form were those who kept their name in front
of the public in spite of a lack of purchasing power." 
excerpted from http://answers.google.com/answers/threadview?id=178334