How to tell a recruiter youre interested in a job

How to tell a recruiter youre interested in a jobHow to tell a recruiter youre interested in a jobThe template below is an excerpt from Danny Rubins award-winning book,Wait, How Do I Write This Email?If you want to capture the attention of a recruiter for a particular job, send a strong introductory email and make a great first impression.Follow Ladders on FlipboardFollow Ladders magazines on Flipboard covering Happiness, Productivity, Job Satisfaction, Neuroscience, and moraSubject line Interested in the position of job title at name of companyHi Mr./Ms. ______ be formal with a recruiter,Im reaching out because I saw the posting for job title at name of company. After I researched the position and company, I feel I would be a great fit for the opportunity.I believe I have the required skills and would mesh well with the culture at name of company. In particular, I like how the company something notable from the website, news or a line from the mission statement for instance, believe s in leveraging new technology to help people live healthier lives.Then, give an example of why you have the proper skills and, if possible, why youre a good cultural fit for instance, Im proficient with JavaScript and HTML5, and I also have experience working with virtual teams, as I know thats an important part of how the company operates.NOTE If the job description lists required skills and experience you dont have, you will gain credibility by addressing them for instance, I noted the job description also requires experience implementingAcmes Business Intelligence tool. While I do not have that direct experience, I welches selected to lead the implementation of an enterprise-wide database and was able to keep the project on timeand under budget.I have attached my resume to this email. Id also be happy to provide a cover letter if additional information would be helpful. Finally, Im open to your feedback on my candidacy and overall portfolio.NOTE Ask for feedback because it allow s the recruiter to engage in a dialogue with you, which may help to build trust and deepen your relationship.Thanks, and I hope to hear from you. Your first and last nameEmail signatureDeeper InsightWith the introductory email to a recruiter, you need to explain why youre not only technically skilled but also someone who would be a solid teammate. A recruiter needs a person who can operate on both levels. Also, ask for feedback and be appreciative whether its positive or negative.If the position requires relocation, indicate what draws you to the city. Recruiters often pay more attention to candidates from out of state who have a connection to the job location (ex family ties).This article first appeared on Rubineducation.com.

Five new traditions you can start this Friendsgiving

Five new traditions you can start this FriendsgivingFive new traditions you can start this FriendsgivingAlthough a relatively new concept,Friendsgivinghas quickly become a tradition almost as important as Thanksgiving.Holiday food, festivecocktails, and getting all your closest friends together, its the perfect celebration for those of us who find it too difficult to travel home, have to work the Thursday of Thanksgiving, or simply want to give thanks forfriendship.Despite Friendsgiving typically being held on the Wednesday before or Friday after Thanksgiving, there arent too many traditions associated with this bonus-holiday. Yes, its customary for whoever is hosting to prepare the turkey so that no one needs to prepare AND transport the main course but other than that, how you and your friends want to spend Friendsgiving is up to you.But because the traditions we create is what makes any holiday special, we recommend these 5 new Turkey Day traditions to start with your friends.Serv e a signature cocktailFor everyone who has ever hosted Friendsgiving, you know there will be no shortage of alcohol. Wine. Champagne. Beer. Liquor. You name it, your friends will have it. While having a few bottles of wine and cases of beer in stock is especially important for your get-together, try greeting your guests with a signaturefall cocktail. Pull together a warmApple Toddy, Cranberry Champagne cocktail, or a Mulled Red Wine Sangria to sto the party off.Replace the name cardsInstead of the same beautifully written place cards you did last year, try assigning someone a funny meme that you know relates to them perfectly. Your friend Zach who always puts way too much salt and pepper in the mashed potatoes? Salt Bae. Your friend Danielle? Obviously a damn, Daniel meme.Say what youre thankful forI know what youre thinking. This is exactly what we do when were with our families on Thanksgiving. But instead of everyone going around the table toasting to what theyre thankful for thi s year, have everyone write it down and place it in a bowl. Once everyone is done, pass the bowl around and guess who is thankful for what. Whether its something genuine or silly, you and your friends will enjoy this guessing game of thanks.Initiate a nachtisch warAfter you and your friends have semi-recovered from your dinner-induced coma, its time to tackle dessert. This year make dessert interesting by having a contest. Pick a theme for this years selection of desserts and ask each of your friends to prepare something. Whether the theme be apple flavored or rice crispy creation, everyone will bring something for you to judge. Youre the host after all.The winner of this years dessert war will get to judge AND pick the theme of next years competition. Another twist to the dessert war is a cookie contest. Prepare plain sugar cookies and have friends decorate the cookies with sprinkles, frosting, candy and other toppings.Play Friendsgiving bingoAside from the dessert war, weve got an other game to get the competition in your friend group going Friendsgiving Bingo.Almost Makes Perfect has the perfectbingo sheetfor you on their website, but feel free to customize your own and make it more specific to you and your friends. Jessica gets drunk on the wine? Ben periodically checks Instagram? Hannah is the first one to fall asleep after dinner? CheckThis article first appeared on Capitol Standard.

Jobless Sometimes You Gotta Leggo Your Ego

Jobless Sometimes You Gotta Leggo Your Ego Jobless? Sometimes You Gotta Leggo Your Ego Jobless Sometimes You Gotta Leggo Your Ego Searching for a new job when you are gainfully employed can sometimes be demoralizing. When you're laid off, however, a job search descends into the act of thrashing about for a life raft. Your ego takes a hard hit and emotions can take over. I was laid off on January 2, 2009. Not only did it suck to be kicked off the team, but it made me wonder how I would keep the lights on and the children fed. I wondered how to address the gap in my work history. I was angry that people who still have jobs are looking for jobs. I also wondered how big a paycheck the devil would offer me for my soul. Compounding the ego issue, there were no openings at my level. My husband and I did some life-math to determine if I needed a job or the job. Lowering my standards quickly became compulsory. With more layoffs looming in my job market, there was pressure to act fast. My bruised ego did not immediately buy into the rush to under-sell myself into under-employment. To better explain it to my ego, I crafted a list of pros and cons: Health insurance vs. COBRA rates; Staying busy vs. daytime television mush-brain; Growing my network vs. growing my waistline; Learning a new industry vs. stalking innocent recruiters; Shorter commute vs. no commute; Better schedule vs. no schedule; and Money vs. no money. I stopped waiting for a miracle and started applying and jogging. Ultimately, something is better than nothing, so I stuffed my ego in a closet. Caught off guard one afternoon, I took a call from a recruiter. She quickly asked why I had applied for a job that I seemed overqualified for, considering my (considerably higher) previous salary and experience. I wanted to say Funny, my ego wants to know too, but I paused, waiting patiently for the words to come. The pause got awkward as I struggled to keep my ego quiet. My brain shrieked, You're blowing it! and I suddenly pictured my pros and cons. I apparently mustered something coherent, because she scheduled an interview. To prevent my starving ego from devouring my tongue again the next time I faced this question, I scripted my pros to demonstrate that I have considered my options carefully and I'm a go-getter with commitment on my mind (they even convinced my ego a little): I'm interested in this position for reasons other than compensation. While I have skills and talents that will transfer, I am new to your industry. I'm targeting companies that prefer to promote talent internally. The shorter commute will greatly reduce my expenses. The schedule fits my home life. Your comprehensive benefits will offset some of the disparity in pay. So, I used versions of these scripts in five interviews and eventually accepted the best of three offers. My ego finally went into hibernation. If you find yourself in a similar situation, my advice to you is to get your ego and emotions on board with your wallet. If you've achieved something worthwhile in your work history, it's probably not an accident. If it is an accident, you were over-employed and should try to learn something this time around. Assuming you worked hard to get to where you were, trust that you will do it again. Repeat after me, Success is at the intersection of preparation and opportunity. Once I allowed myself to go for the job, I was energized. I think I'll even enjoy it! Maybe there'll be no Disney trip this year, but my kids won't miss it. They're too busy talking about the camping trip that found us all huddled under a tarp eating soggy PBJs when Dad farted and we couldn't escape the smell for the rain! Which experience serves them better later in life? No question. Thank you, I'll take the job. (Ego, go back to sleep, it's not springtime yet.)

Talent Assessments and How Companies Use Them

Talent Assessments and How Companies Use Them Talent Assessments and How Companies Use Them What are talent assessments and why do employers use them? Some companies test applicants for employment to determine if candidates are a good match for their job vacancies. Companies who conduct talent assessments are seeking applicants that match their hiring criteria. Why Companies Use Talent Assessments Talent assessments, also called pre-employment tests or employment screening tests, are used to help employers identify candidates that will be a good fit for jobs at their company. These tests help predict a new hire’s on-the-job performance and retainability. So, in theory, applicants who pass the screening test should perform better as employees if theyre hired. Talent assessment tests are based on hiring and retention case studies and analyzing employee data. The test results will give the company an indication of how close a match the candidate taking the test will be to the companys hiring specifications. Companies Using Talent Assessments Talent assessments are used as part of an online screening process that helps employers to decide which candidates to interview. Most talent assessments are given online, or in a company or store office via computer, or a hiring kiosk. They are typically incorporated into the Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) employers use to track applications. Many large companies like Macy’s, PetSmart, Bloomingdales, Sears, Express Scripts, Walmart, Burger King, Neiman Marcus, and Luxottica Retail Group, just to mention a few, use pre-employment testing. Types of Talent Assessments Most companies utilize online questionnaires to assess whether the personality, work style, knowledge or skills of candidates fit the job at hand or company culture. How The Tests Work While applying at one of the companies that use online talent assessments, the entire hiring process leading up to interviews is handled via the Internet. Job postings are listed online, candidates apply online through the company website, and then take the talent assessment. Applicants either take the test when they apply online or are directed, via email or the company website, on how to take the test. Tests may be hosted on a third-party website. In that case, youll be given instructions on how to access and take the test. Some employers will use job simulations that are designed to measure whether candidates can perform tasks associated with the job. For example, an employer might ask a staff member to roleplay scenarios with candidates to assess sales, problem-solving, verbal communication, or counseling skills. Candidates for administrative or clerical staff positions might be asked to perform tasks that assess their accuracy, speed, proofreading, writing, and editing skills. For jobs that require physical ability, employers might set up simulations to assess strength, dexterity, or endurance. For teaching or other jobs that require public speaking skills, employers might ask candidates to teach a lesson or give a group presentation. Talent Assessment Validity and Outcomes Companies that have developed job descriptions and candidate profiles that are detailed and well aligned with success factors for jobs will have the most useful output from talent assessments.  Organizations must be careful to conduct assessments in a consistent, standardized manner to generate reliable results. Ethical hiring standards dictate that assessments be delivered to all candidates for a particular job and not applied selectively. After you take the test, you may be told immediately whether you passed or failed, or you may not learn how you did. In some cases, you will be notified if the company is interested in hiring you. In other cases, you may not hear back at all, depending on company policy regarding notifying applicants for employment. By the way, pass or fail is a relative term. The results are based on how the employer thinks a candidate should answer, which doesnt necessarily correlate with your qualifications for employment. In many cases, the company is looking for a certain type of employee that is a fit for their organizational structure and company culture. Companies often have waiting periods before applicants who dont pass the test can take it again. Details on retaking assessments should be available on the company website. Sample Talent Assessment Questions What best describes your experiences providing feedback to others at work? You do not have experienceYou have provided feedback to co-workersYou have provided feedback to people working for youYou have given feedback to direct reports about their performanceYou have set standards to achieve optimal feedback Select matching terms for: ___________ is to water as eat is to ___________ dog - catfoot - handwoman - officedrink - foodocean - mountain It is best to analyze all the facts before making a decision. Strongly DisagreeDisagreeNeutralAgreeStrongly Agree Tips for Taking Talent Assessment Tests Do your homework. If you’re applying for a large, well-known employer, you may be able to get the inside scoop from current and former employees. This isn’t cheating â€" the actual questions will likely vary. But you can get a general sense of what to expect by Googling the employer plus “talent assessment” or “pre-employment tests” or similar. You’ll likely find accounts from employees on Reddit, Quora, LinkedIn, and other social media/message boards. Prepare. If you’re taking the test at home, make sure that you have time and space to complete it to the best of your abilities. Don’t try to dash off answers at the kitchen table during dinner prep. Take the process seriously and you’ll produce better results. Be honest. Talent assessments and personality tests are supposed to provide an honest assessment of your skills and potential for cultural fit. Fake your answers and you might land the job - only to find yourself miserable after a few months and back on the job search again.

18 Companies That Will Be Hiring Thousands in 2018

18 Companies That Will Be Hiring Thousands in 2018 18 Companies That Will Be Hiring Thousands in 2018 Didn’t have the best luck with employment in 2017? Looking to switch things up a bit in the new year? Then go big! These companies, most of them industry titans themselves, are looking to make big hires in 2018.   The 18 companies on this list are snapping up employees in the thousands this year.  Get in while the offer still stands!   Where Hiring: Seattle, WA; Cambridge, MA; Sunnyvale, CA; Herndon, VA; Chicago, IL and more What Makes Them Unique: Amazon has brought us many of the products and features we use in our everyday life, from Alexa and the Kindle to one-click shopping and detailed customer reviews. Amazon has pioneered a model of making shopping and selling as easy as possible for customers, while is why they call themselves “Earth’s most customer-centric company,”   What Employees Say: “Dynamic work environment and exciting technology. Very structured and metrics driven performance evaluation process. Quarterly promotional cycles and plenty of career advancement and lateral move opportunities.” â€"   Current Senior Cloud Architect Where Hiring: Atlanta, GA; Lake Delton, WI; Jacksonville, FL; Franklin, TN; Dayton, OH; Charlotte, NC and more What Makes Them Unique: The Home Depot supplies the materials and items that many Americans use in their homes and gardens every day. The Home Depot has a strong commitment to diversity, and pride themselves on being an Equal Opportunity/M/F/Vet/Disabled Employer, as well as encouraging bilingual candidates to apply. In addition, the company values giving back, and each year donates millions of tools, supplies and volunteer hours to non-profits and community service projects.   What Employees Say: “Awesome coworkers, fun to be involved, fast-paced so you’re never bored, always more to learn” â€" Former Customer Service Specialist Where Hiring: Dover, NH; Boston, MH; Indianapolis, IN; Rochester, NY; Plano, TX; Chandler, AZ and more What Makes Them Unique: Liberty Mutual provides insurance for cars, homes, casualties and more. Liberty Mutual’s generous vacation policy earned them a spot on Glassdoor’s 2016 Top 25 Companies for Vacation and Time Off list. In addition, Liberty Mutual truly values giving back - this year, through employee donations and matching, over $18 million dollars in charitable donations were generated by the company.   What Employees Say: “This company has lots of opportunity for growth, great benefits package, good pay, overtime opportunities, annual raises and bonuses. They also promote a healthy work/life balance with new changes they’ve implemented such as working from home a couple times a week and flexible/variable shifts. Hard work is recognized, and they want to help you succeed and advance your career. You really get a sense that you are  working for a company that cares about you.” â€"   Current Employee Where Hiring: Rosemead, CA; Milton, CT; Springfield, IL; Honolulu, HI; New Castle, DE; Fairfax, VA and more What Makes Them Unique: Panda Express is the largest family-owned American Chinese Restaurant concept in America, with over 2,000 restaurants globally. The Panda Restaurant group aims to foster a genuine family environment through their community-building activities such as Dragon Boat Races, Panda Cares charitable events, athletic competitions and fun runs.   What Employees Say: “They have great pay and benefits. You have an opportunity to move up in the company. Great values as a company overall.” â€"   Former Assistant Manager Where Hiring: Los Angeles, CA; Cleveland, OH; Orlando, FL; Philadelphia, PA; Milwaukee, WI; Morrisville, NC and more What Makes Them Unique: Deloitte is one of the largest and most established consulting firms on the map, with 80,000 employees in the U.S. Deloitte has powerful influence, both on a local and global level. “You don’t need to get elected to public office to advise government agencies on improving access to health care. And when it comes to tackling climate change, you can be a factor without being a climatologist,” the company touts. What Employees Say: “Great company to work for! The sky is the limit in terms of career growth potential. You are in charge of your career. Free coffee as well.” â€" Former Solution Engineer Where Hiring: Cherry Hill, NJ; Santa Rosa, CA; Newport News, VA; Louisville, KY; Greensboro, NC; Baton Rouge, LA and more What Makes Them Unique: Kohl’s is a leading specialty department store with almost 1,200 stores around the U.S. Kohl’s is famous for their employee discount, which hovers at 15 percent most of the year, but can be maximized with coupons, like the “family and friends” discount. In addition, on a few days throughout the year, the employee discount rises to 35 percent, as well as holiday discounts. They also stand out among department stores for their health, dental, vision, disability and life insurance, as well as 401(k) support.   What Employees Say: “Everyone is very supportive. Work is like family. Flexible schedules. It is a fun environment. Motivated coworkers. When dealing with difficult customers, management is more than willing to step in and help out.” â€"   Former Fine Jewelry Specialist Where Hiring: Macon, GA; Frederick, MD; Glendale, CA; New York, NY; Dulles, VA; Dallas, TX and more What Makes Them Unique: Geico is the U.S.’s second-largest private passenger auto insurer, and employs more than 38,000 associates across the country. The company values promotions and tries to help employees build their careers with fast-track management development programs. Associates average 3 promotions within the first 5 years, and almost 80 percent of the management team started in entry-level careers. What Employees Say: “Easy to move up and get raises if you try. Nice and friendly environment. Stress-free and great work-life balance.” â€" Current Interaction Designer Where Hiring: Austin, TX; Mason, OH; Winston-Salem, NC; Schaumburg, IL; Miami, FL; Portland, OR and more What Makes Them Unique: Whole Foods distinguishes themselves from other grocery stores with their attention to where food comes from, how it’s grown, and who it’s going to, taking care to stock and promote a wide variety of natural and organic products. Their pledge to give five percent of their total net profits back to their community truly makes them stand out among other grocers. And besides, how many companies offer positions with titles like “ Full Time Cheese Buyer ”?   What Employees Say: “Whole foods as a company has a great history, values, and culture. I love the culture that Whole Foods as an organization promotes and the values of truly caring for our environment, community and world. Pays well and great benefits if able to achieve full time. ” â€" Current Customer Service Employee Where Hiring: New York, NY; Arlington, VA; Phoenix, AZ; Dallas, TX; Southbury, CT; Baton Rouge, LA and more What Makes Them Unique: IBM is truly a multinational company, with operations in over 170 countries. The company is one of the largest employers in the world, with nearly 380,000 employees across the globe. IBM has fostered the careers of scientific trailblazers â€" IBM employees have been awarded five Novel Prizes, ten National Medals of Technology and five National Medals of Science. The company is a true home for innovators. What Employees Say: “Excellent people, challenging and innovative work, cutting-edge technology, diverse work force” â€" Current Project Manager Where Hiring: Brooklyn Park, MN; North Haven, CT; Sioux Falls, SD; Tempe, AZ; Denton, TX; Westborough, MA and more What Makes Them Unique: Target is an American household name, with over 1,800 stores and 38 distribution centers across the U.S. The company puts a strong focus on truly serving each community they are present in. Since 1946, Target has given five percent of its profits away through community grants and programs, which today equals millions of dollars per week.   What Employees Say: “Going in at twenty I didn’t expect to work at Target for an extended period of time. What followed were the four best years of my professional career. You not only get to work with a wonderful team, but you get the chance to prove yourself. A lot of promotions are done in-house.” â€" Former Guest Service Team Lead Where Hiring: New Haven, CT; Tulsa, OK; Inglewood, CA; Coconut Grove, FL; Washington, DC; Cincinnati, OH and more What Makes Them Unique: Bank of America is one of the world’s largest financial institutions, beloved and trusted by millions of Americans. Approximately 56 million U.S. consumers and small businesses are served by Bank of America. The company also scored a place on Glassdoor’s 2016 Best Places to Interview .   What Employees Say: “Great team, integrity, awesome schedule with even greater benefits! I always have a leader or peer to lean on and everyone wants to see you learn and grow in your role ” â€"   Current Relationship Manager Where Hiring: Long Beach, CA; Lakewood, CO; Chicago, IL; Lafayette, NJ; Asheville, NC; Alexandria, VA and more What Makes Them Unique: Lowe’s has a truly broad reach over North America, serving more than 17 million customers per week in the United States, Canada and Mexico. The company’s hardware stores employ more than 290,000 people. Lowe’s puts a true focus on employee development, offering perks like tuition assistance and a strong employee assistance program .   What Employees Say: “Great team environment. Helpful staff. Feels like family. Great benefits stock options and 401k.” â€" Current Assistant Store Manager Where Hiring: San Francisco, CA; Fargo, ND; Redmond, WA; Issaquah, WA; Washington, DC; San Antonio, TX and more What Makes Them Unique: Microsoft is a true trailblazer; a tech giant that has shepherded the world into the digital age. It’s no surprise that they made Glassdoor’s Best Places to Work list for both 2017 and 2018. The company also has strong, respected leaders - Satya Nadella, their current CEO, was on Glassdoor’s Highest Rated CEOs list of 2017.   What Employees Say: “Lots of different opportunities for growth, interesting problems to work on, smart people to collaborate with.” â€" Current Employee Where Hiring: Denver, CO; Durham, NC; West Point, PA; Elkton, VA; Millsboro, DE; Kenilworth, NJ and more What Makes Them Unique: Merck tackles health challenges across the health industry with their core mission to create a healthier future. Whether it’s pursuing original science in the laboratory, working directly with customers or manufacturing quality products, Merck offers a wealth of opportunities for employees who want to make an impact.   What Employees Say: “This company offers great benefits, vacation time, and has a good sick day policy. I am proud of the many efforts to uphold the ‘Be well’ motto.” â€" Current Member Service Representative Where Hiring: Honolulu, HI; El Segundo, CA; San Antonio, TX; Columbia, MA; Columbus, OH; Collinsville, IL and more What Makes Them Unique: AT&T is the second largest provider of mobile telephone services and the largest provider of fixed telephone service in the United States. The company prides itself in their commitment to diversity and inclusion, with 12 employee resource groups comprised of over 40 thousand members.   What Employees Say: “Good Benefits, global company with room to move anywhere, abundant leaning/expanding education opportunities”â€" Former Customer Service Representative   Where Hiring: Tampa, FL; Dallas, TX; Palo Alto, CA; Boston, MA; Waltham, MA; New York, NY and more What Makes Them Unique: McKinsey & Company is one of the world’s largest global management consulting firms. McKinsey serves private and public companies, governments, not-for-profits and non-governmental organizations. The company has made Glassdoor’s Best Places to Work list 8 times since 2009, coming in at #12 on 2018’s list . What Employees Say: “I can proudly say that I’m a member of one of the best recruiting teams. From recruiting administrators to management, they only hire the best and brightest. People truly support and care about your goals and rally behind you to help you achieve them. I’ve made amazing friendships here!” â€" Current Senior Recruiter Where Hiring: Montgomery, AL; Aurora, CO; Issaquah, WA; Jacksonville, FL; Cypress, CA; Waltham, MA and more What Makes Them Unique: Costco Wholesale is the largest wholesale club operator in the US. The company has a truly global reach as well, serving 64 million cardholders in countries from Taiwan to Mexico. Costco was one of the only companies to score a place simultaneously on Glassdoor’s 2017 Best Places to Work, Highest Rated CEOs and Best Places to Interview. In addition, the company has made an appearance on Glassdoor’s Best Places to Work list every year since 2012.   What Employees Say: “Great benefits & good pay. I have been trained in several department in the building. It’s a proud company and you will learn a lot about what the company is about, where they came from, & how they have grown and continue to grow.” â€" Current Marketing Representative   Where Hiring: Phoenix, AZ; San Francisco, CA; Hillsboro, OR; Boise, ID; Folsom, CA and more What Makes Them Unique: Intel has immeasurably advanced the world’s computing power with their innovative technology and paradigm-shifting ideas. Intel boasts a team of over 107,000 employees across 58 different countries. Since 2010, the company has earned a place on Glassdoor’s Best Places to Work list 5 times.   What Employees Say: “Great pay, benefits, profit sharing. Culture of integrity, respect and trust for employees. Can-do, get the job done attitude.” â€"   Current Contract Manager

Online Job Search Using Social Media

Online Job Search Using Social Media Online Job Search Using Social Media 1Tips and Tricks to Use Social Media in Your Online Job Search 1. LinkedIn About LinkedIn How to Use it in a Job Search LinkedIn is a free and business-oriented social networking site  that provides a place for registered users to showcase their employment history, affiliations and skills to other professionals. The entire site is dedicated to helping users find and network with other professionals in their chosen industry. Launched in 2003, LinkedIn is the place for making business contacts and getting in touch with inside sources for companies you may want to work with. Its great for job seekers because you can: Set up a profile (like an online resume) and maintain a list of professional connections. Search for jobs or projects recommended by your contact network. Review potential employers and find out what connections you may have with the employer. Get recommended to the people who have influence over hiring decisions. For more information,  check out our FREE webinar on Linked In The Online Job Search Join the LinkedIn Group! If youre on LinkedIn,  wed love it if you join our  LinkedIn group!  Its for professionals who want to telecommute (or already do) in their job situations, even if its just occasionally. Its a great way to network, and our CEO, Sara, participates with comments, questions, and news items. 2. Facebook About Facebook How to Use it in a Job Search Facebook is a free, popular, and widespread social networking site  that allows registered users to find, create, and keep in touch with friends, family members, and colleagues. It seems as if just about everyone is on Facebook now thanks to its easy to use interface and fun applications. Many people use Facebook to share pictures, videos, and other media that they want others to know about. Facebook users can connect with possible contacts, research jobs, and let others know about their job search as well by: Creating a profile that includes their work history, education, experience and skills. Joining groups (such as   Facebook Group, see below for more info) that provide information, job leads, and networking within your industry. Posting links to other personal websites or blogs so potential employers can find them. Merging other social networking sites (like blogs) with their Facebook page. Seeking out and networking with others at companies they want to work with. Reviewing their contacts status updates to see if they mention if their company is recruiting or hiring. Important Note:  If you do use Facebook in your job search, keep in mind that contacts (ie, potential employers) can see your activity so keep it clean, and make sure that anything you include on your page (comments, pictures, etc.!) is something that you wouldnt mind a potential employer seeing. For more information,  check out our FREE webinar on Facebook The Online Job Search Join on Facebook! Become  a fan of  on Facebook! 3. Twitter About Twitter How to Use it in a Job Search Twitter is a free service that allows people to connect in a micro-blog format.  Users are able to post short updates about their daily lives, things that they are interested in or working on in just a matter of seconds. They can also include URL links to other social media sources like websites or video feeds. People love Twitter because it reaches a wide range of people located through keyword searches and added to a favorites list. Whenever a posting is left, it is simultaneously sent to their entire network of followers. Just like other social networking sites, Twitter allows automatic updates to their blog(s) and other sites â€" which is a real time saver for busy people. You can use Twitter as a job seeking tool by: Posting a website or blog in your profile that tells more about you. Searching for and adding favorites in the industry you are targeting. Keeping an eye on anyone seeking help with projects or listing job openings. Setting up automatic email alerts when someone posts something on a keyword or job title that you are looking for. Posting that you are searching for a job or freelance opportunity frequently, people tend to respond quickly on Twitter. For more information,  check out our FREE webinar on Twitter The Online Job Search Find on Twitter! You can follow @ on Twitter for all the latest employment and flexible job news, tips, and events.

How To Handle Being Fired On Your Resume

How To Handle Being Fired On Your Resume How To Handle Being Fired On Your Resume How To Handle Being Fired On Your Resume Just because you were let go from a job doesnt mean that you cant include the experience on your resume. Well explain how to turn a negative into a positive. Resumes Dont Include Why You Were Fired or Quit Surprised? Dont worry, youre not alone. One of the most popular questions the experts at Resume Genius face on a regular basis is that of how to deal with being fired from a job or quitting a job on their resume. This seems like such a common problem we’ve decided to create a simple guide to help job seekers understand how to deal with leaving their old jobs on their resume. The problem is all-to-common and goes something like:  I was fired from my last job” Being fired from a job isn’t necessarily indicative of being a bad worker or being an underperformer.  In fact, the term “being let go” is attached to an overly negative stigma from a resume expert’s perspective. There could be multiple reasons a   “good” employee may be fired. From poor management, office politics, and lack of leadership to simple downsizing, many job seekers who are looking for jobs are actually high caliber talent and should present themselves in just such a way. So just how does one go about creating a resume to reflect this all? The Wrong Approach: Including why you were fired under each position in your professional experience section is not only the incorrect place to state such information; it also overshadows the positive elements on your resume and reduces your chance at landing an interview. The Correct Approach: The resume is a place to detail achievements, skills and knowledge, not failures. Your resume should focus on the positive, up-selling yourself as an applicant. The place to explain your current situation and why you are applying to the position is actually in your cover letter, not in the resume itself. Resume Expert Tips Avoid using the word “fired”, as it’s probably the worst possible way to frame your leaving your last employer. Instead, try some of these phrases to describe your separation: “Mutual beneficial separation” “Outgrew my previous role” “Employer downsized” “Company restructuring” “Cost cutting” “Decided to go our separate ways” “Left on good terms” “Our paths diverged” “Our long-term goals differed” Wording is so important in resume writing, as it can mean the different between a relatively positive impression and a negative, or skeptical impression at worse from hiring managers. Ultimately, it’s best not to focus on negatives when composing your resume. Instead, focus on the positives and leave any potential negatives for the interview where you can apply a “glass half full” mentality in how the questions are addressed. If you are applying for an entry-level job and the job application asks why you left your previous job avoid flat out saying you were “fired” and instead use some of the more positive synonyms mentioned previously. Never lie to try to cover up the source of a previous termination, as this only creates professional liabilities that could easily surface and be a detriment to your career later on. It’s a bad idea to invest in building a history with a company when all of your achievements could easily be toppled because of an unnecessary lie. Remember, the job of the resume is to simply land you the interview, so don’t worry about potential negatives and just build an attractive, interview-winning resume.