Internet Job Searches

I am a volunteer job counselor at NDSM. While I have a number of favorite links for job searches, I frequently use the following strategy:

1. On the Internet go to google.com
2. Enter on the search line: jobs city keyword1 keyword2 keyword3.
As example: jobs Dallas accounting budgeting payroll
3. The search typically finds a number of sites containing employment opportunities.

The method is not always fruitful; however, it is always a good starting point. I suggest that you try this strategy to see if it works for you.
Please share your favorite Internet search link with readers of this blog.
Thanks. Glyn

American Corporate Partners Help Armed Services Transition to Corporate Environment

The following information from Wikipedia describes how ACP assists service personnel return to the corporate environment. You can get additional information about assistance provided by American Corporate Partners by linking to its website: www.acp-usa.org.

American Corporate Partners (ACP) is a non-profit organization based in New York City dedicated to helping recently-separated members of the armed services transition to the corporate environment. ACP provides current and past military members with mentoring and networking opportunities with employees of America's leading corporations. As of early 2009, ACP's corporate partners include Campbell Soup, Energy Future Holdings Corporation, General Electric, Home Depot, IBM, MacAndrews & Forbes, Morgan Stanley, News Corporation, PepsiCo, URS Corporation, Verizon, The University of Oklahoma, and The University of Texas System. Participation in the program is free and available in or near the following cities: Atlanta, Chicago, Cincinnati, Dallas, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, New York, Norwalk, CT, Oklahoma City, Philadelphia, Raleigh/Durham, San Antonio, the San Francisco Bay area, Tulsa, and Washington, DC. [1].

Please post a comment in this blog if American Corporate Partners was helpful to you.
Thanks. Glyn

Honesty and Accuracy on Resumes and Applications

Recently working as a volunteer job counselor, I had a client seeking employment who had just been fired from her job as an ESL teacher at a local public school district. She had a drug conviction over 29 years ago and did not disclose this incident on her application. She said that the school district had not asked her about prior convictions and thought that it was not relevent since the incident happened many years ago. However, subsequently the district conducted a background check and discovered the conviction. She was immediately dismissed.

I suggest that all applicants make sure that all information provided on their application or resume is complete and accurate. You should assume that the potential employer will investigate the information provided and will also use other sources to validate the information provided on the resume and application.

Please comment in this blog if you have any suggestions to job seekers concerning accuracy of information disclosed to potential employers.

Thanks. Glyn

Service Veterans' Qualities

An article in the October 11, 2009, edition of The Dallas Morning News by Amy Winter discusses the job market for service veterans. I recommend that service personnel read the article. In the article, Amy suggests several important qualities of service men and women that will assist them in getting civilian jobs. I believe that these qualities which are listed below will assist anyone in finding and keeping a job:

1. A disciplined approach to work
2. An ability to work as part of a team
3. Respect and integrity
4. Problem-solving skills
5. An ability to perform under pressure
6. Communication skills

Do you think that these qualities are important assets to job seekers? Please comment in this blog about how these skills have assisted you in gaining employment. Thanks Glyn

Avoid Job-Hunt Scams

An article in the October 9, 2009, edition of USA Today by Walecia Konrad cautions job seekers to be aware of the following possible scams:

1. Stimulus come-ons. Any email from a government agency listing job openings based on the federal stimulus plan is bogus. The government is recruiting, but not by this type of emails.
2. Bogus interview invites. Any email inviting you to go to a distant city for an interview encourages you to use a discounted travel agency to purchase tickets probably is a ploy to get your credit card information.
3. Bad guys on good sites. Do not respond to job sites with personal information such as your address and social security number. It is better to ask the potential employer to contact you by telephone or for a face to face interview.

Personal information is sacred and should be carefully guarded. Please comment in this blog with your experience with individuals or organizations trying to obtain your personal information. Thanks Glyn

Volunteering Leads To Jobs

I am aware of several individuals who have obtained permanent jobs from contacts they made by volunteering their time at public service organizations. Many volunteers have or have had significant jobs in industry, and consequently have many important contacts with hiring organizations.

So if you are struggling to find a job, I suggest that you consider devoting some of your downtime helping others by volunteering at a public service organization.

If you have personal experience with this approach to networking, please comment in this blog. Thanks. Glyn

Post Accurate, Error Free Resumes in Open Text

An article in the October 4, 2009, issue of The Dallas Morning News page 1J, “Landing A Job in the digital age” by Metro Creative Connections, has several recommendations including: developing your own Personal Web Site, using Buzz Words on your site, joining and participation in Social Networking, and suggestions about Technology.

I think that the following suggestions about technology are the most helpful:

1. Use standard typefaces and type sizes for your resumes. Many organizations scan documents so fancy fonts may not be accurately scanned.
2. Do not attach a file containing your resume to your email. With the concern about viruses, you should post your resume in the body of your email.
3. Use the subject line of the email to introduce yourself.
4. Proof read, spell check, and read aloud your email. Errors in your email could immediately eliminate you from job consideration.

I was interviewing candidates to be my secretary. After interviewing several candidates, I selected the person to be given an offer and called her. Unfortunately, she had a typing error on her listed telephone number. Needless to say that if she could not get her own telephone number correct on her resume, I did not want her to be my secretary.

Please comment in this blog about your use of technologies in your job search.
Thanks! Glyn

Executive Errands

A growing part of our population is the category of older adults. Many older adults require some assistance in their daily lives.

I know a very resourceful individual that has an extensive list of clients for which he provides many services. For example, he frequently takes and picks them up at airports. Sometimes he gets their automobiles serviced. Often he takes groups to public events such as parties, baseball and football games. He is also a personal shopper for clients.

I am suggesting that you consider personal services positions. In the condominium where we live, I see people coming to apartments and walking the tenants’ dogs.

Please share any experience you may have doing executive errands in this blog.

Thanks! Glyn