Technology - RSS http://feedraider.com/rss-feed/vgirt/ 2009 Minnesota 4th Of July Fireworks Shows http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/MNHeadhunter/~3/ZW_lQcP8RR0/2008-minnesota-4th-of-july-fireworks-shows.html

I did my best to put a list together for the Twin Cities of Minneapolis, St. Paul and surrounding areas.

I may have missed a couple or have a time or location that is incorrect so please use this as a guide and check/confirm with local city web sites.

Stay safe. Have fun. OOHH AAHH often:

July 3rd

  • Anoka
    • Anoka High School | 3939 7th Ave. | 9:30 PM
  • Bloomington
    • Normandale Lake Park | 8400 Normandale Lake Blvd | 10 PM
  • Hudson
    • Lake Front Park | 621 First Street | 9 PM (???)
  • St. Paul (Taste of Minnesota)
    • Harriett Island Regional Park | 371 Baker St. W. | 10:20 PM

July 4th

  • Apple Valley
    • Johnny Cake Ridge Park-East | 5800 140th St. W. | 10 PM
  • Blaine
    • National Sports Center | 1700 105th Ave. N.E. | 10 PM
  • Chanhassen
    • Lake Ann Park | 1456 West 78th St. | 10 PM
  • Coon Rapids
    • Sand Creek Park | 1008 Northdale Blvd N.W. | 10 PM
  • Eagan
    • Central Park | 1501 Central Parkway | 10 PM
  • Eden Prairie
    • Round Lake Park | 16691 Valley View Road | 10 PM
  • Edina
    • Rosland Park | 4300 W. 66th St. | 10 PM
  • Excelsior
    • 21 Water St | 10 PM
  • Hastings
    • Hastings Country Club | 10 PM
  • Lakeville
    • Lakeville North High School | 19600 Ipava Ave. | 10 PM
  • Mendota Heights
    • 949 Mendota Heights Road | 10 PM
  • Minneapolis (Downtown)
    • 818 S. 2nd St. | 10 PM
  • Oakdale
    • Tanner's Lake Park | 400 Glenbrook Ave. N. | 9:30 PM
  • Prior Lake
    • Watzl's Beach | 10 PM
  • Prior Lake (Mystic Lake Casino Hotel)
    • 2400 Mystic Lake Blvd. | 10 PM
  • Richfield
    • Veterans Memorial Park | 630 E 66th St | 10 PM
  • Roseville
    • Central Park | 2540 Lexington Ave. N. | 10 PM
  • Stillwater
    • 100 S. Main Street | 10 PM
  • St. Cloud
    • Hester and Wilson Parks | 10 PM
  • St. Louis Park
    • Aquila Park | 3110 Xylon Ave. S. | 10 PM
  • St. Paul (Taste of Minnesota)
    • Harriett Island Regional Park | 371 Baker St. W. | 10:00 PM
  • White Bear Lake
    • Memorial Beach | 4980 Lake Ave. N. | 10 PM
  • Woodbury
    • Ojibway Park | 2695 Ojibway Drive | 10 PM

July 5th

  • St. Paul (Taste of Minnesota)
    • Harriett Island Regional Park | 371 Baker St. W. | 10:00 PM
]]> Fri, 3 Jul 2009 20:45:51 20JulCEST 3 FREE Online Seminars: Job Search Tool Kit July 7th | LinkedIn A-Z July 8th | Social Media July 9th http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/MNHeadhunter/~3/mFggRnoG00M/3-free-online-seminars-job-search-tool-kit-july-7th-linkedin-a-z-july-8th-social-media-july-9th.html

While Be Your Own Headhunter is under going a facelift this is how to stay in touch with upcoming seminars:

All presentations are 60-90 minutes with a Q&A that follows.

If you are a Twitter user and would like to provide immediate feedback during a presentation add #BYOH to your comments and suggestions. I will follow up with you on Twitter after the presentation.

PLEASE NOTE: If you are unable to attend the sessions during these times (or are seeing this post after sessions have been held) either click MN Headhunter Blog or Be Your Own Headhunter where you will find a calendar of upcoming events or register anyway so you can get the slides via email.

July 7th, 3 PM & 7 PM CDT

Job Search Toolkit - Be Your Own Headhunter

This is for those in a job search or those thinking either by choice or force they will be doing one soon. Topics to be covered include:

  • To plan your job search
  • How to market yourself
  • Ways to ask for referrals and advice
  • Where to find the hidden job market
  • Where to research companies
  • How to find contact names and email addresses
  • Tips on using email and phone for contacting and follow up

To register click:

July 8th, 3 PM CDT

LinkedIn A to Z - Use LinkedIn Like A Headhunter

Whether you are using LinkedIn as a job seeker, recruiter, sales person or for general networking purposes this presentation will show you how to:

  • Create and optimize your profile
  • Create your personal URL
  • Connect with and expand your network
  • Find and participate in groups
  • Research companies
  • Use Google to see all of LinkedIn, not just your 3 degrees
  • Write and ask for recommendations
  • Participate in Questions and Answers
  • Search for names using keywords, title, company, skill set and location
  • Avoid pitfalls

To register click LinkedIn A to Z - Use LinkedIn Like A Headhunter

July 9th, 3 PM CDT

Using Social Media For Networking, Lead Generation And Job Search

For those of us who write a blog and/or have profiles on Facebook, Twitter, MySpace and Ning groups we often use these site to communicate with friends, coworkers and family but until recently very few thought of them as opportunities to network, for lead generation, find jobs and consulting opportunities.

I will walk through the use of blogs, Facebook, Twitter, MySpace and Ning groups showing ways one can:

  • Optimize profiles with keywords, locations, etc
  • Use the site to search others
  • Join and create groups
  • Overtly and covertly say you are networking, looking for customers, jobs or consulting gigs
  • Show what you are working on and prove expertise
  • Engage in a regional, local and industry conversation
  • Connect and network prior to and after industry events

To register click Using Social Media For Networking, Lead Generation And Job Search


If you are seeing this blog post after the sessions have taken place click Be Your Own Headhunter for latest announcements or MN Headhunter to return to the front page for the current schedule

]]> Tue, 30 Jun 2009 21:28:36 21JunCEST Online Classifieds - Another Resource in your Job Search http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/MNHeadhunter/~3/jJN4EwTAhjo/online-classifieds---another-resource-in-your-job-search.html The following post is courtesy of the Recruiting Blogswap:

From: CareerAlley

I don't really remember when Internet job searching overtook the old fashioned print classified ad, but it wasn't all that long ago that most of can remember the commerical "I found my job through the New York Times". But print classifieds are very much alive (although not a major force anymore) and their web-based "sister" versions are very much in use. So if you need to try something new, try some of these web-based classified ads.

  • New York Times - The NY Times, which still has a print version of it's classified jobs listings (the Sunday version is fairly large), has a web-based classified section as well. Working with Monster.com, the site is very well organized. There are tabs at the top: Find a Job, Post Your Resume (you can register here too), Job Seeker Login and Career Advice. The left hand side of the page is for Job Seekers, with a simple search followed by top job categories, top job locations and a number of related articles below that. The center of the page has a Post Your Resume get started section followed by a salary comparison section. Career Calendar, another really good resource, is on the right hand side of the page and lists upcoming events (you can check into the future as well). But wait, there's more! Below the calendar is a short listing of "Who's Hiring" and then featured jobs. When I tried their generic search it returned more than 5,000 jobs. This site is definitely worth spending time on, I would rate it 5 stars out of 5.
  • Los Angeles Times - Flipping to the Left Coast, the LA Times also maintains a web-based classified jobs section. In this case, the LA Times is partnered with CareerBuilder. While not as robust or filled with features as the NY Times version, this site too is worth a look. You can register and post your resume here too. There is a simple search function top center of the page, with a number of links going down the left hand side of the page (Find a Job, Search Jobs, Create Job Alerts, etc.). Career related stories are listed down the middle of the page with Jobs by Category to the right. Worth a look, I would rank it 3 out of 5 stars.
  • Chicago Tribune - Continuing the review of print on web classifieds we move back to the center of the country. The Chicago Tribune's web-based classified site is also in partnership with CareerBuilder. This page combines current news (most of which is not career related) with job search. There is a search box center left on the page with links to resume writing services, Upload your Resume, Job Alerts and a link for hourly job seekers. Below this there are a few different search options: By Company/Industry, By Category and career advise. Far right is "Who's Hiring in Chicago" and a Chicago Career Fair link half way down the right hand side. Also worth a look, I would rate this site 3 out of 5 stars.
  • Craigslist - Not known in print, but certainly one of the better known web-based classified ads providers, Craigslist is another great source for job search (see the next bullet for an article on this). Less is more with CraigslList, so you won't see all of the content that you see on the other sites. Find your city or state and then click on any of the categories under jobs (or see below).
  • Craigslist - How to Find a Jobs on Craigslist - This article, from about.com, provides a very brief view on how best to leverage Craigslist for job search.
Good luck in your search.

Article courtesy of the Recruiting Blogswap, a content exchange service sponsored by CollegeRecruiter.com, a leading site for college students looking for internships and recent graduates searching for entry level jobs and other career opportunities ]]> Sat, 27 Jun 2009 21:05:41 21JunCEST Social Media Breakfast Minneapolis & St. Paul Has The World’s Largest Event http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/MNHeadhunter/~3/SE4_DAl_gag/social-media-breakfast-minneapolis-st-paul-has-the-worlds-largest-event.html I can be a little (a lot) competitive and for my friends around the country who talk about how cool their Social Media Breakfast, happy hour club or professional network is let me say this...

We kicked your ass today.

Has your event ever had 300+ people, met 16 months in a row or had a jumbotron? Yes, I said jumbotron. Minneapolis/St. Paul is not the flyover prairie you think it is so step down from your “I am so cool sitting here on a coast” pedestal. (sorry, had to get that out of my system)

We owe this effort here to one guy, Rick Mahn (@rickmahn) Founder of Social Media Breakfast – Twin Cities. Rick is one of the nicest guys you will meet. He will mention he has had some help planning events and sponsors (including me two times in the beginning) and that this is about the community (which it is) but without Rick’s leadership this thing would not be what it is today. He is not doing this for himself but believes we have a great community here and it should get together.

Rick (and this about as serious as I ever get) we all thank you for the work you have done. It is not easy getting an event like to day with 300+ folks coordinated and put together. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

More folks to thank today include Deluxe Corporation and PartnerUp for hosting and sponsoring the event. Both companies are hiring and you can find their jobs posted at Deluxe Corporation Careers and PartnerUp Jobs.

Speakers were Steve Borsch (@sborsch) with "Personal/Professional Hubs: A place to aggregate your digital life", his slides posted here Presentation from SMBMSP #16, and Tim Brunelle (@tbrunelle) with “Impact of Social Media on the Advertising and Marketing Industry”.

I forgot one thank you, Mother Nature. This event was outside at Deluxe Corporation and other than being a little warm and humid it was awesome. For those who folllowed the Twitter stream there were lots of jokes about people getting a free breakfast, some learning, networking and a tan or in some cases sunburn.

Speaking of suntan/burn many of us are looking a bit odd this evening. We were facing south so the left side of our faces were facing the sun. So for me, my left ear has a bit of red color to it and the right ear as white as it was. Clearly some (or many) in our group need to get out more.

I joked with Rick that now I need to find a way to get one of my Minnesota Recruiters events to 350 attendees so I can take back my unofficial title of largest grass roots event. Hmm, I wonder how many chairs I can get at Best Buy....

Last note, I had some awesome conversations with people today. I truly believe we have seen the bottom of the recession in Minnesota and today was more evidence of this. In some cases a very small but noticeable bump up is being felt. People today had more good news stories than previous months and their attitude is much more positive than 3 months ago

I went a little nutty with my camera today so the rest of this blog post is photos:

]]> Sat, 27 Jun 2009 01:43:53 1JunCEST LinkedIn Is Not A Social Networking Site http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/MNHeadhunter/~3/G1-QQDRCBHU/linkedin-is-not-a-social-networking-site.html I know a number of people are going to disagree with me on this but read on and then tell me what you think.

LinkedIn is a professional networking site.

Facebook, Twitter, MySpace and the rest are social networking sites.

Sure LinkedIn has some of the features of other sites like:

  • Events
  • Groups
  • Applications
  • A photo

Here is why I say it is different:

  • Do you post the same photo on LinkedIn as you do Facebook?
  • Do you use the same language, style or tone?
  • Do you leave the same updates?

Hopefully you do not.

Take this a step further with mistakes I see Recruiters make in treating social networking sites like LinkedIn:

  • Posting jobs relentlessly (or least when the economy was better)
  • Not participating in conversations
  • Not establishing relationships with people
  • Treating the sites like a searchable (for as much as they are) database

Job seekers are not immune to the mistakes in what they are doing on LinkedIn:

  • Much too casual photos
  • C U Later type of language
  • Sending connection requests that are very informal

There are no “rules” to this but some folks are not using common sense when they go from one to the other.

For my Recruiter friends and I mean this with a lot of respect, we need to use the sites the way they are and not they way we wish they were. By that I mean these are social sites. So participate, engage, contribute and communicate with people in a social setting.

OK, I feel better now and feel free to tell me why I am wrong :)

]]> Thu, 25 Jun 2009 20:36:13 20JunCEST Two Ways to Get Unstuck in Your Job Search http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/MNHeadhunter/~3/qilf_wyfgIo/two-ways-to-get-unstuck-in-your-job-search.html The following post is courtesy of the Recruiting Blogswap:

From: Kevin Donlin

You can find great job-hunting ideas by reading publications that have nothing ostensible to do with job hunting.

Example: a new book by seminal marketer, Jay Abraham, called "The Sticking Point Solution."

What, you may ask, does a book for entrepreneurs and marketing/sales professionals have to do with your job search?

Nothing. And a whole lot.

You'll find nothing in it if you're satisfied with ordinary job-search tactics. There are no mentions of networking, dressing for success, or answers to the top 10 interview questions, for example.

But Abraham's new book (or any good marketing publication) can help you a lot if you extract just one new idea to use in your search for work.

Because, ultimately, every job search is really a marketing campaign.

To that end, here are two marketing ideas of Abraham's that can get you hired faster ....

1) Get all you can out of all you're doing

If you're like most job seekers, you're rushing from job-search tactic to another. And it's understandable, given human nature, which makes us eager to rush after the "new" and "improved" rather than slog it out and get the most from existing efforts.

As Abraham writes: "Optimization and innovation are both crucial to your success, but the order is important." He goes on to describe that, in marketing (as in your job search), you should make current activities perform as effectively as possible before seeking out new, untried options.

OK. Time for some hard questions:

  • Question 1: Before giving up on and moving on to Employer B after applying and not hearing back from Employer A, have you verified that Employer A actually got your resume? Especially if you emailed or submitted it via their web site?
  • Question 2: Have you tried blogging to attract recruiters and employers ... for about two weeks -- then given up and tried Twitter and/or Facebook?
  • Question 3: Have you tried "networking" by calling 10 people and asking if they knew anyone who was hiring ... then given up and decided that networking didn't work?

If you answered yes to one or more questions, you're "innovating" at the expense of optimizing. And it's prolonging your job search.

Action Step: Get the most out of your current job-search tactics before trying something new.

Start by analyzing your efforts -- if you're not getting results, why not? Benchmark yourself against people who have succeeded. What did they do differently? How can you emulate them?

2) Prescribe solutions to employers, like a doctor

Another marketing tactic that can help your job search is consultative selling. Abraham defines it as "helping prospects get what they want, facilitating the cure."

Which is exactly what you're trying to do as a job seeker -- help prospects (potential employers) get what they want, which is, ultimately, higher revenues, lower costs, or both.

Imagine how powerful your cover letters and job interviews would be if you first researched employers to find where they "hurt" and how hiring you would provide a "cure"?

Example: What if you learned that your target employer, ABC Corp., was suffering from sluggish sales? What if, in visiting one of their stores, you noticed all the shopping hand-baskets stacked near the front door? What if your research found that hand-baskets displayed within the first 10 feet of a retail entrance tend to be ignored by shoppers, and that scattering them throughout the store can increase sales?

And what if you wrote a cover letter to ABC Corp., that alluded to (but didn't give away all of) your field research? Do you think this "prescription" might help you stand out among ordinary job seekers?

By the way, the foregoing data on merchandising is from the book, "Why We Buy," by Paco Underhill. It took me five minutes to find it online.

Action Step: What can you learn about an employer's problems and possible solutions? How could you deliver solutions as a "prescription" to make hiring managers view you as a trusted advisor -- the same way you'd view a favorite physician -- instead of a job-seeking supplicant?

Now, go out and make your own luck.

Kevin Donlin is co-author of Guerrilla Resumes. Since 1996, he has provided job-search help to more than 20,000 people. Author of 3 books, Kevin has been interviewed by The New York Times, USA Today, Fox News, CBS Radio and others.

Article courtesy of the Recruiting Blogswap, a content exchange service sponsored by CollegeRecruiter.com, a leading site for college students looking for internships and recent graduates searching for entry level jobs and other career opportunities.

]]> Thu, 25 Jun 2009 17:43:37 17JunCEST 6 FREE Online Seminars: Job Search Tool Kit June 30th | LinkedIn A-Z July 1st | Social Media July 2nd http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/MNHeadhunter/~3/RJkpm9JzOwo/6-free-online-seminars-job-search-tool-kit-june-30th-linkedin-a-z-july-1st-social-media-july-2nd.html

While Be Your Own Headhunter is under going a facelift this is how to stay in touch with upcoming seminars:

All presentations are 60-90 minutes with a Q&A that follows.

If you are a Twitter user and would like to provide immediate feedback during a presentation add #BYOH to your comments and suggestions. I will follow up with you on Twitter after the presentation.

PLEASE NOTE: If you are unable to attend the sessions during these times (or are seeing this post after sessions have been held) either click MN Headhunter Blog or Be Your Own Headhunter where you will find a calendar of upcoming events or register anyway so you can get the slides via email.

June 30th, 3 PM & 7 PM CDT

Job Search Toolkit - Be Your Own Headhunter

This is for those in a job search or those thinking either by choice or force they will be doing one soon. Topics to be covered include:

  • To plan your job search
  • How to market yourself
  • Ways to ask for referrals and advice
  • Where to find the hidden job market
  • Where to research companies
  • How to find contact names and email addresses
  • Tips on using email and phone for contacting and follow up

To register click:

July 1st, 3 PM & 7 PM CDT

LinkedIn A to Z - Use LinkedIn Like A Headhunter

Whether you are using LinkedIn as a job seeker, recruiter, sales person or for general networking purposes this presentation will show you how to:

  • Create and optimize your profile
  • Create your personal URL
  • Connect with and expand your network
  • Find and participate in groups
  • Research companies
  • Use Google to see all of LinkedIn, not just your 3 degrees
  • Write and ask for recommendations
  • Participate in Questions and Answers
  • Search for names using keywords, title, company, skill set and location
  • Avoid pitfalls

To register click:

July 2nd, 3 PM & 7 PM CDT

Using Social Media For Networking, Lead Generation And Job Search

For those of us who write a blog and/or have profiles on Facebook, Twitter, MySpace and Ning groups we often use these site to communicate with friends, coworkers and family but until recently very few thought of them as opportunities to network, for lead generation, find jobs and consulting opportunities.

I will walk through the use of blogs, Facebook, Twitter, MySpace and Ning groups showing ways one can:

  • Optimize profiles with keywords, locations, etc
  • Use the site to search others
  • Join and create groups
  • Overtly and covertly say you are networking, looking for customers, jobs or consulting gigs
  • Show what you are working on and prove expertise
  • Engage in a regional, local and industry conversation
  • Connect and network prior to and after industry events

To register click:

]]> Tue, 23 Jun 2009 15:33:55 15JunCEST How To Show Employers That You Fit The Job http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/MNHeadhunter/~3/1v8D4m7b24k/how-to-show-employers-that-you-fit-the-job.html The following post is courtesy of the Recruiting Blogswap:

From: Caroline Ceniza-Levine

One jobseeker asked: If flexibility, versatility and cross-training are all the rage these days, why do recruiters seem to hold so firmly to the belief that a candidate must "fit the profile" exactly?

The above question is valid, and it demonstrates why boilerplate qualities with no substance or tangible metrics attached are meaningless. In the above example, flexibility, versatility and cross-training are the boilerplate qualities. Many job descriptions ask for these. Therefore, these are not going to be the deciding factors; they’re a given. Instead you need to find what makes that job unique, how that will be measured and appeal specifically to that. When you do that, you fit the profile, and that’s what employers and recruiters want.

How does the position contribute to the bottom line? Focus on that responsibility and give specific examples of when you did just that. If these examples are in a different industry or functional context, explain explicitly how you would handle this in the industry/ function for which you are interviewing.

What are the management and reporting requirements of the position? If you need to manage direct reports, give examples of when you managed direct reports. If you need to report into different areas, give examples of when you worked cross-functionally.

What is the success culture of this company? Do your homework to identify what personality traits are specifically valued for this company. Then showcase how you have these traits, not the traits that every company says they want (work ethic, team spirit, flexibility, versatility, blah, blah, blah).

Many jobseekers position themselves so generically that they seem to be saying, “I fit any job.” You want to demonstrate that you fit a specific job. Specificity is the key to a successful job search.

Caroline Ceniza-Levine is co-founder of SixFigureStart, a career coaching firm that specializes in working with Gen Y young professionals. Formerly in corporate HR and retained search, Caroline most recently headed campus recruiting for Time Inc and has also recruited for Accenture, Citibank, Disney ABC, and others.

Article courtesy of the Recruiting Blogswap, a content exchange service sponsored by CollegeRecruiter.com, a leading site for college students looking for internships and recent graduates searching for entry level jobs and other career opportunities. ]]> Mon, 22 Jun 2009 19:23:52 19JunCEST Federal Hiring Trends and In-Demand Jobs http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/MNHeadhunter/~3/0r6T0xI6JjQ/federal-hiring-trends-and-in-demand-jobs.html The following post is courtesy of the Recruiting Blogswap:

From: Lorraine Russo

Updated weekly, this page completes the top 50 Federal agencies with the most openings in the last calendar month.

For example, the agency with the most openings in a calendar month is Veterans Affairs / Veterans Health Administration, with 3,326 jobs (mostly highly-skilled medical jobs), followed by the Army Corps of Engineers with 3,126 jobs.

Because the list is updated weekly, be sure to bookmark it and add it to your calendar. It provides a ton of information about which agencies are hiring and the in-demand jobs (right now, there are nine in-demand jobs posted from two agencies: Department Of Energy (1 job) and Department Of The Navy (8 jobs).

Before you think that getting a Federal jobs is near-impossible, be sure to read the 9 Myths about Federal Jobs.

Here's the entire list:

Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration 3326

Army Corps of Engineers 3126

Veterans Health Administration 2971

Air Force Personnel Center 1741

Army Medical Command 1739

Army Installation Management Agency 1531

Forest Service 1345

Army Reserve Command 1043

Federal Aviation Administration 904

Social Security Administration 883

National Guard Units 654

Customs and Border Protection 578

Immigration and Customs Enforcement 540

National Park Service 532

U.S. Army Research, Development and Engineering 500

Bureau of Prisons/Federal Prison System 487

Bureau of Land Management 466

Defense Logistics Agency 466

Air Force Materiel Command 446

Bureau of the Census 442

Transportation Security Administration 436

Department of Veterans Affairs 429

Army Training and Doctrine Command 421

Defense Contract Management Agency 412

Defense Intelligence Agency 373

Indian Health Service 347

Internal Revenue Service 322

Food and Drug Administration 308

Air National Guard Units 290

National Institutes of Health 277

Department Of Energy 269

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 259

Department Of State 258

Army Communications Electronics Command 249

Navy Field Offices 249

Field Operating Agency of Army Staff Resourced OA-22 242

Drug Enforcement Administration 233

Army Test and Evaluation Command 232

Environmental Protection Agency 228

Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) 227

DHS Headquarters 224

Army Forces Command 219

U.S. Coast Guard 219

US Fish and Wildlife Service 218

Defense Commissary Agency 215

Animal & Plant Health Inspection Service 205

Army Tank-Automotive & Armament 204

Centers for Disease Control & Prevention 203

Federal Emergency Management Agency 195

Natural Resources Conservation Service

Article courtesy of the Recruiting Blogswap, a content exchange service sponsored by CollegeRecruiter.com, a leading site for college students looking for internships and recent graduates searching for entry level jobs and other career opportunities.

]]> Fri, 19 Jun 2009 19:13:04 19JunCEST Open Eyes, Open Mind, New Job http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/MNHeadhunter/~3/Vb-W8HTf2UE/open-eyes-open-mind-new-job.html The following post is courtesy of the Recruiting Blogswap:

From: Kevin Donlin

Despite the rotten employment news -- Have you heard? We're in a recession -- there are jobs to be had.

In fact, your next job might walk right into the room today or come disguised as a position you don't really want.

How can this be?

Read on to learn how two people found work recently by doing simple, unusual things that you can do, too …

1) Open Your Eyes

Kathryn Valentine delivers talks to secondary students on such life skills as budgeting, resume writing, and job interviewing, as a High School Presenter for Heald College in Concord, Calif.

How did she get this job? It walked into the room. Literally.

"I was working at a nearby high school and looking for something different. Because I worked in a career center, I was the one who scheduled presenters to come to our campus. The Heald College rep came in and said to me, ‘This is my last day.'"

After discussing the specifics of the job, Valentine let a few days go by, then called to express interest in applying. "She told me to send her a resume, which I did, and said she would pass it on to her boss," says Valentine.

She didn't stop there, however. Valentine turned one personal connection into several at her potential employer, which give her an edge over other candidates.

"I found out who my potential bosses would be and emailed them about the position. I got this information by researching the school and talking to the former employee, who gave me names of people I should talk to," says Valentine.

It worked. Valentine was hired in September 2008 for the position she now holds, replacing the woman who walked into her classroom.

Here are two takeaway lessons from Valentine's success:

  • Keep your eyes open for job leads, because they're everywhere.
As soon as you walk out the door each day, you're entering the job market. Keep this in mind as you select your clothes, groom yourself, and load your wallet with business cards tomorrow. If you fail to prepare to meet job leads every day, you are preparing to fail in your job search.
  • Turn one contact at employers into many.

The more people at an employer who know you want to work there, the better your chances are.

To that end, ask this question of every potential co-worker you meet: "If you were me, who else would you talk to?" Then, take names and start making phone calls.

2) Open Your Mind

Jennifer Perkins, a jewelry designer from Clawson, Mich., was hired for a position that didn't exist -- it was created for her after she interviewed for … a different job.

She found a job posted online by a small business, and applied even though she felt overqualified, because the employer looked interesting.

"The job posting was for a Jewelry Knotter. I didn't know how to do it, even though I have a degree in a related field," says Perkins.

But she applied anyway for the position at Marlaina Stone, in Royal Oak, Mich., knowing that, once she got her foot in the door, the employer would see that she had valuable skills in other areas.

What happened next?

"I got a phone call and went in talk with them about my experience. I had owned a jewelry company and I had basically done everything connected with the business. Fortunately, they were open-minded enough to realize that, even though I couldn't do the job that was posted, I had skills they could utilize, so they made a position for me," says Perkins.

What's more impressive is that Perkins was hired in February 2009 (amid the worst job market in more than 20 years), in Michigan (with the highest unemployment rate in America).

While I don't recommend you apply for jobs you're not qualified for -- it can backfire -- Perkins was right to assume her experience would interest the employer. She took a calculated risk, and it paid off.

Here are two takeaway lessons from Perkins' success:

  • Focus most of your efforts on small businesses, with fewer than 500 employees.

Why? They create up to 80% of new jobs in the U.S. economy, according to the U.S. Small Business Administration (and all the anecdotal evidence I've seen since 1996).

Also, small employers typically make hiring decisions faster than Fortune 500 firms, which may force you to run the gauntlet through an HR department bent on screening out hundreds of applicants for every one or two they let through to the interview.

  • When you interview at a small business, know that you're probably talking to the owner.
So be ready to get hired on the spot for an existing job or, as in Perkins' case, discuss creating a job. Because smart employers recognize talent and are willing to create roles for the right person. Here's hoping that person is you.

Article courtesy of the Recruiting Blogswap, a content exchange service sponsored by CollegeRecruiter.com, a leading site for college students looking for internships and recent graduates searching for entry level jobs and other career opportunities. ]]> Fri, 19 Jun 2009 05:35:11 5JunCEST Five Things NOT To Do During a Job Interview http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/MNHeadhunter/~3/3F7awsv9U6o/five-things-not-to-do-during-a-job-interview.html The following post is courtesy of the Recruiting Blogswap:

From: Christina Archer is the Director of Healthcare Recruiting with AgentHR's Columbus, Ohio office

It doesn't matter what industry you are in, or what job you do, when you're trying to land your next job, you have to have a competitive mindset to win the job offer.  You've probably heard or read about the different things you are supposed to do when meeting with a prospective employer.  Let's turn our focus from what you should do, to what you should never do during a telephone, online meeting, or face to face interview.

1.  Do not be late for your appointment.

This shows the employer that you are not reliable from the get-go.  Instead, be sure to arrive at least fifteen minutes early, and check in with the front desk or receptionist to let them know of your presence.  In the event the time passes, and you have not been called in for your meeting, go back to the individual you checked in with, to ensure they actually informed the interviewer you are there.

2.  Do not leave extra copies of your resume in the car.

I suggest having a minimum of three copies of your resume prepared on high quality paper available at every interview.  In the event the hiring manager calls in a colleague for you to meet as part of the interview process, or has an additional manager sit in on the interview, you are prepared to shake hands and bring them "into the loop."  This makes you, as the candidate, look prepared.

3.  Do not be afraid to ask thoughtful, intelligent, and deliberate questions during an interview.

In fact, it is recommended that you work with your career coach or recruiter to create a list of at least ten questions that show you have researched the opportunity with this company, and further illustrate your competency and ability to perform the position in which you are applying.  Keep in mind, you never want to ask questions that are easily answered on the company's website, or is general public knowledge. 

4.  Do not avoid eye contact throughout the interview.

Consider your meeting with the hiring manager to be a performance.  The truth of the matter is you are attempting to out-perform other applicants and prospective hires for the same position.  If you put yourself in the shoes of the employer, you quickly realize how important behavior and body language is to the interview outcome.  By maintaining eye contact with the people you are speaking with, you show that you are confident, and capable of performing the job in which they are hiring for.

5.  NEVER discuss money or benefits during your meeting.

If you want to ensure you do not get an opportunity with the company you are applying with, try to bring up compensation.  The hiring manager is meeting with you to determine whether or not you are a good fit for the position, and their organization.  To discuss money shows your ignorance of the hiring process, and shows a lack of professionalism.  The purpose of the interview is for you to articulate to the company what you can do for them.  Compensation should not ever enter the conversation until an offer has been made.  This is where the salary negotiation process begins.

It is critical to know what not to say during a job interview.  While preparation is always key to a good interview, each candidate should realize that they are competing for the same position against formidable opponents.  To ensure your best performance during the interview, be sure to think about what the employer is actually looking for, and show them how you can best fit that requirement.

Christina Archer is the Director of Recruiting with AgentHR, in the Columbus, Ohio office.  Christina specializes in the contract, temp to hire, and direct hire of healthcare professionals at hospitals and medical facilities across the United States. Christina is the group manager of "The R.N. Network" on LinkedIn, and offers job seekers unique tools, articles, and resources on her blog.  (I-Careersearch.com)  Whether you are a hiring manager looking for a long-term recruiting strategy that will save you time and money, or a job candidate who is looking for the professional representation necessary to remain competitive in today's employment market, visit Christina's website for more information, at http://www.agenthr.com/carcher


Article courtesy of the Recruiting Blogswap, a content exchange service sponsored by CollegeRecruiter.com, a leading site for college students looking for internships and recent graduates searching for entry level jobs and other career opportunities.

]]> Tue, 16 Jun 2009 00:27:21 0JunCEST 3 FREE Online Seminars: Job Search Tool Kit June 23rd | LinkedIn A-Z June 24th | Social Media June 25th http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/MNHeadhunter/~3/ybj1Mw2PocI/3-free-online-seminars-job-search-tool-kit-june-23rd-linkedin-a-z-june-24th-social-media-june-25th.html

While Be Your Own Headhunter is under going a facelift this is how to stay in touch with upcoming seminars:

All presentations are 60-90 minutes with a Q&A that follows.

If you are a Twitter user and would like to provide immediate feedback during a presentation add #BYOH to your comments and suggestions. I will follow up with you on Twitter after the presentation.

PLEASE NOTE: If you are unable to attend the sessions during these times (or are seeing this post after sessions have been held) either click MN Headhunter Blog or Be Your Own Headhunter where you will find a calendar of upcoming events or register anyway so you can get the slides via email.

June 23rd, 3 PM CDT

Job Search Toolkit - Be Your Own Headhunter

This is for those in a job search or those thinking either by choice or force they will be doing one soon. Topics to be covered include:

  • To plan your job search
  • How to market yourself
  • Ways to ask for referrals and advice
  • Where to find the hidden job market
  • Where to research companies
  • How to find contact names and email addresses
  • Tips on using email and phone for contacting and follow up

To register click Job Search Toolkit - Be Your Own Headhunter

June 24th, 3 PM CDT

LinkedIn A to Z - Use LinkedIn Like A Headhunter

Whether you are using LinkedIn as a job seeker, recruiter, sales person or for general networking purposes this presentation will show you how to:

  • Create and optimize your profile
  • Create your personal URL
  • Connect with and expand your network
  • Find and participate in groups
  • Research companies
  • Use Google to see all of LinkedIn, not just your 3 degrees
  • Write and ask for recommendations
  • Participate in Questions and Answers
  • Search for names using keywords, title, company, skill set and location
  • Avoid pitfalls

To register click LinkedIn A to Z - Use LinkedIn Like A Headhunter

June 25th, 3 PM CDT

Using Social Media For Networking, Lead Generation And Job Search

For those of us who write a blog and/or have profiles on Facebook, Twitter, MySpace and Ning groups we often use these site to communicate with friends, coworkers and family but until recently very few thought of them as opportunities to network, for lead generation, find jobs and consulting opportunities.

I will walk through the use of blogs, Facebook, Twitter, MySpace and Ning groups showing ways one can:

  • Optimize profiles with keywords, locations, etc
  • Use the site to search others
  • Join and create groups
  • Overtly and covertly say you are networking, looking for customers, jobs or consulting gigs
  • Show what you are working on and prove expertise
  • Engage in a regional, local and industry conversation
  • Connect and network prior to and after industry events

To register click Using Social Media For Networking, Lead Generation And Job Search

]]> Mon, 15 Jun 2009 21:33:19 21JunCEST 3 FREE Online Seminars: Job Search Tool Kit June 16th | LinkedIn A-Z June 18th | Social Media June 19th http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/MNHeadhunter/~3/FCpe49UC494/3-free-online-seminars-job-search-tool-kit-june-16th-linkedin-a-z-june-18th-social-media-june-19th.html

While Be Your Own Headhunter is under going a facelift this is how to stay in touch with upcoming seminars:

All presentations are 60-90 minutes with a Q&A that follows.

If you are a Twitter user and would like to provide immediate feedback during a presentation add #BYOH to your comments and suggestions. I will follow up with you on Twitter after the presentation.

PLEASE NOTE: If you are unable to attend the sessions during these times (or are seeing this post after sessions have been held) either click MN Headhunter Blog or Be Your Own Headhunter where you will find a calendar of upcoming events or register anyway so you can get the slides via email.

June 16th, 3 PM CDT

Job Search Toolkit - Be Your Own Headhunter

This is for those in a job search or those thinking either by choice or force they will be doing one soon. Topics to be covered include:

  • To plan your job search
  • How to market yourself
  • Ways to ask for referrals and advice
  • Where to find the hidden job market
  • Where to research companies
  • How to find contact names and email addresses
  • Tips on using email and phone for contacting and follow up

To register click Job Search Toolkit - Be Your Own Headhunter

June 18th, 3 PM CDT

LinkedIn A to Z - Use LinkedIn Like A Headhunter

Whether you are using LinkedIn as a job seeker, recruiter, sales person or for general networking purposes this presentation will show you how to:

  • Create and optimize your profile
  • Create your personal URL
  • Connect with and expand your network
  • Find and participate in groups
  • Research companies
  • Use Google to see all of LinkedIn, not just your 3 degrees
  • Write and ask for recommendations
  • Participate in Questions and Answers
  • Search for names using keywords, title, company, skill set and location
  • Avoid pitfalls

To register click LinkedIn A to Z - Use LinkedIn Like A Headhunter

June 19th, 1 PM CDT

Using Social Media For Networking, Lead Generation And Job Search

For those of us who write a blog and/or have profiles on Facebook, Twitter, MySpace and Ning groups we often use these site to communicate with friends, coworkers and family but until recently very few thought of them as opportunities to network, for lead generation, find jobs and consulting opportunities.

I will walk through the use of blogs, Facebook, Twitter, MySpace and Ning groups showing ways one can:

  • Optimize profiles with keywords, locations, etc
  • Use the site to search others
  • Join and create groups
  • Overtly and covertly say you are networking, looking for customers, jobs or consulting gigs
  • Show what you are working on and prove expertise
  • Engage in a regional, local and industry conversation
  • Connect and network prior to and after industry events

To register click Using Social Media For Networking, Lead Generation And Job Search

]]> Mon, 15 Jun 2009 21:16:55 21JunCEST So Many Job Boards, So Little Time http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/MNHeadhunter/~3/LLgweDpHSEw/so-many-job-boards-so-little-time.html The following post is courtesy of the Recruiting Blogswap:

From: CareerAlley

If you think that it feels like there are an endless number of job search boards, you are not alone. While they are not endless, there are way too many. Of course, not every job board is for everyone (and not every job board is worth the time). That being said, job boards should be a regular part of your job search for several reasons. The obvious one is job search, the less obvious is that that job boards are where both employers and recruiters look for candidates.

  • Onlyconstructionjobs.com - Okay, you've probably guess the focus of this job board, but it is probably a little broader than you would think. The main page is split between job seekers (left hand side) and employers (right hand side). The far right hand side of the page has featured jobs. The site has free registration, click on post your resume to join or search jobs. There are over 1,000 employers registered on the site and, according to the site, more than 57,000 jobs. You must register to search, but it is free.
  • Freecareersearch.com - Free career search (most of them are) and featured articles and jobs. The site lists the top ten "in-demand" jobs for 2009 on the right hand side. It's hard to tell if this is a scam site or not. You must fill in basic information (including an email address) and you are then emailed information for your search (I did not try this).
  • Jobdig.com - "Because everyone should dig their job" is the tag line on this site (how about "because everyone should be able to get a job"). The main page shows a map of the US where you can click to get a quick search of jobs in that state which can further be refined by keyword. Below the map is a "browse by job type" listing. To the right of the map are links for job seeking advise and career advice while to the far right is a listing of top jobs. The far left has links for Jobseekers (search jobs, resume builder, etc.) followed by career advice and online tools. The Event Calendar is a very good source for career fairs. There are also assessment tests, videos, articles and advise.
  • Topechelonnetwork.com - To Echelon Network is a different type of resource, it is a network of recruiters. From the main page, you can add your resume, find a recruiter, search for jobs and read related articles. Clicking on job search returns a listing of all jobs with a detailed description of each job. From this page you can submit your resume, apply for jobs, create job alerts and look at featured jobs.
  • Financialjobnetwork.com - The Financial Job Network is a global search site which is focused on (obviously) the financial services industry. As with most job search boards, you can register and submit your resume. The main page has tabs at the top to register, search jobs, review you resumes and more. The middle of the page lists financial job functions for targeted search followed by the same links as the tabs at top. Clicking on directories links to a page where you can also review events. Click on jobs to search job opportunities (click search from this page to view a traditional search screen).
Good luck in your search.

Article courtesy of the Recruiting Blogswap, a content exchange service sponsored by CollegeRecruiter.com, a leading site for college students looking for internships and recent graduates searching for entry level jobs and other career opportunities. ]]> Fri, 12 Jun 2009 19:57:23 19JunCEST Job Search Secret: Trade Shows http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/MNHeadhunter/~3/H-8MkmeY434/job-search-secret-trade-shows.html The following post is courtesy of the Recruiting Blogswap:

From: Lorraine Russo

As we've mentioned here before, about 80% of jobs are never advertised, so consider adding another useful tool to your job search toolbox: Trade Shows and Industry Association gatherings.

One of the best activities for locating unadvertised or hidden jobs is attending industry- or product-related trade shows. Because only 20% or so of jobs appear on the boards or a company web site, get a leg up on your competition and go after the 80% of jobs that few others are looking for.

Also, the Conference Board reports that "in April, there were 2.4 advertised vacancies posted online for every 100 persons in the labor force, down from a high of 2.9 in April 2007."

In fact, CareerXroads recently conducted a study that concluded "12.3 percent of external hires come through job boards." Take a look at the following "Sources of Hire" breakdown that came out of that study.

CareerXroads Sources of Hire

Some of their key findings include:

[Companies'] desire to reduce hires (and associated costs) attributed to third-party recruiters, newspapers and job boards, while increasing tactics connected to social networks and search engine marketing to how important referrals are to recruiting."

Yahoo! has an impressive list of conventions and trade shows here. By drilling down in each category, you can locate the events of interest to you and make plans to mingle with your peers. This will help you accomplish a number of things:

  • The first is obvious: networking. (or, as we called it in the old days, "bump & howdy").
  • Ensure that you are keeping up with changes and trends in your respective industry or niche. In many cases, general admission is free or fairly inexpensive. Be sure to check on the admission policy beforehand. Fees may also be tax deductible, so be sure to see if they qualify.
  • Attending these shows will give you a good idea of the companies that may be hiring. If a company is in a position to rent booth space at these shows (which is not inexpensive), chances are good that you may be able to uncover a goldmine of hidden opportunities.
  • See if you can correlate the attendee roster (these are usually online) to a company's new or expanded marketing efforts. This, too, may indicate that a company has the budget to hire for certain market segments.

Research, research, research! Once you have a handle on the companies you plan to visit, store some fast facts and figures in your head so that when you meet with the reps at the show, you can show some credible knowledge and make the logical connection between your skillset and their needs. This will help you prepare your Elevator Pitch (see below). –

Check LinkedIn or other networking sites to see if you know or can be linked to employees of the companies attending the shows.

Plan to spend a full day at each show, and bring plenty of business cards. Make sure your biz cards reflect your LinkedIn or Facebook IDs along with a professional-sounding email address (rather than something like bigbubba@bubba.com).

Most importantly, be prepared to recite your 30-second elevator pitch. While you won't be asking outright about job opportunities, you will be telling your industry peers (and potential future co-workers) who you are and what you do...in 30 seconds or less. Don't have a stopwatch? Light a match. If your fingers start to burn before you're done, you've gone over 30 seconds.

So, make plans to get out of the house and move away from your PC! While "social networking" is indeed beneficial, nothing beats the old-fashioned bump 'n howdy.

Article courtesy of the Recruiting Blogswap, a content exchange service sponsored by CollegeRecruiter.com, a leading site for college students looking for internships and recent graduates searching for entry level jobs and other career opportunities.

]]> Thu, 11 Jun 2009 21:31:48 21JunCEST The 7 Most Difficult Interview Questions...And How to Answer Them http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/MNHeadhunter/~3/_bVnmJf8ir4/the-7-most-difficult-interview-questionsand-how-to-answer-them.html The following post is courtesy of the Recruiting Blogswap:

From: Lorraine Russo

Because you will have only about fifteen minutes to sell your yourself to an interviewer (statistically, this is the total amount of real "talk-time" you have in an interview), you must be prepared for the "tough" interview questions and be prepared to answer them succinctly and effortlessly. Through your role-playing exercises, you will have prepared solid and candid answers to questions, which will vastly improve your success in every interview.

Once I learned how to answer the questions that follow AND the manner in which they should be answered, I received job offers after every interview I went on!

As well, you will be able to provide your answers in a comfortable, natural, and relaxed manner. This is because:

  • You have been role-playing until you've reached a firm comfort level.
  • You know the questions.
  • You have the answers.

So let's review the questions and answers. Note that the answers provided here are intended only as a guide, so you need to work on customizing your own answers to these questions.

QUESTION 1: Tell me about yourself.

This is a confusing question for many people. Some have asked themselves, "Why is she asking me this question? It's all in my resume, isn't it?" Actually, it's not all in your resume--it's in you, and the interviewer wants to hear it directly from you. Your response should be a four or five sentence statement that summarizes your professional and/or educational background. Some people have never been able to decide if an interviewer wants to hear about their personal or professional side, so let's solve this mystery right now: This is a skills and abilities question; no more, no less.

Bottom line: the interviewer wants to know what value you will bring to the company. Remember, the purpose of an interview is to determine what you can do for the company, NOT what the company can do for you!

To answer this question, you must know your skills and abilities inside and out. Tell the interviewer what you do best. Think about the skills or abilities the company is looking for and connect those to your own. You'll know what the company is looking for based on the research you conducted beforehand and what you may have been able to glean from the job description. Of course, you will have an answer ready as a result of your interview preparation techniques. Say what you have to say. Do not ramble! Once you've given your answer:
  1. Stop talking
  2. Smile
  3. Keep your hands in your lap
  4. Look to the interviewer for the next question.
The way to answer this question is to tell the interviewer about your professional abilities in a summarized format. For example, you might say:

"I am an accountant with over ten years experience. I graduated from ABC College with a degree in Accounting in 1978. Since then, I have held four jobs, each with increasing levels of responsibility. I have also worked in both manufacturing and service organizations, thus rounding out my experience as an accountant."

Another example of a way to answer this question:

"I am an administrative assistant with seven years of experience in small- to mid-sized firms. I have reported to various levels within these organizations, ranging from the executive vice-president to manager level. My skills include the ability to work with all levels of people in the organization, as well as using personal computers for word processing, spreadsheets, and presentation materials. I also enjoy learning new software packages. I feel one of my strong points is the ability to handle multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment."

A recent college graduate might respond this way:

"I recently graduated from ABC College with a degree in Business Administration and a 3.5 grade average. My goal is to obtain a position that will allow me to develop and refine skills that I learned both in college and my various part-time jobs. I've worked in retail and in office settings, and am now ready to begin a full-time career with a company like XXX Company."

Once you've developed a response, be prepared to give examples that support your opening statement.

QUESTION 2: What were your responsibilities?

When answering this question, try to present yourself in a broad, general way. During your interview preparation, you should have identified about six responsibilities from your current or former position, which you should then summarize during the interview. Do not give in to the temptation to go into great detail about what you did. Talk about what you were responsible for.

You might want to begin your answer by saying:

 "I was/am responsible for the management of the accounting department at ABC Company, supervising personnel and processes in order to accomplish corporate objectives, etc."

Keep your answer at a high level--no details are needed at this point. Another way to answer this question:

"I was responsible for providing administrative support to ensure the smooth and efficient operation of the sales department. I ensured the timely preparation of presentation materials, proposals, and all related documents. I was also responsible for maintaining travel schedules for the sales and marketing personnel in the department."

A recent college graduate might answer this question in the following manner:

"I held various jobs during my four years of college. While working at ABC Company as a summer intern, I worked in the marketing department helping the director create new marketing materials for the sales department. This included coordinating the work of the copy writers and the artists to ensure that the marketing materials were done on time."

QUESTION 3: What are you looking for?

This question should receive a fairly general answer. Try to limit your answer to one (but no more than two) sentences. Use a summary of the attributes you identified during your preparation sessions. Be prepared to discuss your short-term (1-3 years) and long-term (3-5 years) goals. You may want to say something that is vague yet satisfying to the interviewer, such as:

"I am looking for a position that will allow me to use my experience in the ______ field, including xxx and xxx. I am also ready to take on increased responsibilities in a management capacity when the opportunity arises. I am eager to work in a company that can provide the opportunity for professional growth."

>> NOTE: Think about what you mean when you say 'professional growth'; a good interviewer will ask what you believe is the next logical level for you to move to. And please, don't say "a management position" unless you can provide specifics...we've asked candidates in the past what they wanted to manage, and they were truly stumped. If you've taken management classes in school, that's great, but do not expect to be hired out of the gate as a manager! OR

"I am looking for the opportunity to take on new and challenging assignments that offer the potential for growth within an organization such as yours. I had been an administrative assistant for seven years and am ready to move to the next level."

>> NOTE: What is 'the next level' for you? Be prepared to articulate this. OR

"I'm looking for a company that will look at my studies and part-time work as the basis for hiring me as an entry-level employee. I'm hoping to further develop my skills in the marketing field with the hopes of moving through the ranks of the organization."

>>A good interviewer will ask follow-up questions. Regardless of your answer, be prepared to state what you're looking for. If you say you're ready to move on to the next level, be prepared to describe that next level.

QUESTION 4: What don't you do very well?

This is a question that makes most people go weak in the knees during an interview. Interviewers commonly employ this question for a number of reasons:

  • To see how well you think on your feet
  • To detect any negativism about yourself or former employers.

This is also a way for the interviewer to obtain your honest appraisal of your abilities. There is a very simple and easy way to handle this question: candidly and honestly. While you should not throw caution to the wind when you give your answer, your interview preparation session will have given you ample opportunity to develop a terrific response. No one is perfect; we all have strengths and weaknesses.

If the interviewer were to ask about your strengths, you wouldn't hesitate to answer, right? On the other hand, if you were asked a question that, on the surface, asks that you "incriminate" yourself, you would hesitate to answer it, and your hesitation will probably be evident during the interview. The trick here is to turn a negative into a positive. Here's how: Let's say you truly despise repetitive and boring work. Obviously, you can't say this during an interview, but you can be honest when you say:

"If I had to do the same or routine thing all day it would be difficult."

Another answer to this question might be:

"I am a people person. I like to work with people. If I couldn't, it would be difficult."

On the surface, these sound negative, but you have turned them into a positive. It is imperative that you develop an honest answer to this question before the interview, as it will come up in one form or another. Do not be tempted to tell the interviewer that there is nothing you do not do well, because no such person exists!

QUESTION 5: What are your accomplishments?

Now is the time for you to brag a little! Tell the interviewer about situations in which you did well and events that relate to the position for which you are applying. In order to brag effectively, do the following during the interview: 1. State the problem 2. Explain how you handled it 3. Describe the results (i.e., cost savings, automation, increased sales, etc.)

We will cover behavioral interviewing in a future article, but the advice here follows the S.A.R. guideline that is taught to hiring managers and other interviewers so that they can understand how you behaved in certain situations.

Some believe that past behavior is predictive of future behavior, so many interviewers will try to extract behavioral examples from you that ask you to describe specific: - Situation(s) - Action(s) - Result(s) You should have at least six examples ready. Use these to back up your skills and abilities statements. Be sure you have sufficiently rehearsed these six examples during your role-playing sessions, as they will come in handy during the interview. Here are some sample responses to this question:

"Our accounting system was antiquated and required updating to reflect new business and customer needs. I researched this problem and recommended the implementation of an enhanced, fully automated accounting system. The result of this was a savings of $250,000 per year, more timely and accurate management reporting, and a reduction in our accounting staff."

"When I accepted the position at ABC Company, there was no centralized filing system. Trying to find important documents was nearly impossible. I identified the problems with the current filing system, and put in place a new, more efficient system so that document retrieval became faster and easier."

"Even though I only worked part time at the video store, I recognized that some videos were being released to customers without their names and telephone numbers being logged. I suggested a change in the rental procedure that was adopted by the store owner. Now, all video rentals are properly logged in and out."

Always bring a bragging folder with you (I've always called mine the "I Am Great" folder!). For example, if you wrote the best-ever press release, bring a copy with you so that you can say, "for example, I wrote THIS press release [as you pass it to the interviewer] in order to handle the crisis with the media....". ALWAYS try to respond to a skills- or abilities-based question with both verbal and hard-copy samples, which can be anything: correspondence, spreadsheets...whatever. You need to prove that you are capable of the work you say you did!!

Be sure to redact any confidential or proprietary information from any company document you submit.

QUESTION 6: What are your salary requirements?

Answering the salary question at this stage of the interviewing process can be dangerous; however, you must answer if asked, and your answer must be an honest one. Most advice you hear or read will tell you to avoid answering this question whenever possible. But, by avoiding it, you may cause your interviewer to think that you are hiding something or not being honest about your earnings. Our suggestion is to answer in one of the following ways:

"I'd like a salary that reflects the responsibilities of the position. My current salary range is low- to mid- $30's."

"At this point, salary is not an issue for me. I'm more concerned with the position and the opportunity to learn".

You may then feel free to inquire if your salary requirements are within the company's range. Do not feel obligated to justify or apologize for your current salary! Do not offer to take a cut in pay unless asked, and only you truly mean it. This could be appropriate if you are changing careers or looking for less responsibility. If you want an increase in pay, simply tell the interviewer and be prepared to explain why you think you deserve it. If you find that your and the company's numbers are far apart, offer to wait on a six month review, or something close to that. Do not let money become an issue on the first interview, because you may not get a second one!

QUESTION 7: What is your reason for leaving your current/former employer?

Be as honest as you can here. If your company has relocated, say so. If you were downsized, right-sized, or outsourced, just say so. But say so in a positive light. Remember, NEVER, EVER say anything negative about your former employer or former co-workers!! If you were terminated, practice your response carefully. You might respond in the following manner:

"Things at ABC Company did not work out well for me. It was not a good match, and I decided to move on/switch gears/etc.".

"ABC Company was experiencing financial difficulties and, as a result, laid off 20% of its workforce. My position was eliminated."

"ABC is a small company with limited opportunities for advancement. While I have thoroughly enjoyed my work there, I decided it was time to move on in order to advance."

Summary You should write down and continue to edit and refine your answers to these questions. As you continue to interview, you will learn what works and what doesn't. As you role play, you may find that that an answer has opened up a series of additional, unexpected questions.

A good role-playing buddy will ask you follow-up questions, such as - What do you mean by that? Why was your last employer not a good match? - How do you define career growth? Would you be happy with a lateral move? - Do you think our company can give you what you're looking for? Why? - Can you give me an example of how you handled that?

In all cases, you may need to either revise your original responses or develop answers to the follow-up questions. Continue to review your answers after each role playing session. And when you find yourself waiting in your car because you've arrived early for your interview, re-read them-and keep smiling!

Article courtesy of the Recruiting Blogswap, a content exchange service sponsored by CollegeRecruiter.com, a leading site for college students looking for internships and recent graduates searching for entry level jobs and other career opportunities

]]> Tue, 9 Jun 2009 18:39:42 18JunCEST Challenger, Gray and Christmas Announced Layoff Survey May 2009 http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/MNHeadhunter/~3/X8GPqs3fKuk/challenger-gray-and-christmas-announced-layoff-survey-may-2009.html

It is important to note that the Challenger, Gray and Christmas survey is of announced layoffs and not all layoffs. I point to this survey frequently because it shows trends and as we all try and figure out what is going with the labor market one more bit of data to take a look at.

The trend we see here as with other data that is coming out is we are at or likely have seen the worst of the jobs reports although here we see comments (and I agree) that we are not coming out of this as fast as some think or would like to hope.

Is this “good news”? I prefer not as bad news.

So to the trends...

  • 111,182 announced layoffs in May is lowest level since 95,094 in September 2008
  • 132,590 job cuts in April 2009
  • 150,411 job cuts in March 2009
  • 241,749 job cuts in January 2009
  • 103,522 job cuts in May 2008

So far job cuts through:

  • May 2009 822,282
  • May 2008 394,193

A quote from CEO John Challenger:

“This decline in job cuts could be short-lived,” Challenger said. “The second quarter is typically the lowest quarter of the year when it comes to job cuts. Corporate downsizing may continue to remain slow during the summer months, but if the past is any indication, we could see the pace accelerate again in the latter half of the third quarter through the end of the year."

Here is an interview from CNBC:


Click Employment & Economic Statistics for more posts on the topic and MN Headhunter for the latest blog posts.

]]> Mon, 8 Jun 2009 07:45:58 7JunCEST Minnesota Jobs Report And Unemployment Rate April 2009 http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/MNHeadhunter/~3/oRneQX5nTcU/minnesota-jobs-report-and-unemployment-rate-april-2009.html

April 2009 saw 9,500 jobs eliminated in Minnesota and the Unemployment Rate drop to 8.1% from 8.2% The U.S. rate was 8.9%

The number of jobs gained/lost the past 12 months (year over year) is -90,200 for April. For March it was -98,100.

18,900 jobs were lost in March so the April 9,500 is a sign to many that while job losses will continue that maybe we have experienced the worst of it here in Minnesota including this quote:

“This month’s drop in the unemployment rate and slowing rate of job loss are encouraging and may be early signs that our economy is poised for recovery,” said DEED Commissioner Dan McElroy. “But we remain concerned about the economy and expect continued challenges in the months ahead.”

Here is a graph that show employment growth for the past six years:

Job Gains for April 2009:

  • 4,700 Education and Health Services
  • 1,200 Leisure and Hospitality

Job Losses for April 2009:

  • -5,900 Professional and Business Services
  • -2,400 Manufacturing
  • -2,000 Transportation and Utilities
  • -2,000 Financial Activities
  • -900 Construction
  • -700 Information
  • -600 Other Services
  • -500 Government
  • -400 Logging and Mining

Source: Current Employment Statistics (MN DEED/BLS).

 

Click Employment & Economic Statistics for more posts on the topic and MN Headhunter for the latest blog posts.

]]> Mon, 8 Jun 2009 06:44:31 6JunCEST Job Leads and Links from Friends - Did You Network Today? http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/MNHeadhunter/~3/KenPFeGcEt4/job-leads-and-links-from-friends---did-you-network-today.html The following post is courtesy of the Recruiting Blogswap:

From: CareerAlley

Network, Network, Network - the most important three words in job search. I don't really know the real statistics on the percentage of jobs filled through networking. And, although you will see various percentages published all over the Internet, I'm not sure that anyone really knows the percentage of jobs filled through contacts versus any other source. Is Networking the most important source? Probably.

Today I will list a few links from my network and provide additional comments links to remind you what you should be doing with your network. Thanks to a reader for providing the following two links:

  • Verizon - We all know this company, and their career site leads with a basic search box. They have tabs at the top for Careers, Search Jobs, Resume Account, Events, College and more. The Events link provides a list of recruiting events in your area while the College link provides information on internships and Development programs. You can create an account and load your resume. The Search Jobs link is a basic search where you can search by location and Job Title. There were 198 job opportunities when I checked the site.
  • Which Internet resources REALLY are helpful? - This link leads to Montclair State University's Center for Career Services. It does not matter whether or not you are (or have) attended Montclair State, you can still review their career site. This particular link provides a list of Internet resources for your jobs search. Many of these have been listed here, but many have not. Definitely worth a look.
  • Unemployed? Your New Job: Find a Job! - This post, from Secrets of the Job hunt and written by Darlene McDaniel is a great article and is worth a read. The third point (network, network, network) seems to be a fairly widely used phrase (must be some truth to it).
  • Networking & Support Groups - I've mentioned several times in many posts what a great resource The Riley Guide is and this link regarding Networking is a great example. The article provides a vast number of networking groups, many of which should help in your pursuit of a job.
  • Networking - Make Business Contacts - This list, provided by the Washington Post, provides a list of Networking groups. There is also a link to the left-hand side of the page which lists top jobs posted on the Washington Post's website. There were 34 top job opportunities listed when I checked the site.
Good luck in your search.

Article courtesy of the Recruiting Blogswap, a content exchange service sponsored by CollegeRecruiter.com, a leading site for college students looking for internships and recent graduates searching for entry level jobs and other career opportunities. ]]> Mon, 8 Jun 2009 00:15:23 0JunCEST Minnesota IT Jobs With Minnesota Non Profits http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/MNHeadhunter/~3/JcyrRPG3Aso/minnesota-it-jobs-with-minnesota-non-profits.html The following new Minnesota IT jobs have been added on the MN Headhunter Volunteer Page:

 

Click weekly newsletter to receive the Wednesday message of nonprofit needs, IT jobs I am recruiting for, recruiter jobs, and most popular blog posts of the week.

If you are using a RSS Feed click Volunteer.

]]> Sun, 7 Jun 2009 19:18:23 19JunCEST Minnesota IT Jobs With Minnesota Non Profits http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/MNHeadhunter/~3/JcyrRPG3Aso/minnesota-it-jobs-with-minnesota-non-profits.html The following new Minnesota IT jobs have been added on the MN Headhunter Volunteer Page:

 

Click weekly newsletter to receive the Wednesday message of nonprofit needs, IT jobs I am recruiting for, recruiter jobs, and most popular blog posts of the week.

If you are using a RSS Feed click Volunteer.

]]> Sun, 7 Jun 2009 19:18:23 19JunCEST TCF Bank Stadium: New Home For The University Of Minnesota Golden Gophers Football Team http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/MNHeadhunter/~3/n9ygWHYyZag/tcf-bank-stadium-new-home-for-the-university-of-minnesota-golden-gophers-football-team.html M-I-N-N-E-S-O-T-A

Minnesota

Minnesota

yyyyeeeeaaAAAAHHHH!!!!! Gophers

Rah!!!

OK, it has been a really long time since I posted anything about Minnesota Golden Gopher Football here. When I started this blog 4+ years ago Gopher football was a part of it but for some it was annoying. Especially after then Head Coach Glen Mason was fired and through the hiring of current Head Coach Tim Brewster.

I blogged more about the head coach job search than my day job.

So I started Gopher The Roses and put content there instead. Problem is, it is really hard to publish two blogs. And once I had the www.GopherFootballBlog.com domain and a site up I felt it needed to be done right. But time has not been on my side.

I am debating posting Gopher football stuff here again. Not with the same regularity as before but a way to get some cool stuff on the Internet without the weight of another blog.

For now I will cross post some material and see how it goes.

For regular readers of MN Headhunter if you get annoyed, let me know.

So my first post is going to about the new TCF Bank Stadium, finally we are back on campus. Kickoff is September 12th, 6 pm against the Air Force. Sounds like we will have a sweet fly over prior to the game.

At some other point I may talk about what game day may be like, volunteering on the tailgate committee (still wondering why we never did a “practice” tailgate) and what it was like waiting for my time to pick seats.

But for now enjoy this video showing a mostly complete interior of the new TCF Bank Stadium.

Go Gophers!!!

<\/param><\/embed><\/object><\/div>";" alt="">

 

Click Gopher Football for other related posts and MN Headhunter for latest blog posts.

]]> Fri, 5 Jun 2009 22:06:35 22JunCEST Protean And Boundaryless Careers http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/MNHeadhunter/~3/H1vUcJ1JEf4/protean-and-boundaryless-careers.html The following post is courtesy of the Recruiting Blogswap:

From: Amit Puri is the Managing Consultant at Sandbox Advisors. He has over 10 years of business and HR related experience, with companies such as Bain & Co, Morgan Stanley and Citigroup. Sandbox Advisors is based in Singapore and provides career management and HR consulting services in Asia.

Two trends have changed the world of work in many ways. The first is the shift towards a knowledge based economy that many countries are seeing and the second is global connectivity, interdependence and integration. The new career context that is emerging as a result of these trends has given rise to the terms - Protean and Boundaryless careers.

Protean careers

Companies are operating in a more complex (knowledge-based/global) environment, which is constantly changing. They need to be flexible and nimble in order to stay in business and hence many companies have given-up the idea of keeping employees for a lifetime. By doing, so they have transferred the responsibility and risk of managing careers to the individual. So in order to survive this change, individuals need to become more self-reliant in managing their careers. This means knowing what they want from their careers, developing the skills/knowledge/network that is necessary to achieve their goals and being able to ‘change with change’.

Hence the term Protean career, the origin of of which comes from Proteus, a Greek sea-god who could change in form as the situation demanded. A more formal definition is provided below:

“The protean career is driven by the person, not the organization, based on individually defined goals, encompassing the whole life space, and being driven by psychological success (rather than) objective measures of success such as pay, rank or power. It is a career in which the person is (1) values driven in the sense that the individual’s personal values provide the guidance and measure of success for the individual’s career, and (2) self-directed in personal career management—having the ability to be adaptive in performance and learning demands.”

Boundaryless careers

Another result of these changes is the move towards more ‘boundaryless’ careers, which involve a sequence of job opportunities that go beyond single employment settings. It involves the breaking down of traditional boundaries (for example job boundaries of specialist functions and skills), organisational careers which progress independently of well trodden career paths and the social boundaries separating work and family roles.

The concepts of protean and boundaryless careers are still developing and there are many factors such (for example social/cultural beliefs and economic status) which impact their adoptability/implementation. Nevertheless, they are important concepts/developments and have implications that should be considered.

Implications for organisations: If you want to retain the best people make sure you provide them with the resources/opportunities necessary for managing their career, either within or outside your firm. Why outside your firm? Because they will not stick on, if you are not providing them with development opportunities that enhance their marketability.

Implications for individuals: While the current recession will be a dampener for a bit, never has there been a time when you could pursue what you really want, to such an extent. Take advantage of this and in case you are not doing so already, start taking charge of your own career.

 
Article courtesy of the Recruiting Blogswap, a content exchange service sponsored by CollegeRecruiter.com, a leading site for college students looking for internships and recent graduates searching for entry level jobs and other career opportunities.

]]> Fri, 5 Jun 2009 18:43:18 18JunCEST Who To Follow In Minneapolis On Twitter http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/MNHeadhunter/~3/lNfscJA1E0Y/who-to-follow-in-minneapolis-on-twitter.html UPDATED: I should have titled this How To Find People To Follow...

I get this question regularly from new users to Twitter. I don’t put a lot of weight on the rankings on these lists (including my appearance on them) but they are a good place to start.

Note that you see Minneapolis and not St. Paul or Twin Cities. Most directories recognize Minneapolis as “the city” when they mean both. Some folks in St. Paul are being creative and in their Bio saying, “St. Paul not Minneapolis” and are getting listed in the Minneapolis directories.

To my friends across the river, no I am not trying to be a snob. I am just going with the crowd:

Real time Tweets by location:

Most directories or lists rank by followers and that can (is) a mistake. It is not about how many people follow someone but what comes out of the interaction, communication and relationship.

If you find someone you know or like to follow, dig through who follows them and who they follow. Surely you will find some more cool people to get to know.

If I missed a site or you have a favorite directory (there are a lot to list) add it in the comment section.
 

For more posts like this click Social Media, for recent blog posts click MN Headhunter and click Be Your Own Headhunter for seminars on Social Media, LinkedIn, Job Search, Recruiter and more topics.

]]> Thu, 4 Jun 2009 20:14:43 20JunCEST 3 FREE Online Seminars: Job Search Tool Kit June 9th | LinkedIn A-Z June 10th | Social Media June 11th http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/MNHeadhunter/~3/esQd9LgOr8I/3-free-online-seminars-job-search-tool-kit-june-9th-linkedin-a-z-june-10th-social-media-june-11th.html

While Be Your Own Headhunter is under going a facelift this is how to stay in touch with upcoming seminars:

All presentations are 60-90 minutes with a Q&A that follows.

If you are a Twitter user and would like to provide immediate feedback during a presentation add #BYOH to your comments and suggestions. I will follow up with you on Twitter after the presentation.

PLEASE NOTE: If you are unable to attend the sessions during these times either click MN Headhunter Blog or Be Your Own Headhunter where you will find a calendar of events or register anyway so you can get the slides via email.

June 9th, 3 PM CDT

Job Search Toolkit - Be Your Own Headhunter

This is for those in a job search or those thinking either by choice or force they will be doing one soon. Topics to be covered include:

  • To plan your job search
  • How to market yourself
  • Ways to ask for referrals and advice
  • Where to find the hidden job market
  • Where to research companies
  • How to find contact names and email addresses
  • Tips on using email and phone for contacting and follow up

To register click Job Search Toolkit - Be Your Own Headhunter

June 10th, 3 PM CDT

LinkedIn A to Z - Use LinkedIn Like A Headhunter

Whether you are using LinkedIn as a job seeker, recruiter, sales person or for general networking purposes this presentation will show you how to:

  • Create and optimize your profile
  • Create your personal URL
  • Connect with and expand your network
  • Find and participate in groups
  • Research companies
  • Use Google to see all of LinkedIn, not just your 3 degrees
  • Write and ask for recommendations
  • Participate in Questions and Answers
  • Search for names using keywords, title, company, skill set and location
  • Avoid pitfalls

To register click LinkedIn A to Z - Use LinkedIn Like A Headhunter

June 11th, 3 PM CDT

Using Social Media For Networking, Lead Generation And Job Search

For those of us who write a blog and/or have profiles on Facebook, Twitter, MySpace and Ning groups we often use these site to communicate with friends, coworkers and family but until recently very few thought of them as opportunities to network, for lead generation, find jobs and consulting opportunities.

I will walk through the use of blogs, Facebook, Twitter, MySpace and Ning groups showing ways one can:

  • Optimize profiles with keywords, locations, etc
  • Use the site to search others
  • Join and create groups
  • Overtly and covertly say you are networking, looking for customers, jobs or consulting gigs
  • Show what you are working on and prove expertise
  • Engage in a regional, local and industry conversation
  • Connect and network prior to and after industry events

To register click Using Social Media For Networking, Lead Generation And Job Search

]]> Tue, 2 Jun 2009 18:58:21 18JunCEST