All Things Job Search

Ice Sculpting Job

Do you like using power tools, creating artistic masterpieces, and working fast? Do beyond cold conditions feel like paradise to you? Ice sculpting may be the profession for you. Check out some photos from this year's ICE exhibit the Gaylord Texan. As you can guess, the Grinch Who Stole Christmas was the theme.

Job Searches Beyond the Big Cities ForeWord Magazine Finalist

Just found out recently that Job Searches Beyond the Big Cities is a finalist in the career category of ForeWord Magazine's Book of Year Awards. I am flattered and honored for the book to be recognized among many other fine books in the category.

A Twitter Job Search

Someone has finally done it. They have come up with a job search engine for Twitter. It is called Twitter JobSearch.com.  The site searches Twitter content to find job vacancy listings.

To learn more go to

http://www.twitterjobsearch.com/

The site indicates that it has found more than 28,000 job openings in the past week.

Unique Job Search Tips

Found an interesting article titled "Eight Little-Known Tricks for the Job Hunt" by Liz Ryan.  It is dated February 22, 2009 from the San Francisco Chronicle. Liz is a very respected expert on careers and the workplace. In the article, she offers some unique and fresh job search ideas. Check the article out at http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/g/a/2009/02/22/JOBSryan.DTL

Have You Tried A Job Search Mega Engine?

Would you like to be able to see results from various job search boards with one Internet search? Try out a job search mega job search engine. These engines comb various sources to come up with a listing of job openings by your geographic location.

Check out indeed at http://www.indeed.com and careerjet.com at http://www.careerjet.com

For listings from solely company job boards listed in one place check out LinkUP at http://www.linkup.com  Do you know of other good mega job search engines? Let's hear your comments.

Using Job Search Contact Information

Saw an interesting Associated Press article in our local newspaper today.  The article talked about the use of technology in the job search including the use of contact information for potential employers garned through the Internet. For example, what if you get a hold of someone's private e-mail address or cell phone number. The article questioned whether it is really wise to use such information to contact someone about a job search.

My opinon is unequivocally no that you should not use such information.  If someone's information is private, it is so for a reason. To me this is very different than contact information that is listed on a company website or placed by the owner on a networking site for such purposes.

What do you say about this topic? 

Getting a "Leg" Up in Your Job Search

I remember hearing a story from a friend of mine about a different job search. Apparently, one of her good friends was applying to an advertising agency and wanted to stand out She sent a mannequin leg in box to the employer with a note saying "Just want to get a leg up on the job".

I am sure that got the folks at the ad agency's attention and it did get the person an interview. Sometimes doing something different is what it takes. Be cautious though in your approach. The last thing that you want to do is offend a potential employer right out of the gate.

For tips on how to get noticed during the job search, check out this article on CNBC.com titled "6 Job-Hunting Tips from the "Sandwich Board" Guy".  

http://www.cnbc.com/id/28522597

New Job Search Site for the Baby Boomer and Beyond

The AARP's announcement that they have partnered with RetirementJobs.com to offer a job search site to people 50 and older makes me think about the value of speciality sites. These sites zero in on specific categories of job seekers with job listings posted by companies that are looking for those specific potential employees. Such job sites can be a win for both the companies (who can narrow their searches) and for job seekers (who know that these companies who list on the site are friendly to job seekers such as themselves). 

Other types of speciality sites in the life stage category include those that focus on near graduation or recent college graduates such as AfterCollege at http://www.aftercollege.com/ and CollegeRecruiter.com at http://wwwcollegerecruiter.com/

Also, Military to Civilian transition such as Military Connection at http://www.militaryconnection.com/

Whatever your life situation, punch in some keywords related to your characteristics as a job seeker and see what you find. You just never know what speciality site might be awaiting you.

Leave your texting at the door

I sat in a meeting a few weeks ago where a guest at the meeting sat beside me and texted the whole time the meeting was going on.  He barely looked up when he was introduced and quickly went back to clicking the keys.  He was present at the meeting, but not present.

For some people, texting has become an all consuming activity, no matter the location. Unknowing, when people are preoccupied with their immediate correspondence, they give the impression that those around them are not nearly as important.  This is one of the big reasons to never bring your cell phone or PDA to a job interview with you.  Don't even think about texting people while you are waiting in the lobby for the interviewer or setting your device on quiet buzz.  We all know that the silent setting on cell phones is not really silent and that your job interview really starts the moment you hit the lobby.

On a related note, for an in depth look at the use of texting lingo in job search correspondence, check out Wall Street Journal reporter Sarah Needleman" article "THX for the IView".  Read it by clicking on the link below.

http://www.thejobcure.com/resources/2008-07-30_01.asp

Anyway, have a great week and"text ya later".

Do not forget about what your Department of Labor can offer you?

One of the most interesting things that I have observed about humans and job searchers, in particular, is that we sometimes neglect very helpful resources that are right in front of us. Do you know what all your state's Department of Labor can offer you? Did you know that there may be a One-Stop Career Center or Workforce Development Center right in your community that offers a whole range of resources and personalized help for employment seekers. Resources such as resume creation help, job search books, access to computers, interview tips and suggestions, and listings of job openings.

Check out the  http://www.careeronestop.org/ , a site from the U.S. Department of Labor, to find out what is available to you and to connect to a One-Stop Career Center near you.