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.

Company Research Before the Interview

In tight economic times, how much you know about the company that your are interviewing with can make all the difference in whether you are the candidate that is selected for the job.

Learning all you can about a company before you go in to interview means:

• You can answer questions that an interviewer asks using your knowledge of the company, its core businesses and the type of skills it values.
• You can ask the interview well-thought out questions about the company, its financial picture, its future and how you fit into that.
• You can tailor your work samples to demonstrate the skills that the company desires in employees.

A great place to look for company research is your local library (ask a librarian to point you in the right direction to the right newspapers, directories, etc.) You will be amazed at the resources that exist that you were not aware of.  Also, you can search online for company web pages, industry news, companies that offer in depth profiles of large businesses, as well as mentions in chat rooms or on blogs.

Trust me, the most prepared candidate will definitely stand out.   

Job Search Mega Resource Websites

If you need access to all sorts of types of job search reference resources in one place, check out the following sites. At Job.Hunt.org, http://www.job-hunt.org, you can find resources ranging from listings of jobs by occupation to a "careers by state" search feature.  At The Riley Guide, http://www.rileyguide.com,  you will find information resources ranging from helpful links for researching companies to a "What's New" section which offers you links to the latest in online job search resources.  It is well worth it to spend a little surfing time at these sites.

Using Online Job Search Resources

Ah! The wild and crazy world of the World Wide Web.  Where do you start when looking for job search resources online?  The first stop for many people is one of the large job search sites.  This strategy works well for many people, especially for those individuals living in larger cities.  For the small city dweller, he or she may want to consider an additional starting point. How about the regional or city specific job search boards.  These sites hone in on specific, often less populated areas, and the job opportunities that exist in these locations. I have found that regional boards are often in the know about positions that are not listed in lots of other places.  Give it a try and see what you think.

   

Find Job Reference Materials that you Need Quickly

As part of your job search, you may find that reference materials may be very helpful.  For example, if you are considering working for an association, the Encyclopedia of Associations may offer you lots of useful information.  To locate a listing of the businesses in the city where you are searching, Polk City Directory may be just what you need. 

Because purchasing directories, in general, can be expensive, you may want to track down the materials at a library near you.  One site that I recommend when trying to find the library closest to you that has the directory that you are looking for is http://www.worldcat.org.  Worldcat is a major network of library services and content.  I have found this site very helpful on numerous occasions.