Job Qualifications – Their Effect on Your Job Search

Posted by:  Darlene Duncan CWDP, JSS, CCC, JCTC, JCDC
                  Training Coordinator

According to an article in the New York Times both sides of the workforce are broken. The job seeker is applying for any job that’s available and employers have unrealistic expectations.

There are those working to repair the problems and that too is addressed in this article.

Many people have varying ideas about education and how it relates to getting a job. This article is one opinion.

It’s definitely worth the time to read it.

Click here for the article.

 

 

 

Get Aboard!

Posted by:  Darlene Duncan CWDP, JSS, CCC, JCTC, JCDC
                  Training Coordinator

If you thought Social Media was a passing fad, think again. Five years ago a survey showed that 78% of employers were using Social Media (LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, etc.) to find talent (employees). The most recent study shows that number has increased to 90% of employers.

 
To read the entire article click here.

Your Email Provider May Be Costing You Job Opportunities

Posted by: Darlene Duncan CWDP, JSS, CCC, JCTC, JCDC
Training Coordinator


Does your email address hark back to the days of the Internet’s infancy? It does if you’re using AOL, Hotmail, or Yahoo.


Don’t get me wrong there’s nothing wrong with those email providers. They provide email service the same as many other providers.


However, when you’re job searching how employers perceive you is vital. Especially, if your career field requires you to be tech savvy, you need a more ‘modern’ email provider. While Gmail is good, if the position you’re after requires that you be really up-to-date and tech savvy, consider getting a domain name.


If money is tight there are ways you can do this for free, including the hosting of the site you create. For tech jobs, it’s important that employers view you as someone that stays on top of the latest trends in the world of technology. Me@myname.com can give that tech savvy appearance a boost.


Just remember that if you have a website, employers may decide to view it and therefore you should follow through by making sure your site is professional in appearance. It should have your résumé and other items relevant to your employability. If you’re in a career that lends itself to showing samples of your work, such as photography, then some of your best pictures should be available for viewing on your website. If you’re in a technical field and you write a blog answering technical questions for people then there should be a link to your blog.

Temporary versus Permanent

Posted by: Darlene Duncan. CWDP. JSS, CCC, JCTC, JCDC
Training Coordinator

Believe it or not, the holiday shopping season is just around the corner. This means that retailers will soon be hiring seasonal help. They probably won’t run a help wanted ad in the paper. They’ll most likely put a sign in the window or post a job order in Employ Florida.

Those of you reading this are probably thinking, “I don’t care about seasonal jobs. I want a permanent full time position with benefits.”

That’s understandable. Let’s go over the pros and cons of temporary or seasonal work.

PROS
Getting a paycheck
Something to add to your résumé
Being out in the world where you can meet people
Valuable work experience
Keeping your skills sharp or learning new skills
Chance to gain a good reference

CONS
Minimum wage (still beats the daylights out of $0)
No benefits
It’s not a permanent position (ah yes, but it could turn into one)

From my perspective temporary or seasonal work has a great many benefits. One, it shows potential employers that you’re not just sitting at home waiting on something to fall into your lap. You’re out there doing what you can to make positive things happen in your job search.

Two, you have an opportunity to meet people and I don’t mean just the customers that come into the store at which you work. I also mean the people for whom you’re working. Although you never know who the customer is or what they do for a living. They may own a company and be looking for someone just like you.

Three, you’re keeping your skills sharp and probably acquiring some new skills at the temporary jobs you pick up.

The list could go on for more than three, but I think you get the idea.
I know from personal experience that a temporary job can become a regular position. More than once a temporary job I’ve had has become a permanent position, including the job I have now.