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.

 

 

 

Do you know your Klout score?

By: Lori McMullin, APR

Director of Business Operations & Communications
Center for Business Excellence
 

What’s your Klout score?  Do you know what a Klout score is?  The Klout score is a number between 1-100 that represents your digital influence. The more influential you are, the higher your Klout Score.

Believe it or not, many companies are including Klout scores into their hiring metrics. You can find out your score by clicking this link.

You might also want to check out this article from WebProNews.

The Importance of a Web Presence

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

                  Training Coordinator

It wasn’t too long ago I attended a workshop on résumé writing and the presenter made it abundantly clear that in the near future having a web presence will be more and more important for job seekers.

 

For more information on this issue click here.

What is the, “Hire Florida Grads,” Initiative?

By: Lori McMullin, APR

Director of Business Operations & Communications
Center for Business Excellence

 

Wondering what the photo is about?  It’s me graduating from the University of Florida 23 years ago this month.  My grandmother, who didn’t have the luxury of Instagram and the like, took the photo and later wrote on some poor guy’s balding head, “Lori gets congrats from Bob Graham.”  Too funny!

Most of that day is a blur, but I do remember former Gov. and Sen. Bob Graham was our commencement speaker.  He quoted Jimmy Buffet in his speech, telling us we will all have, “changes in latitude, changes in attitude,” as we make our way into the work world.

I remember thinking, “I sure hope I don’t have to change my latitude!,” as I wanted to stay in Florida.

As I prepared for job search, I desperately wished for more resources.  Was my résumé good enough?  Was I networking in the right places?  I truly didn’t know.

After getting ripped off nearly to the tune of $1,000 by a questionable placement agency, I landed in a terrible first job experience.  Wasn’t there any no-cost resource out there that could enhance my chances of success?  Why did I work so hard the past four years in college for this?

Luckily, Florida’s newest college graduates do have a wonderful resource for career assistance through their local Workforce Development Boards and One-Stop Employment Centers – of which the Center for Business Excellence is one of them.

How do recent graduates find out about professional services in the part of Florida they are interested in living in?  It’s simple.

If you are a recent graduate, click this link to Hire Florida Grads  to connect with job search resources and hiring businesses.

Oh, and if you are a Flagler or Volusia County business interested in hiring a Florida graduate, please visit www.centerforbusinessexcellence.net or call (386) 323-7079 to link up with a business services representative who can help you make your next great hire.

If you are on Twitter, join the #HireFLGrads conversation or follow the Center for Business Excellence @CBEOneStop.

You can also check out the Center for Business Excellence on Facebook by clicking this link.

Can being genuinely “for” others help or hinder you at the top?

 

By: Lori McMullin, APR

Director of Business Operations & Communications
Center for Business Excellence

We’ve all heard the adage, “Win at all costs.”  Does this really still hold true in the current world of business success?

Are you a giver, taker or matcher?  A young professor at the University of Pennsylvania's prestigious Wharton School of Business can refute the adage and help you define what category you fall into. Oh, and by the way, many large corporations are listening.

In his new book, “Give and Take,” Professor Adam Grant makes a case that supports the idea of serving in the best interest of others to prevail in this new economy.  Check out his recent interview on the Today Show to learn more.

INVEST YOUR TIME

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

A friend of mine recently told me how she came to have her current job. When you’re looking for a job we here at the One-Stop are very likely to suggest that you volunteer somewhere. A lot of people look at me like I’ve just grown a second head when I tell them they should volunteer. They tell me, “I’m not giving my time away for nothing. If I’m going to work I’m going to get paid for it.”

That attitude won’t help you find a job. However, volunteering your time may very well help you find that next position.

Here’s the condensed version of how it worked for my friend, who I’m going to call Kay. Kay was working part-time but wanted a full time office job. Her part time job was in a coffee shop. She started volunteering at a hospice facility working with the patients. However, some things in her life happened and she felt she was too emotional to continue working with the patients. She asked her supervisor if they could use her in some other capacity. Since she was a good worker and they didn’t want to lose her they granted her request and moved her into a volunteer office position. When a paid office position opened up she was offered the position.

Did her volunteer work get her the job she wanted overnight? No, it took her nine months to go from volunteer to paid position. But it was the reason she got the job she has today. She invested her time and it paid off for her.

So once again I’m suggesting that if you’re unemployed find somewhere to volunteer.

 

 

RECENT MILLENIAL COLLEGE GRADUATES

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

                  Training Coordinator

According to a recent survey the millennial generation graduating college this year isn’t having good luck getting hired. It seems that one of their biggest challenges is passing the interview. Read the article to find out what you need to do to get a passing grade in the interview.

 
Click here to read the article.

How to ask for what you want

 

By: Lori McMullin, APR

Director of Business Operations & Communications
Center for Business Excellence

 

 

I’m coming up on my wedding anniversary next month and found this older blog post:

 

It’s been a few weeks since my last blog post.  My husband and I recently took our delayed honeymoon and my great blogging teammates pitched in to cover my spot.  Thanks, guys!

Typically, my blog material comes from some type or real-life inspiration I’ve encountered during the previous week or so.  Today’s post is no exception.  See the accompanying photo?  That’s me atop Upper Yosemite Falls about ready to keel.

My very active and fit husband had his heart set on hiking this particular trail and I thought I could handle it pretty well based on the fact I spin three to four times a week.  Wrong!

After hours of slipping, sliding and falling (and encountering a rattlesnake), I really couldn’t wait to get back on the ground, hopefully, in one piece.  By the way, you apparently really do need to invest in hiking shoes!  Oh, well!

Although I’m glad I persevered for nearly seven hours to the top and down, it wasn’t until we got back I realized I should have spoken my mind about what I’d like to do on our trip as well.

 

A romantic dinner by candlelight or nature stroll hand-in-hand would have pleased me to no end.  Even sitting for a bit in the night air and enjoying the silence and tranquility would have been more my speed to help unwind and relax.

We expect our fellow human beings to be intuitive, but that’s not always going to happen.  Sometimes, we must ask for what we want or say what we think.

This is especially true in the workplace.  I found this link about how to ask for what you want at work.  Check it out.

No One Wants To Be Around A Sad Sack

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

                  Training Coordinator

Are you a positive upbeat person? Or do you always have a serious expression on your face? Is the glass half empty or half full?

Check out this article and find out why you can improve your job search odds by being a happier individual.

Click here for the article.