Why use an internet networking site to job search?

Gone are the days of walking into a place of business, introducing yourself to the manager/owner, explaining to that person your skills and abilities and getting hired. Fading are the days of submitting your résumé, getting called for an interview and getting hired. Today’s world is all about networking and most networking is done via computer. Maybe you already have a Facebook account and that’s good because it’s a networking tool with which many are familiar. However, if you don’t also have a Linkedin account you could be missing out on opportunities. The friends you made at your last couple of jobs, your college friends and even your relatives, in most cases, don’t live anywhere near you. You stay in touch with them via email, Facebook, Twitter or Linkedin. If you’re not staying in touch with them via one or more of those methods, you are missing opportunities. Think about it! If your old college friend is on either Facebook or Linkedin and has a couple hundred friends and each of those friends has a couple hundred friends… Well, I think you’re beginning to see the potential of social networking in the job search process. Most people know about Facebook and you may even already have a Facebook account. Why stop there? Get registered with Linkedin, too. The more feelers you have out there when you’re job searching the better for you.
Just remember to keep the information about you on social media sites businesslike. People have been fired and lost out on job opportunities because of less than professional information on their social media sites.

Signing up with Linkedin is free and relatively easy.
This video will help you with the process.

Coping with Stress Due to Job Loss

We have an idea how you feel. Here are some valuable tips on how to cope with job loss and stress: Click here.

Volusia County Economic Development Quarterly Update

Once a Quarter, the team over at Volusia County Economic Development perform a simple, but highly significant act. They update many of Volusia County's movers and shakers on the state of our local economy. The Center for Business Excellence (CBE) has had the pleasure over the past number of years to have received an invite, and let me just say the event is filled with a variety of excellent information. The ECO DEV team gives details on an assortment of local statistics such as; local unemployment numbers, employment by major and select industries, a breakdown of our local labor force by individual local cities, employers that are being vigorously courted for relocation to our county by their team, local wage comparison data, residential permit data, commercial permit data, local home foreclosure data, and a whole host of other local economic information.

This is great information whether you’re a local jobseeker, business person, politician, etc and the best part is that it is provided on their website free of charge. Today’s info may take a couple of days before it reaches their site, but let me say, it is well worth the wait.

http://www.volusia.org/economicdevelopment/

Helpful information for youth with disabilities

There are times when I am asked questions that I do not know the answer to. Instead of faking intelligence in that area, I tell the person I will find it out and get back with them. Most of the time they are understanding and grateful that I just didn't make up an answer. Here at CBE I don't always have the needed information for all youth I help and so when I find something that will give them information that may help them, even if it doesn't come from us, I will share it with them. Here is one of my favorite websites that has lots of information for youth with disabilities:

http://www.ncwd-youth.info/

Check, check and then triple check!

This morning I reviewed seven resumes and five of them had rather simple/grammatical errors in them. Make sure that you are carefully proofing your resume and then giving it to someone else to proof as well. So many times, your resume is an employers first impression of you!

Why You Should Consider Seeking A "Survival Job"

There are pros and cons to taking a survival job. Each individual must weigh the pluses and minuses for themselves. The article I’ve provided a link to touches on both sides of the issue. Give it a read.

The Pros and Cons of Taking a Survival Job

Business Wardrobe on a Budget

I know it's hard to let go of the piano tie that looks so good on you, but every now and then we need to dress professionally. Is money an issue? Check out these tips to look "all business" (read: less awesome) for a fraction of the price.

Click here for the tips.