Interview Series: Part Five - Follow-Up

As you probably know, once you've had a job interview the endless waiting begins.  You will wonder how you did, how you compared to the other candidates, and when will you find out when the decision is made.

After your interview, always make sure to get the contact information for the people you've interviewed with.  That will give you the opportunity to follow up once the interview is done.

The first step to following up is thanking the person for the interview.  You can send them an email stating how much you enjoyed meeting them and that you're looking forward to knowing their decision.  It's also a great idea to send a thank you card in the mail.  This is a nice personal touch that may help the interviewer make a decision in your favor, especially if they're having a hard time deciding between you and another candidate.  Whatever method you decide to use, make sure to take action within 24 hours of the interview, especially if you're sending something through the mail.  This may seem like an old-fashioned technique but it will always make you stand out from the other candidates.

The second step to following up is finding out whether a decision has been made.  Don't bombard the interviewer will emails right away.  You will come off as desperate and/or annoying and that won't win you any favors.  Try waiting at least a week or two from your interview to send a quick email reminding them of how much you enjoyed meeting them and how you're curious if a decision has been reached. 

Never call the interviewer unless specifically asked to.  You never know how busy their schedule is and if you're calling them you might be viewed as pushy.  Always try to follow up with an email unless you are told it's okay to call them.

By sending the interviewer a thank you note or follow up email, you'll remind them of who you are and your meeting with them.  In a sea of candidates, this can bring you to the interviewer's attention and may help you get hired.

How soon do you usually follow up with an interview?  What sort of responses have you received by sending them a thank you note/email?  Please share with us in your comments below.

Interview Series: Part Four - Interview Questions for You to Ask

During a job interview, you will be discussing your experience and how you qualify for the job you’re applying for. At some point, the interviewer will ask you if you have any questions. This isn’t the time to be shy or reserved. In fact, if you don’t ask questions, it may appear that you’re not interested in the position.

Here are some job interview questions you may want to ask:

1. What qualities are you seeking in the person you hire?
2. What is the most challenging aspect of the position?
3. Describe what a typical day is like for this position.
4. Do my qualifications match what you are looking for?
5. Where do you see this position in a year? Five years?
6. Is there opportunity for growth?
7. Is this a newly created position or would I be replacing someone?
8. What goals do you have for the person you hire?
9. What is your top priority for the person you hire?
10. How soon are you looking to fill this position?
11. What are the next steps in the interview process?

While you probably won't have the opportunity to ask all of these questions, pick a few that will generate answers that are important to you and what you're looking for in a job.  You may find that some of the answers to these questions may be discovered during the initial part of the interview but you'll still want to pick at least two or three to have ready to ask so that you can show your interest in getting hired.

What types of questions do you ask in a job interview?  How have they helped you get a job?  Please share with us in the comments below.

Interview Series: Part Three - Interview Questions You May Be Asked

One of the most nerve-wracking things about going on a job interview is not knowing what to expect.  You don't really know the people who you'll be interviewing with and if your personality will match with theirs. 

The one thing you can prepare for is the questions that they may ask while you are there.  While there's no way to predict exactly what questions you'll be asked, there are some standard questions that come up in most interviews.  

We've listed a few of them here:

1. Why are you looking for a job?
2. Why are you leaving your current job?
3. Why are you interested in our company?
4. Describe your ideal position?
5. Where you do see yourself in five years?
6. What are your strengths?
7. What are your weaknesses?
8. Describe your greatest accomplishment.
9. What do you like best about your current/last position?
10. How do you handle stress?
11. How do you handle a problem or difficult situation?
12. Describe how you would handle a difficult co-worker/employee.
13. Describe how you stay organized.


Again, you may not be asked all of these questions, but having a good idea of how you might answer them will give you an edge over your competition.  Answering job interview questions correctly can be one of the keys to a successful job interview and to getting the job you deserve.

What kinds of questions have you been asked on a job interview?  Please share with us in the comments below.

Interview Series: Part Two - 6 Phone Interview Tips

Sometimes employers will screen job candidates by doing a phone interview first. It can be a short conversation to set up an in-person interview or a longer discussion about your qualifications.

Here are six phone interview tips to help you be prepared:

1. Always act professionally. You may be just having a phone conversation but the other person on the phone could be your next boss. Think of how you would normally talk to someone in that position. Would you use profanity or slang while talking to them? Probably not.

2. Keep out background noise.  More than likely, you will know ahead of time when the call will take place.  Always find a quiet place to talk.  Even if you have to lock yourself in the bathroom or your car, make sure your potential employer doesn't hear noise that could distract from the conversation.  If you will be home during the interview, have a friend or family member watch the kids for an hour.  Keep pets and any other distraction away from where you'll be talking.

3. Have your resume in front of you.  You may be asked about your former jobs or qualifications.  Be prepared to answer questions about what you've done in the past and what you're looking to do in the future.  It can be easy to forget details and accomplishments so having that information close by will help to keep you on track.

4. Confirm who is calling who and when. Make sure you know if they are calling you or if you are calling them and at what time. You don’t want to be waiting for the phone to ring when they’re expecting you to call them. In addition, make sure the time is confirmed, especially if there is a time zone difference. You may be applying for a job 5 miles away but if you’re talking to their corporate office in another state, you will want to confirm the time of the call.

5. Have a notepad handy. You’ll want to take notes about what is discussed in the interview. The interviewer may reveal important details about the position or provide information on the next steps in the interview process. You may also want to take notes to distinguish key points in the interview that may come up in a second interview or if a question arises at a later date.

6. Get the interviewer’s contact information. Once the interview is over, you’ll want to thank them. You can send them a nice email or letter to thank them for the opportunity to discuss your qualifications. This will show them you are a professional and you are interested in the position.

Tomorrow we will discuss some questions or subjects that may be asked in your interview.

Feel free to let us know about any other phone interview tips that you've found to be helpful.  We welcome your comments below.

Interview Series: Part One - 6 Job Interview Tips

When a potential employer contacts you to set up a job interview, you’ve made a huge step in the right direction. This means that your job application, resume, and cover letter were good enough for them to want a face-to-face meeting with you.

Keep in mind that a job interview isn’t much different than meeting someone for a first date.  Both parties are looking for a successful long-term relationship that provides benefits for everyone involved.

Remember that you are there to show how you can help the company achieve its goals and show your strengths.  Before the actual interview, remember two important things: do research on the company you'll be interviewing with so you have an idea of what they do and bring copies of your resume.

The six job interview tips listed below will help you prepare for a successful meeting.

1. Look professional. Unless you are sure that the company you are interviewing with doesn’t want you to dress professionally, make sure that you do. If you aren’t sure, err on the side of caution and dress in business attire. You’ll want to look your best from your clothes, shoes, hair, and even fresh breath.

2. Arrive at least 15 minutes early. Your future employer may want you to fill out a job application before your interview. (Hint: Bring a pen!) When you arrive early, you give yourself plenty of time to complete the information before meeting. Also, the interviewer may want to review your paperwork before the meeting.

Arriving early gives them time to review all of your information and it allows you a chance to take a deep breath, relax, and review your résumé prior to the meeting. In the event that traffic or an unforeseen event causes you to be late, always call the interviewer and let them know as soon as possible that you will be delayed.

3. Turn off any electronic devices. You don’t want your cell phone going off and causing a distraction during your interview. It’s probably a good idea to turn it off, silence it prior to entering the building, or just leave it in the car.

4. Be polite to everyone you come in contact with. You never know how much influence the receptionist or other office staff has over company management. If they see that you are rude or unprofessional, they could prevent you from being hired.

5. Ask questions that show you are interested in the job. During the interview, the interviewer will more than likely give you a brief description of the company and the position you are applying for. At some point the interview will turn to questions for you to answer and ask. If you don’t have a good set of questions to ask the employer, you may appear uninterested in the job. (Later in the week we will discuss job interview questions to ask and answer.)

6. Get the interviewer’s contact info. Make sure you have a way to follow up with the interviewer after your meeting with them by asking them for a business card. You’ll want to mail them a thank you note or at least send an email thanking them for their time. A nice follow-up letter or email will show you enjoyed meeting with them and that you’re interested in working there.

Follow these interview tips and you'll be sure to stand out as a great candidate for the job.

Tomorrow we'll go over tips on doing a phone interview.

If you have any interview tips you'd like to share, please let us know in the comments section below.

4 Things That Will Ruin Your Cover Letter

Other than your resume, a cover letter will be one of the first things that will give a potential employer their first impression of you.

The last thing you want to do is make simple mistakes on your cover letter that will hurt your chances of getting the job.

1. The wrong person or address.  Always make sure you are showing the correct person and address on your cover letter.  If you're sending out a lot of applications at a time, it could be easy to forget to change the information from a previous application.  Make sure you have the correct spelling for the person you're sending it to, the company name, and their address.
2. Spelling or grammatical errors. This falls right in with the last item. Your cover letter should be free or any mistakes that could distract the reader from the content of your letter.  Word processor software should catch most mistakes but you still want to proofread your letter.  Software can't distinguish between the correct meanings of there, they're or their.
3. Being conceited or arrogant.  While showing confidence in your skills and abilities is a good thing when applying for a job, you still will want to keep it in check for your cover letter.  If you say something like, "You'll be impressed with my skills" or "You won't need to look for another Accountant again...", you'll come off as offensive and not much of a team player.
4. A letter more than one page.  As we've mentioned numerous times over the last few weeks, potential employers have very little time to go over all of the applications they receive.  Your letter needs to summarize your skills and qualifications in one page or else you risk it being tossed.

If you need help in writing your resume or cover letter, we offer affordable rates for resume and cover letter writing services.  Please contact us to set up a free 10-minute consultation.

Cover Letter Series: Part Four - Follow-Up

When you send out your resume and cover letter, waiting to hear from a potential employer can be agonizing.  Instead of waiting, should you reach out to them to find out what's going on?

The answer can get complicated and it will depend on the situation.

Sometimes an employer will state in the job posting that they do not want to be contacted about the job.  This usually means that any contact other than submitting your application is not wanted.

Even though it can be hard to wait, resist the temptation to reach out to them too soon.  Remember, the job market isn't what it used to be.  There are many more people who are unemployed and employers are inundated with job applications.  It can take them a considerable amount of time to review all that they've received.  If you "bug" them too early about what's going on, you could risk getting noticed for the wrong reasons.

A good rule of thumb is to wait at least two weeks after you've submitted your application to reach out to anyone.  If the job had an application deadline, you will want to wait until two weeks after that deadline no matter when you submitted your application.

A quick email inquiry at this point should not hurt your chances.  You will just want to mention that you're still interested in the job and that you want to make sure they got your application.  Do NOT ask when you can meet for an interview or when interviews will start being scheduled. 

Being pushy or impatient will tag you as unprofessional and may result in getting your application denied.  Try to occupy your time by submitting other applications or other productive tasks so your main focus is on moving forward no matter what the outcome of one application will be.

Next week we will go over the interview process and how to prepare for them.

Please let us know if there's any other subjects you'd like for us to cover in the comments section below.

Cover Letter Series: Part Three - Close

Now that you've written the heading and body of your cover letter, you need a strong close to seal the deal.

What should be included in the close of the letter?

The most important thing is your contact information.  Even though your resume will have this information, you still want to have it in the close of your letter.  Include this along with the statement that you're looking forward to talking to the reader in person.

This is NOT where you tell you them you'll call them to set up a time.  You need to leave the ball in their court for now.  Simply state that you're available during a set amount of times and the best way to get a hold of you.

Always end the letter with "Sincerely" and nothing too informal.  If you are sending a physical letter, always leave room for your signature and sign it.  You can also sign the letter if you are sending a scanned copy via email.

Tomorrow we'll discuss following up with your application and when it's appropriate.

If you have any questions regarding your cover letter or resume, please let us know in the comments section below.

Cover Letter Series: Part Two - Body

Think of the body of your cover letter as a summary of your resume.  This is where you will grab the attention of the reader and make them want to not only read your cover letter but your resume as well.

First, tell the reader how you learned about the position.  This can happen through referring to the publication the job listing appeared in or the person who told you about the position.  Be as specific as possible.

You also want to address why the employer should hire you.  Give them exact reasons why you're the best person for the job.  You can do this by placing bullet points in your letter that focus on your strengths.  For example, your strengths may be your experience, background, and education.  Put three bullet points in your letter explaining exactly why those make you a good candidate.

Make sure you're specific in listing your strengths so that you gather enough interest to make an employer want to review your resume and invite you to come in for an interview.

Tomorrow we'll talk about the close of your letter and how to show you're ready to get started in the interview process.

Have questions on how to structure your cover letter?  We welcome your questions in the comment sections below.

Cover Letter Series: Part One - Heading

The key element to remember before you write your cover letter is that this is a business document.  This is a formal document where you will provide a brief overview of your skills and qualifications to a potential employer and it should be treated as such.

You will want to start with the date, your address, and the company address.  Sometimes you won't have the company name or address, especially if you are applying online, so it's ok to leave it blank if that's the case.  The job listing may give the company name so you may be able to get the address from viewing their website.  Always try to get as much information as you can so the document looks as professional as possible.

Another part of your cover letter that you want to pay special attention to is the salutation.  This is where you will want to address the specific person at the company that the letter is going to.  Again, with online job postings you may not have a specific name to use.  You can use the standard "To Whom It May Concern" but a name is always best.

Also, never assume that someone is a Miss/Mrs./Mr.  They could have a first name like Terry or Pat.  These names are used for both genders so never assume they are male or female unless you know for sure.

Tomorrow we will talk about the body of your cover letter and what should and shouldn't be included there.

Questions on how you should format your cover letter?  Feel free to ask us in the comments below.

Do You Need a Cover Letter?

Before we get into the cover letter writing part of our series, we thought it would be a good idea to talk about whether or not you should include a cover letter with your resume when submitting a job application.

Unless the job application specifically states to NOT include a cover letter, you should always include one.  We once had a client that complained that he wasn't getting any attention from the job applications he was submitting.  We reviewed his resume and everything seemed good.  So we asked to see his cover letter.  His reply - I don't have one.  Ugh! 

We prepared a cover letter for him and guess what?  The first application he submitted with it gained him an interview.  You must include this with your resume.  It is the perfect way for a recruiter to have a brief overview of your skills and qualifications without them having to read your resume word for word.

Remember, recruiters receive about 100 resumes per job opening so they need a way to "weed" you out from all the others.  It also shows them that you took the time to prepare a cover letter and that you're serious about the job you are applying for.

Has submitting a cover letter with your job applications made a difference for you?  Have you been asked for an interview without submitting one?  Let us know in the comments below.   

The rest of this week we will be going over the key elements of a cover letter.  If you would like us to discuss another topic in the future, please post it in the comments section.

3 Things You Shouldn't Include on Your Resume

When you send out a resume, you must realize that this is the first impression you create with potential employers.  Any mistake at this point could jeopardize your chances of getting in for an interview.

In spite of this, a lot of recruiters complain that people still make too many mistakes on their resume.

There are quite a few things that people mistakenly put on their resume.  Today we are going to discuss the main three that get people into trouble.

• Information not related to the job - this could be anything from details about the job candidate's life such as kids, marital status, or associations that could cause you to look unprofessional.
• Salary information - never include what your salary was at your previous positions.  Also, don't include salary expectations either.  If a potential employer asks for salary history or what range you're looking for, create a separate document listing out all the necessary details.
• False information - never, ever, ever lie on anything related to your job application.  Whether it be the job application itself, your resume, cover letter, or in the interview, always be honest and tell the truth.  Some companies have become very sophisticated in their background checks, and if you're caught lying, you could not only risk you're chances of getting the job, you damage your reputation as well.

If you need help in putting together your resume, feel free to contact us to setup a free 10-minute consultation at youronlinecareercenter@gmail.com.

What do you think shouldn't be on a resume?  If you have the right qualifications, does it matter?  Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

P.S.  Be sure to look at this past week's posts for tips on creating your resume.  Next week we'll be covering how to structure your cover letter.

Resume Series: Part Five - Skills and Competencies

For the last part of our resume series, we are going to talk about the Skills & Competencies section of your resume.

This should be the last section listed on your resume.  This is where you get to show your overall accomplishments and talents as they relate to the job that you seek.

You will mostly list things here that pertain to all of your career and education.  For example, this will be where you list software and computer skills.  You can also list awards and special honors here.

Overall, your skills and competencies should be placed throughout your resume but this is where you can highlight them.

An example of entries in your Skills & Competencies section would look like the following:

• Proficient in Microsoft Office, QuickBooks, WordPress, Blogger, 10-key by touch, and types 40 WPM.
• Dependable, self-motivated, quick learner, team player, personable, and committed to doing a good job.

You can also list things like volunteer work or associations you belong to that relate to your field of work.

Have questions on what you should include in the Skills section of your resume?  Please let us know in the comments below.

**Special note: Make sure to follow us next week as we discuss how to structure a cover letter.

Resume Series: Part Four - Education

In part four of our series, we're going to discuss the Education portion of your resume. 

This section will usually come after the Experience section.  One reason to list it first would be if your educaton background is stronger than your experience or if you haven't worked in the field before.

List your education history in the order of the highest degree received.  So if you have a Bachelor's and a Masters Degree, you will want to list the Masters degree first. 

Include with your degree information, your major, the college name, and dates you attended.  Some companies will like to see your GPA but you shouldn't need to place it on your resume unless requested.

Another thing to include with this section would be any other courses related to the job you are applying for.  For instance, if you are applying for a grant writing job and you took a correspondence course on grant writing, include it on your resume.

You don't need to include your high school information unless you are new to the workforce or if you don't have any other educational background.

Have questions about the Education portion of your resume?  Please let us know in the comments below.

Resume Series: Part Three - Experience

Some people will debate over what section should come next in your resume.  Depending on your field of work, some say it should be Education while others say it should be Experience.  The rule of thumb is the next section should be the one that shows you as qualified for the position you are applying for.

For our purposes, we will cover the Experience section in today's discussion. 

In the Experience section, list the jobs you have held in the order of the most recent first.  For each listing, provide a brief summary or a list of bullet points highlighting the key responsibilites you had at each position.

Try to use as many action verbs as you can.  Instead of saying, "responsible for", try saying things like managed, improved, or analyzed.

When you list each job, include your title, the company name and location, and the dates you worked there. 

One other key thing to mention is how much information should you include.  If you're just starting out in the work force, you shouldn't have any problem getting everything on one page.  But if you've been working for many years, you want to limit your resume to no more than two pages.

If this applies to you, you probably only want to include the most relevant job information.  In other words, if you started your career working as a cashier at the local grocery store, chances are that it's not relevant to the position you're applying for now.  Leave the "early years" off of your resume unless the positions you held are directly related to the position you are applying for now.

Tomorrow we will go over the Education portion of a resume.

Have any questions about your resume and what you should/should not include?  We welcome your comments below.

Take Our Latest Poll

Hi Everyone,

As a relatively new blog, we want to make sure that we are delivering the information you need to help you find a job.

Please take part in the poll shown over to the right and let us know why you came to the Your Online Career Center.  If your response is "other", please let us know the specific reason in the comments below.

The only way we can help you is if we know what you're looking for.  We appreciate your responses and please let us know how we can make this a great blog and help you find work.

Thanks!

Resume Series: Part Two - Objective

One of the most common things that people leave out of their resume is the objective or summary section.  Whether it's because they don't know what to say or they didn't feel it was important, anyone who skips this may have a lot of trouble getting noticed.

The objective or summary section is there to get the attention of the reader.  Think of it as you would a book jacket.  The writing there is to get you to invest time in buying and reading the rest of the book.  The same goes for your resume. 

Employers are inundated by the resumes they receive.  If they don't have a way to filter out the good, the bad, and the ugly, they'd never get home at night.  This is one way for them to apply that filter. 

The objective should give them a brief overview of what you want to do and what your qualifications are to do it.  Without that, a recruiter has to go over your whole resume to find the same information.  So if you include it, don't you think that recruiter will think more highly of you than if you didn't?

An example of an objective/summary is:

Over 20 years of accounting experience, including in-depth financial statement analysis, with a reputation of streamlining processes and saving valuable time and resources.

Tomorrow we will go over the Experience section of a resume.

Do you have an objective section on your resume?  How important do you think it is to have one?  Let us know in the comment section below.

Resume Series: Part One - Heading

This week kicks off the start of a three week series on resume, cover letter, and interview tips.  This week we will focus on your resume.

Today we talk about what your resume heading should include:

• Name - you will want your name to appear first on your resume.  Use your full legal name and format it to be a slightly bigger font than the rest of your document.
• Address - always use your mailing address on your resume.  Some of the more rural towns require you to have a post office box for your mail, use that address.  Some companies will send out a post card or letter to acknowledge receiving your information so you'll want to make sure you receive this communication from them.
• Phone number - it's usually best to use a cell phone as your contact number.  That way if an employer is trying to reach you, you can get back to them right away.  Whatever phone you decide to use, make sure that young children aren't answering it and that your voice mail is in a professional tone.
• Email address - use a professional sounding email for your resume.  In other words, if you have an email that's something like partygirl@yahoo.com, don't use it on your resume.  There are a lot free email options out there to choose from, use one that doesn't make you sound unprofessional. 

 All of these items should be included at the top of your resume.  Make sure all of the information is current so that employers have the best possible way to get in touch with you.

Tomorrow we will talk about the most overlooked component of a resume: the objective.

Do you have a question about your resume and what you should include and/or leave out?  Let us know in the comments below.

5 Reasons to Work From Home

Approximately 2.8 million of the U.S. population work from home for most of their work week.  This doesn’t include self-employed individuals or unpaid volunteers. It is also estimated that about 34 million people work from home on an occasional basis.

With the internet, smart phones, and plenty of Wi-Fi connections and various locations to choose from, it’s no wonder that working remotely has become so popular. Let’s look at a few of the advantages to working from home.

• No Commute – the average U.S. worker commutes 30 – 45 minutes one way to work. That's the equivalent of five hours or more a week that is lost to commuting. When you combine that with high gas prices, you have a fairly good reason to telecommute.

• Child Care – another major expense for U.S. workers is child care. When you telecommute, you may be able to save money by taking care of your children in the comfort of your home.



• Dress for Success is optional – as long as you don’t need to meet people face to face, no need to bother with makeup, ties, or business suits?
  
  
• No boss or irritating co-workers – working from home gives you the luxury of being in your own world to work and not suffer from an overbearing boss, phone calls, and the latest gossip at the water cooler.  Some people even discover that they're more productive at home because there's fewer interruptions. 
  
  
• Save money on food – you won’t be tempted to stop and get coffee because you were running late.  You can brew it at home for a lot less money. You also won’t be tempted by "Donut Fridays" or lunch outings with co-workers. You can make your own breakfast and/or lunch at home and it will more than likely be healthier and definitely a lot less expensive.

Even though working from home sounds like a dream come true for most, some workers prefer not to be in solitude all day. This can be a serious drawback if you need interaction with others on a regular basis.


What are your thoughts on working from home?  What have you found to be the advantages or disadvantages of working from home?  Please let us know in the comments below.

**Special note - next week we will be starting a three week series on resumes, cover letters, and interview tips. 

Upcoming Job Fair Info for FL, NV and RI

Please note the following job fairs that are coming up:

Goodwill Big Bend Job Fair - Port St. Joe, Florida, August 15th.  For more information, please click on their link.

Amazon Warehouse Job Fair, Fernley, Nevada, August 10th.  Click on this link for more information.
Infusion Resource Health Care Job Fair, East Providence, RI, August 13.  Click here for more information.


If you want to know about other job fairs that are coming up, please let us know in the comments below.

Job Fair Tips

As you've probably noticed, we try to post job fair information at least a couple times a week.  Given that, we wanted to post some information that we thought would be helpful to making a job fair more successful for attendees.

• Read all the facts - you want to read all of the information related to the fair.  The job fair may only be for specific industries or job types so make sure it is the right event for you.  You will also find relevant information like dates, times, and registration information. 
• Allow plenty of travel time - most job fairs are held in major cities which means a problem with two things.  Traffic and parking.  Avoid any additional stress and give yourself plenty of time to get there and park.     
• Registration - find out if you need to register ahead of time.  In some cases, if you register ahead of time, you may have access to more information before the event starts.  This also may allow you to make appointments with potential employers or attend resume critiques.
• Attire - Unless the event information says otherwise, ALWAYS dress professionally.  Think of the job fair as you would going to a job interview.  Some of the fairs will even give you the opportunity to interview with potential employers.  Be prepared.
• Bring your resume - Always bring copies of your resume.  You never know who you're going to meet and who's going to request it.  You can buy an inexpensive folder or binder to place them in so they will be easy to carry around with you.
• Follow up - At some point, you are likely to meet and chat with someone about what your looking for and how you might be a good fit for their organization.  Make sure to get a business card and follow up with them within a few days.  Remind them of your conversation and what you talked about.  Try to set up a time to meet them one-on-one if you haven't already.

Job fairs can be a great way to get yourself in front of a lot of companies but it can also be very overwhelming.  The more prepared you are, the more successful the event will be.

What tips do you have about attending job fairs?  Have you found a job by attending one?  Please let us know in the comments below.

 

Colorado Job Fair & Hiring Info

The following events are being held in Colorado:

Workforce Boulder County is holding a special hiring event on August 8th in Longmont for those who do assembly work.

The city of Vail has announced that it will be hiring 12,000 people for seasonal employment.  For additional information, please click here.

Any job fairs you'd like us to know about?  Let us know in the comments below.

Job Fair Information

The following job fairs are being held tomorrow:

Morris, Illinois - Regional Job Fair at Saratoga School

Salamanca, NY - Job Fair at Seneca Allegany Events Center

If you know of a job fair in your area, please let us know in the comments below.  Also, if you would like us to mention a job fair you are holding, please feel free to email us or comment in the posts below.

Friday's Employment Report

On Friday, the monthly job statistics were posted.  It showed that there were 163,000 new jobs in the month of July.  While adding new jobs is good news, it makes some people wonder if the right numbers are being focused on.

According to an article posted on MSN over the weekend, 41% of the U.S. population over 16 is unemployed.  That statistic has barely moved since June 2009.

So maybe instead of reporting new jobs, maybe the focus should shift to the jobless?  The jobless rate of U.S. workers has only been slightly decreasing since 2009 but there's one key factor that most people don't realize.  The jobless rate does not include those who have given up looking for work.  Another factor that isn't included in that number is those who consider themselves to be independent contractors or self-employed professionals. 

The article also states that out of unemployed workers over 45, 11% of them have been out of work for 99 weeks or more.  That's almost two years of struggling to make ends meet!  But it does ask the question, are there fewer jobs or fewer skilled workers?

Of course, this leads to yet another problem.  If unemployed workers are finding that they lack the necessary skills to re-enter the work force, how do they afford the rising cost of education?  Even if they are employed, finding the resources to get that education is still difficult.

Overall, the topic of unemployed workers won't be going away anytime soon.  Maybe if we spent as much time talking about them as we do about new jobs, there may be an opportunity to find a solution.

What do you think?  Do we focus too much on new jobs and not enough on people who are unemployed?  Do you think that there are enough resources out there for people to remain skilled workers?

We'd love to know your thoughts, please post them in the comment section below.

Denver Job Fair Today & Tomorrow - Construction Industry

There's a job fair being held in Denver this afternoon and tomorrow for people looking for work in the Construction industry.  Please click this link for more information.

Let us know if there's a job fair in your area that you'd like others to know about in the comments section below.

Is Permanent Work a Thing of the Past?

Yesterday, MSN posted an article that discusses how people are only finding work as a temporary employee.

Why is that?

It could depend on the industry they work in or that companies aren't looking for permanent positions.  Either way, that leaves a lot of workers behind. 

When you work a temporary job, you lose a lot of stability.  Your "job" could end at any moment without notice.  You also don't have vacation time, sick time, or health benefits in most cases.  Although some temporary agencies offer health benefits to their temps, you have to work so many hours with them to be eligible.

It almost seems as if employees are left to fend for themselves in this slow-growth economy.  Would it be better for them to become independent contractors instead?  It would mostly depend on the type of work they do but it's definitely an option worth looking into.  Most independent contractors make a decent salary and their work is dictated more by themselves than the other party involved.

What do you think?  Is it fair that the majority of companies are only hiring temps?  Is being an independent contractor better than being a temp?

We welcome your comments below.

Upcoming Job Fairs

We try to post information on job fairs as often as possible.  Please note the upcoming events:

Hiring Our Heroes Job Fair Today - Minneapolis, MN
http://www.kare11.com/news/article/985168/242/Hiring-Our-Heroes-job-fair-on-August-2

Veterans' Job Fair - August 13th, Middletown, DE
http://www.newarkpostonline.com/regional/article_1dea285c-da74-11e1-89f3-001a4bcf887a.html

If you know of a job fair in your area or if you want to promote a job fair you are sponsoring, please let us know in the comments below.

What Happens When A Potential Employer Does a Background Check on You?

Well, it depends on the employer.

Employers have to be selective when it comes to hiring staff. With so many people applying for jobs, performing a background check is one way for them to weed through all of the applications.

The background check can simply be to see if you have a criminal record or it can go full scale. An employer may look to see if you have a criminal record, what your credit history looks like, past employment, college transcripts, and/or your DMV (driving) record.

The important thing to remember is that you need to be honest with your employer when filling out your job application. If you are aware that there is damaging information from your past, whether it be criminal or credit-related, it’s best to let them know ahead of time.  This will give you a chance to explain any mishaps from your past.

How should you present damaging information to a potential employer?

If they are going to do a background check on you, they are required to get your permission in writing. You will be asked to fill out a form that will ask for information such as your address, drivers license number, and social security number. Some employers will ask you at that point if there is anything they should be on the lookout for, some may not.

This is the best time to bring up anything that could cause concern. Always be honest in explaining your situation. Background checks have become more sophisticated in recent years and you may cause more damage if you lie.

Keep in mind that some employers will be understanding and some will not. Given the recent economic crisis, they may be more flexible than usual if you have a few dings on your credit. However, if you have something in your history that is from a criminal act, it may be harder to convince the employer to hire you but you may have a better shot if you are honest with them from the beginning.

What do you think?  Should potential employers be allowed to do a background check on you?  Have you ever been turned down for something that came up in a background check?

We welcome your comments below.