Most of our reporting on how to succeed in the job hunt has focused on resume writing and interview skills/practices. However, as many of you online students are all too aware, there is a lot of job hunting that goes on over the Internet. Wouldn’t ya know it, there are etiquette mistakes to be made in the online job hunt just as sure as there are in the real world. Here’s a link to a great article about how to avoid common online job hunting gaffes, SNAFUs and faux pas.
Posted by Anthony on July 26th, 2010. Categories: Career Guidance
Kaboodle.com had this great list of common grammatical blunders that you really should avoid when writing resumes and cover letters. The takeaway message here is that spell check is not enough because sometimes misspellings form other actual words that are not spelled wrong, but mean something entirely different. Here (over the fold) are some examples from the Kaboodle.com article. Read More
Posted by Anthony on July 21st, 2010. Categories: Career Guidance
Manpower, a leading staffing services organization, released its report on the top 5 strongest job markets in the US. This year, with unemployment at very high levels, it is even more critical than ever to know where the jobs are. The top 5 markets are:
No. 1 Strongest Job Market: Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, D.C.-Va.-Md.-W.Va.
No. 2 Strongest Job Market: San Antonio, TX
No. 3 Strongest Job Market: Greenville-Mauldin-Easley, S.C.
No. 4 Strongest Job Market: El Paso, Texas
No. 5 Strongest Job Market: Raleigh-Cary, N.C.
For the details on each market including information on what sectors and individual organizations are hiring in each of these metro areas, click here to read the full report.
Posted by Anthony on July 19th, 2010. Categories: Career Guidance
If you’re a recent graduate and considering a move to a different market to kick off your new career, consider South Florida. Now I know what you’re saying. Yes, South Florida has been one of the hardest hit markets in the US. But according to an article from Bloomberg, the excessive build up of luxury condo towers in the vibrant, multicultural gateway that is Miami – the build up of inventory that was in part to blame for the collapse of that metro market – has had an unexpected consequence. It seems that the owners of those lavish, extravagant (but empty) towers are getting tired of taking a beating. Knowing they will not sell them anytime soon, many have taken to renting these beautiful, often ocean-view apartments at fairly affordable rates. As a result, the downtown area of Miami is experiencing a rebirth. Whole communities of renters have reinvigorated the neighborhoods there and the tropical lifestyle one can lead there is absolutley wonderful. I know because I have been spending time in the Miami metro area since 1975. It is a paradisical place to spend time. Why not consider renting a luxury condo unit and working amidst the azure waters of a tropical paradise?
Posted by Anthony on July 14th, 2010. Categories: News & Trends
Scientists are closing in on perfecting a technology that will allow doctors to “print” new organs for ailing patients – organs made using their very own genetic material. Unlike organ transplants where there is a very real probability that – in spite of steps taken to find a well-matched donor – the recipient’s body may reject the donated organ, this new process actually fabricates a replacement organ using genetic material from the recipient. Using an organic “printer” and some concoction of stem cells and other amazing stuff, the new technology known as “bioprinting” promises to enable the production of organs other body parts veritably on demand. Right now, the technology is still in its infancy. But they have been successful in printing veins and other circulatory tissues. Read the full photo essay at Wired magazine online. What I want to know is will the ink cartidges be as expensive as the ones I use in my printer?
Posted by Anthony on July 12th, 2010. Categories: News & Trends
One of my other jobs involves working with thousands of staffing companies. As a result, I have regular contact with hiring managers across the United States. When I saw this article in US News entitled, “21 Things Hiring Managers Wish You Knew”, I was impressed with how spot on it was. Hiring managers have seen it all when it comes to people’s ideas of what is appropriate behavior in the pursuit of that “perfect job”. If you’re about to embark on a job hunt, with your Allen School diploma in hand, have a quick read of this piece so you can get some idea of what hiring managers are looking for in today’s difficult employment environment. Remember, there are 6 job seekers for every available job today. So it pays to be as well prepared for the critical interview process as you can be. Never before has it been so important!
Posted by Anthony on July 9th, 2010. Categories: Career Guidance
First consumed by ancient Mayans in South America in a drink form laced with chili peppers and vanilla, Cacao beans (the primary ingredient in chocolate) were enjoyed for their unique properties for millenia. It wasn’t until July 17, 1550 that Europeans got wise to the awesomeness of chocolate. Read this interesting piece from Wired magazine on the origins of chocolate as we all know it today and celebrate my favorite new global holiday, “Chocolate Day” by hoisting your favorite kind of cocoa laced treat along with me!
Posted by Anthony on July 7th, 2010. Categories: News & Trends
Well, it’s time again to celebrate American independence and I hope everyone has a healthy, happy, safe Fourth of July. I think of many things when I consider Independence Day. From liberty and justice, to fireworks, family and most importantly, Barbecue! I love me some barbecue and there is no more appropriate holiday to “cook-out” in celebration than the 4th of July. Many folks do not know the subtle but undeniable difference between grilling (like what you do to hot dogs and burgers) and actual barbecue which involves the slow, smoky roasting of pork, chicken, brisket, etc. So have a look at this article by Craig “Meathead” Goldwyn to learn the secrets of meats, properly smok-i-fied to fall-off-the-bone perfection. Enjoy!
Posted by Anthony on July 2nd, 2010. Categories: Events
How about the Terrafugia Transition? This vehicle, newly approved by the Federal Avaiation Administration brings to life the fantastic dreams of the “flying car” we all entertained as kids. With traffic growing ever more problematic in large cities, this new vehicle promises to rise above the gridlock – literally. Now all I need is $194,000 so I can buy one and soar to the grocery store.
Posted by Anthony on June 30th, 2010. Categories: News & Trends
We’ve all had periods of unemployment. We’ve all had to take time away from career pursuits, whether it was to tend an ailing loved one, return to school/training, deal with personal problems, support a family member’s struggling business or become a quasi-homeless beachcomber in an exotic tropical locale. Whatever the reasons, inevitably, we end up with a gap in our history which can be a glaring weakness on your resume. In interviews, it can be awkward trying to call attention away from the gaps. How should you explain where you were when you weren’t working for 11 months?
Take a look at this excellent article from The Savvy Networker wherein it is explained exactly how to address these holes in the resume.
Posted by Anthony on June 28th, 2010. Categories: Uncategorized
Most of our reporting on how to succeed in the job hunt has focused on resume writing and interview skills/practices. However, as many of you online students are all too aware, there is a lot of job hunting that goes on over the Internet. Wouldn’t ya know it, there are etiquette mistakes to be made in the online job hunt just as sure as there are in the real world. Here’s a link to a great article about how to avoid common online job hunting gaffes, SNAFUs and faux pas.
