Monday, May 30, 2011

The Marines -- and lots of bad advice

Wrapping up our look at jobs in 4 military services, the Marine Corps accepts applicants from ages 17 to 29. They say their starting pay is the same as in the other military services. Uh, which one, sir? They're all different.

Not sure why all the US military services choose black as their web site background.

Summarizing age ranges and beginning salaries:

US Army 17-42 $17,611
US Navy 17-35 $16,800
US Marines 17-29 unknown
US Air Force 17-28 $17,604

For comparision: French Foreign Legion 17 1/2-40 $25,000

Moving back home to parents after losing a great job is becoming more common.

Bad Advice:

One guy says never follow up more than once in a job search. Be patient. Oh brother. I disagree. Over and over again in business I've seen the "squeaky wheel get the grease". Sure, you can't be obnoxious or too frequent about checking back. But doing it just once is not patience--it's surrendering.

Like duck hunting, "it's fine to send out a hundred resumes", one author writes. Uh, no, it's not. That's simply a waste of time. Go buy a lotto ticket, then get down to real job searching. If you don't know what the company president had for breakfast, you don't know enough about that business. And how many firms can you know in that kind of detail? Focus, focus, focus is the word in this century.

A career specialist said you should frequently google your name--that will bring it up in the search rankings. Somehow, I type in my name and Google knows which "John Smith" I am and moves my entry up a notch. Dang, those people at Google ... top notch.

Good Advice:

How to Find a Job. Available for just $1.50 from Kindle or Nook or instant PDF download

Job hunting expenses may be tax deductible. Check with your accountant. (Report: 4,566 words)

Image courtesy of Simon Howden

Sunday, May 29, 2011

In the skies ...

The US Air Force pays $17,604 starting out, about the same as the Army. It has an eleven years window on age--you have to be between 17 and 28. This is the more restrictive than the Army or Navy.

Some of the Air Force training will gain you college credits. They'll pay 100% of the tuition towards an associate, bachelor or master degree.


Image courtesy of Tim Beach

Saturday, May 28, 2011

Birds and the Navy

Here's an imaginative blogpost about how job searching is like a bird feeder.

Continuing the Memorial weekend look at job opportunities in the services, you have to be 17 to 35 for your new job in the US Navy (the Army will take you till 42.). The Navy lists the pay on their site (something the Army didn't do) and starting out it's $16,800 (about $800 less than the Army).

The Navy will pay 100% of your tuition when you pursue an undergraduate degree in your off-duty time. For an advanced degree, they'll cover all or most of your tuition. (To someone who graduated owing $50,000, this is just incredible.)

More job ideas at
How to Find a Job. Available for just $1.50 from Kindle or Nook. Or instant PDF download
Buy Now
Job hunting expenses may be tax deductible. Check with your accountant. (Report: 4,566 words)

Image courtesy of Bill Longshaw

Friday, May 27, 2011

Tweeting in the Army?

Tweeting about the awful boss or the interview from hell may be therapeutic--but it doesn't look good to future employers.

Sure, it's true but job searches aren't about truth. Employers are looking for "relentlessly positive". (Guess they didn't see that movie about the Titanic. "There are no icebergs so we don't need lifeboats.")

Thinking about the military? The Army site doesn't say what they're looking for. An unofficial site reports you have to be 17-42 and within weight limits, among other requirements. Starting pay is about $17,611 annually with housing and food free if you're on base.

As always, there's inside info on doing it right. Here's 10 secrets to visiting an Army recruiter.


Image courtesy of Image: worradmu

Monday, May 23, 2011

Add your photo

You interviewed and they loved you. But how do they remember you when looking at your résumé later? Print your photo on your résumé. It's unconventional so don't use it if your research indicates the company is traditional. But consider it elsewhere as one way to stand out from the crowd.

It's who you know more than ever. You need to meet people (online and in person) and build value for them. So when you're ready to apply, there's someone on the inside to vouch for you.

Persistence and follow up is a must today. You can't rely on the employer to make the next move after you apply. Let them know you're interested and excited!

Consider joining or starting a job club for encouragement and help.


More ideas on successful job searching: How to Find a Job. Available for just $1.50 from Kindle or Nook. Or instant PDF download
Buy Now
Job hunting expenses may be tax deductible. Check with your accountant. (Report: 4,566 words)

Image courtesy of jannoon028

Saturday, May 21, 2011

Strange advice about your objective

The objective on your résumé must match the company's job description exactly or no one will read it, the Huffington Post says. That's a new one. If it were true, what would working for that company be like?

Susan Whitcomb, a superb job search author, argues here that Twitter is an essential part of the hunt.

Indian youth are surfing to find out about a company before the interview. But they're worried about what personal content online says about them.

Here's a good summary of lots of scams trying to separate new job seekers from their money.

If you're tired of job searching near home, they're looking for experienced hospitality and forestry people in Rotorua, New Zeland (that's on the North Island).

Want some structure to your search for job opportunities? Check out How to Find a Job. Available for just $1.50 from Kindle or Nook. Or instant PDF download
Buy Now
Job hunting expenses may be tax deductible. Check with your accountant. (Report: 4,566 words)

Image courtesy of Andy Newson

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Know the answer (your competition does)

One panelist suggests the old rule about don't be the first to mention money is outmoded. With 24,508 applicants for 50 positions, salary requirements are used to screen out people.

An applicant says she'll deflect the question by asking "What's the salary range for this position?"

Lady, you don't know the answer? Why are you in the interview if you don't know what the job is worth? If your networking hasn't told you the range, at least you should have done web research on the market price for the position.

The modern job search is not like it used to be. You can't interview cold, in ignorance. Especially not when there are almost 500 people vying for your job.


-----


Somebody else is trying the sandwich board approach. Does this say "creativity" or "desperate"? He says he's gotten two interviews out of it.


Image courtesy of photostock

Sunday, May 15, 2011

Teens, friends, and remember

Adults are taking jobs that used to go to teenagers, this speaker says.

Job hunting is tough and you should not solo--have somebody to talk you, to help keep you sane.

Longevity used to be good. Now, five years in the same job may cause an employer to raise an eyebrow What happened to this applicant's ambition?

They might have a point. Are you still learning anything from that job after that long?

So don't forget the job search skills you're learning now as you look--you'll be using them again in a little while.


---the step by step: How to Find a Job. Available for just $1.50. Job hunting expenses may be tax deductible. Check with your accountant. From Kindle or Nook. Or instant PDF download Buy Now

Image courtesy of Michelle Meiklejohn

Saturday, May 14, 2011

Should you be knocking on doors?

Just show up at each job you want, this Temple University graduation speaker says.

Maybe. Comedian Jay Leno once got turned down for an auto shop job, he writes in Leading With My Chin. He just went to the mechanics and said "I'm the new guy. What do you want me to do?" By the time the manager noticed him days later, the mechanics wanted him to stay. He got the job.

But today showing up uninvited means you're going to see a lot of receptionists. If you stumble on a decisionmaker, will they be happy at your interruption?

I think building your network--online and in person--and showing what you can do before the word "job" is mentioned works far better for your job hunt. Plus you won't tick anyone off.

The Bermuda Regiment has a library of sharp suits for soldiers or war veterans needing to look good for an interview. That's an idea others might want to take up.

Your résumé is your advertisment, not your autobiography, this author reminds us.


Image courtesy of Sura Nualpradid

Thursday, May 12, 2011

Getting unstuck and deducting it

Be aware of self-imposed roadblocks and deal with them, this blog entry about how to find a job reminds.

Whether you're a positive thinking fan of not, imagining "I will never find a job" is probably not productive.

Don't be afraid to talk to someone--maybe a trained therapist--to reframe your situation so you can get moving.

To be deductible, job hunting expenses must exceed 2% of your adjusted gross income and meet other conditions, according to this article.


Image courtesy of hinnamsaisuy

Wednesday, May 11, 2011

Older workers have tougher time

People 50 and over have a much harder time finding work than younger folk, this dismal article reports. In my experience hiring, "older" workers had a much better work ethic than younger ones. I think employers may be shooting themselves in the foot here.

A Robert Half executive echoes what this blog keeps saying: clean up your online presence. Employers look. Post carefully. If there's an online bio section, use it.

Keeping track of your contacts on LinkedIn may be easier with Signal. The web site introduced this feature 8 months ago.

You'll probably change fields to get a new job, this survey says.


Ideas on how to find a job successfully are at
How to Find a Job. Available for just $1.50 from Kindle or Nook. Or instant PDF download
Buy Now
Job hunting expenses may be tax deductible. Check with your accountant. (Report: 4,566 words)


Image courtesy of photostock

Monday, May 9, 2011

Handwritten, feedback and specific

Two good points from this article:

  • the follow up note after the interview ought to be handwritten.
  • if you don't get the job, ask the interviewer for feedback (the worse they can say is no and you've already experienced that)

  • Someone else complains they've applied to "so many places" without result. Yeah, guy, it's a dead strategy.

    Salespeople are told if you make a certain number of calls, you'll get a predictable number of responses. Knowing 1 out of 10 customers buys encourages you to keep at it.

    But presumably the salesperson is going after targeted prospects. The potential customer has a need the salesperson could fill.

    Job hunting today has to be targeted too. Carpet bombing every available employer may mean you're not taking the time to develop the relationships with (and learn about) specific employers.

    Looking for work today is not a blind date. You need to know A LOT about the company BEFORE you apply.


    Put it all together with How to Find a Job. Available for just $1.50 from Kindle or Nook. Or instant PDF download Buy Now
    Job hunting expenses may be tax deductible. Check with your accountant. (Report: 4,566 words)


    Image courtesy of Michal Marcol

    Sunday, May 8, 2011

    Only in California

    Visalia, California has installed two $30,000 mechanical dispensers where people can get job hunting books, DVDS and materials.

    Have you thought of using igoogle to coordinate your job search? This article describes how to do that.

    Are you a veteran? 6 online sites to help you find a job are outlined here.


    More information is available in
    How to Find a Job. Available for just $1.50 from Kindle or Nook. Or instant PDF download
    Buy Now
    Job hunting expenses may be tax deductible. Check with your accountant. (Report: 4,566 words)

    Image courtesy of
    photostock

    Friday, May 6, 2011

    Watch out for job fraud

    Companies that want money up front or want you to deposit a check they send don't have a job for you, this report says. Steer clear.

    The US economy added nearly a quarter million jobs last month, according to the New York Times. (Despite that, the unemployment ticked up 2/10 of a percent.)


    For an edge up, check out How to Find a Job. Available for just $1.50 from Kindle or Nook. Or instant PDF download
    Buy Now
    Job hunting expenses may be tax deductible. Check with your accountant. (Report: 4,566 words)

    Image courtesy of Michelle Meiklejohn

    Thursday, May 5, 2011

    35% of employers saw something online and cut a candidate

    Set up your Facebook account to email you when someone posts on your wall, this article advises. Monitor your wall and remove material which doesn't contribute to your professional image. Set up a Google or Yahoo alert to email you when your name appears online. 35% of employers have nixed a candidate because they spotted something on the Net. (Good advice. I would give you the link but the site generates annoying pages.)

    When James Challenger of the executive outplacement firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas, Inc. writes something, it's got to be worth reading. Here he's pointing out pitfalls the experienced person can avoid in job hunting.

    Wednesday, May 4, 2011

    How to downsize & what to show on the Internet

    A good article on downsizing when looking for work says there's 3 things to remember:

  • Tell why you're shooting for a lesser job than you had before
  • Explain you'll bring more productivity to the job than someone with less experience
  • Combat fears you'll move on

  • Remember to be professional and mature across the Internet, this interview reminds us. The party pictures on Facebook should be set so only friends can see them.

    Get more advice from

    How to Find a Job. Available for just $1.50 from Kindle or Nook. Or instant PDF download Buy Now

    Job hunting expenses may be tax deductible. Check with your accountant. (Report: 4,566 words)

    Tuesday, May 3, 2011

    Don't apply "everywhere"

    One high school article advises students to apply "everywhere" even if they don't meet the qualifications asked for.

    This is poor advice. Plus it clogs up the process for everyone else. Modern job searching is targeted. There are 4 people applying even for every minimum wage job.

    Now if you've got something to offer instead of the requirement, that might be worth a try. They want 5 years of job experience as a wrangler. You grew up helping your dad who was a rodeo champion. There's something you can run with.

    Last year 60,000 people applied for 13,000 minimum wage jobs during McDonald's national hiring event. A bleak but perhaps accurate of the job situation is here.

    This article agrees--you've got to go after someone specific. It suggests asking for an informational interview to find out about the company--never mentioning you're looking for work.

    Some recovery. One economist says we've regained only 1/5 of the jobs lost during the recession.

    For a step by step approach to finding a job the modern way, check out How to Find a Job. Available for just $1.50 from Kindle or Nook. Or instant PDF download
    Buy Now

    Job hunting expenses may be tax deductible. Check with your accountant. (Report: 4,566 words)