How Sharp Are Your Job-Hunting Skills?

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If posting a resume on a search engine was all that was needed to land a job, we sure wouldn’t have much of an unemployment problem, would we?

Let’s face it, search engines (Monster, CareerBuilder, etc.) are filled with “available positions” no matter when you check them. So why is it that so many available workers are not landing all those “available” jobs? The fact is, looking for a job can be downright grueling, according to Kiplinger.com.

Do you know how to boost your odds of getting the position you want for the pay you want? Here are ten questions to test your knowledge of job searching, interviewing and salary negotiating.

How Sharp Are Your Job-Hunting Skills?

Question 1:
Searching the Internet is the most effective way to look for a job – True or False.

False. Although the Internet will probably make up one component of your search, the most effective way to find a job is through networking. You could answer dozens of ads, but knowing the right people can make all the difference in landing an offer. Plus, only about 15% to 20% of all job openings are ever publicly advertised in any medium, according to Quintcareers.com. Most come through the grape vine.

Question 2:
You can negotiate an entry-level salary – Yes or No.

Absolutely; It doesn't hurt to ask is correct. Most employers leave wiggle room in their offers to new employees, even those that are fresh out of school. You won't find out unless you ask. But even if there isn't any room for an increase in salary, there are other pieces to the benefits puzzle. Consider negotiating your vacation time, work hours, signing bonuses, starting date or relocation benefits.

Question 3:
Your résumé should always fit onto one page – True or False.

False. There's no mandatory length limit for résumés. Use the space efficiently, but give enough specific information to attract hiring managers. Generally, you should keep yours to one page if you have less than ten years of experience. Feel free to go over a page if you have more experience or work in a field where you need to add more detail, such as your research projects and publications.

Question 4:
What are acceptable ways to reach out and network? A. Use your college alumni association; B. Join a professional organization; C. Join online discussion groups; D. All of the above; E. None of the above.

All of the above is correct. All of these are good ways to meet people in your field. You can also set up an informational interview with experts in your industry, get an internship when you're first starting out, and keep in touch with college acquaintances.

Question 5:
When applying via e-mail, type a brief cover letter into the body of your e-mail, attach your résumé as a Word document and click "send." A) That’s all I need to do; b) Wait! I’m forgetting something!

Wait, you're forgetting something is correct. Don’t hit “send” so fast. You need to send two versions of your résumé via e-mail. Many employers won't open résumé attachments either out of laziness or fear of contracting a computer virus. Your chance of getting noticed: zilch. Go ahead and attach the document, but copy and paste a text-only version of your résumé into the body of your e-mail to cover your bases.

Question 6:
Should you tell your current employer you're job hunting outside the company – Yes or No.

No. Don't tell anyone before you have a new job lined up. The company knows it has to replace you and it could find your replacement before you're ready to go, leaving you prematurely unemployed. Or your boss may see you as disloyal and make your life difficult until you leave.

Question 7:
How long does the average job hunt take? One month? Four months? Nine months? 18 months?

The average job hunt takes four months, according to outplacement firm Challenger, Gray and Christmas. So be patient and don't get discouraged.

Question 8:
Employers can receive hundreds of résumés for a single job. How can you get yours noticed? A. Use fancy formatting; B. List every job you've ever held; C. Use certain key words.

Use certain key words is correct. Many employers dump résumés into a database and search for key words to narrow the field. The magic words are often job titles, skills or areas of expertise related to the position. The best way to figure out key words is to look at ads for your target job and see the kind of language employers are using.

Question 9:
What should you NOT do in a job interview? A. Smile; B. Dress conservatively; C. Ask the interviewer yes-or-no questions; D. Bring plenty of hard-copy résumés; E. Talk respectfully about past employers.

Ask the interviewer yes-or-no questions is correct. Asking the interviewer "yes" or "no" questions that stifle conversation gives the impression that you don't care about the company or the position. Stick to open-ended questions, such as "Would you walk me through a typical day on the job?" or "What is the company's plan for the next five years, and how does your department fit in?"

Question 10:
When looking for your first job out of college, you can write off job-hunting expenses on your tax return – True or False.

False. Sorry, first-job seekers cannot write off these costs. However, they can claim the write-off when they look for their next job, as long as it's in the same field.

For the most complete job search resource, please log onto our web site: StartNowCareers.com

On the Light Side - Help Wanted

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Position: Actual job title varies. Mom, Dad; Mommy, Daddy; Mama, Dada; or Ma, Pa

Job Description: Long-term team players needed for challenging, permanent work in an often chaotic environment. Candidates must possess excellent communication and organizational skills and be willing to work variable hours, which will include evenings and weekends and frequent 24-hour shifts on call. Some overnight travel required, including trips to primitive camping sites on rainy weekends and endless sports tournaments in far away cities. Travel expenses never reimbursed. Extensive courier duties also required.

Responsibilities: Duration of the job is the rest of your life. Must be willing to be hated, at least temporarily, until someone needs $5. Must be willing to bite tongue repeatedly. Also, must possess the physical stamina of a pack mule and be able to go from zero to 60 mph in three seconds flat in case, this time, the screams from the backyard are not someone just crying wolf.

Must be willing to face stimulating technical challenges, such as small gadget repair, mysterious ugly sluggish toilets and stuck zippers. Must screen phone calls, maintain calendars and coordinate production of multiple homework projects. Must have ability to plan and organize social gatherings for clients of all ages and varying numbers. Must be a willing to be indispensable one minute, an embarrassment the next.

Must handle assembly and product safety testing of a half million cheap, plastic toys, and battery operated devices. Must always hope for the best but be prepared for the worst. Must assume final, complete accountability for the quality of the end product. Responsibilities also include floor maintenance and janitorial work throughout the facility.

Possibility of Advancement and Promotion: None. Your job is to remain in the same position for years, without complaining, constantly retraining and updating your skills, so that those in your charge can ultimately surpass you

Previous Experience: None required unfortunately. On-the-job training offered on a continually exhausting basis.

Wages And Compensation: Get this! You pay them!! Offering frequent raises and bonuses. A balloon payment is due when they turn 18 because of the assumption that college will help them become financially independent. When you die, you give them whatever is left. The oddest thing about this reverse-salary scheme is that you actually enjoy it and wish you could only do more.

Benefits: While no health or dental insurance, no pension, no tuition reimbursement, no paid holidays and no stock options are offered, this job supplies limitless opportunities for personal growth, unconditional love, and free hugs and kisses for life if you play your cards right.
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The US Government Agrees with Advice in Start Now! Career Guide

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According to the Office of Personnel Management, more than 200,000 new jobs have been posted since October. As of this writing there are over 42,000 currently posted, but keep in mind…competition for them are fierce.

To boost your chances, experts advise tailoring your resume to include keywords which match your skills to the job you’re applying for. Start Now! Career Guide shows you precisely how to do that - and much more.

For information on how Start Now! Career Guide can help in your job search, visit Start Now! Career Guide.

For more information on government jobs listed as well as how to apply, visit http://www.usajobs.gov/
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