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

What is the Start Now! Career Guide?

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Good question!

If you’re one of many who have found yourself looking for a job, you’ll agree…you are faced with perhaps one of the most difficult times of your life.

You’re looking to get from point A (being unemployed) to point B (landing a good job) in the shortest amount of time. You turn to the Internet because that’s where we go for virtually instant information. What the job seeker often finds, however, is frustration.

In part, it’s because finding the best places to post a resume isn’t going to help if the resume itself isn’t on target. If the resume isn’t right, then it isn’t being read. If it isn’t read, it isn’t being considered.

So let me address how StartNowCareers.com can assist today’s job seeker:

1. It Provides Value. In its most basic form, Start Now! Career Guide helps you set the foundation in perfecting your own resume. The guide relieves the burden of weeding through repetitive information which is found on the Internet today. Our web site links to a product - not to a page of links to more web sites (which, in turn, often links to yet more web sites).

“Professional” resume writers are out there by the dozens and charge hefty fees to produce something for people they don’t even know. But the fact is, no one knows the you as well as you do. The Start Now! Career Guide helps you dig deep to rediscover talents and experiences (career and personal) which you may have overlooked.

2. We’re Not Reinventing the Wheel. Rather than a job search engine or resume service, Start Now! Career Guide is just that…a comprehensive guide which covers a wealth of information, from how to deal with the emotional side of unemployment, to networking, to resume construction, to letter writing, to interview strategies, and so much more.

3. We Don't Remix. Since there is so much information out on the Internet, we can’t claim that our guide is spectacularly unique. What we can claim, however, is that the Start Now! Career Guide provides essential information all job seekers need. Plus, since you’ll have the reference information always at your fingertips, it saves valuable time you’d be using going from one web site to another.

We’re really hoping you’ll evaluate StartNowCareers.com. Our goal is to deliver a product of value which provides vital information and essential tools to assist you in your job search.
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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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Talk about it!

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I read a recent article on a job posting site that actually said, "Lost your job? Lie to people." The article was posted just before the holidays and the author felt that it's better not to say anything to friends and relatives, since the individual is probably embarrassed, and if asked how things are going at work, they should lie.

My thought is the complete opposite. Since more jobs are obtained through the "Hidden" job market than the "Advertised," it's to your benefit to let everyone know your situation.

In fact, it is advisable that you begin telling select friends about your new situation as soon as possible. Don’t be afraid to do so.

As you proceed with this career continuation process, you will quickly begin to realize that friends not only provide support, but are your allies in developing an effective marketing force. If your friends are not aware of you situation, they certainly can’t help you.
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