By Betsy Goldberg, contributor

From:  Money Magazine, March 2010

(Money Magazine) — Decent job listings are pretty scarce these days — which is why it’s more important than ever to get your résumé in front of the top headhunters in your field. Executive-search professionals serve their client companies by quietly cherry-picking candidates for high-level jobs, many of which are never advertised. And if you’re not on the recruiters’ radar, you may miss out on prime opportunities. These strategies can help you get on the gatekeepers’ good sides:

Headhunters often specialize by industry or job function. Thus, the best way to find someone is via your network. You’re likely to get a better response if you’ve been referred, so ask friends in your field which pros were helpful to them, or use LinkedIn to check whether current or former co-workers are connected to recruiters; alternatively, see whether your industry association can suggest someone. It’s worthwhile doing all this even if you’re not job hunting just yet. Building a network takes time, and you might as well get a headstart. Read the rest of this entry »

This information provided by Dennis Stuempfle of Palatine Technology Services, LLC as a courtesy to our candidates. Dennis can be reachedby phone at856-358-0320.

Despite what job boards will tell you, posting your resume online is not right for everyone. Deciding whether or not to post your resume on a major job board will depend on your unique situation.

If you have a good skill set, a stable work background and can afford to be selective in looking for the right opportunity, use caution regarding “continued” posting. A well-planned, targeted approach to your job search will serve you well. At the very least, follow the advice of Careerbuilder.com and make your posted information “confidential” or “non-searchable.”

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The following article was written by Dave Cirillo, Ph.D.,president of PETisphere.

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“Hi-ho, hi-ho, it’s off to work we go…” Do you hum this little ditty as you ready yourself to do battle with traffic and work stress each and every work day? No? We didn’t think so! But if you would like the companionship of your pet at work to help you get through the day, well… you’re not alone.

According to a recent Monster.com Meter Poll, nearly one-third of the 10,000-plus surveyed feel that “pets should be allowed in the workplace.”

Or how about this recent headline in the Urbana, Illinois News Gazette by reporter Julie Wurth: “More pets are going to work.” The article continues, “The morning routine is the same as in most offices. Co-workers Miles, Lily and Rile greet each other, admire new outfits, maybe sniff each other once or twice. Canines of all stripes – and spots – roam the offices of the ASPCA Midwest Office in Urbana’s Sunnycrest Mall.”

Even the venerable American Psychological Society has seen fit to comment on the canine and feline in-the-workplace phenomenon: The APA recently gave its coveted “The Psychologically Healthy Workplace Award: Best Practices Honors” to 15 innovative companies. And one firm makes the list because the company lets employees bring pets to work – and offers pet insurance. That company is … Small Dog Electronics in Vermont.

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Happy New Year! Make 2007 YOUR YEAR! The beginning of each new year is an excellent time to put your job search at the top of your New Year’s Resolution list! Make sure that you state the following: “My New Year’s Resolution is to be gainfully employed with a company that I have targeted.”

It is a fact that many people seek out new opportunities at this time of the year. This is true for a variety of reasons. Individuals that are not currently employed realize that decision makers are back from their holiday time off and ready to fill their open positions. Many individuals that are already employed but unhappy with their current position, often wait until January to start their job search. This is usually because they want to use any accrued vacation time and qualify for a possible year end bonus.

Therefore, your competition has increased a bit from the end of last year, when hiring slows down; however, there are many, many more opportunities available…NOW!

Regardless of the time of the year, the job seeker that is ACTIVE in his/her job search will be the candidate that secures the career they want!

There are many reasons why NOW is a good time to JOB SEARCH:
1. Decision Makers are back from time off during the holidays.
2. Corporations have a new budget, with hiring allowances.
3. Often companies will make changes at the beginning of the year. This often creates movement within the organization and creates new positions.
4. An overall positive attitude of hiring authorities. They are usually more motivated now, to fill their openings.
5. There are many job seekers that took the time during the holidays to improve their cover letters, resumes, conducted research, etc. in order to better position themselves for NOW!
6. Recruiters are excited to start a new year! They are salespeople and they want to start their year with top production. What that means to you is that Recruiters in all disciplines are motivated to successfully place as many candidates as they can, in their first quarter of the year,
7. It is a busy time for all hiring authorities. There is always some turnover within corporations at the end of every year.

As job seekers, you need to take advantage of the reasons listed above!

Conducting a thorough job search takes true commitment to attain your GOAL! If you are not currently employed you should dedicate 40 hours to your search per week. Your full time job is to find a job! If you are already employed but want to make a job change, you need to devote a minimum of 15 hours a week to your search!

Happy New Year & We Wish You A Year Filled With Health, Happiness & Prosperity!

Nancy J. Phillips, CPC
Courtesy of: Good as Gold Training, Inc. (www.jobseekerinfo.com)

Needs and wants are the foundations on which you set realistic and attainable goals. If the goals that you are setting are what you really want or need out of life, you are motivated, and therefore you are more likely to achieve them. However, if the goals you are setting are meeting someone else’s wants or needs, you will probably find it frustrating to try to attain them. It is extremely important that you take the time to explore and identify both your needs and your wants. Once you have identified these, you are now beginning to identify what it means to be successful by YOUR own personal standards!

When you are considering your needs and wants it is important not only to distinguish between the two, it is also imperative to examine how many times the “SHOULDS” in your life will get in your way. Every time you believe that you should do something, you are implying that you neither want nor need this, but somehow you feel required to do it. These “shoulds” will drain your energy and take your focus off of what is truly important. If you live your life being “guilted” by “shoulds,” you are limiting your opportunities as you make your career decisions. The goal is to eliminate as many “shoulds” as possible.

Your needs are the things that you truly need to survive. Your needs are anything which you perceive as necessary for your personal well-being. When your basic needs are met you feel secure. Your needs are usually your highest priority! Your needs are anything which you perceive to be necessary for your personal well-being. These items are all fundamental to the pursuit of happiness.

You wants are the items which you have s strong desire for, but may not be essential for your personal well-being. Your “WANTS” have more to do with enriching your life. Balance and common sense are necessary to make appropriate choices about your wants.

Pure logic or even common sense are not necessarily operative when considering your needs and wants. There are times when the desire for immediate gratification enters the picture causing wants to become a greater priority than needs. It is very important to clearly know what you need and what you can wait for, even though you want it. You must satisfy your basic needs and work calmly towards satisfying your wants.

USE THESE 3 SIMPLE GUIDELINES WHEN CONDUCTING YOUR SEARCH:
1. Formally write down what you NEED to live at “survival” level.
2. Clarify what you WANT and when you want it.
3. Sort out the SHOULDS that you have become “tied to.”

Good Luck in Your Job Search!

Nancy J. Phillips, CPC

Courtesy of: Good as Gold Training, Inc. (www.jobseekerinfo.com)

A well thought out, concise Marketing Plan is an essential part of your successful job search! A solid, detailed Plan forces you to focus and direct your job search; ensures that you are covering all methods; keeps you aware of how much work you have to do, and evaluates the quality of your efforts.

Your Marketing Plan is a dynamic, action oriented plan that helps you set realistic and meaningful daily, weekly and monthly goals. This plan is critical to your career management program.

Follow these STEPS when you are writing your Marketing Plan:
1. Define your target market by considering the following….
A. Industry
B. Corporations in the Industry
C. Services / Products of the Corporations
D. Number of Employees
E. Geographic Locations
F. Corporations Net Worth
2. Describe the job function you want.
3. Review classified ads for sample job descriptions.
4. Compare your skills, experience, education and background to the sample job descriptions to see if your background supports the positions you are interested in.
5. Map out your campaign strategy: RESEARCH
6. Compile your networking list.
7. Develop a list of recruiters/agencies that specialize in your area of expertise.
8. Organize your direct mail plans.
9. Tailor your resume and other marketing pieces.
10. Get interviews
11. Document the results
12. Follow-up

You have to think of yourself almost like a product you are selling to a prospective buyer – the HIRING AUTHORITY. Job Searches are difficult because you have to “sell yourself.” If you are not in the Sales Profession, it can be extremely uncomfortable – but it is necessary! If you were selling a product, you would identify “who” would be most likely to purchase your product. You must do that same type of methodical planning when you write the marketing plan for your job search. Compiling this plan will drastically REDUCE the time it will take you to find your next wonderful career opportunity!

Nancy J. Phillips, CPC
Courtesy of: Good as Gold Training, Inc. (www.jobseekerinfo.com)