Let’s face it – the entire process of job search can just be monstrously overwhelming, which is why you have got to get a plan together in order to tackle the monster. It is really best to think about job search as ‘your current job’. Holding this perspective is a way that can enable you to make the most effective use of your time. Here are some tips to include in your planning:

• Schedule your week days around the job search process (don’t take too much time between jobs or graduation to relax, a few is ok, but too many may make you reluctant to get back into the swing of things).
• Allot time to prepare your career marketing tools (resume, cover letter, personal card, overall portfolio).
• Schedule networking meetings, business lunches, informational interviews (if you plan on entering a new field) – stay in process and visible in the marketplace.
• Research your marketplace in order to ‘target’ specific companies.
• If you’re not certain of ‘what’ career you want – plan a personal/career assessment; examine your interests, values, strengths and what motivates you. If you haven’t done this in a while this is the place to start.
• Take time to develop your pitch or brand message.
• Prepare for the ‘phone interview’ process that many employers conduct today.
• Take this opportunity to get up to date with the job market and prepare an ‘online’ portfolio – be visible no matter where you are or where you work.
• Stay up to date with what is going on in your industry.
• Update yourself on interview techniques and practice, practice, practice.
• Plan your week out ahead of time – stick to your ‘job’ of finding a job 40 hrs./week.
• Build your network. If you shy away from the word networking – pick up some of the latest books and reframe your thinking. Here are a couple of good ones: Make Your Contacts Count, by Baber and Waymon – and The Connect Effect, by Dulworth.
• Celebrate your forward movement – take a step forward every day, work to your plan and stay connected.

Posted by Robin Ogden – FiredUP Careers

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I’ve heard so many comments from people about the amount of time it takes to post their resumes on each of the top job search engine sites that I was happy to come across Resume Rabbit – you post your resume here once and they then submit to up to 84 other job sites for you (such as Monster, CareerBuilder, Dice, HotJobs, Career Shop, Job.com, etc.). It’s a ‘one stop’ posting site, so if you are someone who wants to use the job boards but finds it too time consuming to get it all done, Resume Rabbit might be right for you. They boast that they will give you exposure to over 1.5 million employers and recruiters. What I found amazing is that they actually have a ‘phone’ number you can call if you have questions…nice, you don’t see that much anymore. (But, do you get a real person? Let me know.)

Of course, I have to add that posting your resume on job search engines should not be the only source you use for job search. Connecting with your network (which is #1), researching and specifically targeting companies you are interested in, as well as utilizing the online services are all ways for you to achieve better success. If you would like a list of job search engines and other useful links check out our career links page. There are loads of career informational links here that can give you help, ideas and information around your job search process.

If you have others you think we should add, let me know the link and we’ll check it out.

Posted by Robin Ogden – FiredUP Careers

Visit us and get your ‘free’ report – and while you’re there check out our new MatchMining ebook, where you can get help in uncovering the best career match for you.

How many of you are out there working right now and every day you wish for a different kind of schedule? One that does not suck the life out of you and your family and/or other parts of your life? A work schedule that allows you to enjoy and give focus to all of the important aspects of your life? I think this is something that we all aspire to at one point or another in our careers. Yet, many of us have no idea how to go about making the change, not to mention finding a job/employer who is open to a more flexible type of schedule.

Although statistics probably show that more women than men are moving towards a flexible work schedule, the statistics in the male population are also on the rise: 74% of men rate having a work schedule that allows them time with their families as very important “and” 44% of fathers are willing to take a ‘pay-cut’ in order to spend more time with their children (according to statistics reported on NeedleStackJobs.com).

In addition, there are those of you who will continue to work, even after retirement, along with those who would like to spend more time volunteering to a cause, yet need to continue working - or want to just have more personal freedom. The list of reasons is long and flexible scheduling is something that has become important to the majority of us and we are in need of more information and support in order to make it happen in our lives.

Good news - NeedleStackJobs.com is just the place for you if you are someone who wants to seek a more flexible work schedule. Just head over there and search their site for employers who are looking for someone with your needs, or go ahead and post your resume. It’s free to join. They also have an extensive ‘links’ page where you can get lots more information.

So, if a flextime schedule is something your looking for, take the steps to begin making it happen in your career. It might not happen immediately, but if you don’t begin to do the research and stay open to who is looking for someone like you in a flexible arrangement - when will it happen? Take the lead.

Posted by Robin - FiredUP Careers because you deserve to “dig what you do”!

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Came across this video from TheLadders.com on YouTube and got a kick out of it. There is a great point made here about how difficult it can be to standout from the pack when you’re searching for a job. TheLadders caters specifically to the $100K plus job market – so if you’re in that league then this might be a site you’d like to check out. If not, check out the video anyway for fun…

Posted by Robin - FiredUP Careers

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Market yourself. This is a hefty one, so I’ll be breaking it down in other blog posts too. First of all, you’ve got to begin thinking of yourself from a marketing perspective. You are looking for a job and marketing yourself to employers. Along the way, you’d like others to help you out too when possible. Do they know you’re looking? Will they have a chance to pass your information on to anyone else?

Begin by making sure that your email address is a professional one. Get rid of any cute email addresses from the past like: im2bad@…, or freakyfred@… and get a professional email address. Use your name, or as close to it as you can. In fact, if you can buy a domain under your name (i.e. joesmith.com) then do so. (To check in to this do a domain search at UpDaddy.com – it’s quick and easy, and also inexpensive to own your online name.) Make sure to use the ‘signature’ part of your email setup page. You can use this setup to list your name, as well as your profession under your name (ie; marketing professional, or software engineer, or sales representative, or banking professional…you get the idea here). Then underneath you can use your LinkedIn link (see tip #5) so that anyone you send an email to can get to your professional link that has your background profile, etc. As you continue to grow your online presence via a video resume, or online portfolio you can also use this link in your email signature.

This is a very powerful way to continue your networking process, grow your presence as a passive job seeker, and be available at a moment’s notice for new opportunities to ‘find’ you.

Take Action:

First, be sure to read tip #5 and get your LinkedIn account set up. Next, set up a professional email address then set up your signature inside your email account. Your email company should have a section and instructions for creating this signature line – it’s easy, so don’t neglect to use this great marketing tool. If you need some help or more information on setting that up here is a link that has oodles of information on creating signatures inside various email accounts.

http://email.about.com/od/signatures/Email_Signatures.htm

So – get started and keep moving forward.

Posted by Robin Ogden – FiredUP Careers

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Every now and then I need to chuck the serious stuff and just pass along a good joke. This one was sent to me from a wonderful friend and I got such a good laugh out of it that I hope you do too - here it is:

Q: I’ve heard that cardiovascular exercise can prolong life; is this true?

A: Your heart is only good for so many beats, and that’s it . . . Don’t waste them on exercise. Everything wears out eventually. Speeding up your heart will not make you live longer; that’s like saying you can extend the life of your car by driving it faster. Want to live longer? Take a nap.

Q: Should I cut down on meat and eat more fruits and vegetables?

A: You must grasp logistical efficiencies. What does a cow eat?

Hay and corn. And what are these?

Vegetables.

So a steak is nothing more than an efficient mechanism of delivering vegetables to your system. Need grain?

Eat chicken.

Beef is also a good source of field grass (green leafy vegetable). And a pork chop can give you 100% of your recommended daily allowance of vegetable products.

Q: Should I reduce my alcohol intake?

A: No, not at all. Wine is made from fruit. Brandy is distilled wine, that means they take the water out of the fruity bit so you get even more of the goodness that way. Beer is also made out of grain. Bottoms up!

Q: How can I calculate my body/fat ratio?

A: Well, if you have a body and you have fat your ratio is one to one. If you have two bodies, your ratio is two to one, etc.

Q: What are some of the advantages of participating in a regular exercise program?

A: Can’t think of a single one, sorry. My philosophy is: No Pain…Good!

Q: Aren’t fried foods bad for you?

A: YOU’RE NOT LISTENING!!! . Foods are fried these days in vegetable oil. In fact, they’re permeated in it. How could getting more vegetables be bad for you?

Q: Will sit-ups help prevent me from getting a little soft around the middle?

A: Definitely not! When you exercise a muscle, it gets bigger. You should only be doing sit-ups if you want a bigger stomach.

Q: Is chocolate bad for me?

A: Are you crazy? HELLO Cocoa beans! Another vegetable!!! It’s the best feel-good food around!

Q: Is swimming good for your figure?

A: If swimming is good for your figure, explain whales to me.

Well, I hope this has cleared up any misconceptions you may have had about food and diets.

And remember:

‘Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways - Chardonnay in one hand - chocolate in the other - body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming ‘WOO HOO, What a Ride!’

AND . . . .

For those of you who watch what you eat, here’s the final word on nutrition and health. It’s a relief to know the truth after all those conflicting nutritional studies.

1. The Japanese eat very little fat and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.

2. The Mexicans eat a lot of fat and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.

3. The Chinese drink very little red wine and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.

4. The Italians drink a lot of red wine and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.

5. The Germans drink a lot of beers and eat lots of sausages and fats and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americ ans.

CONCLUSION:

Eat and drink what you like. Speaking English is apparently what kills you.

Cheers and grins - Pass it on… let someone else you know get a good laugh!

Posted by Robin – FiredUP Careers

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Ready to have your work ‘work’ with your life? These days we all seem to be on autopilot when it comes to work. We stop thinking and just keep doing and pretty soon we have no life. There really is a way to manage this better, take control and put the ‘life’ back into your life. Today thousands of people are rearranging their work schedules and turning their lack luster life into a life that works for them and suits their needs? How?? By setting up a flexible and/or telecommuting schedule with their employers. Oh sure… (you might think), but I found this site: WorkOptions.com that actually lends a hand in helping you persuade your current company that you can get the job done ‘and’ do it on a flexible schedule.

Whether you’re afraid to ask, want to plan a strategy or are ready to get started this site has great information for you as well as a full on template/proposal package that you can prepare to present to your employer. So, stop wishing and dreaming about having a flexible work schedule and start taking steps today to make it happen in your life. Remember, you are the manager of your career.

P.S. If you currently have a flex schedule – would love to hear how you got it and manage it. And, if you’ve tried to propose a flex schedule and your company said ‘no way’ – would like to hear about that side too. Let’s help other people out by sharing our information.

Posted by Robin – FiredUP Careers

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Here’s a resource I came across while doing some net surfing that you might find very useful if you are trying to decide “what career is right for me”. Focused on assisting college students with career planning, Career Cruising is a site that has great tools and resources to help students understand how their careers relate to their skills and interests. This isn’t just a quick-fix package; this is a very comprehensive line up of tools to assist with career exploration. It includes personal assessment tools, as well as a database of hundreds of career occupation descriptions along with personalized feedback that shows you how your skills match up with various occupations – very cool! Check it out…

Posted by Robin – FiredUP Careers

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Get LinkedIn. This is a great professional networking tool with more than 20 million professionals all around the world. It is free to join and is a terrific tool to help you develop and manage your professional online presence. There are so many benefits for using this tool in your career, some of which are: getting noticed in job market, uncovering inside connections, exploring companies and opportunities that you may not have even thought of, getting introduced to other professionals – the list goes on and on.

Remember, in the world of networking and recruiting, one of the most common things that a person will do is google your name. If you’ve never googled your own name before, go ahead and give it a try. This is a big part your online presence – albeit not all of it, but a good majority of it. One thing that is critical is that now that you’re in the career marketplace your online presence must be squeaky clean. Wild party links to MySpace, Facebook or other social networking sites can be a big career mistake.

LinkedIn can help to provide you with a professional link that will show up on a google search. Just create your account with LinkedIn, complete as much of your profile as possible and then begin to send ‘invites’ to other people you know who are trusted colleagues/contacts. Soon, they’ll be joining too and you’ll be amazed at how many people you are actually connected to in the world. So, do it now – and remember to work on the profile part of your page, since this is where you can list your education, previous employers or volunteer groups, affiliations, etc. That way when others find you on LinkedIn they will be able to get to know who you are.

Action:

It’s easy, here’s the link – so, get on there and set up your account - start growing your professional online presence.

Posted by Robin – FiredUP Careers

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Practice your interview. Definitely take this advice; you do not want to ‘wing it’. I can’t remember the last time that I spoke with someone who went on a job interview and said they were glad they just played it by ear. In fact it’s just the opposite. Most anyone I speak with that has been on an interview always wishes they were better prepared. Unfortunately, hind sight after an interview is not what you want – because more often than not, you won’t get a second chance. So, prepare and practice.

Action:

To help you determine the best approach to answering any given question, take into consideration the context of the question. Learning to differentiate between the possible contexts and selecting an appropriate response will minimize your need to memorize questions and answers. Most interview questions will fall into the three following contexts:

Past Context. These are asked because the best predictor of future performance is past behavior. You may hear of these being referred to as “Behavioral Questions” – which are quite popular now.

Behavioral questions will usually begin with:

Tell me about a time…

In the past how did you handle…

Describe three key factors you have used to…

Give me an example of…

What is the biggest mistake you’ve made in your career…

Present Context. These surround - who are you? What do you know? What do you want? The interviewer wants to know what is going on with you and who you are right now.

Present based questions will sound something like:

Tell me what you know about…

Where do you believe the industry is taking…

Why did you select this profession…

Future Context. With these questions the interviewer is trying to find out how you think, how you solve problems, what process you go through.

Future based questions will begin with:

What do you believe…

What steps would you take if…

How would you handle…

What would you do if…

So, pick out ten or twelve good interview questions that fall into the above contexts and prepare your answers. Then practice the answers in front of a mirror. Next, enlist one or two of your friends (you can use a parent, but they are not always the most objective in this situation) and have them ask you the questions. Formulate answers so that they are results oriented and prove the value you can bring to the organization. Make sure you stay on track with the question and keep your answers down to 30 seconds or so, (no rambling) you can always ask the interviewer if they would like more information.

To develop a strong interview strategy check out FiredUP Interviewing for New College Grads – It’s loaded with tips and techniques you’ll use now and in the future.

Good luck and remember – just move forward!

Posted by Robin Ogden – FiredUP Careers

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