Thursday, December 30, 2010
Happy New Year!
Monday, November 29, 2010
'Tis the Season For Your Job Search
Many job seekers are tempted to slow down the search (or pause it altogether) during the winter holiday season. But career experts say that, if you're looking for a new job, taking a break during the holidays is a mistake--because hiring doesn't stop.
At the end of the year, some companies rush to fill job openings that might otherwise be removed from next year's budget. And other companies will be looking ahead--as career expert Kimberly Bishop, the author of "Get Down to Business and You'll Get the Job," explains: "Jobs that might have been on hold until budgets are in place will become available in January," she says.
Roy Cohen, an executive coach and the author of "The Wall Street Professional's Survival Guide," agrees, saying, "There's a belief that recruiting shuts down during the holidays. That's a myth--so when other people take off from their job searching during the holidays, you're at an advantage should an opportunity surface. It's all about numbers and odds."
In fact, the holidays provide some distinct advantages and special opportunities for proactive job seekers. Here's how to make the most of your holiday-season job search:
Be flexible. Judi Perkins, of FindthePerfectJob.com, says, "When I was a recruiter, the holidays were one of my busiest times, and I was often on the phone either side of Christmas day." Conversely, this means that you should be prepared to interview at unusual times, to allow for a recruiter's or hiring manager's busy holiday schedule.
Do volunteer work. All sorts of philanthropic organizations ramp up activities during the holidays--and volunteering can be a great way to network, gain skills, and fill the gap that unemployment might otherwise leave on your resume.
Look into temporary positions. Many companies have end-of-year crunches--at the same time that many workers want to take time off--so they look to staffing agencies to fill gaps. A temporary job can be a great foot in the door at a new company.
Seek out seasonal jobs. Bishop says, "The most obvious opportunities are in retail sales or retail-related positions. There are a variety of part-time and temporary jobs that range from sales and customer service to merchandising, stocking, greeting, gift-wrapping, and playing a role in special in-store events.
Use holiday social events to network. You don't want to make every conversation about your job search--but letting people know how they can help you is crucial. Cohen advises, "Have your pitch--who you are, what you want, and why--ready and perfect."
And try to keep things positive. For instance, when you tell people that you're looking for work, also tell them how you've been productive with your time off.
Reach out to your contacts. The holidays are a great reason to reach out to friends and acquaintances, as well as to reconnect with people you may have fallen out of contact with. Cohen suggests, "Send out a holiday greeting, but add a little extra in your message. Email or snail-mail the card to everyone in your job-search universe. It should be upbeat--that you continue and are committed to search for a great job and know that it is only a matter of time and timing. ... And that you're deeply grateful for all the people who have reached out along the way during your search."
And remember that the holidays are a time for giving. Find ways to help the people in your network, and they'll be likelier to help you in the future. Recommit to your job search. Start 2011 off right: make an appointment with yourself to determine your goals for the coming year; then schedule some time to revamp your resume, practice your interviewing skills, and polish up your personal brand.
Friday, November 12, 2010
Resume Cover Letter Help – It’s Been 6 Months and Still No Job Offers
Getting hired in a tight job market isn’t easy. The best way I found to get over the tight job market was by getting some resume cover letter help. I needed it. For some reason I had been sending it out for 6 months with nothing more than just call backs and a few interviews. I knew my cover letter wasn’t stellar but I didn’t think it was that bad. After I made some very serious changes to it, I started to see a change in the results I was getting.
I figured out that the resume cover letter help I needed was for the generic letter I was using. It was too simple and didn’t read very well. It just said, thank you for the opportunity and gave a little about my experience, almost the same information that’s on my resume. To change this I had to completely forget about the cover letters I had copied from the internet. I don’t know how many people use them but I wasn’t getting much out of them. I decided to use a cover letter generator that was recommended widely on the internet. I was afraid of getting the same results but with the money back guarantee I figured I had little to lose.
Making changes to the cover letter worked. I think the structure was better than what I had been using and the language on it was far from how I usually write. It was much more professional. I noticed I got more call backs. I don’t know if it was the letter of the fact that it was easier for me to send twice the number of letters but I did get call backs.
It wasn’t the end of my dry spell by any means. To further improve my resume cover letter, help was available through a good friend of mine who shared her tactic to stand out. She told me that taking it, in person and addressing it to the person interviewing helped her a lot. I didn’t realize how well that impacted the reader. It gave them the impression that I was serious about being hired by taking the time to go and meet the person in charge or hiring.
Another thing that worked really well was to tell them on my cover letter how I want to work for a solid company like theirs that offered the opportunity to learn and grow. I often checked the company website, if it was available and checked for any signs of the company being recognized for anything. If they were a little league sponsor I would find a way to relate to that. If it was for excellence in anything I wanted to know and make a reference to it on my letter. I wanted to send the massage that I was informed about the company and had done some homework on the place I wanted to work for. I did this to have my resume cover letter shine, it did help.
In my experience, a good cover letter has made a difference between landing the interview and not. That’s the first step, right? I catch the reader with the knowledge I have of their organization and a few other key tips I learned to incorporate into my letter. I’ve helped my sister and brothers with their letter and they’ve also landed the jobs. What I picked up made the difference on how I write my resume cover letters. Get all the tips today at Resume Cover Reviews, it can help you land a better job. (c) Copyright 2010 – Casey Alexander. All Rights Reserved
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Fastest growing Jobs in America
How will the job market evolve in the next decade? Fortune takes a look at some of the fastest growing professions in the U.S.
Nurses
The number of registered nurses is expected to swell to 3.2 million by 2018, accounting for approximately 581,500 new jobs, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. That's up from 2.6 million today, and it represents the largest overall growth projection out of all occupations in the U.S. economy, for good reason.
Americans aged 65 and older will make up 19% of the population in 2030, up from 12.4% in 2000. As the population ages and the growth of the working-age population slows down, there will be an increased demand for health care services in general, and home health care services in particular. In the past year, the home health care services industry has experienced sales growth of 11.2%, making it the fastest growing industry in the U.S., according to Sageworks, a financial analysis company.
Along with registered nurses, Sageworks projects that home care aids, physician assistants, pharmacists, and other medical professions will be in high demand for the foreseeable future.
Network Systems and Data Analysts
This occupation's full title is "network systems and data communication analysts." And while it's a mouthful, it is worth remembering as it's the second-fastest growing occupation in the U.S., according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. In simpler terms, these analysts are the folks who design and build the systems that we use to connect to the web, from work or home.
In many ways, these are the folks that make communication possible in our Internet-centric world. So perhaps it's not so surprising that they are in high demand, and will be for the foreseeable future. BLS's latest employment outlook report estimates that the profession will grow by 53.4% to almost 448,000 workers between 2008 and 2018.
Software Engineers
What would all that planning and design by network and data analysts be worth without software? Not a whole lot, which explains why the BLS expects the cadre of software engineers and application developers to swell to 689,900 by 2018 (up from 514,800 in 2008). Whether they are building business software, constructing an operating system, developing games, or designing mobile apps, software engineers have a wide array of career avenues to consider.
And it surely does not hurt that the worldwide smartphone market grew by 50% between the second quarter of 2009 and 2010, according to the market research firm IDC. The impressive growth of the smart mobile industry over the past few years will only add fuel to the fire of the impressive job prospects for application developers, as smartphone users have come to expect increasingly advanced software applications to justify the increased expense of their phones.
Biomedical Engineers
Biomedical engineering is expected to be the fastest growing occupation, with a whopping growth project of 72% between 2008 and 2018, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. It's not much of a surprise, given that this field lies at the nexus of technology and health care, two ballooning industries within the U.S. economy.
The immense growth of biomedical engineering will be driven by the demand for new treatments for diseases and the increasingly higher expectations of aging patients to maintain an active lifestyle. Indeed, the pharmaceutical and medicine manufacturing industry experienced 11.1% sales growth in the past year, according to Sageworks.
Accountants and Auditors
While number crunching and bean counting has certainly not fallen out of style in recent memory, the economic fallout of the past few years has placed renewed focus on financial regulation. And with the passage of the federal financial reform bill in June, companies will need an even larger cohort of auditors and accountants to parse through new regulations to make sure they are in compliance.
The accounting profession is poised to experience 22% growth between 2008 and 2018, with an anticipated 279,400 new jobs in the field by 2018, according to the BLS.
Veterinarians
Our love for the dogs, cats, and fish in our lives truly knows no bounds. Pet care was one of the only sectors of the retail industry that grew during the recession.
According to the 2009-2010 National Pet Owners Survey, 62% of U.S. households owned at least one pet in 2008, accounting for approximately 71 million households. And the American Pet Products Association estimates that pet owners will spend almost $48 billion on their pets. Just under $24 billion of that will be spent on medicine and veterinary care, as more Americans than ever before open their wallets to spring for treatments for an ailing animal family member.
It's no surprise, then, that veterinarians are listed as one of the fastest growing professions in the U.S. -- the number of vets is expected to expand by 36% between 2008 and 2018.
Thursday, September 2, 2010
After the Interview: 4 Ways to Follow Up
You had your interview, and you the way it ended left you hopeful. Now comes what is often the most agonizing part of the job hunt: waiting for the hiring manager to call. But you still have some control over the process. Experts offer the following advice on maximizing your chances for success:
Send thank-you notes. Don't stress too much over whether they're emailed or handwritten. The most important thing is to send them.
"Even if you think you've got it in the bag, there are people who expect that letter," says Laura DeCarlo, president of Career Directors International, a global professional association of resume writers and career coaches.
The kind of note to send depends on the situation. Peggy McKee, founder of career-confidential.com, prefers thank-you emails sent within a day of the interview. "A quick follow-up indicates interest," McKee said.
But consider the company culture when following up. Sometimes a mailed letter will be more appropriate--for instance, if the company is an old-fashioned, traditional one. But if you're applying for something like a social media marketing position, then email your follow-up note.
Your thank-you letter should be "a typical sales letter," with three parts, DeCarlo says: Thank the interviewer, and then reiterate why you're a good fit. Close by saying you're looking forward to the next step. Even if you send the note by mail, you may prefer to type it so you have room to make your case.
Break through the silence. The interviewer said she'd let you know by Tuesday if you made it to the next round of interviews. It's now Thursday, and you haven't heard anything. What's going on? It's possible you didn't make the cut. But it's equally likely that the interviewer just got busy.
What should you do next? Call or email. If you don't get a reply in a few days, try again. Yes, you might occasionally annoy a frazzled hiring manager. But as long as your messages are polite and brief, most interviewers are more likely to be impressed by your perseverance, communication skills, and interest in the job.
The key is to keep your messages positive. Don't sound accusatory--just remind the interviewer of your conversation, say you enjoyed it, and ask where they are in the process. It may help to prepare a script ahead of time.
Go into recovery mode. Perhaps you feel that you didn't make the best impression in the interview. The follow-up is your chance to recover.
"Tell them you're going to provide them with additional resources," McKee says. If you can send documentation of your abilities--or even get references to send notes on your behalf--do so.
But if your reason for thinking you blew the interview is something minor, like spilling your coffee, ignore it. "If you draw attention to your embarrassment about little things, it might lead the person to think you're too insecure," DeCarlo explains.
Bounce back from rejection. When you hear from an interviewer but the news is bad, what should you do? First, "thank the person for letting you know," DeCarlo says. Then ask if the interviewer would be willing to give you any feedback that you could use for future interviews. The answer will likely be no, but it shows that you're interested in improving. Then keep networking with the interviewer, perhaps by forwarding occasional, well-chosen articles related to your industry, for example, or by joining a group on LinkedIn.
Say What!? Unbelievable candidate interview responses
Oh, no he didn’t! Oh, yes he did!
It seems that more and more stories abound today with details of major job-seeker mistakes. So to add to the trend, I thought I would pass along some of my own more recent favorites, most of which I have actually heard personally, and a few of which were passed along by others. Feel free to add any of your own recent experiences in comments!
These are all very real comments or response from very real individuals.
Saturday, August 21, 2010
Prepare Your Elevator Speech
"I was alone in the elevator with the hiring manager for a temp-to-perm job I really needed," recalls temp Ben Whittle. "I knew I should say something -- anything -- to make the case for picking me. But I was nervous. I didn't want to sound stupid, so I opted to say nothing. I missed a great opportunity and ended up not getting the job."
How many times have you been unable to find the right words in an impromptu situation like this? Selling yourself on command can be tough, particularly when you have to do it in a short time period. This is why you should develop an elevator speech, or a sound bite that details your professional story, before you need it. Follow these pointers to craft it.
Focus on Why You Want the Job
Think about why you want this job, and write down all your reasons. Delete anything that could apply to most candidates, like "I need the money" or "I want to work in this industry." Look for personal, unique reasons why the position is right for you. If you like a company's corporate culture, be sure to mention it. If the position will enable you to achieve a professional goal, focus on that.
Consider How You Can Contribute
Again, steer clear of stock answers in favor of those that showcase your one-of-a-kind skills and attributes. Explain how you could benefit the bottom line or fill a skills gap.
To tailor your responses to individual situations, be observant. For example, "I was waiting for an interview at an accounting firm when I noticed the staff was having trouble communicating with the firm's Russian-speaking clients," says contractor Marta Damien. "So during my interview, I told a story about studying Russian in college. I got the assignment."
Be Honest
You want to sound good but not too good, cautions Catherine Conant, a professional storyteller and consultant. "Don't try to make yourself bigger, braver, richer, smarter or fancier than you are. People have an incredible ability to spot a phony. Only tell stories that contain the truth about what you know about yourself."
Keep It Short and Focused
Since you'll be delivering your pitch in a compressed time frame, include only the most interesting and relevant information. Think of the amount of time you spend in an elevator -- usually no longer than a minute.
"People are busy, and the last thing they want to do is listen to someone ramble on about getting a job or plum assignment," says former temp Sally Ross. "When I decided I wanted to work full-time at the law firm where I was temping, I spent some time figuring out what my bosses cared most about so I could do it quickly and effortlessly.
Practice
When you've figured out what you want to say, Conant suggests these tips to refine it:
•Say it out loud, and make some notes about what you want to improve or remove.
•Vary your tone of voice, and use natural gestures and body language. Remember, people gather much of what they know about each other from nonverbal cues.
•Rehearse so you're comfortable, but don't try to write it down and memorize it. This will make it sound forced, and if you forget something, you'll panic.
•Lastly, ask friends to critique your presentation. "That will help you discover what the listener needs to hear more of and what's too much information," Conant says. Your friends can also tell you if your gestures look natural. Proper preparation also increases your comfort level and helps calm your nerves.
This article By Margot Carmichael Lester, Monster Contributing Writer
Thursday, August 5, 2010
Top 10 LinkedIn Groups Job Seekers Must Join
LinkedIn is arguably the best tool for finding new vacancies outside of job boards and using recruiters outright. If you have not set up a profile, get that done straight away. Have a look at 9 Ways to Maximize Your LinkedIn Profile as well.
The beauty of LinkedIn is that it allows the employer and/or recruiter to find you instead of the other way around. By keeping a high profile, you will be noticed and contacted sooner rather than later. You keep a high profile by being active, joining groups and getting involved in discussions.
Joining relevant groups on LinkedIn allows you to extend your personal brand and also reach out to more people as you can contact any group member directly. Groups are useful for news postings, discussion boards, updates in general, networking, questions and answers and so forth.
So what groups should a job seeker join? Well, recruiters trawl a lot of groups but as a rule of thumb you want to go for the big and established ones. You can join up to 50 groups and it’s all free.
These are the LinkedIn groups you have to join:
1. A Job Needed – A Job Posted
The title says it all, claims to be fastest growing, and the most productive group in the career and recruitment segment. About 9k members at the moment.
2. Career Change Central
A group for job changers and people in career transition to meet in a central place with recruiters, hiring managers, and career coaches. Has racked up 11k members.
3. CareerLink Network
Takes a more holistic approach to your career and life, helping you with spiritual and personal growth. This group has just south of 8k members.
4. Corporate Recruiters
A group for corporate, on in-house if you will, recruiters. Joining this will hopefully get you in direct contact with companies. The group has 33k members.
5. Executive Suite
A massive group connecting executives and recruiters mainly in the US. It has its own newsletter and now has over 168k members.
6. Job Openings, Job Leads and Job Connections
Another group with a self explanatory title. Over 77k member at the moment.
7. Jobs Alert
Provides career opportunities at middle and senior level of management in companies across the globe. Focussed on India, the UK and the US. Just shy of 6k members.
8. Linked:HR
A group for managers, corporate recruiters, headhunters, HR folks and now you. Claims to be the biggest HR group on LinkedIn and the most active for discussions. This group has a whopping 211k members so I am inclined to believe that.
9. Personal Branding Network
A group by my buddy Dan Schwabel about how to use your brand for your job search and career in general. The smallest group on this list with just under 3k members.
10. Positive Thinkers A group for optimistic people who believe in the power of positive thinking and concentrate on the good rather than the bad. Obviously very useful when looking for jobs in this day and age, the group is pushing 5k members.
Monday, July 26, 2010
Job Hunting Tips in a Down Economy
Job satisfaction held steady for workers in 2009, but pessimism and desperation plague many job seekers who remain grim about prospects for the job market in 2010, according to a new survey.
In an annual study of job satisfaction among U.S. workers, Yahoo! HotJobs found that 38.3% are "very satisfied" with their jobs and are not looking to change jobs, compared to 38.5% last year.
Most of the workers who said they were very unsatisfied and looking for new jobs were employees who had been hired within the last year. Those recent hires also reported applying for jobs below their qualifications (34%) or accepting a lower salary (30%).
"For employers, the news about unsatisfied recent hires is a warning sign," says Chris Merritt, general manager of Yahoo! HotJobs. "These are the people who could leave once the economy turns."
A Sluggish Recovery
But nearly half of job seekers don't expect the economy to improve in 2010, according to the survey. When asked how long it would take to find a new job today, about 40% of respondents expected the process to take six months or longer.
"Improvements in the job market may not be that evident in the labor market statistics until 2011 or later," says John A. Challenger, chief executive officer of outplacement firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas. "However, job seekers should not assume that simply because unemployment figures continue to hover in the nine- to 10-percent range that no one is hiring."
In fact, nearly a third (32%) of managers and recruiters who took the Yahoo! HotJobs survey expected to increase hiring activity in 2010.
Staying Competitive Today
To maximize your chances of landing a job this year, Challenger and other experts recommend the following tips:
Network. Join professional groups, and stay in contact with former associates. Spread the word about your job hunt. Tell everyone in your network about your situation and the type of opportunity you're seeking.
Cast a wide net. Look beyond your usual industry; many of your skills may be transferrable. Use job-listing sites like Yahoo! HotJobs, but also examine industry-specific sites or company sites for your target employers, and don't forget alumni career resource sites, if possible.
Customize each resume. Tailor your resumes to the job description, which will also provide useful key words. Take your time with each resume, as it is the first impression you make on the hiring manager.
"Not tailoring a resume is a huge mistake, because employers want their particular needs and problems addressed," says Lauren Milligan of ResumeMayDay.com. "Tailoring a resume shows that you have researched the company, or at the very least, read their job posting. Not tailoring it is a huge hurdle to overcome because other candidates will have been insightful enough to do this and will gain a competitive edge over you."
Don't get overwhelmed. If unemployed, commit to action every day. Your job search should be like full-time job. Carve out a specific time every day to focus on doing it well. Set small goals for yourself and measure your progress.
Reach out to your support systems. A lengthy job search can take a toll on your self-esteem and increase a sense of pessimism. To combat this, make an effort to connect with the people you care about. Their support will help you maintain a positive attitude.
Monday, July 5, 2010
Engineering Manager Position!
Seven Reasons Employers Will Hire You
To secure that dream job, you have to think like the person making the final decision. What is going through the manager's head when they select candidates? This is a list containing the 7 most common reasons people get hired. Use it wisely now and do let me know if you have any questions on any of the reasons.
1. A great resume
Sometimes an average candidate can be hired thanks to a brilliant resume. Your resume is your first impression and you only get one shot at this. Pick a template relevant to your industry, look at other people’s resumes, have them look at yours, get help from experts etc before you send anything out. Remember that your resume has to be updated consistently and it is a living document.
2. Your online personal brand
Personal branding is my personal favorite. Social media and networking has quickly become the preferred method of communication, and you will be found online by your potential new employer. By tailoring what information is available, you can turn social media into a positive when looking for a new job. Make sure your public profiles are employee friendly and up to date. Establish yourself as an authority online by either starting a blog, moderating a forum or jut being active in a Linkedin group for instance. Get recommendations on your prolife and these will serve as the old school resume references. Social media and online branding will take you a fair bit of time and effort but you don’t really have a choice so my best advice is to embrace it.
3. The right skills and experience
In this economy, you will struggle to find someone willing to hire a candidate that needs training. Think about it, would you want somebody shadowing your work and asking questions for the first 6 months? Or would you want somebody that knows the score and gets busy contributing to your targets from day one? Having the right skills and experience is more important than ever and unfortunately not something you can work on overnight.
4. Staying power with the business
This is crucial as employers want people that stay in their company and work their way up the corporate ladder. This makes them useful (and useful means hard working). Employers will look for people who have multi-dimensional personalities, meaning they can work in different departments, projects or even locations one day. Your longevity with the business and personal characteristics will be the deciding factors here.
5. You get on with people
This is significant as the employer will want you to enjoy spending time at work, thus you won’t mind the occasional/weekly/everyday late night. By having a sense of belonging to the people at work, you are likely to enjoy it more and be less susceptible to other job offers. And in general our ability to work well with lots of different people is a critical key to your success over time within any company.
6. You can bring home the bacon
A classic WIIFM case where you either make money or save money for the company. Any manager has a budget and they want a way to either increase sales or reduce costs. You being able to do one of these will be music to their ears. If you can demonstrate and project how much you will put on his or her bottom line, they will be very tempted to hire you. So your job will be to present your exact plan for doing this and leave it with them. In the end you would be doing them a favor and helping them hit their numbers.
7. Positive attitude and enthusiasm
The business world is full of moaners and the last thing a hiring manager wants is another union card wielding sinker on their team. If you are able to lift the moods of your intervierwers by way of charisma, humor or any other magic, you stand a lot better chance of being considered for the next round. Everyone is attracted to happy and positive people and if you lack experience and skills, this could be your trump card. By staying positive and radiating enthusiasm long after you landed the job, you can inspire others and demonstrate that you are promotion material.
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
5 Ways to Finding a New Job after Being Laid Off
If you have just lost your job or have been out of work for a while – don’t worry – this is actually an exciting opportunity for you even though it may not feel like it. If you’ve been made redundant and haven’t been working for a while it can be easy to get discouraged by the tough job market. However, if you get smart about what you do and how to target what you’re after – you will succeed.
If approached in the right way, the situation you are in now - can be a blessing in disguise. Why not use it and take this time to ensure that what you do next is what you really want and what will make you happy.
Here are some tips to help along the way:
Unless you are really clear about where you want to be and what will work for you – do not rush it. Take some time out to reflect, to think and evaluate. Make a plan. Identify the things that are important to you and which are of significant value to you. Don’t just rush out there filling in application forms anywhere you can get hold of one.
Spending each day on the Internet or at the Job Centre could be good if done in a focused manner but not if you are desperately trying to get out there. Job hunting without being focused can waste good energy, effort and time. It can also be demoralizing when you get rejected. The less clear you are about your direction, the more likely you will be scattered and rushed in your approach, the more likely you are to get rejections.
Read up and find out about the areas that interest you. Get out and about and get talking and get experimenting. Talk to your friends, your relatives – anyone you can get hold of and whom you can learn from.
Think about what you are good at and focus on all your strengths and skills. Get to know yourself, your values, your talents and think about how you might like to use them. Do not neglect your passions. What you are enthusiastic about is really important. Finding ways to mould your talents into a future role can be really exciting and rewarding.
Try not to restrict yourself and remember that you do not need to follow or mirror what your friends and peers may be doing. Everyone is unique and has the right to find what is right for them. You will have your own options and your own set of possibilities. Exploring them can really help you get it right.
If you are good and you are clear about what you want, there will be more offers. If it’s the perfect role for you then fine – otherwise don’t accept second best. It is more important that you find the right role than simply taking the first thing that comes your way as you may regret it later. It might help you in the very short term but ultimately you will be unhappy and will probably find yourself back at square one again pretty soon.
You can save a lot of time and energy if you stop that cycle from occurring again. Be brave. To say ‘no’ to a job offer is ok. It’s totally fine and is a good idea if you feel it wouldn’t be the right type of job or place to work for you. Perhaps the next one is the right one – but if you had accepted the first offer, there would be no chance for that right one to get to you and be found.
Almost all of us are afraid of something. We might be afraid of failing or afraid of not being able to pay the bills. This is completely understandable but if we give in to our fears, we end up being driven by them. It can prevent us from really going after what we want and what we should be doing. Be aware of your fears for sure.
It is no good to ignore them or avoid them. However, do not let them take over your life and end up guiding you in the wrong direction. Being out of work can be a great time to confront your fears and deal with them. With some good support you can confront these challenges.
This can be easier said than done. If you are angry, bruised, frustrated or depressed- whatever your low feelings may be – that is ok but do not dwell on them. You are not working and sure, that can be tough and be a challenge – but see it as something that you will overcome. You can take control of the situation and be the one who decides where you will go next.
Where you end up, how you handle the challenge, and where you will ultimately be is all up to you. Being made redundant or having lost a job can be the beginning not the end. It is in your hands to make the most of this and to turn it into an amazing opportunity. If it is too tough to face alone that’s fine – work with someone – a friend, a professional. That is what we do here at Position Ignition all the time. Help people to figure out what they want to do next, where they want to be and exactly how to get there. We see it through until they are at their destination. If you are positive and you keep moving forwards, there will be great progress in the right direction and you can land that dream job!
Conclusion
So, if you are out of work – do not let being laid off or having lost a job get you down - seize this opportunity and why not use the time wisely to get yourself where perhaps you may never have thought you could have been!
Thursday, May 13, 2010
100 Job Search Tips
http://www.emc.com/collateral/article/100-job-search-tips.pdf
Friday, April 2, 2010
Recovery Act in Action: A Window into a Change of Heart
For this week's episode of Recovery Act in action, I spoke to a business owner who started out skeptical about the benefits of the Recovery Act. In fact, he was so concerned that the Act wouldn't help the economy, he worried that the Recovery Act was "mortgaging the future."
Fast forward to the present, where the Recovery Act has created a wave of new demand for the energy efficient windows his company makes. Based on that demand, his sales have picked up such that he's added 100 new workers, in occupations ranging from line workers to managers. "He" is Alan Levin, owner and CEO of Northeast Building Products, a Philadelphia-based manufacturer of energy-efficient windows. When the Recovery Act was passed last February, he figured it was another government program that was going to bypass the little guy. A small business like his would never see any of the benefits.
"I was skeptical," Alan told me when I reached him this week. "These numbers people were throwing around -- hundreds of billions of dollars -- they're unfathomable. We see ourselves as just a little mom and pop operation and I never imagined a program like this would reach down and help the way it has."
Yet just a few months after the Act went into effect, he was getting calls for new orders generated by two different measures in the Recovery Act. One is a grant program for cities and states to do energy-efficient retrofits of public housing. The other is a program that gives homeowners a tax credit for putting in high-efficiency windows and making other energy-saving improvements to their own homes.
That tax credit can put up to $1,500 straight into a homeowner's pocket, not to mention the savings on energy bills from the windows themselves. The way Alan tells the story, the credit has had a dramatic impact on his industry. "It used to be the contractors wanted to know, 'What's your cheapest window?' Now they're asking, 'What's the most energy efficient window at the best price? They're looking at value in a way they never have before."
In other words, not only are these programs providing jobs for Alan's new hires and income for their families, they're "greening" the market while lowering energy bills for his customers. For middle-class families feeling squeezed, those lower bills provide some much-needed relief to their budgets. In fact, this tax credit is still available, so it's not too late to take advantage of it yourself (check out this new tool to learn about this and other Recovery Act tax benefits). You can get up to $1,500 to make your home more energy efficient, save yourself some money by cutting down on your energy bills, and maybe even put someone back to work at a business like Alan's.
Thursday, March 25, 2010
How to handle job search rejections
You had high hopes for this job: The job requirements matched your skill set perfectly. You aced your interviews. And you imagined hearing those sweet words so many of us long to hear:
"You're hired."
Instead, you got another rejection letter. According to recent U.S. Labor Department data, 5.5 unemployed Americans, on average, are vying for each job opening--so most interviews will end in rejection. And that can be a crushing blow--but it can also be a career-making moment. When you don't get the job, what should your next steps be?
Don't beat yourself up about it.
John Kador, the author of "301 Best Questions to Ask on Your Interview," second edition (McGraw-Hill), recommends that you try to learn from each rejection--while understanding that it may not be your fault. "Sometimes you didn't do anything wrong," he says. "Someone else was more qualified or more connected. Companies sometimes go through the motions of interviewing applicants when they've already selected a candidate. While the experience is still fresh in your mind, writing down what you've learned may help you put a positive spin on the experience--and give you something to refer to later, according to Lewis Lin, of SeattleInterviewCoach.com.
Be gracious in defeat.
How you conduct yourself after a rejection letter can determine whether that recruiter will consider you again--or perhaps refer you to another recruiter. Liz Lynch, the author of "Smart Networking" (McGraw-Hill), says, "Send a handwritten card thanking them again for their time, reiterating your interest in the company, and expressing your hope that they'll keep you in mind for future positions. And whatever you do, do not diss them on your blog!"
Ask for feedback.
Kador advises saying that you accept the recruiter's decision before you ask for feedback: "No one will talk to you if they think you're going to argue or appeal." If you don't trust yourself to keep your cool, you may want to skip asking for feedback. If you do ask, email is the best medium. "Telephoning is probably too intrusive," says Lynch. "And whatever feedback you hear, don't be defensive." Lin cautions that "you'll get canned responses most of the time" due to fears about legal issues, but he recommends phrasing your request for feedback like this: "If you don't mind me asking, do you have any feedback on how I can improve for future interviews?" He adds, "You want to keep the conversation as professional as possible. Who knows? You could be their backup candidate."
Keep trying.
In most cases, you should actively pursue new openings at the company. The phrase "we'll keep your resume on file" is usually an attempt to soften the rejection, according to Kador, who says you should keep applying for relevant jobs and staying in touch with the recruiters you've met. "If a posting says no calls,' I wouldn't call," he says. "But that doesn't mean you can't write."
Bring the recruiter into your professional network.
If, down the road, you can help the interviewer or recruiter by recommending a candidate, for instance, or forwarding a relevant article, Kador says you should "go for it--make yourself known as a resource." Lynch, too, recommends keeping in touch with the hiring manager in a "low-key way" and says that, when you do land a position, you should write him or her a note and include your new business card. Then you can send the manager an invitation to connect on LinkedIn so you can easily stay in touch.
Friday, March 5, 2010
Twitter..Facebook...Linked in & More!
While sites like Twitter, Facebook. Myspace, Linked In, etc. can be extremely useful...they can also be your downfall for a variety of reasons! All I ever hear from fellow recruiters and canidates is how vital it is to use these sites as a means for branding and self promotion. For me personally, I can barely manage to get through returning everynes phone calls, let alone find time to post and update so many different sites. I just don't have time!
Of the many sites out there, I personally use Facebook (for personal) and Linked In (for profesional) the most, and it is often sporadic and infrequent that I even use them. I don't use these sites too frequently as far as using it to stay in touch with candidates/clients. My personal opinion is that it becomes way too time consuming (almost addictive in many cases), it can seem somewhat self serving in many ways to utilize these sites in that way and also because it is not private. I am however signed up for many, if not most of these sites. However, if you are looking to stay in touch with me..call me! Please don't rely on my twitter, facebook or linked in or blog updates. They are far too impersonal and time consuming for me to utilize too frequently.
On the flip side, how else do you reach out and stay in touch with so many people all at once? In that instance, I do see the value these sites hold, yet think they have gotten out of hand with so many people trying to "brand" themselves, while in the process have done nothing but oversaturate themselves in a big old sea of other recruiter or job seekers or industry experts. Take recruiters for instance...many recruiters use these sites to try and brand themselves, yet I think it potentially and often comes off as more self serving/self righteous and creates other problems as a result.
It is incredibly easy to get lost amidst the 100th recruiter that posted or retweeted something on twitter... Afterall, if a good, busy recruiter is really that busy, how can they possibly have time to update their facebook and twitter and other feeds so often?! That being said, I do and have gotten some very good recruiting tips and links from other postings, but get them more when on downtime and catching up with friends/family on Facebook updates - like at 2 in the morning when I can't sleep! : ) I am on facebook more for a personal aspect to put a face with a name for so many of you that I would otherwise not meet unless we happened to be at the same trade show or industry event. I use this Blog as a resource to share an occassional interesting article or announcement and can often go for months without posting anything at all. I use emails or email distribution lists to send news or job announcements ad netwoking As most of you know, I have a hard time keeping up with managing those results and phone calls as I am only one person! Send out an email to a few hundred people about an exciting job and chances are a good percentage of those people will call you back. That is probably my biggest struggle currently in trying to manage contact with everyone that calls me or returns my call. Most of you know, I have always had that problem though... : )
Many sites are becoming more and more popular as a means to stay in touch and also reconnect with former colleagues or to be found by prospective employers. However, in my opinion the best way (fo me anyway!) is good old fashioned telephone as the best means of not only staying in touch, but also keeping information private!
Don't come off as desparate in your job search
One of my clients told me the other day that they posted as ad and were inundated with resumes and phone calls almost immediately. The VP at this company said his secretary received numerous phone calls, many desparate to try and get in front of him for this job opening...a few even lied and claimed to be a long lost friend and in one case family (!!) to try and get through! His comment was that it was more irritating than impressive to be hounded and felt almost harrassed by the response by not only job seekers but also recruiters.
Recruiters are often as bad as a desparate candidate, if not worse. Sadly, the majority do not know how to market effectively and as such make every call a cold call. That is often how sending your resume or calling over and over again to the same company or recruiter can be seen. While you may think you are getting your name out there...getting your name out there by using tactics of despration and oversaturation of your name/resume just doesn't work. In fact it is a huge turn off and people will remember and sssociate your name with those unfavorable tactics for a long time coming! My client has since pulled the ad and hired me exclusively to fill the position! Certainly a good thing for recruiters with so many people out of work and often coming off as so deparate in their job search as the potential for ticking off employers is high if you stray from a level of professionalism in your job search efforts. Enjoy the article from undercoverrecruiter's blog below!
Just like in the world of dating, looking desperate is not going to get you anywhere in your job search. When someone sees the glint of desperation in your eye, they question your motives and you lose credibility in an instant. Sure, there is a correlation of number of job applications and number of interviews you land but what if you could get the ratio down to one interview per application? Or even better, how about getting interviews without applying?
The old school way of applying for jobs is not really working in today’s economy. Employers are inundated with resumes from hopeful jobseekers, sometimes receiving hundreds of applicants for one single position. Employers also tend to get a great deal of open applications that are not related to any particular jobs. This indicates that the applicant is on the desperate side and just wants the employer's brand on their resume.
Recruiters constantly have adverts out for various positions in their field. These adverts will render a number of applications on a daily basis, mainly from candidates adhering to the ‘spray and pray’ methodology. Anyone that sends the same resume and cover letter email to 20 positions in one day will have to be classified as desperate and recruiters run to the hills when they see it. Simply applying for any job that is out there and even for jobs that aren't out there is not going to be the way forward. All it does is putting the desperate stamp on your resume and yourself.
The typical 'expert' advice in a tough market would be to call up the recruiter and/or employer and make sure they read your resume and put you at the top of the pile. In this day and age, this won’t make you stand out and if anything you will only come across as desperate and ascertain your resume goes either to the bottom of the pile or in the trash can. A hiring manager wants enthusiasm from a new employee, not desperation.
Of course you should try everything, but you only get one chance with each company and you want to make it count. Instead of you applying, imagine being headhunted or even contacted direct by a hiring manager. This would put you you in a much stronger bargaining position which you can leverage from, especially if get a job offer.
Have high standards and only agree to look at jobs that you really want. An interviewer can spot an opportunist jobseeker a mile away. By only applying for the right roles for you, you will save time and effort for the ones that really count. Furthermore, recruiters and employers will respect your integrity and remember you for the next opportunity they have that is more relevant to your preferences.
Do whatever it takes for the recruiter or employer to contact you instead of vice versa. There are a number of methods to achieving this, one is to get yourself referred to a recruiter via somebody else. Another way is to work away on your personal branding, start getting active online, give talks in your field and raise your profile.
Take a long-term approach to your career and work on your personal brand today. Start writing blog posts about your industry, zeroing in on a few companies with the help of social networking, get active in online groups and forums, grow your professional and social network, keep a dialogue going with your favorite recruiters, head up industry events, the list goes on and on…
The point I am making is that you want to turn the table and be different to other jobseekers. You don’t want to be pushy, if anything you should be pushed into an interview. Just like the dating game, the hard-to-gets seem to get lots of offers and can pick and choose. Avoid looking desperate, keep your high standards and dignity when looking for the next position and I am convinced you will fare better than ever.
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Do your research on a company before accepting offer!
I got drawn into the site rather easily and found myself plugging in not only company's I had worked for in the past but also company's that I recruit for and of course recruit away from as well. The results were interesting!
As with any review or public opinion posted on the internet, we all know anyone can write just about anything they want on any company out there. Lots of disgruntled employees or employees who just didn't have an overall positive experience with an employer may find it incredibly eays and obviously tempting to leave a bad review. For all you know a bad review was written by someone from that companys competitor. The internet is...well, the internet. You never truly know who you are dealing with and whether what they say is truly valid and reliable.
The benefit I think is that what is reliable is that there are often truth in numbers. If a company has consistantly gotten negative posts from several people...chances are there is a common theme going on. However, most people are more apt to go out of their way to leave a negative comment than a positive one (unfortunately!). Your own common sense should easily prevail in making a partial judgement on a company by utilizing the array of resources there are out there to dig up any dirt that may be out there. Worse case scenerio, you may be able to get some good interview tips or hints on questions that are asked during interview process for specific company's and mamy tips unspecified to a compamny that may assist in your interview skills also!
Bottom line is do your due diligence...you wouldn't buy a house without getting it inspected...or buy a car without test driving it (I did that once - huge mistake!). Take advantage of the many resources, most importantly your own contacts to research any company you may consider going to work for. Afterall, most company's now will research you whether it be on google, facebook, myspace, twitter searches and background checks.
So, having said all that...The website is: www.glassdoor.com The site allows you a free preview for a few searches, then will require that you register (it's free!) and leave your own positive or negative review of a company whether it be their interview process, salary info or comments on company in general. Many company's I searched had no reviews...so assuing as with anything, only a matter of time until more and more people learn anout and utilize this site.
Enjoy!!
Friday, February 19, 2010
The top 30 Job Boards for 2010
Weddles.com recently published its 2010 User's Choice Awards, based on year long surveys of recruiters and candidates.“We believe customers count most,” says Weddle’s Publisher and CEO, Peter Weddle. “While pundits can make their own picks, it’s the people who use the sites who really know which are most helpful.”
When considering these top sites, it’s especially relevant to remember that job boards are just over a dozen years old. Twelve years ago, candidates had just a couple of choices other than Monster. These are the thirty best sites of the over 50,000 job boards now in existence, and only Monster existed a dozen years ago.
For the category of general job boards (in alphabetical order):
And let’s not forget the niche job boards:
The top websites were from a number of different industry segments. Health Care was represented by Absolutely Health Care, AllHealthCareJobs.com, HeathCareerWeb.com, and HealthECareers.com . Dice was the only technology job board on the list. Hcareers.com for hospitality jobs made the top 30. AllRetailJobs.com focuses on the retail industry. Weddle’s recognized JobsinLogistics.com for excellence in the logistics vertical.
Additionally, a few job boards focus on the type of companies recruiting. DiversityJobs.com targets companies who seek to actively improve their diversity initiatives in their hiring process. Companies looking for a top site to target Veterans for hiring can look towards VetJobs.com to help find candidates.
Jobbing.com was the only firm with a regional focus to be named in the top 30. Jobing has 48 city or regional sites focused on jobs in a specific geographic area.
Eleven sites were general purpose job sites. The largest sites (Monster, CareerBuilder, HotJobs all made the list. The aggregators Indeed, SimplyHired, and TopUSAJobs also were awarded with spots on the top 30. Other general purpose sites include DirectEmployers, Job.com, EmploymentGuide, and GetTheJob.com.
Personally, I don’t recommend you use all 30 job boards … that’s just too much for a candidate to keep track of.
Plus, many companies and recruiters advertise the same job on multiple sites. I recommend you choose 3 major boards to follow and 2 additional ones. I’d choose one of the aggregators, one niche board for either industry or demographic, and one niche board for either geography or company type.
Use the tools that a job board gives you to make your search easier and more automated. Most job boards will send emails or RSS feeds for all jobs that meet your specific search criteria. This makes your search more manageable, so you can spend more time customizing your responses, and less time searching the job boards.
Even the top 30 job boards are not the end-all be-all for your job search. I don’t suggest ignoring job boards, nor do I suggest that they should be your only source of job leads. They are just one opportunity channel, and a competitive one at that. Don’t forget about the other opportunity channels that can help you: Networking, social networking, recruiters, government career centers, and inbound marketing (social branding) are all opportunity channels that I recommend today’s job seekers explore.
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Job Hunters, Beware!
Often when in job search mode, and especially in this tough economy it is difficult to not "over do" your job search. Afterall, no one enjoys being out of a job and in this uncertain economy it is a scary and often desparate time for many. As such, it is quite easy to ake a few, if not many of the online job seeker mistakes as outlined in article below. In my recruiting career there are certain candidates that I will probably never forget (and not in a good way!) that have made many of the mistakes highlighted below. I along with many other recruiters and employers often check facebook or google a candidate's name to see what we can find out on social media sites or the internet in general. You'd be surprised what is out there often! Enjoy the read!
There's been no shortage of warnings about the career dangers of posting racy content on sites like Facebook and Twitter. Yet many job hunters still don't heed that advice, and others don't realize they're doing just as much damage by doing things like bending the truth or spamming their résumés. Recruiters say such faux-pas can result in immediate and lasting career damage.
"You're going to be remembered—and not in a positive way," says Colleen McCreary, chief people officer for Zynga Game Network Inc., a San Francisco developer of social games including FarmVille. "Recruiters move around a lot from company to company, and that can carry on with them for a long period of time."
You won't get off the ground floor with these job hunting mistakes.
Ms. McCreary says candidates consistently damage their reputations by sending cover letters that disingenuously claim a specific position at the company is their dream job. With a check of Zynga's applicant-tracking system, she can see that those people submitted the same letter for several other openings, too. "They've now lost all their integrity," she says. As an alternative, she recommends that job hunters write about the two or three positions they're most qualified for in a single letter.
Job hunters also regularly flub by submitting their résumés to multiple recruiters and hiring managers at a single firm. "What they're doing is a huge turn off because it sucks up a lot of time for people," says Ms. McCreary.
Likewise, job hunters repeatedly derail their chances by applying for positions for which they don't even meet the basic requirements. "There are a few people out there who seem to see it fit to apply to every job we ever post," says Dan Goldsmith, a managing partner at AC Lion, an executive-search firm in New York. "Those people just go right in the trash folder."
There are also job hunters who repeatedly send the same recruiters their résumés year after year, which can give the impression that they're desperate or a job hopper, adds Mr. Goldsmith. Liars make up another category of memorable job hunters. "People will say they graduated from [a] school and you find out from looking online that... they just took a course," says Ms. McCreary.
Executive recruiter Russ Riendeau says he checks candidates' résumés against their LinkedIn profiles and often discovers discrepancies. "It's helping me assess whether candidate is indeed who they say they are," says Mr. Riendeau, a partner at East Wing Group, a search firm in Barrington, Ill. Résumés should tell a candidate's full story, he says. Meanwhile, many job hunters are also continuing to overlook the dangers of posting provocative photos and other dubious content on social-media sites. Case in point: Recruiter Lori Fenstermaker says she lost interest in a recent candidate for a legal-assistant job after finding her raunchy MySpace profile. "She represented herself in a way that would not align with the company's philosophy and ethics," says Ms. Fenstermaker, founder of Automatic LLC, a search firm in Grand Rapids, Mich. "Anything someone publishes online could knock a person out of the running per se."
There are also some job hunters who are unwittingly going out of their way to spoil their prospects. Last year, a candidate for a senior client-services position invited Mr. Goldsmith to be part of his Facebook network. After accepting, the recruiter found a semi-nude photo of the candidate, prompting Mr. Goldsmith to withdraw this person from consideration. "It was so horribly inappropriate," the recruiter recalls. "To flaunt that with such a lack of sensitivity to professional decorum is very disquieting."
Monday, January 25, 2010
Here's to the New Year!
One of my newer approaches that fell into place almost by accident last year was not advertising. No jobs, no online pay resources...no nothing! Down to the bare bones and basic good old recruiting. It was a great lesson for me and as tough as the past year has been economically for many of us, it has also yielded many strong business and also personal lessons for me. I know many of you have echoed that same experience when we have spoken. The craziest thing about not beinga fan of advertising now is that I used to be such a proponent of one! Thinking that candidates and companies would only find me or use me if I had an ad out there all the time. I strongly believe by not advertising it has helped gain in so many areas. Who knew?! lol!
I just think it's amazing to learn and grow during what seems like a down and negative time! In my personal life, one of the biggest personal successes I had came from quitting smoking. No better feeling in the world to have finally kicked the habit...one that I never thought I would let go of or succeed at. And one that came much easier than I had anticipated! After that, the sky was the limit and I discovered a newfound zest for recruiting and so many other things as well - both professionally and personally. Having a success when you need one, especially in down economic times can be inspirational and incredibly motivating!
Sharing all this with you all, as chances are if you read this blog you have followed me for the past several years and probably know me fairly well. As such, most of you know that I like to get to know the people I work with so every so often I like to share something of a personal nature with you all. So, having said all that...here's to a great new year...one that many of us anticipate being stronger and better than the year that has passed...and one that will be even better going forward! To all our personal and professional successes (and of course and almost more inportantly failures too!) that we have learned from and to all those that we will experience going forward! Here's to a great and successful year!
Review of the International Builders Show 2010
Here is an article that summed up some reviews of the overall tone and products of the IBS this year - source: on the house website...enjoy!
Builders Show Off Product and Progress.
We recently attended the annual International Builders Show presented by the National Association of Home Builders. We were among more than 100,000 attendees from around the world who converged on Orlando, Fla., for a peek at the latest in building products, technology and allied services.
Billed as the world's largest building industry event, there were some 1,600 exhibitors who came out to showcase their wares in more than one-and-one-half million square feet of exhibit space. Appliances, plumbing fixtures, lighting, cabinets, counters, decking, windows, doors, siding, roofing, fireplaces, building materials and tools are just a small sampling of the more than 300 product and service categories represented.
Chances are if it has to do with building, it could be found at this event. Missing from this year's show, however, was the obvious leap in new product development and technology that had been featured at the exhibition event for the last several years. As far as we are concerned, that's a good thing. We suspect that manufacturers are offering builders and consumers a bit of a breather, an opportunity to catch up with the major advancements that have been made over the last several years.
Rather than launching new product, manufacturer focus has shifted to making good product better. They want it to look better, last longer, be easier to install (for both the builder and consumer), and require less maintenance -- all with an eye toward comfort and convenience.
No less visible this year is the emphasis toward the production of "green" building materials designed to reduce demand on natural resources and as a means of improving indoor air quality and family health. Building products are getting better in this regard. Arsenic has been replaced by a less toxic compound as the active ingredient in pressure-treated lumber and a leading insulation manufacturer has omitted formaldehyde from the product and in turn added a compound to prevent the growth of toxic mold.
Speaking of mold, it's no secret that it thrives on moisture -- the same moisture that is produced from cooking, bathing, doing laundry or just plain breathing. Ventilation fan manufacturers have come to the rescue with products that move more air yet make less noise. They are more attractive than ever and some models contain space heaters and energy efficient fluorescent lighting.
To further combat indoor air quality and mold problems, comfort system manufacturers are turning out systems that "sanitize" indoor air, using electronic and ultraviolet air cleaning systems. Dehumidification systems and central vacuum systems are gaining momentum as effective ways to improve indoor air quality.
Super energy efficient building materials and products that reduce demand on natural resources and improve home comfort, lower utility bills and help save the Earth generated lots of interest at the show. A new generation of expanding foam sealants, super caulks, radiant barriers, insulated foundation systems, windows, doors and insulation are contributing to the most energy efficient homes in the history of construction.
Helping fuel the energy efficient trend are appliances that use less water and power and that carry the Energy Star label. Home automation systems are hot. They control lighting, heating and air conditioning, home entertainment and security. A couple of products that no "hip" home should be without are a combination oven-refrigerator and a refrigerator with a built-in computer. With the refrigerator-oven combo, a meal can be prepared in the morning and placed in the refrigerated oven, which will keep it cool until the oven is activated at a predetermined time. Change in plans? Need to work late, stuck in traffic or decide that you want to eat out? Simply log on via the Internet or dial up with your cell phone and keep things cool or change the cooking program.
Thought that your new low-profile, side-by-side fridge with ice and water in the door was as good as it gets? You apparently haven't seen the refrigerator with a built-in computer monitor. Now, while you're waiting and filling your glass with ice and water you can check your e-mail or surf the Net. You also can scan your groceries to create a shopping list, order online and have them delivered to your home.
Home safety and security products continue to be big at the builder's show. They are less complex, more affordable and easier to use. Windows with unbreakable glass, exterior doors with multi-point locking systems, keyless door locks, and remote controlled lighting, and security-minded home automation systems are a sampling of this steadily growing category.
Home automation systems aren't just for controlling lighting and entertainment anymore. These state-of-the-art systems now permit homeowners to control interior and exterior lighting and monitor their home by using strategically placed video cameras via the Internet from virtually anywhere in the world. Now, in addition to notifying a contracted security monitoring company, a "smart" security system can digitally record unexpected activity and immediately fire you off an e-mail with an embedded video attachment.
Some systems will also detect smoke and fire and notify local authorities or call you on your cell phone. Still other systems will detect plumbing leaks, running water and allow you to adjust the thermostat.
Composite building materials have been the rage for the last several years. What's different now is that manufacturers are perfecting the process and turning out products that look more realistic, last longer and require less maintenance. Such is the case with a new vinyl siding product that has fade resistant properties, a wider lap profile and comes with a foam backing for a stronger, more energy efficient installation. Even the trim is more realistic.
The same holds true for fiberglass doors. Fiberglass is more stable than wood. It won't expand, contract, twist or crack. The new generation of fiberglass door looks every bit as real as natural wood with none of the maintenance woes. It can be stained or painted and will stand up to tough weather.
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Builders' Show Expects a Better Year - Boosts Expectations
With the housing market expected to begin a tepid recovery in 2010, exhibitors and attendees alike will be looking for signs of life when they gather for the International Builders’ Show. The National Association of Home Builders' annual show runs January 19-22 at the Las Vegas Convention Center.
Attendance itself will serve as a barometer. Last year’s event drew about 60,000 people, down from 90,000 in 2008. The decrease came as no surprise, however. During the show itself, the government announcing that housing starts had hit a 50-year low, and most expected the numbers to go down further. With the housing market now bottoming, NAHB is looking for some improvement in attendance, hoping that more builders will be coming to help position themselves for the recovery.
While traffic was down last year, attendees still made their way to window and door manufacturers' exhibits. The downturn in attendance was matched with a downturn in the number of exhibitors at the 2009 show as many building product suppliers looked to cut costs. Down from highs of more than 2,000 companies during the boom years, last year’s show featured only 1,600 exhibitors. Among those not coming were numerous window and door manufacturers—including some that previously were among the show’s largest exhibitors. Jeld-Wen, Therma-Tru, Loewen, MI and Atrium passed and are not on the 2010 list (as of press time). They will be joined this year by Semco and Weather Shield, two more traditional large exhibitors that are not on this year’s list.
IBS remains a huge show, however, and the industry will still be well represented in Las Vegas. More than 100 window and door manufacturers and suppliers of related products scheduled to be on hand. Among the large manufacturers, Andersen, Kolbe & Kolbe, Marvin, Masonite, Milgard, Pella, Plastpro, Ply Gem and Velux will be exhibiting at the show.
The list of industry exhibitors, available for download, also includes numerous regional manufacturers, such as Cascade and PGT. Once again, a strong Canadian contingent will be on hand, including Allsco, Inline Fiberglass, Innotech Windows, Mastergrain, and Omniglass. Hardware suppliers, including Centor, Emtek, G-U, Hoppe, Schlage, Siegenia-Aubi and Winkhaus, will be well represented as well.
Product Trends
Despite the subdued nature of last year’s show, the event did highlight some product trends. Wide-opening door systems gained new prominence, as they were showcased by both established manufacturers bringing out new designs and new manufacturers entering the business making their way to the event as well. Pella, Kolbe & Kolbe, Andersen’s Eagle Window, Windsor Windows and Weather Shield were among the large wood window and door makers showcasing new lift-and-slide systems, including pocket systems in which the panels could retract into the walls. Showing even larger doors, including both folding and sliding systems, were numerous companies specializing in these products, including Fleetwood, Nana Wall, Panda and Weiland and a handful of other producers, most of which appear to be returning for this year’s show.
Another trend evident last year was an uptick in composite and fiberglass products. Andersen Windows featured its 100 Series builder line, manufactured with the same Fibrex wood plastic composite used in the company’s Renewal line. On the fiberglass window front, manufacturers were highlighting more new options, reporting that demand for these products continues to grow. Milgard Windows was showing a new mahogany veneer option on its Woodclad line of products. Marvin was highlighting expanded SDL options, as well as a new black exterior for its Integrity line. Weather Shield also officially introduced its new fiberglass window and door line last year.
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
National Sales Manager Needed!
Monday, January 4, 2010
Happy New Year!
Feel Like Giving Up On Your Job Search - 5 Ways to Shake Things Up
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 36 percent of unemployed people -- or 5.4 million -- had been without a job for 27 weeks or more in September 2009.
Whether you're out of work for five days, five weeks, five months or five years, any period of unexpected unemployment can be frustrating -- especially when it seems to go on forever. Although the economy seems to be showing signs of recovery, any job seeker who has been out of work for a long time will tell you: It's still not easy to find a job.
"Even though there are positive indicators, companies aren't adding jobs now at the rate they cut jobs over the last year," says Noah Blumenthal, best-selling author of "Be the Hero: Three Powerful Ways to Overcome Challenges in Work and Life." Despite that, Blumenthal reminds us that economic activities are cyclical. "Every boom feels like it will last forever and so does every bust. But none of them do. Know that things will turn around. The jobs will come back."
Laura Torres, a 28-year-old development associate in Boston, knows firsthand about being frustrated with a job search. She was laid off in December 2008 and didn't find a job for about nine months. "The most frustrating aspect was not feeling totally in control of the process -- particularly once you started interviewing at a job," she recalls. "Obviously you can play the game and even play it well, but your fate is still up to a small group of people. The agonizing wait between the interview and the follow-up is eerily reminiscent of trying to date someone who 'just isn't that into you.'"
If you do reach a breaking point, Blumenthal says it's important to switch things up and try something new in your job search. Doing so will reinvigorate you and help you stay motivated. "When you've been searching [for a job] for a long time, it can wear you out. You need to do things to keep you excited about your job search so that you keep going," he says. "The most important thing you can do is keep yourself eager, motivated and energized to continue the search."
If you (and your job search) are stuck in a rut, here are five ways Blumenthal suggests to rejuvenate your job search and mix things up a bit:
1. Go online
"You've sent out more résumés than you can count. But have you tweeted? It's a social networking world. Build your online connections on services like Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn. Then use that platform to make value-added observations about your line of work and job searching. You never know where your electronic connections can lead," he says.
2. Separate yourself
"Hiring managers and recruiters receive tons of résumés. Some are better than others, but frankly, none of them stand out. You need something else," he says. "Try writing an article or two about your field. Print them up on glossy paper with a nice graphic design. Add a professional bio, and put it all together in a nice folder. Now, instead of sending a résumé, you're sending a press kit on you. That stands out."
3. Have fun
"I know a woman who once sent her résumé folded up and stuffed inside of a baby sneaker. Her note said she was sure to be a 'shoe-in' for the job," he recalls. "If you are bored with your job search, it will show in your materials, your applications and your interviews. So have some fun." (And yes, the 'shoe-in' did get the job.)
4. Set a big goal
"You've already met 100, 200, 500 people? Set a goal to meet and have one-on-one conversations with 100 new people this month. Is it possible? Can you do it? Use Facebook. Go to professional meetings. Ask 10 friends to introduce you to 10 new people. It doesn't matter if they are in your field. This is the "Six Degrees of Separation" game. Meet up and let the new connections take you where they will," he says.
5. Go to work
"Volunteer at a local charity or political organization. You have the time, and this helps you in so many ways," he says. How? It feels good to help; you're using your skills; you're meeting new people; you're getting off the couch and out of the house; and you will build your stockpile of stories. "When you meet people or interview, the connections you make are through your stories. What better story to tell than something that happened while you were helping make the world a better place?"
Ultimately, Blumenthal reminds job seekers to treat their job search like a job, and like a project that has a long-term objective. "Do what you would do if this were such a project. Celebrate milestones and accomplishments along the way. Appreciate what you love about this job. After all, you can work in your pajamas, set your own hours, work from Starbucks and pick your kids up from school."