Do your research on a company before accepting offer!

Aside from googling or asking around within your network in your industry, there is a useful website to use when researching a potential employer that you may be considering going to work for. It can even help you prepare for interviews! The concept is quite simple and one much like any social media website, in that it consists of real people writing reviews and their own experiences and opinions on company's, the interview process, interview questions and experience and even salary info if company's they have interviewed and/or worked for.

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!!

The top 30 Job Boards for 2010

I still say the best jobs are never found on job boards or advertised at all for that matter. Yet due to many, if not most recruiters utilizing job boards to automate and post the searches they are working on and also spend countless hours searching for candidates on job boards, this list was worth sharing. This post came from one of my favorite and informational blogs....reCareered (posts some amazingly great tips and useful job links...also on Facebook, if you are on there and want to stay informed of job related news.

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):

CareerBuilder.com

DirectEmployers.com

Indeed.com

Job.com

JobFox.com

Monster.com

SimplyHired.com

Yahoo! HotJobs

EmploymentGuide.com

GetTheJob.com

TopUSAJobs.com

And let’s not forget the niche job boards:

Absolutely Health Care

AfterCollege.com

AllHealthcareJobs.com

AllRetailJobs.com

CollegeGrad.com

CollegeRecruiter.com

Dice.com

DiversityJobs.com

Execunet.com

Hcareers.com

HealthCareerWeb.com

HEALTHeCAREERS Network

Jobbing.com

JobsinLogistics.com

TheLadders.com

Net-Temps.com

6FigureJobs.com

SnagAJob.com

VetJobs.com

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.

Job Hunters, Beware!

Here's a fantastic article from Wall Street Journal - Career Journal - by Stephanie Needleman. This article held so many truths and great reminders that I felt were definately worth sharing.

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."

Here's to the New Year!

With the new year kicking in, I find myself always analyzing and redefining current processes and recruiting methods and even personal habits and methods in my life too! Over the past year, due to the economy not yielding as much business as usual, I've had more time to redefine my business and recruitment focus. Many of you know that my recruiting focus has expanded beyond just windows and I've branched out into some other business focuses too. With the window industry being my niche market and passion, I have found some industry products and segments to compliment my recruiting focus. While I will never not recruit in the window industry, expanding that focus has been a wonderful experience for me in many ways.

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

Having spoken to many of you who attended he International Builders Show, it was interesting to get the mixed reviews from those who attended this year. I had particular interest in hearing first hand about all the new tech type products and new products. Having expanded my recruiting focus into building materials and with a special interest in home automation products, it was great to get your reviews on all the new tech products that premiered at the IBS! Other good news is with as slow as hiring has been this past year, I have noticed a more than welcome incline in job needs from employers over the past few weeks. It is always a great sign when company's are contacing and hiring recruiters to hire talent!

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.

Builders' Show Expects a Better Year - Boosts Expectations

Article courtesy of window and door.net

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.

National Sales Manager Needed!

Fantastic opportunity for an experienced W&D National Sales Manager! Must be able to relocate! I have several of you in mind to start calling this week to run the opportunity by, but wanted to post this quickly here too in case any of you know anyone with this experience looking at this level. If you are interested in discussing this opportunity, please be sure to get me your most recent resume so I have it when we talk! Thanks!!

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year and best wishes to you all for a successful and spectacular 2010!!! : ) We'll be sending out candidate update forms via email over the next few months. With many of you still unemployed and actively seeking a new career opportunity, we want to ensure we have the most current updates on your job search status. This helps us match you with any new opportunities we receive to work on that may interest and fit what you are seeking. Things remain a bit slow, but there are jobs out there to be filled! Hang in there! : )

Feel Like Giving Up On Your Job Search - 5 Ways to Shake Things Up

Article worthy of sharing...from CareeBuilder by Rachel Zupek, CareerBuilder.com Enjoy! Happy New Year! : )

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."

Happy Holidays!

Happy Holidays to you all! Wishing you and your families a wonderful Holiday season!

Prolyn will be making a small donation in lieu of our annual Holiday card contest and sending holiday cards out this year. Charity yet to be determined...if you want to throw your suggestion in, please let us know! Have a safe and Happy Holiday! : )

White House Sees More Jobs in Windows

Some encouraging news...

Indicating he didn't want to tip his hand too much, President Obama told attendees at last week's White House job summit that the administration was looking aggressively at programs to encourage investment in energy efficiency upgrades and weatherization as part of its efforts to stimulate job creation.

His remarks came in response to comments from Ron Saxton, executive vice president of Jeld-Wen Inc., a participant at the forum, who highlighted the potentnial energy savings offered by replacing the billion-plus single-pane windows in American homes today. Saxton also emphasized the potential for job growth offered by windows. In addition to jobs involved in installation, he noted that nearly all windows bought in America are made in American factories using parts that are also produced in America. With the downturn in new construction, these factories are ready and could bring workers back and get up and running immediately.

President Obama listening to Jeld-Wen's Ron Saxton make the case for efforts to encourage more replacement window activity. The conversation took place as part of a session focusing on innovation and green jobs, where Saxton also urged passage of bills before the House and Senate that would tie tax credits for windows to the new 2010 Energy Star criteria rather than the current .30/.30 requirements set as part of the stimulus package.

Other attendees at the session included Frank Blake, CEO of the Home Depot, who urged for a broadening of the current energy efficiency tax credits to include more categories of products, as well as installation and labor. Jeld-Wen's Saxton also commented on the success of the tax credits, noting that his company had sold a quarter million windows under that program and others had also, enabling many jobs to be created and saved.

While there was much agreement at the session that windows and other energy efficient upgrades can pay for themselves over the long run, financing such projects remains a major hurdle. Secretary of Energy Stephen Chu told the group that "numerous ideas are on the drawing board" to address the issue to make retrofit activity more cost effective and "really scale it up."

"We are completely sold," said Obama, speaking about the long-term economic benefits, as well as environmental benefits, of renewable energy and energy efficiency. Noting the current fiscal restraints on the government, as well as the sense of urgency to create new jobs, he told attendees that his administration sees programs to upgrade energy efficiency of homes and buildings offering the most potential in the short term.

The meeting concluded with a promise to develop proposals on this front and bring them back to attendees for more input. The hour-plus session can be viewed below on the window and door.net website

Obama followed the December 3 jobs forum with a speech on jobs and the economy, in which he called on Congress "to consider a new program to provide incentives for consumers who retrofit their homes to become more energy-efficient, which we know creates jobs, saves money for families, and reduces the pollution that threatens our environment." The president also proposed the expansion of select Recovery Act initiatives to promote energy efficiency and clean energy jobs "which have been proven to be particularly popular and effective."

GlassBuild America Opens in Atlanta

Atlanta–Industry suppliers are showcasing new ways for window and door manufacturers to upgrade energy efficiency and expand color and finish offerings, as GlassBuild America: The Glass, Window & Door Expo opens today. Despite weak market conditions, some 6,300 industry professionals pre-registered for the event, being held here at the Georgia World Congress Center.

"We're confident we're going to have a solid show," says Phil James, CEO of the National Glass Association, which organizes GlassBuild America. "We may not have the same numbers as last year, but we are hearing from exhibitors that they have customers coming. Exhibitors are also expecting that the companies that are here are the ones in a position to start growing their business again. They are here because they are ready to innovate. They are here because they want to differentiate their product lines. They are here to do business."

Almost 400 exhibitors have gathered for the annual event. Among those targeting the residential window and door market are equipment suppliers, vinyl extruders, producers of IG components, hardware suppliers and software producers. Among the notable introductions to be made at the show are Bystronic's new automated line for producing Sashlite integrated sash windows, Mikron's EnergyCore vinyl window system and a new system for producing color window products being featured by GED Integrated Solutions.

The amount of equipment on display at this year's event is down somewhat from past events, but a sizeable number of companies are featuring machines. In the vinyl arena, Stürtz Machinery is highlighting its new LinealPro fabrication saw, and Urban Machinery is featuring a number of machines also. CNC machining centers targeted at manufacturers of aluminum fenestration products, as well as vinyl, are being shown by Elumatec, Emmegi, Fom, Joseph and Tekna, among others.

IG equipment and components are prominent throughout the show floor as well. Glasslam is showcasing its warm-edge spacer system, as well as its products for manufacturing laminated glass. Other companies showing warm-edge products include Truseal Technologies, Technoform, and Edgetech, which returns this year with its Edgetech University booth, focusing on education on such topics as testing, IG certification, and green. "It was very popular last year in Vegas," reports the company's Larry Johnson. "With all the changes taking place in the industry, we know the demand for information is still there."

He notes that manufacturers have been adjusting to new developments, such as the 30/30 tax credit minimums and the revised Energy Star qualification requirements, making "intermediate" changes in their product lines to meet the new market demands. "They know new requirements are coming, and that they may have to make a bigger change in the next couple of years," he adds. "We think a lot of customers are coming to learn more about their options."

Sashlite's Bob Hornung sees window and door manufacturers looking at big changes also. "We're really excited about the show," he states. The economy may prevent companies from making a move right away, but, he adds, "We have companies flying in just to see this line," pointing to the new Bystronic line designed to produce integrated sash units.

Vinyl extruders are highlighting a variety of products at this year's show, but most appear to be featuring expanded color and woodgrain options. American Renolit plans to demonstrate application procedures for its decorative laminates. In addition to standard residential lines, a number of companies are featuring European tilt-and-turn systems targeted largely at commercial applications.

Most hardware producers are showing new style and finish options. Also of note, Truth Hardware is featuring some of its electronic hardware options, while Vision Industries is showing new hardware developed to meet the new ASTM standard for window opening control devices. Making its GlassBuild debut is Paddock Fabrications, an English producer of multipoint hardware systems, which is showing its new North American product line.

In addition to a busy trade show, GlassBuild America will feature a number of other events, including an Energy Efficiency Town Hall Forum, sponsored by Edgetech Inc., and a panel presentation on the outlook for the solar industry. More information on the event is available at www.glassbuildamerica.com. An online preview on WindowandDoor.com also offers a detailed look at new products to be featured by exhibitors in Atlanta. (article posted from windowanddoor.com)

Myths about job hunting in a recession

Another worthwhile read I came across this morning that was worth sharing about job hunting during a down economy. Article is from payscale.com, written by Cherie Berkley. Enjoy!
Just when you thought the job market couldn't get worse, there is more news about company pink slips, hiring freezes, and benefit slashes. If you are one of the thousands tasked to find a job in these dire economic times, all is not lost. Hopefully, you can move more quickly from the unemployment line to a job offer once you get past these six common myths about job-hunting during a recession.

Myth 1: No one is hiring. Layoffs are coming in every direction, but some employers -- even those laying off workers -- are still hiring. Companies often eliminate full-time employees with budget-busting benefits only to replace them with contractors or consultants to save costs. Additionally, "green" jobs, and health care jobs are among those still actively populating want ads. And, the pay is respectable. For instance, Payscale.com shows the median annual salary of an environmental engineer with 3-5 years experience is $60,672.

Myth 2: The Internet is the best place to find jobs. The Internet is an efficient way to survey jobs among many companies, but personal interaction is still key to job search success. Truth is, employers are bombarded with thousands of resumes from the Internet -- especially in a recession. Therefore, the chance that your new boss will choose your resume out of a pile of prospects is slimmer than ever. Instead, focus on finding a position, apply for it, and then do some research and connect personally with a hiring manager in the company to follow-up. Social networking sites, such as LinkedIn, also offer a great way to connect with targeted employees on your company dream list. These connections are golden because they can give you insider info about unpublished positions and help you sail past HR "blockers." Personal recommendations go much farther in landing a job than random resumes.

Myth 3: Searching companies in hiring freezes is a waste of time. Like many situations in life, hiring freezes are not absolute. Savvy networking, the right face-to-face meeting, and the ability to sell skills critical to the prospective company can be the perfect formula for lighting a fire under an employer in a hiring freeze. Behind closed doors, hiring managers are told to make exceptions for spectacular candidates that can show them the money, especially in a recession when every dollar counts.

Myth 4: Expect a salary cut. In hard times, companies value astute problem-solvers more than ever. While employers may trim the fat elsewhere, there is always room in the budget for top-tier talent. However, during a competitive job market, there is a bigger burden to prove you are worth a higher salary, says John Challenger, CEO of Challenger, Gray & Christmas. Ultimately, companies want their talent investments to pay off -- and stick around. "If an employer goes to the expense, time, and effort to find a qualified candidate, it wants the person to stay, " Challenger adds. The last thing an employer wants is for a prized candidate to temporarily accept a lower salary than her previous salary and say "hasta la vista" once the job market recovers.

Myth 5: Companies are not interested in hiring people over age 55. There are several reasons Challenger, Gray & Christmas disputes the adage that older employees are unemployable. In a struggling economy, employers value seasoned workers' shorter learning curves (aka: less money invested in employee training) and their ability to do the work of several younger, less-seasoned workers. Separately, like a fine wine, experienced employees who are surgeons, accountants, attorneys, engineers, and IT professionals get better with time. Clients gravitate to more experienced employees in these professions. This adds up to more cha-ching for employers.

Myth 6: Experience and advanced degrees guarantee a job. While experience and education have their plusses, they aren't guarantees to landing a job. In a deep recession, experienced and degreed people come a dime a dozen. "It is very important to sell your world experience, your concrete accomplishments, and expertise; things that make an impact on the company rather than just your knowledge," Challenger says. Research what skills the employer values most in order to tailor your sales pitch accordingly, Challenger adds. And, because the market is so tight, though you are experienced, someone with more experience is likely applying for the same job. Take time to create your brand image and sell, sell, sell!

Recruiters Biggest Pet Peeves

An interesting and timely article on recruiters pet peeves from yahoo.com. I can personally say that with the huge influx of resumes that I am receiving now with the poor economy and os mnay out of work that I have seen many of these items listed below occur much more frequently with many of the job seekers I talk to! Enjoy!

The Recruiter Roundtable is a recurring feature that collects career and job-seeking advice from a group of recruiting experts throughout the United States. The question we put before our panel this month is:

What is your biggest pet peeve about job seekers today?

The Price of 'Perfection'
My biggest pet peeve is perfect candidates. They only had successes, are perfect and can't see any improvement to make on themselves -- except maybe to "work a little less." People who are too insecure to admit their shortcomings or even their mistakes make me feel that they lack good emotional intelligence. In all the reference checks we reviewed at Checkster, none were 100% positive, so be realistic. If not, you will be seen as either not daring enough to perform difficult things, or stuck in a myopic belief that you are perfect. -- Yves Lermusi, CEO, Checkster

Clueless Candidates
As a recruiter, there have been countless times when job seekers have asked, "What position is this for?" Job seekers shouldn't just apply to any job. They need to spend their time effectively finding jobs that are a match for their skills and interest. -- Nga Nguyen, Technology & Operations Group Recruiter at Wells Fargo

Short-Cut Introductions
With more people looking for work in today's economy, I've been seeing an increase in what I call "lazy introductions" come across my desk. It goes something like this: "I'm writing you to introduce myself. I live in New York and I'm looking for a job," and in the signature is a link to a LinkedIn profile or possibly a resume. A brief introduction should come with a background, highlights, and reason for connecting. A job search is a job in itself and requires some personalization and effort for each and every introduction. -- Lindsay Olson, partner, Paradigm Staffing

Can't Connect the Dots?
My biggest pet peeve is receiving resumes or applications that describe background and work experience wholly unrelated to the position being applied for. Also there is either no supporting material or a generic cover letter that fails to connect the dots between what's on the application and what's in the posted job listing. -- Noah Apodaca, lead recruiter for staff at the University of California, Irvine

Don't Go Generic
Job seekers hurt their own cause when they don't focus on specific ways they can help potential employers and instead simply mass distribute their resume. Individuals need to show hiring managers what they can do for the organization, not the reverse. Thoroughly research companies where you want to apply, customize your resume and cover letter for each opportunity, and in your communications with employers highlight your accomplishments and skills that demonstrate how you can positively impact the firm's bottom line.

In process of updating our files and information we have on file for you

In an effort to stay current with each of your information, over the course of the next few weeks we will be sending emails out to you all to update the information we have on file for you.

Mentioning this here as I know receiving a somewhat generic email at times can feel quite impersonal...probably because it is! : )

As things continue to be somewhat sluggish in our industry and across the board due to the economy, it seemed like a great time to update our records and your information so we have it ready to go as things pick up and in the event a job match comes our way to pair you up with! We are also networking heavily with many other recruiters and contacts nationally outside the industry in an effort to find potential opportunities for you!

Congrats to those of you who I have spoken to recently who have landed new careers...semingly most are out of the window and door industry.

Getting the Right People in Key Seats

An interesting article that originated form Business Week...yet was posted by one of my contacts on Facebook. Enjoy!

The specifics can vary, even within companies, but our research delivered six important traits that identify "the right people"

The right people fit the company's core values Great companies build cultures in which those who don't share the institution's values are surrounded by anti-bodies and ejected like viruses. People ask: "How do we get people to share our core values?" The answer: Hire people already predisposed to them—and keep them.

The right people don't need to be tightly managed When you feel the need to tightly manage someone, you may have made a hiring mistake. You need not spend a lot of time "motivating" or "managing" the right people. It's in their DNA to be productively neurotic, self-motivated, self-disciplined, and compulsively driven to excel.

The right people understand that they do not have "jobs"—they have responsibilities They grasp the difference between their task list and their true responsibilities. The right people can complete the statement, "I am the one person ultimately responsible for…".

The right people fulfill their commitments In a culture of discipline, people view commitments as sacred—they do what they say they'll do, without complaint. Equally, this means that they take great care in saying what they will do, careful never to overcommit or to promise what they cannot deliver.

The right people are passionate about the company and its work Nothing great happens without passion. The right people display remarkable intensity.

The right people display window-and-mirror maturity When things go well, the right people point out the window, giving credit to factors other than themselves; they shine a light on others who contributed. Yet when things go awry, they do not blame circumstances or other people; they look in the mirror and say: "I'm responsible."

Join us on Twitter!

We have officialy caved and are testing out Twitter! Look for us by our user name "prolyn". With the many different social networking sites out there, it is truly difficult to determine which one or ones to utilize. My best recomendation is to try the mainstream sites out and see if you like them for yourself. You can always delete your account if the site is not a worthwhile investment of your time. I have to say so far so good with Twitter. It has proven to be a great source of networking for me in many people I would have probably never found, based on some of the limits and search restrictions you get with other sites. I have also gotten a multitude of good tips, sources and news bits that have been worthwhile for me personally. Whether you are a company on the hunt for potential candidates or a job seeker searching for that next job...networking is always teh way to go and you never know who will open the door to the next job opportunity yo may be seeking! If you decide to join, please link in to us. I can't promise that I'll post there often, but will try to do so occasionally. For now I am giving it a test run and will see wher it goes from there.

Extreme Job Hunting

Thought this article from yahoo was interesting and worthy of sharing! If you have had success with creative job hunting efforts, please let me know, I would love to share them! : )

People like Robin Stearns and Mark Heuer have taken job hunting to a new level in today's troubled economy. To help find work for her husband, Stearns started the site myhusbandneedsajob.com. The homepage shows her near San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge holding a handmade sign: "Hire my husband." The rest of site focuses on the resume and accomplishments of Mike, who earned an MBA from Georgetown last year.

"This site was born out of frustration with the job market," Robin wrote on the site. "After almost ten months of watching my wonderful husband work tirelessly to find a job, I decided to take matters into my own hands and help him stand out in a sea of unemployed."

Mark Heuer, an unemployed management professional, rented a large billboard along a Milwaukee highway in March. His face appears next to the words "Results Driven Sales & Operations Manager. Mark4hire.com." Both Stearns and Heuer received international media coverage and thousands of messages, but relevant job leads were scarce.

"There are no job offers yet," said Stearns two weeks after her site went up, but her husband had lined up some interviews in the San Francisco area as a result.

These approaches are just two creative examples of extreme job hunting. With the unemployment rate above 8% nationally and 5 million people looking for work, some job seekers are buying display ads on social networking sites, posting elaborate video resumes, and wearing sandwich boards or custom-made T-shirts with a cover letter printed on the back.

While the tactics can make you stand out, some experts caution about getting too creative. "Even in today's market, it's excelling at the fundamentals that helps job seekers stand out," says Andy Denka, executive director of financial staffing firm Accountemps. "Individuals should focus their efforts first and foremost on creative top-notch resumes, networking with everyone they know, and honing their interview skills."

Networking efforts actually led Heuer to the billboard idea, he says. "I thought, 'How can I get in front of more people?' Highway 45 in Milwaukee captures 100,000+ cars a day."

If you want to go beyond the basics and try more risky job-hunting tactics, consider these suggestions:

Treat the job search like a courtship, and make the first move. "Don't wait for a company to post a job ad," says Denka. "If there are businesses you are interested in working for, research how you can contribute to their success and contact them directly."

Work for free. Approach a company that interests you and offer to work for free for a set number of hours each week, over a period of two months, says Katy Piotrowski, author of "The Career Coward's Guide to Job Searching." "This is a great way to get your foot in the door, prove your worth, and assist the company to get to a place where they can actually hire you," she says. "This method results in long-term employment about 50% of the time."

Volunteer or take a lead role in a professional association. "If you're in finance, you take on a treasury position with a local community group," says Denka. "In the process, you'll enhance your resume, meet potential business contacts and keep your abilities current."

Kentucky resident Larry Dinsmore is proprietor of the site DamnINeedaJob.com, which sells T-shirts emblazoned with custom cover letters. He started the site while he was out of work, hoping it would inspire others. "These times require some creativity, and when you think you've done everything, there's always something else," Dinsmore says. "Don't just sit back and wait on responses to resumes. Be proactive and make things happen!"

Finally a bit of good news!

I received a handful of phone calls on this one today from both family and candidates. It is certainly a relief to hear some good news amidst all the dismal news we have heard over the past many months! Fingers crossed things start to lok up for everyone!

Wall Street resumes rally following housing report

Investors restarted Wall Street's rally Tuesday, buying financial and homebuilder stocks following a surprisingly upbeat report on home construction.

Major market indicators jumped more than 2 percent, including the Dow Jones industrial average, which added 179 points. The technology-heavy Nasdaq surged more than 4 percent after sliding Monday. Stocks have risen five out of the past six sessions.

The government's report that housing starts rose unexpectedly in February more than offset news that Alcoa Inc. is slashing its dividend.

The upbeat construction report provided the latest glimmer of hope for Wall Street and revived interest in the long-suffering housing industry. Stocks began rallying a week ago after Citigroup Inc. said it operated at a profit in the first two months of the year.

Similarly upbeat assessments from other troubled banks and better-than-expected readings on retail sales have led some investors to believe the market has been too pessimistic about the economy.

Stocks surged last week in a four-session rally that left market barometers up about 10 percent — the type of gains they might normally take a year to assemble. Buyers stepped in again Tuesday after stocks posted moderate declines on Monday.

Brett D'Arcy, chief investment officer at CBIZ Wealth Management, said relatively quiet trading the past two days is "a great sign" because it means investors are holding on to gains from week and aren't trying to grab quick profits. He said that indicates a base could be forming in the market. A week ago the Dow jumped 379 points in one session.

According to preliminary calculations, the Dow rose 178.73, or 2.5 percent, to 7,395.70.

Broader stock indicators also advanced. The Standard & Poor's 500 index rose 24.23, or 3.2 percent, to 778.12, while the Nasdaq composite index rose 58.09, or 4.1 percent, to 1,462.11. The Russell 2000 index of smaller companies rose 17.23, or 4.5 percent, to 403.59. Four stocks rose for every one that fell on the New York Stock Exchange, where volume came to a light 1.49 billion shares. Light volume indicates less conviction behind the market's moves.

D'Arcy said technology companies got an extra boost as investors moved back into those stocks after they fell sharply Monday.

The market has established a clear shift in tone over the past week. Jittery traders had blown apart earlier rallies this year by selling just as stocks managed to advance. A 20 percent run-up from late November until the start of the year fizzled as worries grew about the tattered balance sheets at large banks and signs that consumers will pulling back on their spending.

Renewed signs of balance in the economy since then have led investors to become more comfortable owning shares again.

Analysts caution that risks remain but investors embraced the data on home construction that came in well ahead of what economists had been expecting. Building permit applications, a key measure of future activity, also rose unexpectedly.

Tim Courtney, the chief investment officer at Burns Advisory Group, said the report was encouraging and could be part of an initial recovery in the housing market.

"We could be in the very early stages of some kind of normalization" in housing, he said. Many analysts say home prices have to stabilize before worried consumers will begin to increase their spending and the economy will begin to pick up speed.

In a rare burst of enthusiasm for anything related to the housing market, traders snapped up homebuilder stocks following the report. Pulte Homes Inc. rose 64 cents, or 6.7 percent, to $10.16, while Lennar Corp. jumped 68 cents, or 8.7 percent, to $8.52. Toll Brothers Inc. advanced 95 cents, or 5.9 percent, to $17.06.

Stocks of home supply retailers like Home Depot Inc. and Lowes Cos. rose more than 6 percent.

Traders looked past much of the day's bad news and also awaited the outcome of a two-day meeting of the Federal Reserve's interest rate committee that ends Wednesday. The central bank is widely expected to leave rates at their current historically low level, but the market will be keen to see how the Fed sizes up the economy in its statement that accompanies the decision on rates.

Craig Peckham, a market strategist at Jefferies & Co. Peckham, said he was encouraged that the decision by aluminum producer Alcoa to reduce its payout didn't send "shockwaves" through the market as he contends it would have just weeks ago.

Alcoa became the latest of the 30 companies that make up the Dow Jones industrial average to lower its dividend to conserve cash. The company said it was cutting its quarterly dividend 82 percent to 3 cents. It also said it plans to sell stock and debt to help reduce annual costs by more than $2.4 billion. Alcoa fell 53 cents, or 8.7 percent, to $5.59 and was one of only three stocks in the Dow to lose ground.

Creative Ways to Conduct Your Job Search

One of my favorite contacts in the industry just mentioned to me how rarely that I post on my Blog anymore. As such, it triggered me to make the time to write a quick post.

As so many of you know all too well, things have been incredibly tough out there in the industry with so many amazing people out of work. It's a frustrating and scary time for all! I have been working much less...not due to choice...but out of how tight our industry is right now. I can only think and agree with so many of you who believe that things will come back strong here soon enough!

With so many of you in job search mode, I thought it might be helpful to provide a few of my favorite sources and suggestions for tapping into versus the same old traditional methods of just posting your resume on one of the major job boards. I will try to focus on being better about posting more frequently and also focusing my posts on job search tips over the next several weeks. While I can't promise that I'll offer any new or earth shattering tips...I am hopeful perhaps one or two of the things I mention may hekp at least a few of you!

Worth sharing with you all, is that above and beyond knowing so many of you in the industry who are out of work right now, that several of my friends and family members have also been hit by the dismal economy. We had a gathering at my house a month or so ago and 4 of the 10 people had just been laid off from their jobs which seemed crazy to me! Both my sister and brother in law are unemployed. Mentioning this to you, as my brother in law ended up posting his resume on a variety of job boards. One of those ended up being craigslist.com While most people think of craigslist as a site to sell or buy items, there is indeed a huge presence of resumes, job postings and also many recruiters and companies who now surf the site in hopes of picking up their next employee. In this case, a local newspaper reporter spotted my brother in laws resume and called him to conduct an interview for a several week series of articles on people in our community who have been affected by the economy and had lost their jobs. After interviewing my borther in law, the reporter also interviewing my sister in law and did a large front page article and pictures on their family. While it has been too recent (just last week) to have any possible job offers or leads come of it, I thought it was worth sharing as you never know who or where your next job lead will come from. More than anything, it provided them a bright spot in both of their job searches with teh never ending process of sending resumes and not hearing back from those they applied to.

More next week...I will be putting some thought into other creative, out of the box type tips that I can come up with to try and asist you in your search efforts. Hang in there with your job searches and hope you all enjoy the weekend! : )