March 31, 2008

Bloggingforjobs is EXPANDING!

I’m excited to announce that my online blog, Bloggingforjobs (http://www.bloggingforjobs.blogspot.com/) is expanding!! My goal is to be one of the top 100 HR blogs in the US. If you are able, help me achieve this honor. Add my link to your page or forward my blog address to your friends. I am tracking site clicks and visits daily to track my progress.

With that in mind, we are in the beginning stages of building a website that includes my blog(s), jobs postings, and other cool online resources for Job Seekers as well as HR Professionals and Recruiters.

My goal is to go live with the website sometime early summer. Once our e-zine and website are live, Greg (my husband) and I will be hosting a kickoff party with close friends and contacts. I’m excited to be able to offer such new and fresh resources to job seekers and a community where they will be able to be educated on the rules of engagement in the job search along with pages and information for established and upcoming Recruiters and HR Professionals.


If you like what you’re seeing, let me know! Leave me comments on my myspace, linkedin, facebook pages or leave a comment here and tell me your thoughts.

Cheers & thanks for your support!

Jessica
http://www.bloggingforjobs.blogspot.com/
www.myspace.com/kansasgirl4133


March 29, 2008

Surviving the Corporate Restructure

Corporate restructuring, also known as downsizing or rightsizing is something that many of us have faced in our career and might yet experience in the future. Lately, you might have noticed on the news all the doom and gloom coming from Wall Street and the NASDAQ. Fear not, with a little preparation and a plan you can be on the offensive instead of the defensive if and when you are faced with a "coporate restructuring."

I have myself been a victim of corporate restructuring a time or two. There were times I was able to survive each and every one of them while others were let go.

Corporate restructuring refers to when your employer makes changes in the number of staff or headcount and other cost cutting measures. These costing cutting measures can include fewer products, plants, and divisions. Most companies that are driven by stockholders and Wall Street "restructure" from time to time. The name of the game is making money while keeping customers and stockholders happy.

Restructuring is also a common practice for corporate restructurings to occur because of mergers and acquisitions where the new combined company decides to lower overhead and expenses by laying off extra staff. The end result is the same regardless of because of a merger or lowering overhead, it basically means people end up losing their jobs and the people who are left working for the company often end up having to do more work.

Obviously, being a victim of a corporate restructuring is a setback to your career but surviving a restructuring can be equally disheartening especially if you feel that the writing is on the wall and that you might be affected during the next round of layoffs.
Also, after a corporate restructuring you might find that your job and work situation in general is not as desirable as it was before especially if your job, your manager and/or your compensation structure has changed.

Whether you are a survivor of coporate restructuring or affected by a layoff, the restructuring change can leave you even more worried and stressed than relieved because you wonder how tenuous your position is with the company especially if you question your company’s future direction and financial viability.

Here are things you can do to remain positive during times of change which will allow you to move quickly should things deteriorate that require you to take action:

1. Position Yourself.
Do your best to promote the value you bring to the company. Employees that are considered key players and essential to the success of a department or company are often survivors of corporate restructuring. Develop metrics or measurables you and your team can communicate to upper management. Develop a plan to promote these metrics and position yourself as an essential member of the team and an important part of the future success of the company you work for.

2. Develop your Marketing Plan.
I speak quite frequently in this blog about your marketing plan. Always keep your plan up to date so you are able to spring into the job search very quickly and prepared. Your marketing plan is more than just a resume and coverletter. It includes a wide variety of marketing materials like your business cards, websites, online blogs, networking connections and the research you have done on various positions of interests and the qualifications required. (See Marketing Plan and the 5 P's of Marketing for previous posts regarding this topic.)

3. Always keep your resume up to date.
Ensure that your resume is always ready to send out in case you need to send it out and quickly. Be proactive not reactive. Always make sure to include your new responsibilities. Don't get complacent. My resume is always posted on large job boards and with several recruiters of choice. One phone call and several emails can put my resume into play very quickly.

4. Always be on the lookout for job openings.
There is no company allegiance any longer. Employees and candidates need to protect themselves and look out for their best interests. Always continue to be on the look out for new opportunities by networking through online sites, attending business functions and staying connected with close friends and business partners.

5. Stay informed about company and industry facts and figures.
Stay informed by viewing financial statements and reading articles about the company you work for as well as your industry competitor's. I always like to keep my friends close but my enemies closer. This has been particularly successful for me when I am recruiting employee competitors or looking to make a job change. By doing so, you shouldn't be surprised if and when your company announces a restructuring.

March 26, 2008

Get Paid to Sell Your Boss

Get Paid To Sell Your Boss!! Isn't Youtube wonderful! See the video below.


March 24, 2008

Jigsaw in the Job Search

Bypass gatekeepers. Go straight to decision makers and influencers. If you're in the job hunt, Jigsaw can save you precious time.

Jigsaw (http://www.jigsaw.com/) is an online rolodex of more than 8 million business contacts. Every contact in Jigsaw is complete with full name, title, postal address, hard-to-find email address and telephone number. So what does Jigsaw have to do with your job search? Have you ever wanted to contact the Hiring Manager or Recruiter directly for a job posting? Jigsaw can help you do that. Recruiters and sales people use Jigsaw to get direct contact information on passive candidates and customers and you can too.

When I first visited Jigsaw, I was very impressed with the ability to search for a particular job title, industry, and company. What's great is Jigsaw is free if you enter your personal contacts into the site. Points can also be purchased. Once you purchase your contacts, I recommend phoning your contact directly first. Prepare a short script of your interest in the position, highlight your skills and qualifications, and what the next steps are prior to calling the decision maker. Send an email after you leave a message with your resume attached along with a day and time when you will be following back up.

The key to Jigsaw is that the information is only as accurate and reliable as those who enter the information which is why I am still optimistic that this is a great tool for recruiters, sales people, and job searchers alike.

Next time. . . Assessment Test Success Stories

March 20, 2008

Keeping Your Job Search Secret

Keep your job search secret with these tips.

  • Job search on your own time. Companies can view the websites you visit and emails you send during business hours and on your computer


  • Block your resume from being viewed. Monster has a great feature called Privacy Plus that allows the candidate to block up to 20 companies from viewing their resume when a company searches for candidates.


  • Be discrete. Don't blab to everyone in the office that you're looking for a job. Keep your search to yourself.


  • Confidential Resumes on Job Boards. You can use these on job boards, however I'm not a fan. I normally contact the candidate directly from my work email and keep their resume saved. Recruiters skip over these candidates because they aren't worth the trouble. Consider using your maiden name or your middle name in your contact information. Later on in the interview process, you can let the company know you go by Patrick instead of James.


  • Ask the prospective company not to contact your current company. Although, this is supposed to be confidential, it does happen. Let the prospective company you would like to keep your interest confidential.

  • Use a headhunter or recruiter. They will submit your resume confidentially. Depending on the position and your position level, this is an excellent option for in demand industries, high level, VP and above candidates.

March 18, 2008

Why Your Resume Isn't Cutting the Mustard

I sat down today at my desk and spent an hour reviewing about 50 resumes as I prepared to begin the interviewing process for an open requisition/position I am trying to fill. And out of those 50, only 7 made the cut. I was interrupted a handful of times with phone calls and questions. I spent roughly 15-20 seconds skimming each resume. Yes, I said 15-20 seconds, some less, some more. So what made those resumes stand out above the rest?


  • Be qualified for the job. The job board revolution has made it easy for recruiters to access active candidate's resume and has changed the way most recruiter's fill positions. However, this revolution also allowed candidates easy access to millions of jobs with the click of a mouse. About 30% of the resumes I reviewed today, didn't meet the minimum qualifications for the position. I recommend not applying for that pie in the sky job unless you have a networking contact at the company who can testify to your excellent sales skills or experience in accounting.

  • Less is more. Less words, less pages, less bullets, less objectives, less stuff is more. Do you want the Recruiter to spend 15 seconds reading your long objective or do you want the recruiter to view your experience and qualifications? Remove distracting items like crazy text, photos, or unnecessary personal information like your hobbies or the number of grandchildren you have.

  • Tailor your resume to the job. If you are interested in a position as a Bookkeeper, include your skills that relate to bookkeeping on your resume. Include the words that relate to the position you are applying for as well as and relevant computer or software programs you have used, any certifications, or special training you received. You don't always have to include every position you have worked, just the jobs that are relevant to the position you are applying for. In other words, leave out your bartending position if you are applying for a position that has nothing to do with bartending if you are looking for a Dental Assistant position.

  • Include a coverletter. I recommend this especially if you have recently relocated, applying for a position outside of your experience, or to give the hiring manager more information to set you apart from the rest. Typically, I don't read coverletters unless something doesn't add up in their resume. Some companies require a coverletter and will disqualify the applicant if they do not include one.

  • Network. If you have read previous posts, you know that I am passionate about networking. Networking allows you the inside scoop about unadvertised jobs, provide testimonials about you as a candidate, and dramatically increase your odds of landing a job. Out of those 50 applications, 2 were from referrals in my network. It doesn't guarantee them the position, but it definitely gives the candidate an edge.

March 14, 2008

Join My Bloggingforjobs Community

Click on the link below to join my online community with MyBlogLog! I'm looking forward to connecting with you. You'll receive updated posting and more information that ties in with the bloggingforjobs blog itself along with the ability to connect with others within my network.

Join My Community at MyBloglog!

Cheers!
Jessica

ASK the Recruiter

Beginning next week, I will have a weekly segment called ASK the Recruiter. Please email me your question to jmiller-merrell@sbcglobal.net or visit my myspace page or linkedin page to ask your question.

One question will be selected weekly and posted on my blog. Don't be shy. I know there's a question you have been dying to ask a Recruiter or HR Professional.

Cheers! Jessica

Contact ME:
jmiller-merrell@sbcglobal.net
www.myspace.com/kansasgirl4133
www.linkedin.com/in/jmillermerrell

Networking When Relocating

Relocating to a new city and beginning a job hunt is definitely a challenge. Some companies steer away from new residents because of perceived complications and added expenses. As a recruiter and also someone who has relocated, I love recruiting folks who are in transit or recently relocated. These candidates often offer a fresh take on the environment and geographic area they are relocating to, and I believe are a recruiting gold mine.

I would recommend that if you are relocating to a new city to consider the following:

  • Notify your network. Your network is more powerful and effective than submitting your application on a job board or responding to a newspaper advertisement.
  • Get a P.O. Box in the new city ASAP. This is a great way to look local. Include in your cover letter that you relocating and give them the timeline. Depending on the position and the recruiter's timeline, you might be able to receive a job offer 4 weeks, 2 months, or 6 months out.
  • Connect using Social Networking. Sites like Linkedin, Facebook, and others are growing, growing, growing. Don't be afraid to search for recruiter or hiring manager's in the area or network and ask for assistance.
  • Cold Call your Top 100 Companies. Take a sales approach and make the call. Develop a plan to contact companies either by phone, email, or snail mail. Be creative. I recommend using online rolodex sites like jigsaw.com.
  • Power Networking Lunches are Essential. While you are visiting your new city prior to the move, I recommend having lunch and coffee with as many contacts as possible. Develop a relationship, send emails, and keep your name and face in front of them.
  • Research Spousal Relocation Programs. If the reason you are relocating is because of a spouse or family member's new job, ask if their company offers relocation assistance with a job coach or other job service company. Check the state's unemployment rules. Usually you can qualify if you quit your job to relocate because of a spouse.

Next time. . . Using http://www.jigsaw.com/ in the job search.


March 3, 2008

Need a laugh??

I love youtube! Check out this great video called bad day office. Makes my workday seem not so bad.