Finding a job on the internet

Internet, Information Superhighway or world-wide network, anyway you put it, it still remains a technological miracle, no longer out of the reach of the general public. Yet, your Superhighway can reach a deadlock if you don’t know where to look and how to search.

When it comes to job-searching, Internet has become one of the easiest ways to contact employers, companies, post resumes or even set online interviews with your future boss. Search engines, online magazines and newspapers, as well as Internet sites which specially publish new job entries every week assist you daily in your quest for the perfect job. Moreover, every profession has an official website where one can post a resume or search for a vacant position in their field of specialization.

If you are a writer, you are lucky. The internet is an infinite online library which is constantly updated and can bring writers and editors in direct communication. The European Union has estimated that by the end of 1999, 250 million people will have gone online.

There are several Internet sites that let you into the secrets of the writing market , providing you with all the useful writing tips you’ll need, to see yourself in print. There are chat- rooms where writers gather to discuss about their projects and give each other ideas, online conferences and workshops, interactive e-lists, contests, reviews of books and articles on different aspects of writing. Almost all of these sites have a newsletter you can receive in your mailbox after subscribing for free.

The dangers of catching a virus through e-mails is rather remote because viruses occur in programs. If however you receive an attachment from someone you don’t know, it would be advisable not to open it. The only thing that you may find annoying is the possibility of receiving Spam mail, especially if you post your e-mail address in various sites.

Websites like Freelancewriting, Inkspot, Writingcorner, Writersmarket, Write4kids … the list could literally go on and on, posting jobs that could be done either by setting up an interview with the company and visiting their offices or by the comfort of your own house. Yes, that’s right!

On a more general basis you can find all kinds of work posted online, from website designer to plumber to account director, in various websites which claim to offer the hottest jobs ever. Sites like Freejob, Topjobs, Jobrobot, Londoncareers, Jobsearch.Monster and many many more offer thousands of opportunities daily and what is more they are free!

Jobs are divided in categories, in part-time/full time positions, permanent or temporary. Some websites act as search engines. You type the kind of job you are looking for and they search a wide range of newspapers to find your ideal position. This is especially true for American websites where you also get the chance to choose the area you want to work in by clicking on the appropriate newspapers. If that still doesn’t work every newspaper features a job opportunities link in its online edition.

Searching for a job on the net has never been so easy.

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Things never to say during an interview

Everyone gets nervous during a job interview. No matter how much we plan and prepare, there are sure to be unexpected questions and uncomfortable pauses that may be hard to fill. The greatest risk, however, lies in saying something inappropriate during a lull in the discussion. Before putting your foot in your mouth and losing that sought-after job, memorize this list of topics to avoid:

1. Never criticize a former employer. No matter how poorly you were treated, it is unwise to point the finger at someone from your previous job unless it is absolutely necessary. For one thing, the person interviewing you may feel you are disloyal. For another, you may be perceived as someone who whines or may be unable to hold a job due to misperceptions. Your listener may realize that one side of the story is inadequate for understanding the situation, and perhaps give your past employer the benefit of a doubt. Nothing good can come from talking down another organization, so keep mum about it.

2. Never talk about how much you need the job. If you pour out a sob story to try and win the interviewer's sympathy, you are most likely signing your death warrant with the company. People simply do not want to hire someone they feel sorry for. They would much rather find an employee they admire or someone they can depend on to get the job done. Making yourself out to be a victim may get your scooted out the door in a hurry.

3. Never impose conditions on your taking a position. Avoid making statements about possible problems that might interfere with your getting to work on time or staying there. For example, don't bring up the fact that your ten-year-old has frequent doctor's appointments for a chronic ear condition unless you are certain you will have to miss work often because of it. Nor should you raise potential problems that might never develop, since the interviewer will perceive these as red flags and place your application at the bottom of the stack, especially if there are other qualified candidates who are available and less encumbered.

4. Never emphasize your weaknesses. Don't bring up six months of poor work attendance at a previous job following a car accident that required twice-a-week rehabilitation therapy. After all, it was a one-time event and hopefully will not recur. There is no sense in planting doubts in a prospective employer's mind unless you must. Although you may be asked questions like "What is your greatest weakness?," you can answer it with a positive statement:

"I tend to get over committed to job-related projects and work overtime on occasion. But I'm getting better about setting boundaries in my personal life."

5. Never use careless language. Avoid jokes, puns, coarse jesting, racial slurs, and other kinds of inappropriate diction. Even if you feel comfortable with your interviewer, you want to show your best side while being considered for employment, and even afterward if hired. Use everyday speech and a conversational tone without including slang. Also make a point of excluding sexist language, clichés, or excessive euphemism to the point that your speech sounds stilted or awkward.

Your interview may last one hour or several, but it is the only time you will have to make a lasting impression on your prospective employer. Put a guard on your tongue to avoid botching this unique opportunity.

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Where to look during an interview

You go in for a job interview feeling prepared and relaxed. The next thing you know, you're sitting barely five feet across from the person who may become your next boss. As you discuss the job description and answer each question with the goal of making a good impression, you wonder where you should be looking. After all, you can hardly keep your glance fixed on the interviewer facing you, nor can you avoid looking in the person's direction. Here are a few basic guidelines for making eye contact.

1. Most people feel uncomfortable locking eyes with someone for very long. A common length of time for professional eye contact is about five seconds. Some parts of a dialogue may grab and hold your attention, eyes included, for several seconds longer. But for the most part, a few seconds at a time will be enough.

2. The best times to glance directly at an interviewer is when the person is speaking to you, rather than rambling on about a company concern or answer the telephone if it rings while you're there. Specifically, it helps to gaze at a speaker who is asking a question so that you don't give the impression of being evasive or shy.

3. When it is your turn to speak, make random eye contact during your comments. You need neither stare nor keep your gaze averted, either of which may raise questions about your credibility. Glance at the speaker intermittently, unless your response is brief, in which case you can hold his or her gaze for the duration.

4. Where should you look the rest of the time? Glance at your hands or your lap, as though reflecting or thinking. You also can look at any materials you may be holding that are the subject of current discussion, like a company mission statement or a departmental policy. Your gaze might pause between the person and your lap, lingering momentarily on the desk between you, for example.

5. When should your gaze wander? You can stare out the window or leaf through items on your lap if the interviewer receives a telephone call or someone stops by at the office to ask a question. Your inattention provides a mental aside, at least in appearances, that allows the interviewer a few moments of partial privacy.

6. What if the interviewer stares at you or avoids your gaze? Staring may be a personal habit of no particular significance, so you need not take it personally. But if you feel the person is literally looking you over, feel free to draw his or her attention to any materials you have brought with you, like your vita or reference letters. You also can break an eye-lock gaze by looking away as though musing on one of the speaker's comments. An interviewer who does not look straight at you may be shy, so this is an opportunity for you to be pleasant and accommodating in not staring the person down or taking a dominant role.

Even small things like your gaze can tell an interviewer much about your personality. Practice in front of a mirror before going to an interview to get a comfortable feel for managing your glances at and away from the person you will be meeting.

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The top five mistakes made when writing a resume

Your resume is perhaps the most important document you will ever write, but don’t worry: We’re all in the same boat.

Writing a resume is stressful, difficult and frustrating. How do you encapsulate your work history effectively in a one- or two-page document? What do you choose to say about yourself and what do you omit? How do you draw attention to your strong points without coming off as arrogant?

This article will discuss the top five mistakes made when writing a resume. Always keep the expression “Keep it simple, stupid!” in mind when writing, editing and designing your resume. You want your resume to be clear, precise and easy-to-read so that you don’t drive your reader away before you even have the chance to meet for an interview.

Your resume must be an effective marketing tool that helps you get your foot in the door. You should project a professional, optimistic, capable persona to your potential employee, and this means choosing your words carefully and editing your resume with diligence to be sure no errors get by.

Below are the five most common errors resume writers make and some useful advice on how to avoid these shortfalls yourself.

Beginning at the end: The importance of editing

Good editing is perhaps the most important element to your resume. Nothing kills a resume faster than a badly placed spelling or typographical error. These types of errors tell employers that you’re careless, sloppy or unable to double-check your work. Look for spelling and grammatical errors, inconsistencies, missing information and dates, and formatting glitches. Make sure you provide an address, phone number and accompanying cover letter, and if you feel too close to edit your work give it to a friend who may offer a fresh perspective or catch new errors.

Target your resume: Avoid the generic

Design your resume to appeal to the prospective employee you’re pitching it to and avoid generic terms. You may possess general skills, but they have specific applications to the organization you are applying for your potential employer will want to know what specific skills you can bring to the job. Research the organization you’re interested in before writing your resume to custom fit it to the company and job you are applying for.

The facts, only the facts: Know your boundaries

Your resume isn’t a poem describing what kind of person you are or why your mother thinks you’re special: It’s a document describing your work history, educational background and skills. Avoid redundancies. I repeat: Avoid redundancies. Find new ways to explain skills and skill sets where overlap occurs, and remember that you want to give the impression of a progression, giving more importance to current skills than ones in the past. Give more weight to your present job than one you held years ago.

A resume is only skin deep: Beauty secrets of a well-rounded resume

A resume represents you to prospective employees. Do you go to job interviews in sweat pants and a T-shirt, with a three-day grown? Of course not. You tidy up, shave, and wear your best suit; so do the same with your resume. Use good, quality paper and non-smearing ink. Employ consistent formatting that is creative, but not flashy, and use bold, clear typeface. It goes without saying that you should never send a resume that has stains, bends or other defects.

Less is more:

Use precise, clear sentences in your resume and strong verbs to describe your skills. Avoid passive construction or flabby language that sounds overly bureaucratic. Always list you skills in present tense. Consider using bulleted formats in order to conserve space. Remember: Don’t you two words where one will suffice. You want your resume to be easy to read and user friendly, not overly complicated or convoluted.

A good resume is only the beginning, of course, and you should always follow-up your efforts by calling, e-mailing or visiting your potential employer in person. Even if you don’t get the job, write a note thanking the employer for his or her time and remember to keep track of your job efforts.

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What to take to a job interview

Getting a job interview provides an opportunity to convince an employer to hire you. Looking your best, you plan ahead for all the things you want to say and do, as well as those to avoid. But what should you take along with you?

1. Take a completed job application. This document may have been sent to you with an invitation for the interview. Or you may have filled one out weeks before, which led to the call for an interview. A third option is that you may be handed an application to fill out in the lobby as you wait for your interview appointment. Complete the form in dark ink, writing or printing neatly. Use full names and addresses, leaving nothing blank unless you have no information to add for categories like military service if you have not served in the armed forces.

2. Take a copy of your resume or vita. Even if you sent one beforehand, it is not unusual for an employer to have questions about your background or work history, and you will find it convenient to refer to the copy in your lap rather than guess from memory or ask to see the employer's copy. Sometimes an advance copy can get mislaid, so an extra can always come in handy.

3. Take your reference letters. As with the vita, you may have sent copies ahead of time, although most job seekers do not. Bring along copies to discuss during the interview if the opportunity should arise during an employer's questions, for example. You also can offer to leave copies of your references as the interview comes to an end. The interviewer is likely to appreciate your foresight and thoughtfulness. If you don't have actual letters yet, you can leave a list of three or four professional contacts who have agreed to provide contact references if needed.

4. Take along copies of licensing, certifications, or course completion that will indicate your suitability for the position. Most employers will not ask for proof of these things during an interview, but in case yours should mention them, you will have something ready to show him or her. Plus there may be information on these documents that you can quickly allude to, such as the date a certification was awarded, whether it is an accredited institution, etc.

5. Take with you a driver's license and other miscellaneous documents that might be needed. Occasionally an employer might ask to see a photo identification, such as a driver's license. Or if you are applying for a job where driving might be required, proof of a state driver's license and auto insurance may need to be provided. In addition, if your job will require overseas travel, bring your passport or immunization record, not that you will necessarily need these at the interview, but to show them when the opportunity arises as added proof that you're on the ball, and thus a good fit for the job.

6. Take along information about the company. This may have been sent to you with the application, or you might have downloaded pages from the Website. Either way, it will help to have notes or details available to show the employer that you are interested in the company and as support any questions you might have.

A slender file is all you will need, but it may be enough to demonstrate your professional competence and ensure a hiring decision in your favor.

www.essortment.com

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Top 10 best places to look for a new job

The best places to look for a new job are not in the classifieds of your local paper or even the major Internet job boards. Those jobs are so competitive that it is virtually impossible to get an interview, and they are not always the most lucrative offers in your sector. Instead, try these not so commonly thought of places to get started on your new career.

1. Network with everyone. - A friend of a friend of a friend can give you the inside track on a position not yet advertised, so keep those lines of communication open by telling all your friends and family about your job search. Most of them will share your information with their friends and family, and greatly expand the number of people in your network.

2. Check individual company websites. - Many companies are avoiding the cost of classified or job board ads and simply posting job openings on their own websites. Make a habit of regularly checking company websites that you would like to work for, and you may be first in line for a job interview.

3. Read your trade magazines. - There are trade magazines for almost every type of job. Many companies make it a practice to advertise open job positions to a qualified audience, rather than open the position to the public.

4. Attend professional conventions. - Conventions are prime spots to network and pursue possible job leads. Depending on the type of convention, you can ask attendees and business representatives if they know of an opening in their company. Be sure to get their name and number to follow-up on any tips. Also, pass out your business card with current contact information in case they hear of anything in the future.

5. Join a professional organization. - Even if you are not working in the profession, join the professional organization for your industry anyway. Many times such organizations have online forums where members post new job leads. They may also have a newsletter that includes classifieds by companies or organizations.

6. Stay connected to your college. - Colleges often provide help for students and alumni in their job searches. Many of them keep databases for current jobs. Some colleges also have career counseling to help you find a position.

7. Ask department managers for a job. - Human resource departments are usually the last ones in a company to know about future job openings. Get ahead of the pack by calling the department manager and asking if there are any open positions in the department. Even if the manager says no, you will at least have gotten their attention and may be called in the future for a job opening.

8. Let someone else look for you. - Recruiters make their living by matching people and companies together. Companies pay large fees to recruiters find employees for highly qualified fields or specialties. You can send in your resume and cover letter to these types of agencies and let them do the job search for you.

9. Sign-up with the unemployment office. - You do not have to be unemployed to get help from the government with your job search. Many states will allow you to fill out an application in consideration for unemployment. This will give you access to listings of jobs and possibly other job search resources. Some states are even putting the entire process online, so you can search from home for openings in your area.

10. Don’t forget your own company. - If you are looking for a higher paid position or new challenge, consider looking at your current company. You can easily find job leads through the human resources department, and often you will be first considered for a position since you already have a history with the company.

Remember, the popular job search venues are not necessarily where the best jobs are located.

www.essortment.com

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Resume example for entry level positions

Whether you're a recent grad or changing careers, you're in the entry level category if you have less than two years of experience - and the job is entry level if that's what it requires.

Different industries have different requirements and certainly different expectations, but your goal as an applicant is to get an interview by proving you can perform for the employer. The employer's goal is to hire someone who'll get the job done and who represents the least possible risk.

An employer will tell you they're looking for the best possible applicant, and they are, but there's no way to determine if someone will double the firm's profits or market share, or be the salesperson of the year. So what an applicant should prove is that he or she has the training, experience, and motivation to do the job and require as little additional effort as possible on the part of the employer. You need to give them some concrete objective data for them to go on.

Remember that in many cases the manager's own job is on the line if a new hire screws up. And that manager will have to have a response when he or she is asked "Why'd you hire this guy?" if the hire makes a major goof.

Nowadays companies only hire grudgingly, when they have to, and they're not overly interested in your personal development or happiness. Training programs are offered because that's the only way they can get people in the right quantity at the right price.

The challenge you have as an entry level applicant is to prove you can do the job while having little actual experience. That's what the job should require but it means you have to be creative.

Resumes

Most resumes will be submitted via email. They should be prepared in the Microsoft Word .doc format, in ASCII for those sites that require it, and you'll need a paper copy, if only to carry with you to the interview. Use 100% rag bond paper and print it up neatly, with no errors. Use a simple font and two or three type sizes, with no fancy stuff and no underlining, use bold instead. The font should be Times Roman or Ariel or some other that comes with all word processors, otherwise it won't be displayed correctly on someone else's computer. In my opinion resumes should be no more than one page.

At the top of the resume should be your name, address and contact information, including the email address. You can lay it out any way that looks good and there are a lot of examples in books and on the net - try to use one written in the last few years.

You don't need to title it "Resume" - they'll figure that out.

Below that you can put in an Objective. Most people use a bunch of flowery garbage about how they're looking to develop potentials at a progressive organization that will provide more responsibility, and so on. This is useless.

The Objective is only helpful to tell the reader you're looking for the exact job they have and why you're perfect for it - but it must be specific.

Objectives:

1. "Entry level accounting position leading to a career as a tax accountant for a medium size consumer service firm".

2. "Television production assistant position coordinating sales, production, and traffic department functions, leading to a production coordinator's position".

That second one only works if the job is specified as having a promotion track, otherwise it will look as if you won't be happy if you don't get the promotion next month. So unless you can do this, skip the Objective, or just put in the title of the job you're shooting for, like "Assistant School Secretary".

Next you might consider a Summary. Again people tend to fill this with meaningless fluff, like "good communications and analytical skill". No one cares. This part of the resume is useful to highlight the parts of your background that are relevant, and if possible, outstanding. In an entry level resume there may not be enough to go on so you'll wind up repeating yourself later, which is ineffective.

This section can make your resume more useful if you can put some standout achievements in it, like this:

"B.A. in computer science from Dartmouth (2003)

Awarded patent for database engine design in Oracle

Hardware game controller modification adopted by Nintendo when I was age 15"

You can also put in any relevant license or certifications here. Otherwise skip the Summary.

The most important part of the resume is next - Experience. It's where you put the jobs or things like internships, volunteer work and so on.

Anything you did can and should be phrased to demonstrate that you can accomplish things and you can think. Here's an example that won't get you any points:

"Squirrel Rehab Society, 3243 Tongman Street, Chicago, Illinois 6/2/2003 until 7/1/2004. As an unpaid volunteer I answered the phone and did some paperwork. In the last few months I processed a few squirrels."

People read resumes looking for proof you can do the job to which you're applying. A presentation like the one above doesn't tell them anything about your abilities. And they surely won't know what "processed a few squirrels" involves. Try it this way:

"Squirrel Rehab Society, Chicago, IL 6/03-7/04 Worked about 20 hours a week initially answering questions from the public and media about the organization's purpose and functions at this volunteer assignment. As a lifelong squirrel enthusiast, I developed a set of questions that evolved into a protocol for our scientists to more quickly respond to public questions. I arranged for dozens of changes to our web page to reduce confusion. I arranged for safety, fire, and biohazard inspections and documented the findings and the corrective steps taken. Upgraded our four networked Windows XP computers to Microsoft Word 2003. For the last three months I was promoted to train in squirrel processing, using a stereo microscope and microsurgery laser to restore to full functionality over a dozen squirrels successfully."

Same job, and we didn't make things up, but thought carefully about how to describe the job in terms that the reader can make use of. At the interview, you'll be asked about some of this, which will give you a chance to elaborate further. You can make the description as long as needed. Naturally the more jobs you have the less you need say about each one and the more you can focus on relevant tasks.

Note the following changes:

1. We eliminated the street address and the exact dates for brevity.

2. It's volunteer, and we said so, but didn't emphasize that.

3. Shows that progress was made from the initial tasks, indicating the employer liked the person.

4. The "enthusiast" part is there to show it wasn't just something to fill a school requirement but a passion.

5. Using words like "developed", "created", "organized" is important when coupled with objective tasks is important - it shows you can accomplish things. It also means that if the prospective employer does a reference check they can ask if the applicant did these things, and the answer is factual, yes or no. We are as specific as possible.

6. The paperwork things are explained as to their consequences to demonstrate what was accomplished. If you can say something like "sold 40 percent more than my predecessor in the same market conditions in my first month" so much the better.

7. We explained what "processing" meant and what equipment was used. Any relevant equipment, whether it's a spreadsheet or a forklift, should be described, after all if you learned it and used it, it shows you've accomplished something.

For an entry level position, hobbies and such may be put in as experience if phrased as above, as well as special projects related to school, if they're relevant to your job plans. Are nine years of dance lessons relevant to anything or will they seem silly? Think about it before you write it up.

Cover Letters

Cover letters are mostly read after the resume passes the first reading. The cover letter's purpose is to identify the job you're looking for and spell out something that makes you particularly well suited to the job.

The cover letter should start out being addressed, if possible to a specific person. Don't be afraid to call a company and just ask for the manager's name. It happens all the time and usually the person answering the phone will just give you the name rather than waste time asking questions about why you want it.

The letter should be in normal business letter form on the same stationery used for the resume, if it's submitted in paper form. For email, it's just a normal email with the resume generally set as the attachment, but follow whatever instructions the company has issued.

First line of the cover letter should identify the job. You can do this with a re: line or just say "I am applying for the assistant farm equipment sales position as advertised in the Tribune". If there's a number from the personnel department, put it down: "I am applying for the assistant farm equipment sales position, job number E45603". If you were referred to the addressee by some mutual friend, it should be in the opening sentence.

Do not waste time with obsolete phrases just because you think it sounds official, like "enclosed please find". They'll find it. Just use short sentences, conversational but not casual. You'll have to show how you and your background will benefit the company.

That's all you need, three paragraphs. You shouldn't restate or summarize the resume. Not only should you refer to a specific job, the cover letter's content should clearly be written be written for the specific job.

Always send a cover letter, whether it's requested or not. In some fields, it's expected that once you send the package you'll follow up with a phone call or email. You may want to close the letter by saying "I'll call you next week to discuss the next step". However in other industries, this step would mark you as a pest and a time waster. Know your field

Have fun, be creative, and good luck.

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Problem sentences for resume writers

Resumes represent who you are as a professional and job seeker. Writing an outstanding resume that properly states your objective and describes your skills and experience can be a challenge. The basic components in a typical resume are the objective, which describes the job you are seeking; skills and experience, which explains what kind of job skills you possess and the years and type of experience you have in the industry; and education and certifications, which includes the knowledge and education you have pertaining to the job for which you are applying. These descriptions may vary depending on the kind of job you are seeking. When creating a resume there are certain words you should and should not include. There are specific words that are more descriptive and easier to understand.

Here are examples of some common words that may weaken your resume and other words and phrases you should avoid all together are:

“Responsible for”—this is too general and makes it sound like a duty not a responsibility. Instead list your accomplishments and the skills you used to perform your job.

“Successfully”—this sounds too much like bragging. Give concrete examples of your accomplishments and they should speak for themselves. Don’t use works like effectively and successfully, it sounds too much like you are trying to exaggerate.

“Assist, Contribute and Support”—all of these words are too vague. They raise the question of how? Use these words sparingly and follow up with a detailed description of how you did the tasks.

Never use flowery words or clichés. Keep your wording simple and to the point leaving no room for guessing or interpretation. Instead of “utilize”, say, “use” and instead of “contribute”, say, “add.”

Avoid abbreviation and acronyms. These can cause confusion and look like a word scramble.

Do not use negative words like boring, fired, hate and sexist. Your resume should be positive and these kinds of words can raise a “red flag” and kill your chances of an interview.

Never misspell any word. Make sure you spell check everything. Misspelled words can kill your chances of ever getting an interview.

Knowing the words you should not use can help you correct problem sentences in your resume. Some examples of problem sentences in a resume that should be changed or revises are:

Responsible for data entry, answering incoming calls, greeting customers and assisting office personnel.

Revision: Performed data entry operations, answered incoming calls, greeted customers and helped office personnel with miscellaneous tasks.

Successfully operated cash register, assisted customers with purchases and balanced cash receipts at the end of the day.

Revision: Operated cash register, helped customers with purchases and balanced cash register.

Duties include Internet research, creating and updating information, writing research analysis and keeping database current.

Revision: Researched marketing information on the Internet, updated information as needed, wrote research analysis, and kept database current.

The problem sentences above contained some words that weakened the statement and left questions in the mind of the reader. By substituting other words we made the sentence ready clearly and improved the quality and understanding of the explanation. By using words that are concise and simple you can make your resume easier to read and understand. Using the proper text can make a big difference when it comes to getting the job you want.

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