Have you invited God into your job search?

Almost three years ago today my husband was looking for a new job just like you. After many exhausting interviews he was offered a position with a major hotel chain as their Staffing Director. On paper, it was everything he wanted. The job description was perfect for this next phase of his career. The money and company benefits were very attractive, but for some reason, I did not have peace about him accepting this position.

My biggest concern was that his daily commute would go from 15 minutes each way to one hour each way. With his current office being so close to our home it allowed him to drive our daughter to school every day, which was considered precious daddy daughter time for both of them. The short commute also allowed for him and I to have lunch dates during the week. (If you are like me you hate to pay babysitters if you don’t have to.) These spontaneous lunch dates have been a blessing to us since before we got married, so to give these up, was a big deal for both of us.

Because I did not have peace about him accepting this job, I had to search deep within myself to determine if I was being selfish or if God was guiding my intuition and telling me it might not be best for our family. This might sound strange to you if you are not a believer, but God’s spirit wants to guide us through each and every step of our lives. We just have to be open to his voice and direction.

The best way I knew to search my soul was to go to my heavenly father and ask him point blank to reveal to me whether or not my heart was in the right place. Did I need to just take a step back and let my husband climb the corporate ladder or did I need to protect the closeness of my family? The night before he was to accept or decline their offer, I went into my bedroom, closed the door and wept on my knees asking God why I was feeling so uneasy about this. I begged him for 2 things – either to give me peace, if this was what he wanted for us, or for him to remove the offer from our path because we were not strong enough to decline it ourselves. The benefits were too enticing for all of us.

I woke up the next morning still feeling very uneasy about the offer. The peace to accept and support my husband still had not come. I was very weary and honestly, did not know what to do. I wanted to be a supportive wife, but it was not happening naturally.

When my husband arrived at work that morning he received a call from the recruiter. My husband asked if he could have until lunch to make his decision. She said that was fine and that she would wait for his call. A few minutes later, to my husband’s surprise, she called back stating they decided “he was just not excited enough about this opportunity so they were rescinding the offer”. WOW – talk about a shock for him… He reluctantly said he understood, and they ended the conversation. He called me immediately to share the news. To some extent, I was shocked, but I also knew with all my heart that God answered my prayer by removing this opportunity from our path.

God knows what decisions we need to make to live the best lives he created us to live. There are so many paths we can take, but when we invite God into our lives he will help us choose the best path. I am sure there have been many times that I did not heed his wisdom and made choices that took me down a rough path I could have possibly avoided.

Not long after that scenario, my husband was offered an even better job that fit our family’s needs and our schedules. God worked out all the details for us, and the peace that we had when we made the move was unexplainable. (By the way the spontaneous lunch dates are still going on!!)

I want to leave you today with part of the prayer that I prayed the night I was on my knees begging for his guidance.

Heavenly father, Thank you for loving us enough to want to guide our lives. Please open only doors in our job search that will enable us to live a life that you will be proud of and close doors that could lead us down a path of destruction. I am giving you full control of our future because I know that you created us and you do know what is best for us.
Amen.

Just in case you need some proof that God really hears you and wants to guide you…

Micah 7:7 My God will certainly hear me.

Jeremiah 33:3 Call to me, I WILL ANSWER you great and mighty things which you do not know.

Psalm 121:7-8 The Lord will keep you from all harm, He will watch over your life; The Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.

I read this beautiful quote by an unknown author, a few years ago, that sums up everything so perfectly “God leads and speaks to the humble who have surrendered their plans and want to do his will. With an “open heart” and a surrendered will, we will be able to clearly HEAR god’s voice in our hearts.”

How to Write an Exceptional Resume – Part 2

Hello everyone. Hopefully you spent some time critiquing your resume this week. I have been getting some great emails from you so I am even more excited about blogging with you now. I just wish I could jump through the screen and introduce myself to you! Let’s get back on track with designing your exceptional resume.

Step #2 Ensure that your resume is easy to read and pleasing to the eye

Over the last thirteen years I have probably seen over 20,000 resumes – maybe more. You ready for this – I have not read any of them. Ok don’t get upset… Let me explain. Employers receive hundreds of resumes daily for one job posting. Let me tell you a little secret… a seasoned recruiter can scan a resume in about 30 seconds or less and determine if the candidate is qualified for the position. This quick screening process, as unfair as it may seem, is necessary for recruiters to get through so many resumes daily. You have to quickly get their attention and literally reel them in as they read. One of the quickest ways to lose their attention is to have a resume that can not be scanned in that amount of time. After you read these rules look at your resume and determine if you have broken any of them.

o No creative fonts, pictures, lines, etc.
o Work history should be in chronological order
o Recommendation is not to exceed two pages
o Job information should be bulleted, with short and concise phrases – NO paragraphs.
o No grammatical errors

Step #3 Use appropriate industry action verbs

It is imperative that you show that you have either done the job or have the ability to do the job. By using strong action verbs and examples you can make yourself stand out even before an interview. (Examples of strong action verbs – prepared, negotiated, led, managed, facilitated, presented, and coordinated) If there is any question from the reader, as to whether or not you are qualified, you have not done a good job writing your resume. These action words along with your industry specific words will also ensure that your resume is sorted properly when it is scanned by an applicant tracking system. More often than not, an employer will use a resume database to do a “skills search” on industry action keywords related to the position. By leaving the words out you will be considered a “non-match”. This is how you wind up in the infamous “Black hole” never to be called for an interview.

What your resume says is very important but how you say it critical. In a labor market like today, when the employer will have mountains of resumes to review, it is necessary that you design your resume to be scanned not read. Hopefully by now you understand the difference. Have several people you trust read your resume and give you feedback in 30 seconds or less. Trust me I know what I am talking about. Come back next time and we’ll finish this blog on how to write an exceptional resume.

How to Leverage Social Media Websites

Are you on LinkedIn, Facebook, or Ecademy? Do you even know what they are? ? If you have no idea what I am talking about – I am glad you are taking the time to read this. These are all “Social” media websites that have become very popular over the last couple of years. The explosion in online social networks is a phenomenon that does not appear to be going away anytime soon! Facebook just added its 200 millionth member and LinkedIn has over 36 million members with a new user joining every SECOND. The stats for each are unbelievable and they are still growing by the minute. You have two choices – you can choose to bury your head in the sand when it comes to technology or you can jump on the band wagon and learn how to leverage these “Social” media websites to your job networking advantage.

How do they work?

They work by offering you the ability to create and manage a public profile that tells people who you are and what you do for a living. Once your profile is created – then you begin building your own “online” community. By emailing “invites” to your friends, family and colleagues (“trusted contacts”), you create a safe online chat & networking world. Each site is a little different, though. Some of the sites are geared toward social networking and some are more geared toward business, sales and career networking.

**One of the most important things you need to remember about using these sites**

Even if you are using one of these networking vehicles for purely social connection/fun reasons, you still need to be careful what you allow to be posted on your site. Recruiters often use these sites to search for candidates or to research a candidate in the interview process at their firm. And when you create a profile, you automatically are placed in that pool where they search. When you create or add to your profile – don’t ever post anything that would make a potential employer avoid contacting you or get a poor impression of you. If you wouldn’t want your grandmother seeing or reading your post – don’t put it out there for the world to see.

Some effective ways to network through “Social” websites:

• Have an online profile – tell others about yourself and what you do
• Join clubs – these are business networking groups based around specific expertise and topics
• Online networking – exchange messages with other members through the private messaging system
• Ask for introductions to desired potential employers through “friends of friends”
• Search for old classmates, friends and former colleagues and let them know of your job search
• Circulate your resume and ask that folks pass it on to anyone they know who might be looking for someone with your skills and background
• Constantly update your profile so people/recruiters can find out more about your skills experience and expertise
• If you have a lot of experience in a particular industry or job classification and you are a good writer, consider blogging about trends, issues, etc. in that industry or job classification on your profile. By positioning yourself as a “subject matter expert”, you will actually attract recruiters to your profile!

Below are a few of the most popular “Social” media websites along with some of the benefits of using them. Hopefully you can determine which one/ones are right for you.

www.LinkedIn.com

LinkedIn is an interconnected business network of experienced professionals from around the world, representing 170 industries and 200 countries. The concept is you can find, be introduced to, and collaborate with qualified professionals that you need to work with to accomplish your business goals.

When you join, you create a profile which summarizes your professional expertise and accomplishments. You can then form long-lasting connections by inviting trusted contacts to join LinkedIn and connect to you. Your network consists of your connections, your connections’ connections, and the people they know, etc. linking you to a vast number of qualified professionals and experts.

Through your network you can:

 Manage the information that’s publicly available about you as a professional
 Find and be introduced to employment leads, potential clients, service providers, and subject experts who come highly recommended
 Be found for business opportunities and find potential partners
 Gain new insights from discussions with likeminded professionals in private group settings
 Discover inside connections that can help you land jobs and close deals

www.Ecademy.com

Ecademy is a “business” social media networking site that was founded in 1998 as a place for business people to learn, network and develop their business and careers. Ecademy enables business people to connect through online networking, at business networking events and 1-2-1 meetings – a community that advocates, connects and helps one another.

Get business support on Ecademy with the following features:

 The ability to post and respond to blogs – ask questions, debate topics, share business advice and offer help
 The ability to join topic-specific networking groups and interact with other members who have the expertise you seek
 The availability of search tools that help you find members with the skills or knowledge you need

www.Facebook.com

Facebook is a “social” media website that was launched back in 2004. This social networking site allows you to connect with former friends, family, coworkers and others who share similar interests or who have common backgrounds. Many use it as a way to find old high school and college classmates. This site is definitely more of a “social” site that allows you to share your life and experiences publicly. As with many of these sites, there are extensive privacy settings, which I would highly recommend so that only people you know can view your information.

For more information and resources on these Social media sites and how they can heIp you, I highly recommend you go to www.JimBrowningNetworking.com. Jim Browning is a highly sought-after seminar leader, trainer, and consultant based in Atlanta, GA. Jim offers  webinars that will introduce you to some of these tools and explain how you can leverage them to advance your career or your company. He also has many books on his site that you can purchase like I’m on LinkedIn – Now what??? And I’m on Facebook Now What???. These books and many more have been written for people that don’t have a lot of technical expertise. (In other words they are written for “dummies”, so don’t be afraid!!) I personally love books like this and highly recommend them.

We have covered a lot of ground today and I hope you are not too overwhelmed. Whether you are looking for work or just wanting to reconnect with an old friend – you can benefit from networking on these sites. Every professional should have a LinkedIn profile regardless of your employment status. If you need additional help developing yours I recommend you go to www.YourProfileNow.com.

Come back next Monday and we will begin a new topic – Interviewing. You won’t want to miss it!

Network Your Way To The “Hidden Job Market”

Of all the employment tips I have given you over the last few weeks this next tip could be the most important one. Don’t put all your job-hunting eggs in the Internet Job board basket. I see this all too often, and it is one of the biggest mistakes a job seeker can make. Job-hunting on the internet should be only a small part of your job search. Job Seekers should be spending the bulk of their time networking.

As a recruiter myself, I can tell you that many job openings are never advertised or even publicly announced, but filled through word-of-mouth or referrals. These invisible jobs are known as the “hidden job market” and you can ONLY reach this gold mine of jobs by networking. Take it from one who knows – hiring professionals would much rather talk to someone who’s been referred by someone they already employ. It’s easier for them because they already have a trustworthy reference and it saves the company time and money.

For some reason the word networking intimidates many people and they “cringe” at just the thought of it. It is actually a very simple concept that simply means talking to people. There was an ABC reality TV show that came on in July of 2007 that gave a great example of the power of networking. Maybe you saw it – “Six Degrees of Martina McBride”. Do you believe the claim that everyone in the world is separated from everyone else by only six other people?

The idea behind the Martina McBride reality show was to cross divides of geography and celebrity by challenging the contestants to “connect” with country music superstar Martina McBride. Six people from some of the tiniest towns in America found out just how far 6 connections, talent and Martina McBride could take them toward their dream of country music stardom. They could not call her office. They couldn’t find out where her next performance was and hang out by the stage door waiting for her to emerge. They could not Google her. To complete this part of the competition, contestants had to go to someone they know and ask them to take them to someone they know and so on with the goal of eventually getting to someone who knows Martina McBride personally. (All of this had to be within six connections.) In the end, the prize was that one of these six wannabe stars or starlets would walk away with a record deal.

To everyone’s surprise all the contestants made it to Martina McBride. The idea was not that six is a magic number but that we are all more connected than we realize. Job Seekers have to make a deliberate effort to make connections happen. For more information on the show and the theory behind it go to www.abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/SixDegrees/story?id=3385867&page.

If you are someone who cringes at the thought of networking, I hope to reshape your views by the end of this blog topic. It does not have to be formal or uncomfortable. In fact, it is much more successful on an informal basis. You and I go places and meet people every day that give us networking opportunities that we simply don’t take advantage of.

Here are some examples of situations that are great for networking that; hopefully, you will be able to relate to:

• Talk to other parents when attending your child’s sporting events
• Visit with other members of your social clubs or religious groups
• Talk to your neighbors at the pool
• Strike up a conversation with someone while waiting at the doctor’s office
• Post messages in chat rooms on the internet
• Attend professional or trade association meetings and get to know the people at your table

My husband asks me all the time, “Is there anyone that you won’t talk to??”. I just laugh!! I really enjoy talking to people and finding out as much as I can about them – whether it is a waiter at a local restaurant or someone visiting my church for the first time. In making these connections, it helps me realize that the world is much smaller than I think.

Here’s your homework for the week – Be purposeful this week in identifying all the opportunities that come your way to network. Share those with us by posting a comment on our blog. Posting a comment is so simple and easy. All you do is hit the comment button at the bottom of the blog. You may identify the avenue that brings a good opportunity to both you & others! To see the latest blog comments just click Comments RSS. I can’t wait to hear from you. Come back next Monday and we will discuss the “Techniques for Tapping into the Hidden Job Market”. See you next time!

Get to Know the Interviewer Before the Interview

What if I told you that you could get to know your interviewer before the interview? Well, you can. Social media websites have made it easy for job seekers to research other professionals and organizations. By putting on your “detective hat” you can quickly uncover information that will allow you to better prepare for your interview.

The candidates that have impressed me most over the years are the ones that took the initiative to get to know all about me and my company before their interview. LinkedIn (www.LinkedIn.com) is the most common social media website used by professionals for this purpose. In case you are not familiar with this site, listed below are just a few of the benefits of being LinkedIn. This site allows you to:

1. Create and manage your own public professional profile
2. Find and be introduced to potential employers, recruiters, and hiring managers
3. Be found for business opportunities and find potential partners
4. Gain new insights from discussions with likeminded professionals in private group settings
5. Make connections within an organization that could help you land a job

This tool may sound intimidating if you are not internet savvy, but getting started is really easy! To create your own LinkedIn public profile, go to www.LinkedIn.com. Once you create your account, you can immediately begin searching for people all over the world. To search for a particular person, go to the top of your profile page and click on “people”. You will see an advanced search page pop up that will ask you for more information about that person. This feature helps you better narrow down your search because LinkedIn has over 46 million members in over 200 countries and territories around the world. (You would be surprised how many John Smith’s there are in the world!)

Once you have found the person you are looking for, some of the things you may want to take note of are:

1. Where they went to school
(This could be a great ice breaker if you or someone you know graduated from the same school.)

2. How long they have worked for the company you are targeting
(Remember – People love to talk about their careers.)

3. Where they worked previously
(You may know some of their former colleagues.)

4. LinkedIn groups they are members of
(This can tell you a lot about their hobbies, church affiliations, blogs of interest, people they are connected to and community involvement.)

5. What they are currently working on
(Their status update)

Imagine having all this great information at your fingertips. Talk about a gold mine for a job seeker! These topics make for great conversation and will also help you connect with the interviewer on a personal level. Making a personal connection is so important. At the end of the day, when they are making decisions, they need to remember you out of the assembly line of candidates they interviewed.

Below are some specific examples of how to use this information to your advantage in your interview.

 “I noticed on your LinkedIn profile that you went to the University of Central Florida. I am originally from Orlando and my husband graduated from UCF.” Go Knights! (If they are football fans or just fans of UCF this could be a great ice breaker.)

 “I noticed on LinkedIn that you do volunteer work at ABC Company in Smyrna. I also volunteer for ABC Company.”

 “I noticed your “status” on LinkedIn stated that you are currently looking for companies to benchmark for a salary/compensation study. My best friend is an HR Benefits Manager for ABC Company, and she is always looking for professionals to network with. If you are interested, I can introduce you to her via email.”

What if you can’t find the person you are looking for using LinkedIn?

If you have searched LinkedIn and can’t find who you are looking for, try doing a Google search. You would be surprised what comes up. If you haven’t already done so, Google your own name to see what comes up. Just so you know – Many employers are now using Facebook, MySpace and LinkedIn to screen potential candidates. (Good rule of thumb – Make sure that your grandmother would approve of everything you have posted on the internet!)

For those of you who would like more information on LinkedIn, go to www.learn.linkedin.com/. There you will find all you need to know about the benefits of creating your own public profile and how to fully utilize LinkedIn in your job search. I would like to invite you all to visit my profile at www.linkedin.com/pub/kim-carbia/2/689/256. If you would like to be part of my network, send me an invitation.

I know you have heard me say this dozens of times over the last year, but most candidates do not get the job because they were not prepared for the interview. Don’t shoot yourself in the foot! Get to know your interviewer before your interview. Doing this research will thoroughly impress the interviewer and make for a more dynamic interview.

Resources For Families In Financial Crisis

The other day, I heard something very disturbing as I was watching the news. The Vice President was being questioned by reporters on the lack of progress our country has made, even with the recent stimulus package. He stated “We and everyone else misread the economy,” and then he went on to say “there was a misreading of just how bad the economy was to begin with.” Biden suggested that the stimulus package hasn’t had time to work, and that it would take many more months to see evidence of his administration’s efforts. Basically, he was saying we all just need to be patient.

 His statements seemed to flow out of his mouth quite easily, but I am sure for those watching, it was a little hard to swallow. We are all feeling the financial pinch, much more than him. We want results and change now. I think we can all agree that the global unemployment crisis, that our country is currently experiencing, has been tougher to get out of and has lasted much longer than we ever imagined it would.

 Because so many Americans have been laid off and unemployed for so long, many are finding themselves in a financial reality they never dreamed they would be in. Too many people are losing their homes and having a hard time feeding their children, because they don’t know how to cope with their situations. Since relief appears to be in the distant months ahead, I wanted to give you some local resources that can help you if you are in financial crisis.  If you don’t live in Georgia, check into the resources that your community offers.  You would be surprised at what is available.

 The reason why I felt compelled to write this blog is because I have seen and heard about too many families ,this year, that have lost everything because of a job loss. I can’t help but wonder if these families were aware of some of the resources below, maybe they could have recovered from their situation.

 Below is a list of local resources that are ready to help you where you are at.

 Food Resources
How to apply for food stamps in Georgia:

The Atlanta Community Food Bank supports a wide range of people in need, from children to the working poor. Food pantries, community kitchens, childcare centers, night shelters and senior centers are among the agencies that receive product from the Food Bank and provide food and other critical resources for low-income Georgians who suffer from hunger and food insecurity.
www.acfb.org/

 Get help paying utility bills in Georgia:
Georgia House of Representatives resource list “>www.broc.state.ga.us/legis/2009_10/house/communications/constservices/faq.html#6″>

http://www.heatga.org/

COBRA/Health insurance options for unemployed
COBRA FAQs from the U.S. Department of Labor www.dol.gov/ebsa/faqs/faq_consumer_cobra.html

COBRA: Continuation of health coverage from the U.S. Department of Labor
www.dol.gov/dol/topic/health-plans/cobra.htm

 Resources for parents to aid in finding child care and family living assistance throughout GA:
Georgia Association of Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies (GACCRRA)
www.gaccrra.org/index.html

United Way: http://unitedwayatlanta.org/

Georgia Child Care and Parent Services: http://www.workworld.org/wwwebhelp/ga_child_care.htm
Health care coverage for children of low-income families

Georgia PeachCare for Kids: http://www.peachcare.org/Default.aspx

Georgia Housing Search:
Service from the Department of Community Affairs that helps users find affordable housing resources, including special needs housing: http://www.georgiahousingsearch.org/

MUST Ministries Homeless Shelter/ 6 week Program Cobb County: http://www.mustministries.org/

GA DHR Division of Family & Children Services: Subsidized Child Care Assistance:
Program to assist child care costs for low-income families: www.dfcs.dhr.georgia.gov/portal/site/DHR-

Georgia’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
http://dfcs.dhr.georgia.gov/portal/site/DHR-DFCS/menuitem.5d32235bb09bde9a50c8798dd03036a0/?vgnextoid=024a2b48d9a4ff00VgnVCM100000bf01010aRCRD

Travelers Aid of Metropolitan Atlanta: committed to providing H.O.P.E., Housing, Outreach, Prevention and Emergency Services, to individuals and families experiencing, or at risk of experiencing, homelessness: http://dogood.ajc.com/nonprofits/travelers-aid-of-metropolitan-atlanta-inc

Clothing Assistance:
The Dress for Success organization prepares you for every step of the job interview process. http://dogood.ajc.com/nonprofits/dress-for-success

National Credit Counseling Services:
National Foundation for Credit counseling
http://www.nfcc.org/

Apprisen Financial Advocates a/k/a Consumer Credit Counseling Service (CCCS)
http://www.apprisen.com/home/about.html

There are so many men and women in our communities that are too proud to ask for help. Don’t allow pride to be your stumbling block. Reach out to these groups if you need assistance. Your family is counting on you.

If you have a friend or neighbor who has lost a job, help them out, however you can. Drop off a gift card to a grocery store, a gas card, or even just cash they can use toward paying a utility bill. You can even do it anonymously if you feel the individual would have a difficult time accepting a gift like that. If several of us would pitch in and provide “tangible help” to those we already know personally who are going through a tough time, we could really make a difference. Too often we say vague things like “well, if there’s anything we can do, let us know”. Most folks are too proud to ever ask for help. So don’t even ask them if there’s anything they need – just go ahead and provide assistance where you can! It’s the “pay it forward” concept, if you give to those who are hurting, others will give to you when you go through a difficult time, too.

If you are anything like me, you are worried about life’s curveballs.  Here are a few scriptures that remind us of God’s provision and love for us.  Notice a theme?

So don’t be afraid.  You are worth much more than many sparrows.  Matt.9:2

I tell you not to worry about everyday life- whether you have enough.  Matt. 6:25

Don’t be troubled or afraid.  John 14:27

He instructs us not to worry.  He may not remove your storm, but he will help you get through it!  As believers, we can experience a calm that that the Holy Spirit gives us.  God uses tragedy in our lives for lots of different reasons.  Sometimes it is to be a witness to someone else.  Allow God to do his work through you. 

Turn your attention to helping someone else.  We can always find someone worse off than us.  Choose to be a difference maker in your community, and help someone during this difficult time! We will all benefit, and economic recovery will occur so much faster.

Certificates Equal Jobs, Too.

Have you ever been told that a college degree is the only path to a professional career? Well, I am here to tell you that is no longer the case. Now, there are many specialized careers, in a lot of industries that offer great pay and job security. And the best part is you can get into these specialty jobs easier and faster than you may think.

I picked up a local University magazine called “The Course” recently and found a lot of interesting programs that I wanted to share with you. If you are looking to recreate yourself, make yourself more attractive/marketable for part-time/flexible work options, or advance your current career – I have some great news! You can earn a certificate in any of these great programs in around 6 – 18 months.

Paralegal Studies, Medical Office Assistant, Web Design, Hospitality Leadership & Management, Project Management, Personal Trainer, Pharmacy Technician, Human Resources, Phlebotomy, Technical Writing

These certificate programs have been designed to help you hone the skills that will be relevant to your career of choice. No more taking classes that are of no interest to you! According to the magazine, “courses required in a certificate program are directly targeted at the skills needed in a particular profession, unlike college coursework, in which the students are required to take approximately two years of general coursework like English, Math, Science, and History for any degree”. Universities are finally recognizing that not all students are “cut out” for the four year (or possibly longer) plan, so they are offering these certificate training programs as a great alternative.

If you are like me, you may think you don’t have time in your schedule to even consider something like this. Fortunately, they have made it easy for us! They offer online courses, which are awesome for anyone with small children, and they also offer flexible courses on campus in the evening.

Below are just a few examples of courses I found that could help you develop a new career in a short amount of time.

Administrative Assistant

If you are a stay- at- home mom looking to return to work as an AA, either full-time or part-time, you may want to consider taking the class that offers the Administrative Assistant certificate online. Employers know how much technology has changed over the last few years, so they will probably be hesitant to hire someone without that knowledge. In this class you will master the essentials of managerial and staff support, information and records management, communications technology, travel and meeting coordination, space planning, and office ergonomics. A class like this could quickly bring you up to speed on things like coordinating Webinars and GoToMeetings, using the latest MS Office products, and making online travel arrangements for executives. These are pretty basic skills that most companies will require of an Administrative Assistant. Full-time administrative Assistants can earn anywhere from $25K -$38K per year, depending on their responsibilities/job duties.

Personal Trainer

If you are looking for a career change and love working out, I have a great suggestion for you. KSU offers a Personal Trainer certificate that you can earn in just sixteen weeks. In this class you will learn the components to achieving optimum fitness, how to create exercise programs, the legal guidelines surrounding being a trainer, and all the basic components of developing a personal training business. Personal Trainers can earn anywhere from $21K – $75K per year, depending on how much they choose to work. And this field of work offers tremendous flexibility for folks looking to move away from an 8-5 work schedule.

Bookkeeper

If you were formerly an accounting professional in “corporate America” and you would like to now do bookkeeping work from home for small businesses, KSU offers several certificates in this area. In these online courses you will learn basic and advanced bookkeeping fundamentals and be introduced to double-entry bookkeeping. You will also gain experience with the popular business software, QuickBooks, which is used by many small business clients. (FYI… Most clients that come to I/O are looking for bookkeepers with QuickBooks experience.) Once you have earned your certificate, start volunteering your time doing the books for your church, school PTA, or other charity organizations. Even though you have large corporation accounting experience and now hold a bookkeeping certificate, potential employers still usually want to see some “hands-on” experience on your resume. Of course, there are many full-time bookkeeping opportunities in medium-sized businesses as well. So if you’re good with numbers and enjoy detailed, precise work, this would be a great field for you to investigate.

There were so many exciting options in this catalogue. I wish I could write about all of them. It made me want to take a class myself. If you are interested in recreating yourself or honing in on specific skills that could help you compete in this tough marketplace, then maybe a course at your local college is right for you.

Don’t let another day go by without at least looking into it – You never know what you could be missing! My hope is that you will find a career that will bless you financially and that the rewards from it will last long after the recession ends.

For more information on our affordable resume and interview coaching services please email me at Kim@theCrossLinkNetwork.com.

Great Websites for Job Seekers

Now that you have written an awesome resume, let’s talk about getting it in the hands of as many hiring professionals as we possibly can. There are so many ways to get your resume in front of employers now days. Job boards make it fast and easy for job seekers from all industries, occupations, and levels, to apply to positions anywhere around the country. Knowing which job board is right for you is very important. You don’t want to waste time on a site that is not specific to your needs.

You definitely want to choose sites that are user friendly, which means they are easy to figure out!! You should also use multiple sites. In my opinion, if it is taking you too long to maneuver through a site, move on to another one! The best boards allow you to search easily by keywords, industry focus, and location.

There are thousands of job boards out there to pick from, so I thought it would be helpful to share some specific ones with you to help you get started. As a recruiter, I have worked with several of the ones listed below. I also personally know individuals who have had success with some of the others. When you Google “job boards”, you will see that there are a TON of these things. And you will quickly notice they all have their own specialty niche area(s).

The most useful job boards offer more than just jobs. Some on my list below offer job seekers the ability to easily register for a “job-search agent” that will email you jobs daily that match your search focus.  Our website, www.theCrossLinknetwork.com, offers a directory of Career Ministries all over the country. These ministries offer FREE workshops and classes that will help you prepare for your whole job search experience. Attending these job seekers meetings allows you to network with job seekers as well as employers. (These are a GREAT FREE RESOURCE!!)

Let’s take a quick look at just a few of the options.

Atlanta- specific Job Boards
www.theatlantajobbank.com
The Atlanta Job Bank is one of Atlanta’s largest sources of employment information on the Net. They are the most current career resource for active job listings and quality resumes in every field of interest.

www.ajcjobs.com
The Atlanta Journal Constitution job board owned by the Atlanta Journal Constitution newspaper

Part-time Employment
www.innovative-outsourcing.com
Innovative Outsourcing is one of the few staffing companies in Atlanta that focuses on jobs requiring less than a 40 hour work week. This company was started in 1994 with a goal of helping mothers in particular have alternatives to the traditional 40+hour work week. Typically, about 15% of their positions can be done at least partially from home.

Job Boards that Focus on Work- From -Home Opportunities
www.worldwideworkathome.com
Worldwide Work At Home offers information and resources relating to work at home jobs, telecommuting, freelance work, home business ideas, and more.

www.moneyfromhome.com
MoneyFromHome.com is operated by Abili-Staff, Ltd., a Texas Limited Partnership with roots dating back to June, 1996. They are located in San Antonio, Texas but are a 100% work at home company.

www.Jobsformom.com
Jobsformom.com began in 1996 with a Mission is to help moms from all walks of life find profitable, fun and reliable home-based jobs. Their company has been checked out and recommended positively in the media… Lifetime Television, FORTUNE Magazine and the Wall Street Journal are just some of the many organizations that have recommended them to millions of people as a scam-free work at home job source!

General Job boards
www.Jobfox.com
Launched in 2005, Jobfox is now the fastest growing job site on the Internet. Jobfox.com is the inspiration of Rob McGovern, one of the nation’s foremost career experts. He was the Founder and former Chairman and CEO of CareerBuilder.com. Their ad says, “We provide what no other job site can – personal introductions between highly matched job seeking professionals and employers. We reach out to both parties by e-mail and even call to encourage the connection – no more missed opportunities”.

www.Monster.com
Ranked among the top 20 most visited sites, Monster inspires people to improve their lives. They are the leading global online career job board that has changed the way people look for jobs; the way employers look for people; and the way companies connect with their target audience. Over 75 million of Monster’s visitors have established personalized accounts that take advantage of their wide breadth of services, including their global resume database or proprietary job search agent technology, that enable them to better manage their careers.

www.Careerbuilder.com
Careerbuilder offers a vast online and print network to help job seekers connect with employers. Careerbuilder.com powers the career sites for more than 9,000 Web sites, including 140 newspapers and broadband portals such as MSN and AOL.

Information Technology Job Boards
www.dice.com
Dice.com, DICE Holdings company, is the leading career website for technology and engineering professionals, and the companies that seek to employ them, in the United States.

www.ifreelance.com
iFreelance.com allows you to post your profile or career portfolio and get access to 1000’s of buyers in need of your professional services. Advertise to buyers, bid on projects, and earn money doing what you love to do.

6 Figure and Above Job Boards (FYI – These Executive sites are not always free)
www.theladders.com
TheLadders.com brings you real, open, $100K+ jobs across every industry and sector. Their site lists more than 26,000 new jobs each month, which makes them the most comprehensive listing of the best $100K+ jobs out there. Their recruiter database also allows you to connect with thousands of top recruiters to help you find that next job faster.

www.6FigureJobs.com
www.6FigureJobs is the premier executive career management site where high profile executives and senior-level professionals go to post their resumes with full confidentiality and search through thousands of $100K+ executive and management level opportunities. 6FigureJobs provides exclusive job postings from renowned corporate recruiters and executive search firms who select from our pre-qualified talent database of over 600,000 highly skilled executives and experienced professionals.

Faith-Based Job Board
www.theCrossLinkNetwork.com
theCrossLinkNetwork.com is a faith based career management resource website that provides resources and information to job seekers and serves as a channel to link Christians all around the country through an established network of Christian career ministries, LinkedIn groups, and faith-based organizations.  Our website is user friendly, provides many job seeker resources above the average job board, and is a recognized national job board that pulls jobs from most of the job boards listed above.  Give us a try!

Many of the job boards mentioned above charge a fee for posting jobs on them. Some of the fees are fairly significant. For that reason, you will tend to find that primarily large companies are the ones who can afford to use these sites. If you desire to work for a smaller business or even a sole practitioner, you may find that job boards which offer free (or very low cost) postings will be more likely to have opportunities more in line with what you are looking for. Check out:

www.Craigslist.com
Job boards affiliated with the college from which you graduated
Job boards affiliated with associations in which you are a member

As I stated, there are thousands of job boards to choose from. Whether you are seeking a career as an executive in a Fortune 500 company or you just want a data entry position that allows you to work from home, there is a perfect job board for you. Do some research on your own and pick at least two or three to get you started. BUT don’t put all your eggs in one basket!! Job boards should not be your only venue to get your resume in front of employers. Next time we’ll talk about the benefits of working with a headhunter.

As you probably know by now, we are offering resume coaching for only $50.00 (a one time fee). I would encourage you to schedule a FREE phone appointment with us so we can assess your situation to see if you could benefit from our services. All too often, a job seeker can not see the pitfalls on his/her own resume. The ability to sell yourself on paper will make the difference between getting the interview or not.

Checklist to Ensure an Exceptional Resume

Hello everyone. This is the last blog in our series on “How to write an Exceptional Resume”. I hope it has been helpful as well as educational.

Today I want to talk about how you know when your resume is the best that it can possibly be. I have developed a check list for you to use to ensure you have considered everything we have talked about over the last few blogs.

You know your resume is the best it can be when:

1. You have tailored your objective to the position you are applying for.

2. You have used relevant, action and industry keywords to describe your experiences.

3. You have quantified your competencies and qualifications with concrete examples.

4. You have listed your most relevant career achievements that reflect your ability to do the job.

5. You’ve had several people proofread your resume for grammar issues, typos and eye appeal.

These may seem like basic tips to you, but I am shocked daily at how careless people are with their resumes. I have personally passed on many candidates just because of typos and misspelled words, even when their experience looked good.

I know how stressful it can be when you are attempting to write a resume. You have a lot riding on it and your career depends on it. Hopefully with the tools and tips I have given you – you are well on your way.

If you are still having a difficult time and need some resume coaching please reach out. If you have sent your resume out many times and you are not getting calls – something is wrong. It is not working for you. As you probably know by now, I am offering resume coaching for only $50.00 (a one time fee). I would encourage you to schedule a FREE appointment with me so we can assess your situation to see if you could benefit from my services. All too often, a job seeker can not see the pitfalls on his/her own resume. The ability to sell yourself on paper will make the difference between getting the interview or not.

How to Write an Exceptional Resume – Part 3

Thanks for coming back! I hope your resume is really coming along nicely now. I have two more steps for you today that should help you put together a dynamite resume. We will close out this series of blogs by the end of this week with my final thoughts and recommendations.

Step #4 Market your achievements

Highlight your strengths and accomplishments throughout your resume by using #s, %s, and $s. Numbers sold, percentage increases (sales, revenues, gross margin, etc.) or decreases (expenses, waste, etc.), and total dollars saved are all great eye catching phrases for a resume. Here is an example of what I mean. Which one looks more impressive to you?

“Sold advertising to 20 accounts last year” or “Closed 20 strategic accounts billing in excess of $30M annually”?

The second phrase is much more eye catching. I once heard someone say that “being specific does not require being lengthy”. As a recruiter, I just love that. It is so true. Keep that in the back of your mind while writing your resume. Because there is such a short window of time for you to peak the reader’s interest, bulleting these great accomplishments is the best way to hook the reader.

If you’re struggling to remember some of your specific accomplishments, go back and look through some of your previous performance reviews. These should contain tangible accomplishments that can help you better “sell” your achievements.

Step #5 Matching your skills to the employer’s needs

The importance of matching your skills to the employer’s needs is critical. Use the company’s job advertisement to help you re-word your work experience. It’s as simple as saying it the same way they said it.

I’ll give you an example of when this worked for my husband. When he applied for a Staffing Manager position a few years ago we used the company’s job advertisement to re-write his resume. We did not lie or mislead in any way. We simply pulled out the experiences and skills he had that this particular company was looking for and emphasized those in the rewrite of his resume. When he received the invitation for the interview, the recruiter specifically said she could not believe how closely he matched what they were looking for. When he went for the interview he noticed his resume had yellow highlights all over it. She had highlighted all the similarities between what he had done and what they were looking for. They laughed and laughed about how it was such a “coincidence”, but we knew it was anything but a coincidence!! We purposely set out to do exactly that, and guess what?? He got the job!!

If you need assistance in re-wording your work history you can find sample resumes on our website at www.theCrossLinkNetwork.com. Next time we are going to finish this series on resume writing. I will create a simple checklist for you to use so you can be confident that you have an exceptional resume. Stick with me and I promise it will be worth it!

Remember we now offer resume coaching at a very affordable rate of only $50.00.  If you are interested, feel free to email Kim@theCrossLinkNetwork.com for more information.

I hope your are finding this information helpful!  Blessings to all of you in your job search.