4 Things You’re Not Doing to Find a Job

Posted on May 24, 2011 by meghan_ntroduction

These days looking for work can require a certain amount of creativity. Not only are the jobs harder to find but also the market is saturated with other people competing for what jobs there are. On top of the fact that with today’s ever evolving use of social networking and technology new jobs are being created every day as well as new ways to find people to do them.

This is why you should always have a job search plan that goes beyond the old job board and newspaper ads. If your reading this blog, it should be safe to assume that you’ve already taken the initial steps in setting up an online presence. You’re on Facebook; maybe Twitter and you have a profile on LinkedIn. If not, you should head over there and do those things now.

I think it’s also safe to assume since you’re here hanging out on Ntroduction.com you’re familiar with the networking services we provide here. And again, if you’re not go check it and come back. Its ok, I’ll wait.

Since you have the basics down here a list of how you can use social networking to put you ahead of the game when it comes to competing for the job.

Facebook- if you suddenly find yourself in need of work one of the first things you should do is put the word out to families and friends on Facebook. You never know who know someone who’s retiring or an opening that will be coming up soon. People won’t no to give you a heads up if they don’t know you’re looking. But take it to the next level, become a fan of companies who are in your field and that you’d like to work with. Be active on their page. Also think about paying for an ad. A few folks have had success with purchasing ads for themselves and targeting the ads for people and companies in the area their looking for work.
Focus on LinkedIn- One of the cool things about you using the job search function on LinkedIn is that you can sort it by “relationship.” So that jobs you already have a connection with show up on top. This is one of the most important reasons to keep your LinkedIn network growing. Join groups that fit your interests and your field. Also, every time you meet someone new in real life or online find him or her on LinkedIn.
Brand yourself – Get a blog and create a YouTube account. A blog is a great way to enhance your online network and allow people to get the chance to know you better. You can set something up on WordPress.com for free with little effort. There you can also create a page for your resume and to list references. On your YouTube account (which you should link to your blog, Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter accounts). Leave regular videos explaining what you have to offer or even examples of what you do and why you’re the best. Make a video resume. Stand out.
Look somewhere else – If you’re not having any luck finding work in your chosen field, think about choosing another field. Sometimes when you find yourself looking for work and closing one chapter of your life, it’s fate’s way of telling to start a whole new book.

As always, good luck!

10 Tools to Help You Find a Job

Posted on September 7, 2010 by meghan_ntroduction

The summer is great time to start looking for work. As summer schedules end and college kids go back to school many businesses start looking for full-time employees to fill the coming fall and holiday busy seasons.

So dust off the resume and get your networking shoes on!

There are many tools available for today’s job seeker and here is a list breaking down the top ten tools out there for you to make the most of while on your job search.

Job Search Websites
Though you can run into spam on many of these sites, it’s always helpful to search them regularly and post your resume. Many times temporary agencies and headhunters will use the services to reach out to you as well. But since you never know where the next great job opportunity is going to come from, this should be considered a plus.
Job Fairs
Though they may seem old fashioned to some job seekers in the new world, no one can ever take away the importance of old fashioned networking face to face.
Craigslist
Craigslist may have taken a few hits over the years, the fact remain that is it still one of the bets places to look for work in your area.
Resume
There is no tool as important as an updated resume. Always have one handy and available online for potential employers to see.
Your Address Book
Sometimes tapping into your own network of old friends, family and colleagues can be the most profitable tool you have already in pocket.
Facebook/LinkedIn/Twitter
This takes the address book a step further. If you’ve been online for a while you’ve probably built up a decent sized network. Post that you you’re looking for work and see what happens.
Salary Research
There are a number of websites out there can help you determine what the going salary is for your particular field. Arm yourself with the knowledge of comparable salary before you begin salary negations.
Job Trends
Thank to the Internet it’s easy to research and see what the job trends are in your field or any field you’re considering moving into. Get a head start by knowing what’s going on out there in your field.
Your Blog and Résumé Online
You can make life much easier by starting a blog (on any one of the free platforms out there) that talks about your skills, experience and has a page with your résumé. You can print the web address on your business card and send the link via email when replying to job ads. It’s having your résumé at your fingertips.

The Late in Life Student

Posted on July 27, 2010 by meghan_ntroduction

Photo By spakattacks

With 14.6 millions Americans out of work and countless either unsatisfied with their jobs or waiting to lose their no jobs it should not come as any surprise that community college enrollment is up, especially among people 40 years and older. Despite the challenges going back to school cab be as an adult many folks seem to be taking advantage of being out of work and working on their degree.

According to a Business Week article,

- Enrollment at community colleges jumped 16.9 percent from the fall of 2007 through 2009

- 16 percent of community college students are age 40 or older.

You may be considering going back to school but are hesitant because of the toll on your wallet and your time. At Ntroduction we have given you tips on going back to school but here are a few more tips from Business Week and Ntroduction to help you over come the challenges of being an older student.

- Keep Working – If you are already working keep your job. Paying for school is no easy task and even community college costs an annual average of 2,500 dollars. Though working while going back to school may take longer, for most adult returning to school it’s the only way to sustain life while making the change.

- Aide, Grants and Scholarships, Oh My! – Despite the glum economy most State and Federal aide programs are still going strong. In fact the maximum annual Pell Grant rose from $4,731 to $5,350 last year. And if you are an adult returning to school you may qualify for even more aide if someone else in your house is also going to school. Meaning if your spouse is thinking about it, do it together and you could both reap a few more benefits. Go to the library, research on the Internet and most importantly visit your local Community College’s financial aide office. The help is there; you just have to find it.

- Student Loans – If a chunk of the money you use for school is based on loans try to give yourself a game plan for paying it back. Whatever field you’re going into be sure to research the average salary and the job opportunities in that field. This way you can establish a rough idea of what to expect once you are out there.

- Unemployed? Keep Looking – If you’re going back to school while unemployed do not stop looking for work! It can be easy to fall into the trap of using school as an excuse not to look for work, but in the current job climate, that is not a good idea. Keep looking while going to school and even start looking for jobs in your field of study. Sometimes you can find a decent paying internship that will give you a paycheck and college credits.

The Great American Worker Shortage?

Posted on April 12, 2010 by meghan_ntroduction

A new study released last week by the MetLife Foundation and the San Francisco based Civic Ventures announced some interesting and somewhat surprising predictions for the United States job market in the next ten years. According to their results, by the year 2018 the American labor force will suffer a worker shortage. As many of us struggle to fund work in this unstable job market, it’s hard to imagine in just ten short years we could be facing a shortage in workers not jobs.

According to the results, as Baby Boomers near retirement age there are too few replacement workers to take their place. This will leave an unexpected shortage in the labor market. Government analysts say that 14.6 million new nonfarm payroll jobs will have been created between 2008 and 2018. If Self-employed, families working in the family business and farming jobs are included that total could reach 15.3 million jobs.

But in that same period only 9.1 million new workers are expected. It’s estimated that only about 9.6 million of the 15.3 million new jobs will be filled. This leaves about 6 million jobs looking for new workers.

It’s odd to think that ten years from now companies could be competing for workers versus workers competing for jobs. An oddity that could lead to an increase in wages in many markets as well as incentives to keep employees form retiring or leaving early.

An article in Forbes disputed the results though claiming that what was not taken into account was the ongoing automation of many jobs as well as the ongoing trend of off shoring many jobs.

Federal Analysts list the following industries as the lace where the greatest increase in jobs will be seen between 2008 and 2018.

Registered nurses, 582,000 more jobs
Home health aides, 461,000
Customer services representatives, 400,000
Food preparation and serving workers (including fast food), 394,000
Personal and home care aides, 376,000
Retail salespeople, 375,000
Office clerks, 359,000
Accountants and auditors, 279,000
Nursing aides, orderlies and attendants, 276,000
Postsecondary teachers, 257,000

Tips on Staying Employed

Posted on April 7, 2010 by meghan_ntroduction

422670456_68dd9265e3 Here on the blog we are always looking for at the future. How and where you can find your next job or a new career. But what if you’ve already got one? Sometimes keeping the job you already have is a challenge in it’s own. Today we’re going to take a look at a few ways you can work to keep the job you have.

With a pretty large number of people looking for work in this day and age it’s important that if you’re happy with the job you’ve got you may want to make an extra effort to ensure you keep it

Keep Your Skills Updated – Take a class at your local college or adult community education center. Something that will help keep your skills sharp and show you even better ways to do your job. And remember there’s a good chance your employer will foot the bill. If there is certifications you can achieve related to your field, go for it!
Play nice – When you get along with your co-workers and maintain a pleasant air around the office you can keep your office a pretty happy place. Avoid the gossip and office drama you’ll also stay on everybody’s good side.
Do Your Job – And do it well. Show up to work on time, do your job and don’t complain. A simple task that should remain at the top of your to-do list.
Stay Involved – Follow along the success of the company and whatever else is going on related to the company. Attend meetings as often as you can. Show your bosses your interested in the welfare of the company, not just your job.
Take Care of Yourself – Eat right, get enough sleep and exercise. Work out and be sure you make sure you take some time for yourself on the weekends. If you stay healthy and happy, that attitude will carry over into the workplace as well.

Happy Working!