Everyone knows job search isn’t easy. It can be daunting and discouraging. And today’s depressing economy can compound the challenges in an already tight job market. If you’re getting nowhere in your job search, it’s time to be proactive and take hold of your future.
In an effort to fire you up and fuel you with vital information, self-confidence in your value, and a clear direction, I offer the following article and Websites that can help.
A recent article I wrote for my Website lists specific actions you can take to jumpstart your search:
Knowledge is power
A gold standard and one of my favorite destinations for comprehensive information on conducting a safe, successful online job search is Job-Hunt.org. Pretty much everything you need to know about online search and everywhere you need to go online is here. Job-Hunt is one of Richard (“What Color Is Your Parachute”) Bolles’ favorite gateway sites and is continuously rated “Best of the Web” by Forbes, US News & World Report, and PC Magazine.
I recently joined Job-Hunt’s team of career professionals as its Personal Branding Pro. Check in on my home page over there for new articles each month on building and using your personal brand to help you land where you want to be . . . faster.
Dive into your job search from a position of power by taking advantage of Job-Hunt’s advice on the best ways to land your next great career opportunity:
♦ Finding and tapping into the hidden job market by directly targeting employers,
♦ Building a vibrant network for leads,
♦ Conveying the unique value you bring to your next employer through personal branding,
♦ Communicating your personal brand to position yourself above the competition,
♦ Nailing a job interview, and
♦ Negotiating the salary you deserve.
Along with hundreds of articles covering these topics and every aspect of job search for just about every kind of job seeker, Job-Hunt also offers:
♦ 7,000+ links to local resources by state, including job search support groups; local colleges and universities; “other” employers (hospitals, banks, computer companies); insurance companies, manufacturers, etc. including The Fortune 500 companies; and the most “popular” careers in nearly 400 major cities.
♦ 1,200+ links to carefully-selected employment Websites by specialty, including academia & education, medicine, biotech & pharmaceutical, computers & technology, engineering, finance & banking, government, recruiting resources, marketing & sales, human resources.
♦ 1,100+ links to networking resources, including company and military “alumni” groups, national and international associations by specialty (medicine, computers, education, finance, journalism, women, etc.), and “pick your employer” (lists, links, and strategies).
Two Websites new to me that look interesting:
Payscale.com – Enter specific details like exact job titles, city, industry, experience, qualifications, job responsibilities, number of people managed, etc, and get a salary range plus career profiles to find which most closely align with your situation.
Retiredbrains.com – As the Website claims, “Many employers are seeking older workers as they represent a wealth of experience with little or no training necessary. This site connects older workers with employers seeking to hire them.” The site serves “older boomers, seniors, retirees and those about to retire who are looking to find jobs, volunteer opportunities, educational resources and retirement information.”
