The Importance of Thank-You Notes

Write Thank-You Notes

Image Source: Google Images

Most job-hunters ignore the advice to write thank-you notes after they interview with a company. This advice to write thank-you notes will help to set you apart when it comes down to an employer choosing someone to hire.

Writing a thank-you note will help you to stand out from the other applicants for the position. You should write a thank-you note to everyone you met when you interviewed. 

When you are in the interview, you can ask for their business card so that you have their contact information.

Here's six reasons that should convince you that writing a thank-you note is key: 

1. It shows that you have good people skills and manners.

2. It will help them remember you specifically.

3. If more than the person who initially interviewed you has to decide on whether or not to hire you, that person can show them the thank-you note.

4. If the interview went well, you can say that you look forward to speaking again.

5. If you forgot to tell them anything important in the interview, you can tell them in the thank-you note.

6. If the interview didn't go as well as you wanted or you decided you don't want to work there, the thank-you note can be a goodbye opportunity. You can thank them for taking the time to interview you.

How to Write Your Resume

Writing Your Resume

Image Source: Google Images

Before you begin, think of all the skills and experience you have. Start jotting down ideas on paper. Then create sections for your resume to talk about your experiences and skills.

Volunteer Work

This section is where you put any unpaid volunteer work you have done for the community, an organization, or a church you belong to.

Education

Your highest level of education completed should be listed first. You can include GPA if you want, degree, major, and any achievements.

Experience

List your previous jobs from most recent or present to past jobs. List skills used in each job and tasks accomplished.

Skills

A separate section for skills may be necessary to include any skills you think are relevant to the job you are applying for.

Published or Presented Work

In this section, you can talk about any projects you have completed or anything you have worked on that you believe will make you stand out.


Have someone look over your resume for any grammar errors or format errors before you send it to potential employers. Most employers will not look at a resume with any errors.

Bolles, Richard N. "Chapter 2 Google Is Your New Resume." What Color Is Your Parachute? A Practical Manual for Job-Hunters and Career-Changers. 2016 ed. Ten Speed, 2015. 21-43. Print. 

How the Job Market Has Changed Since 2008

What Has Changed in the Job Market Since the 2008 Recession?

Image Source: Google Images

1. Employers Changed, Job-Hunters Didn't

Job-hunters always rely on their resumes, agencies, and ads. On the other hand, employers don't always stay the same. If the times are good, employers will have a harder time filling all the vacancies in their company so they will look at resumes and seek out the job-hunters. When their is a recession, there will no longer be vacancies posted, and job-hunters will have to work harder to find a job.

2. Many Employers are Holding Out for a Mythical Dream Employee

Employers know that there are many people searching for jobs since 2008 so they are able to be selective and find the best employee for the position.

3. The Length of the Average Job-Hunt Has Increased Dramatically

Many more people are having a harder time finding a job. Sometimes it takes over a year to find a position.

4. The Length of Time the Average Job Lasts Has Decreased Dramatically

More people are finding part-time jobs over full-time jobs since 2008. This is because employers are trying to cut costs and hire only when they need to.

5. Finding a Job That Pays a Middle-Class Salary is Getting More and More Difficult

Less people are earning a middle-class income today. Education is increasingly important to secure a job that pays a middle-class salary.

6. Job-Hunting is Increasingly Becoming a Repetitive Activity in the Lives of Many of Us

Everyone should know how to search for a job because jobs don't last as long as they used to.

7. Job-Hunting has Moved More and More Online Since 2008

You can now search for jobs online on job boards, LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter.

8. Increasingly Job-Hunters and Employers Speak Two Different Languages

You have to learn about the employer's customs before you interview. Skills means experience not just what you are good at. 

Bolles, Richard N. "Chapter 1 It's a Whole New World for Job-Hunters." What Color Is Your Parachute?: A Practical Manual for Job-Hunters and Career-Changers. 2016 ed. Ten Speed, 2015. 1-13. Print. 

How to Start a New Business on Your Own

Deciding What Type of Business to Start

When deciding what career would be the best fit for you, there are four different brainstorming steps you can follow.

1. Write

Image Source: Google Images

Find out who you are. Start brainstorming ideas about possible business opportunities and jot them down. Write out or update your resume to see if you get any ideas based on your experience or your skills. Do some research about types of jobs online. O*NET (www.onetonline.org) is a great website with information you can discover about careers.

2. Read

Image Source: Google Images

Come up with a few ideas for your new start up business. Then research anything and everything about starting your own business. The internet has many sources that are helpful. 

3. Explore

Image Source: Google Images

A lot of new businesses don't survive in the long run. To make sure your new business takes off, you should interview people who have started their own companies and are successful. Find out the skills and knowledge you will need, and see if those skills match the ones you have. Find out what you need to work on and improve those skills or you can find someone who has the skills needed and hire them to work for you.

4. Get Feedback

Image Source: Google Images

Ask close friends and family what they think of your ideas. Ask someone who knows you well and who will be honest with you.

Then determine if you should move forward with your goal of starting a new business. There's a lot of work in launching your own company, but the payoff and rewards are numerous. All that success will be yours if your company takes off.

Bolles, Richard N. "Chapter 11 How to Start Your Own Business." What Color Is Your Parachute? A Practical Manual for Job-Hunters and Career-Changers. 2016 ed. Ten Speed, 2015. 249-262. Print. 

Five Ways to Choose Your Career

Five Ways to Choose the Best Possible Career for You

1.) The Internet

The internet is a great way to search for a new career. O*Net Online is a great source to utilize. Go to www.onetonline.org/find or www.onetonline.org/search to begin to find information about careers.

2.) Tests

Image Source: Google Images

Take tests or assessments to determine what type of career you are best suited for. Find out what skills you have to offer and what jobs best use those skills.

3.) Using the Flower Exercise

The Flower Exercise can be found in the book, "What Color is Your Parachute?" This exercise allows you to explore who you are and find a dream career.

4.) Changing a Career in Two Steps

There are two parts to a job. Job title and the field you are in. The easiest way to change a career is only by changing one of those parts. This allows you to claim prior experience that is relevant to the new job you are seeking. You can of course try to find a completely different job, but it may be a slightly harder process.

5.) Finding Out What the Job-Market Will Need

If the above options for finding a career don't work, then try to find out what the job-market will need in upcoming years. Do a Google search for "hot jobs" or "job projections". Do a little research on what jobs are becoming more relevant in the job market.

Bolles, Richard N. "Chapter 10 The Five Ways to Choose/Change Careers." What Color Is Your Parachute? A Practical Manual for Job-Hunters and Career-Changers. 2016 ed. Ten Speed, 2015. 233-244. Print.

Wondering What Employer's Tend to Be Prejudiced About?

Top Employer Prejudices

1. Someone who is out of work for an extended period of time.

Even being out of work for one year can be too long for some employers to consider you for a job position. Not all employers have this prejudice though.

2. Someone's age

The older you are, the harder it is to find a job. Once again, not every employer only hires young and middle aged people. Some will hire older people who can't retire yet.

3. If you are a returning veteran

Image Source: Google Images

Some employers don't hire veterans because they are concerned about the veterans suffering from PTSD. This does not apply to all employers.

4. If you are an ex-offender/ex-convict

A lot of employers don't usually want to hire ex-offenders/ex-convicts. There are books and helpful resources for these people to help them find a job.

5. If you are a former mental or psychiatric patient

Some employers may be concerned about people who have been former patients.

6. Others

Just about everyone faces prejudice of some kind from potential employers.

Bolles, Richard N. "Chapter 9 How to Deal with Any Handicaps You Have." What Color Is Your Parachute?: A Practical Manual for Job-Hunters and Career-Changers. 2016 ed. Ten Speed, 2015. 218-223. Print. 

Five Things to Do When You are Looking for a Job

Five Things You Must Do in Your Job Search

Image Source: Google Images

1. Find out what jobs you would be passionate about.

Find out what skills you possess and like the most, and look for jobs that will use your skills.

2. Try out a few careers before deciding which one suits you best.

Put in some time exploring different careers especially if you are undecided, and see which ones better suit your personality.

3. Find out what organizations have the jobs that would suit you and your personality.

Think about all the different places you could possibly get hired and see if the options are what you are looking for.

4. Find out specific names of the businesses that fit your ideal job.

Do some research and searches online to find businesses that are in your area that have the qualifications and description of job position that you are looking for.

5. Do your research on the businesses you want to apply to before you reach out to them.

Make sure you know everything you can about the company before you decide to apply there. Be informed about the company ahead of time and apply because you feel it will be a good fit for you.

Bolles, Richard N. "Chapter 8 You Get to Choose Where You Work." What Color Is Your Parachute? A Practical Manual for Job-Hunters and Career-Changers. 2016 ed. Ten Speed, 2015. 191-209. Print. 

Get a Better Idea of Who You Are

Understanding Yourself Makes It Easier to Find a Job

There are seven ways that prove that this works well.

Image Source: Google Images

1. If you find out what you like you can learn to describe yourself in new ways, and you can find the skills that you have that will work for different job-markets.

2. When you look into who you are and what skills you have you can then give a detailed description of what you are looking for. This includes what type of job you want and what work setting you want to work in.

3. Once you have a detailed idea of what you want to do, you will be more enthusiastic and the job search won't seem like a job.

4. You won't have to wait till companies have job openings. You can approach them because you know you have the skills they want.

5. Among other job applicants for the same position, you will stand out because you can more accurately describe your skills.

6. After gaining a better understanding of yourself, you will be able to better see what career will fit you especially if you are considering a completely different career.

7. Being unemployed is an opportunity to take the free time you have to explore who you are and understand your skills better.

Bolles, Richard N. "Chapter 7 You Need to Understand More Fully Who You Are." What Color Is Your Parachute?: A Practical Manual for Job-Hunters and Career-Changers. 2016 ed. Ten Speed, 2015. 111-114. Print. 

Twelve Ways to Look for a Job

Twelve Ways to Help with Your Job Search

1. You can look on the internet to see if there are job postings.

Websites such as Monster, CareerBuilder, Glassdoor, Career Bliss, TweetMyJobs, LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook are all places you can search for jobs online. 

2. Send out your resume online or by mailing to employers.

This usually lands people interviews that can lead to a potential job offer.

3. Search the newspaper for jobs.

Use your Sunday Newspaper to search for "Help Wanted Ads".

Image Source: Google Images

4. Find an employment agency that can help you find a job.

Search the Yellow Pages for these agencies. 

5. Find an ad in a trade journal and apply.

Journals can be found at www.planningshop.com/tradeassociations.asp

6. Look into "Job Clubs".

"Job Clubs" tend to be support groups for people looking for jobs. They usually meet once or twice a week. 

7. Go to your state or federal employment office to look for a job.

You can go to the website for your local federal/state unemployment service office at www.dol.gov/dol/location.htm

8. Find a place where employer's pick up workers.

Union hiring halls are usually a good place to look for jobs.

9. Ask someone for a job-lead.

Use networking to help you find job openings. 

10. Got to the physical location of where you want to apply and ask if they are hiring.

You can go to the place you want to work and see if they are hiring and if you can give them your resume. Directly talking to employers sometimes helps.

11. Search the Yellow Pages.

Find companies that may be of interest to you. Send out your resume to those companies.

12. Use this Parachute Approach.

If you are following along with the book "What Color is Your Parachute" then continue using these tips and eventually it will land you a job.

Bolles, Richard. "Chapter 6 What to Do When Your Job-Hunt Just Isn't Working." What Color Is Your Parachute? A Practical Manual for Job-Hunters and Career-Changers. 2016 ed. Ten Speed, 2015. 102-109. Print. 

How to Negotiate Your Salary

There are Six Secrets to Negotiating Your Salary at the End of an Interview

Did you know that you should make sure to find out the salary before you accept the job offer? It is important for you to find out before excepting a position. This can be intimidating to bring up in an interview or discuss with a potential employer. So here are six secrets that will help you feel more confident in negotiating a salary.

1. Wait until the end of the interview to discuss the salary. They should have clearly told you that they want to hire you.

You want this negotiation to happen at the end of the interview so that the employer has a chance to get to know you. This could be more favorable for you, as the employer may decide to offer you a higher salary than what they were thinking of for the position based on how well they like you as you are being interviewed. 

2. Use the negotiation to find out the highest salary the employer is willing to pay you. 

Employers usually have a salary figure in mind. It is your job to find out what that is and come up with a range to ask for that is close to that figure. 

Image Source: Google Images

3. Don't be the one to bring up the salary first.

Let the employer ask you what you want to be paid, or let them mention what the pay is. Studies have shown that whoever starts this conversation usually loses in the negotiation. 

4. Do some research on salary figures in your field area. 

Go to a job interview prepared knowing what the salary figures are for a person in the position the job interview is for. If you are educated, there is a chance you can get a higher salary than what the employer is willing to pay you. You will be able to ask for a higher salary.

5. Gather research on the range an employer is willing to pay, and come up with your own range.

You can ask other people or employees. Find out the pay of anyone above and below you, and you can base your range off of their salaries.

Image Source: Google Images

6. Make sure you discuss everything about salaries and benefits before taking the position.

See what benefits they are willing to offer you on top of the salary. Make sure the benefits that are important to you are covered. It is best to get your agreement in writing at this point so you can refer back to it if needed. They may honestly forget all that they promised you in the interview.

"Chapter 5 The Six Secrets of Salary Negotiation." What Color Is Your Parachute? A Practical Manual for Job-Hunters and Career-Changers. 2016 ed. Ten Speed, 2015. 82-97. Print. 

16 Job Interview Tips

Tips to Consider When You Have a Job Interview

There are 16 tips that are important to consider before each and every job interview. These 16 tips are discussed thoroughly in the book, What Color is Your Parachute by Richard N. Bolles. This blog post will just highlight the importance of each tip. 

Image Source: Google Images

1. There is no such things as "employers."

Just because one company doesn't hire you, doesn't mean that every company out there won't. Each employer is different and with each "No" you will get closer to a "Yes". 

2. An interview should be prepared for, before you ever go in.

Make sure you find out as much about the company as you can before you go in. Be prepared to show them that you know about them.

3. Honor agreements. 

Set a time limit for how long the interview will be if you are asking the employer for their time. Don't over stay. Let them know that you are aware of how much time you told them you would take for your interview, and make sure the interview lasts that long.

4. An interview for a job is a lot like dating.

It's a two-way conversation to ask questions to find out if you both like each other and if you would be a good fit to work there.

5. Questions to expect from them, then questions to ask.

"Tell me about yourself" is the main thing that they will ask you. They want to see how you will answer that question. You should tell the employer about your experience, skills, and knowledge that you have that are relevant to that job.

6. During the interview, determine to observe "the 50-50 rule."

Speak half the time of the interview to show them you are interested in the job, but allow the employer to speak the other half of the time.

7. In answering the employer's questions, observe "the twenty-second to two-minute rule."

Answer questions in anywhere from 20 seconds to two minutes.

8. The employer is primarily concerned about risk.

They want to make sure you are going to be a good fit and worth their time and money. They are anxious about hiring the right person for the job.

9. It's the small things that are the killers, in a job interview.

Things like your appearance, habits, nervous mannerisms, lack of confidence, consideration toward other people, and your values all matter.

10. Be aware of the skills most employers are looking for, these days, regardless of the position you are seeking.

Some important skills are: being punctual, being dependable, having a good attitude, being driven, wanting more than a paycheck, being self-disciplined, being well-organized, social, knowing how to use a computer, knowing how to work well with teams, being flexible, able to learn, being creative, having integrity, and being loyal.

11. Try to think of some way to bring evidence of your skills, to the hiring interview.

If you have a physical thing you can show the employer about some accomplishment you have had you should bring it to the interview.

12. Do not bad-mouth your previous employer(s) during the interview, even if they were terrible people.

Try to say something nice about previous employers if you can.

13. Throughout the interview, keep in mind: employers don't really care about your past; they only ask about it, in order to try to predict your future (behavior) with them, if they decide to hire you.

Try to show them that you would be a good employee in the future.

14. As the interview proceeds, you want to quietly notice the time-frame of the questions the employer is asking. 

If the questions move quickly from the past to the future, you can be pretty sure that the interview is going well for you.

15. Before you leave the (final) interview, assuming you have decided that you like them and maybe they like you, there are five questions you should always ask: 

1. "Can you offer me this job?"
2. "When may I expect to hear from you?"
3. "Might I ask what would be the latest I can expect to hear from you?"
4. "May I contact you after that date, if for any reason you haven't gotten back to me by that time?"
5. "Can you think of anyone else who might be interested in my skills and experience?"

Image Source: Google Images

16. Thank-you notes must be sent after every interview by every job-hunter. 

This will help you to stand out from others who are being interviewed for the same position. 

Bolles, Richard N. "Chapter 4 Sixteen Tips About Interviewing for a Job." What Color Is Your Parachute?: A Practical Manual for Job-Hunters and Career-Changers. 2016 ed. Ten Speed, 2015. 53-81. Print.

Did You Know That There are Over 8 Million Job Openings Each Month?

There are millions of Job Openings Every Month

When you are searching for a job, know that you aren't as powerless as you may think you are. The job hunt goes both ways. You have the power to ask questions as much as the employer does.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics puts out two reports each month in the United States about the job market. These two reports give conflicting information. One report is hopeful about the current job market, and the other report is depressing.

Image Source: Google Images

The media tends to always report the depressing statistics and withhold the hopeful information. This gives us as job hunters the wrong impression of the current job market. 

When you are looking for a job, here are a few things you should know:

1. Job hunting is not a science; it's an art. You have to find creative ways to set yourself apart.
2. Job hunting is always mysterious. You never know what will work!
3. There is no "always wrong" way to hunt for a job or to change careers.
4. There is no "always right" way to hunt for a job or to change careers.
5. Job hunting is, or should be, a full-time job.

The Importance of Using Google as Your New and Improved Resume

Google is the New and Improved Resume

Today, while employers are still using the paper resume to sort out potential job candidates, they are beginning to rely on a simple Google search of the selected applicant.

The search results can give employers a lot more access to information about you. Anything you have ever posted on the internet may be there for companies to see. Things like your Facebook page, Twitter account, LinkedIn, YouTube channel, Pinterest, Instagram, Blog, and Website can all be listed in the search results.

It's important to make sure that all information you post about yourself is information you would want a prospective boss to see. If your posts and accounts are not professional, there's still time to edit what's available for people to see.

Let's focus on LinkedIn because it is an important tool that companies use when they are looking to hire you.

Image Source: Google Images

To make your LinkedIn profile really stand out among other people with similar experiences and careers, here are a few tips: 

1. Have a photo of yourself on your profile. It's a turnoff to employers if you don't have a photo present. Plus you will get more profile views if you have a photo. Make sure it looks professional.

2. The Job Title is important. Put your current job title in this spot and if your position has other names then put a slash and the other names after the slash. If you are looking for a change in your current job use a slash after your position and indicate what new position you are looking for. This will help provide keywords when employers are looking for someone who fits their position they are looking to fill.

3. Past Jobs or Experience need to be more than a list of jobs or achievements. Tell a story, and talk about your experience. Summarize major achievements in this section. When listing your skills, be sure to list as many as you have because this increases the likelihood your profile will be looked at.

4. In the Summary section, list whatever sets you apart from the other people in your field.

5. In the spot for Specialties, this is where you can list keywords that will lead a search engine to find the jobs you want.

6. List the hobbies, interests, education, training, community service, and associations you belong to. 

7. Share links to your website, blog or anything relevant to your field.

8. Join LinkedIn groups that are related to your field, and post regularly, but not too often. You want to appear as an expert on your career.

9. Describe projects that you were a part of. There are even places to share a portfolio of your work.

How to Successfully Find a Job in Today's Economy

18 Key Ideas to Keep in Mind When Looking for a Job

The book, What Color is Your Parachute, by Richard N. Bolles is a helpful tool for people seeking a job. It can be a tough process, but here are 18 things to keep in mind that will hopefully make the process easier and will help you stand out among your competition for jobs.

1. You are the Given.

You can choose to go the traditional route where you try to fit yourself into the job position or the creative route where you look for a job that best suits you.

2. Make time for a self-inventory.

Do a little research on yourself before beginning the job search.

3. Search for the answers to What? Where? and How? 

What skills do you love to use?

Where do you want to use those skills?

How do you find the right jobs to apply for and the right people to talk to?

4. Look for something you love, not only what you can do. 

Finding something that seeks the skills you love will help you to be passionate about your job which helps employers hire you over someone who lacks passion.

5. Treat every possible opportunity as a career change. 

Use past jobs to help find a new job you would love.

6. Prioritize your skills. 

Your list of skills and accomplishments is only helpful if it is prioritized.

7. Go after anything that interests you. 

Even if a company that you want to apply to doesn't have an opening, apply before they open a spot and you have competition for a job you really would like. 

8. Small companies are ideal. 

Small companies are the best to apply to.

9. Avoid the human resources department, if you can. 

People who work in the human resources department are the ones who eliminate the first round of applicants. If you want to have a better chance at getting an interview, find out who the person is who will actually be doing the hiring and try to contact them. 

10. Do more than a typical resume. 

Resumes are overlooked most of the time because of the amount companies receive. There are four alternative methods to applying for a job: 1) Self-inventory 2) Join a job-club 3) Use the Yellow Pages 4) Go to the physical location and apply

11. Network. See who you know who can help you find a job opportunity. 

Find someone who can recommend you as a good employee and get you a connection to the job you want.

12. Use different types of interviews when looking for a job. 

There are 3 types of interviews that can help this process. 

1) The Practice Field Survey- stress free, interviewing others on interests 

2) Informational Interviewing- interview someone who is in a field or position you think interests you

3) Interviewing for Hire- interview with employers to see if you want to work at their company and if they want you to work for them

13. There are 5 questions that should be answered in an interview. 

1) Why are you here? 

2) What can you do for us?

3) What kind of person are you?

4) What distinguishes you from the other people we are interviewing for this job?

5) Can we afford you?

14. Time is important in an interview. 

Talk half of the time of the interview. Limit responses to questions from 20 seconds to 2 minutes. Be able to answer questions about the past, present, and future.

15. Ask for the job after every interview. 

"Considering all that we have discussed here, can you offer me this job?"

16. Send a thank-you note the same day of the interview. 

Send a handwritten or digital thank-you note to everyone you talked to.

17. Job-Hunting is a long process of rejection. 

There will be rejection when searching for a job. Each "No" is closer to a "Yes". 

18. Have alternative options. 

Don't rely on one job. Apply to multiple jobs that you think would be a good fit for you.