Four Methods of Job Search By Barbara Safani
There are four core methods of job search and I encourage job seekers to use all of them. When you are in search, looking for a job is your full-time job and you should plan to dedicate 35-40 hours per week to your search or a percentage of that it you are searching while employed. Here’s a quick rundown of the four methods of search.
Job Boards – When using the boards, you need to be as strategic as possible in your approach, because there is an enormous amount of information posted on the boards and employers receive multiple responses for each position they post. One of the best strategies for managing your presence on the job boards is to stick with niche boards that best match your professional level, industry, or job function rather than spending time on a board that claims to be all things to all people. This allows you to be a big fish in a smaller pond and potentially garner more immediate recognition from a hiring authority. For example, a senior-level executive is generally better-off creating a presence on a six-figure job site than on a general job board that posts jobs at all professional levels. Another way to optimize your time spent on the boards is to set up job alerts based on keywords and geographical preferences to streamline the amount of time spent on the boards and optimize the amount of relevant leads.
Recruiters – A recruiter can be a great ally during a search, but keep in mind that recruiters are generally only going to be interested in your candidacy if your skill set matches a position in their current job requisition portfolio. In addition, recruiters can only expose you to the positions from the companies that are willing to pay a recruiter to manage the search process. When you partner with a recruiter, you only get to see a small percentage of the available jobs in the market.
Cold Calling – People in search often find their jobs by cold calling on potential decision makers in companies. By creating a marketing letter that communicates your skills, accomplishments, and value-add, you can attempt to forge relationships with key people in the companies you would like to work for. The goal of the letter is to build a relationship with people in companies where no relationship existed before. If you can create and nurture a relationship before there is a need to fill a position, you are much more likely to be considered as a candidate when there is an opportunity because you are now part of the inner circle of contacts within the company. This method takes work and may not yield immediate results, but if these new relationships are nurtured over time, they can grow into opportunity with the company down the line.
Networking – Networking is the art of exchanging information continuously and graciously with members of your professional and social communities. People are more likely to share information with people they know and trust. Sharing information about job leads comes naturally in networking circles. Attempt to give more than you get and don’t keep tabs on your goodwill versus someone else’s and eventually you will find that you can almost always find a connection for whatever you need…whether it’s a recommendation for a great restaurant, advice on a project, or a tip on a job lead.
Yes, it’s a lot of work, but it is quite rewarding to help others and receive their help in return. Now it’s time to put these strategies to work. Best of luck in your search and beyond!
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In: Job Search Advice · Tagged with: Ally, Amount Of Time, Available Jobs, Candidacy, Careers, Decision Makers, Full Time Job, Geographical Preferences, Hiring Authority, Job Requisition, Job Search, Job Search Advice, Job Seekers, jobs, Level Executive, Professional Level, Professional Levels, Recruiter, Rundown, Search Job, Search Process, Skill Set, Spending Time
Finding a Top Company to Work For by Dave Caruso
Do you find yourself working in a mind numbing and soul stealing job? If so, join the millions of other Americans who freely admit they are not working at the company or job of their dreams. Well then, what happened?
Life happens sometimes and it becomes necessary to accept a position due to the ordinary pressures of busy lives. The car was on the fritz for the last time and you needed to replace it. We needed a bigger house to accommodate our growing family. My daughter wanted to join a ballet class with her friends. Whatever the reasons might be, you took a job that enabled you to meet your living expenses, and now 5 , 10 or 20 years later, are wondering where the time went and you might be feeling just a little stuck.
If this sounds like you, don’t despair. Remember, life sometimes does begin at 40. First, determine what your interests are or if you have any unique skills. This can be a challenging exercise, but discussing it with family or close friends can yield answers. Next, do a financial assessment of what your salary needs are to meet your household budget. Finally, the master key to finding a better job is to begin researching top companies that offer careers aligned with your interests.
Every year, Fortune Magazine publishes a list of the top 100 companies to work for. Chances are, that company you are working for is not on the list. Other surveys abound such as the Human Rights Campaign list of best companies for LGBT employees, Working Mother Magazine’s list of top companies, and Black Enterprise Magazine’s list of best companies for diversity. A simple search of the internet will start you on your journey of finding the right company to target. Remember, companies are like shoes. You might have to try on quite a few before you find a comfortable fit.
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In: Job Search Advice · Tagged with: Ballet Class, Black Enterprise Magazine, Careers, Close Friends, Dave Caruso, Despair, Diversity, Dreams, Financial Assessment, Fortune Magazine, Fritz, Growing Family, Household Budget, Human Rights Campaign, Job Search Advice, Journey, Last Time, Living Expenses, On The Job Advice, Salary Information, Simple Search, What Your Interests, Working Mother Magazine
Occupational Therapy As A Career By Tony Jacowski
Occupational therapists assist their patients in performing all types of tasks, ranging from using a computer to handling their basic daily needs such as cooking, dressing and eating. Sometimes, they use computer programs to help the patients to improve their decision-making skills, problem solving and perceptual skills, as well as their memory and coordination skills. The main aim of them is to help the client lead a normal independent life.
Occupational therapists are basically concerned about human occupations, as they believe that people have an inborn drive to be operative and express themselves. They believe that having an occupation highlights a person’s sense of identity in a society. Therapists may work exclusively with individuals from different age groups or people suffering from disabilities.
They generally work 40-hours a week in hospitals and other health care centers. Some supervisory roles are taken over by the occupational therapists. Because of high rising health costs, the third party payers are beginning to appoint themto take on more responsibilities.
Qualifications
Currently, a bachelor’s degree is the minimum qualification required for becoming an occupational therapist, but in the near future a master’s degree may be required. To obtain a license, the applicant must posses a degree from an established educational program and pass the National Certification Exam. Some states have additional requirements.
Applicants considering this profession should take high school courses in chemistry, health biology and physics. Undergraduate majors should include psychology, biology, sociology, anthropology and anatomy. They need to have a lot of patience and strong interpersonal skills. They need patience because some patients do not respond quickly. Those working in home health care services need to be able to adjust to a variety of home settings. Applicants who look forward to making this a career choice must be able to work in multiple settings and with people of different age groups.
Job Prospects
In 2006, they held about 92,000 jobs and most of them worked in hospitals. Other therapists worked in schools and nursing care facilities. One in ten therapists held more than one job. By 2014, employment opportunities are expected to increase way beyond the average. In the long run, the demand for therapists is going to increase rapidly, as there is growth in the number of individuals suffering from disability caused due to a stressful lifestyle. Hospitals now employ therapists to handle their critical in-patients and also their outpatient rehabilitation programs.
Employment in schools may also increase due to the increase in disabled students. In May 2004, the average earning of an occupational therapist was $54,000-$67,010. These are skilled professionals who are capable of empowering individuals who are suffering from depression, stress and anxiety with life.
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In: Careers · Tagged with: Career Choice, Coordination Skills, Health Biology, Health Care Services, Health Costs, Home Health Care, Home Health Care Services, Home Settings, Independent Life, Interpersonal Skills, Minimum Qualification, Occupational Therapist, Occupational Therapists, Occupational Therapy As A Career, Party Payers, Perceptual Skills, Rising Health, Sociology Anthropology, Supervisory Roles, Undergraduate Majors
