[POLL RESULTS AND ANALYSIS] How Much Time Do You Spend Job Searching Every Day

[POLL RESULTS AND ANALYSIS] How Much Time Do You Spend Job Searching Every Day 5 Just like in our last poll, I find the 2nd place result to be surprising. I originally thought to have a new poll for you every week, but since each poll gets an announcement post and a results post, weekly polls would result in half of JobMob articles being poll-related. So I'm going to stick with monthly polls for now and we'll see how that goes. The poll results and what they mean Here are the official results of the poll: How much time do you spend job searching every day? More than 4 hours (26%, 31 Votes) 0-30 minutes (23%, 28 Votes) 2-4 hours (22%, 27 Votes) 1-2 hours (16%, 19 Votes) 30-60 minutes (13%, 16 Votes) Started: January 14, 2010 @ 10:46 amTotal Voters: 121 26% More than 4 hours The cliché so often repeated is that job search is a full-time job, and it looks like many people are taking that idea seriously. I just hope they include time in there for networking and improving their skills.eval 23% 0-30 minutes It doesn't look like most job seekers only spend 18 minutes job hunting after all.eval Surprise, surprise. Hopefully, these people already have a job and are doing the smart thing by spending a few minutes per day to keep their eyes open for something better than their current position. If that's not the case, then these people might really be lazy. Of course some people are, but what's more likely is that they have job search depression and are so completely demotivated that 30 minutes is all they can manage before getting fed up. If that's the case, the 30 minutes are probably not even very productive, and they're better off seeking help for their depression. 22% 2-4 hours I'd like to see more people here. Ideally, on the average you would spend half your day (4 hours) on job search tasks and the other half on networking and investing in yourself, learning new skills or improving the ones you already have. 16% 1-2 hours 13% 30-60 minutes Simply put, unless you're already employed, these last two answers are just not enough time spent on your job search each day. Don't be surprised if your search drags on for months longer than necessary. Most importantly… Update 27/06/10: This article does a great job of pointing out the most important insight that I didn't mention here above: if you combine the results, 74% of job seekers are spending 4 hours or less job searching on a daily basis. That's not enough! Most job search experts agree with the cliché that job search is a full-time job. If you're unemployed, that's how you should treat your job search. There is disagreement over how to spend that time â€" I recommend half your day on “active” job search, half your day on improving your skills â€" but either way, keeping a job search as short as possible means putting in the right amount of effort to get that result. To everyone who voted: please tell us in the comments how you spend the time on a typical job search day. If you liked this article, you'll enjoy [POLL RESULTS AND ANALYSIS] If You’re Looking For A Job, Did You…

Writing Oriented Resume - How to Write a Writing-Oriented Resume

Writing Oriented Resume - How to Write a Writing-Oriented ResumeWriting oriented resumes is an important element in any resume. Many people overlook this aspect and just send in a generic resume to an employer. There are some steps that can be taken to help create a more specific resume.The first step is to ensure that you have all of the specific information that you need to include on your resume. One thing to consider is to have all of your references so they are easily available. Doing this can make the difference between a good looking resume and a poor one.You will want to add a few extra things to your resume including any certifications that you may have received. The two fields that I would always add would be any degrees or schools attended and any types of special training. You will also want to mention any writing related skills that you may have including grammar, proof reading, editing and the like. These will help give you more information to include on your resume.Man y companies today will even have many different types of specific typing tests that can be performed. Be sure to have any references that you can provide which will make you stand out in the minds of your potential employer. Having at least one reference that has the skill set needed for the job being advertised will make a difference.The last thing to look for is any training that the individual may have that relates to the specific job. For example, if you are looking for a nursing home care assistant you will want to include this training on your resume. However, if you want to be a personal care assistant you will not want to include this training on your resume as it may hurt your chances of getting the job.If there are no details on specific skills then you will want to provide a couple of keywords that relate to the position that you are applying for. This will help to catch the attention of the employer and show that you have applied for this specific job.Although you can le ave out specific information on your resume; you should still provide as much information as possible. Some people are better at writing than others and may be better suited for specific jobs than others. People may work better under pressure and can be more creative when writing which will help them find a job easier.If you plan on using this strategy for the specific job that you are trying to get then it will help to be prepared and do the research before hand. There are many resources available online to help you with this type of research as well as tips and techniques to use on your resume.

Stephan Aarstols 5 Hour Work Day Just Read It!

Stephan Aarstols 5 Hour Work Day Just Read It! When I read a book, I do it for both the information it contains as well as inspiration.  And normally, I can come up with a couple of good topics for articles when I read any particular book.  But I have to confess.  Reading  Stephan Aarstols 5 Hour Work Day was extremely frustrating.  There werent two good ideas in the book. This book is one of those rare insightful books that takes you on a  journey into the near future.  And its packed  full of inspiration and ideas. So,  to focus on any one of them would do grave injustice to the value of whats there. But let me set you up with just one of the premises of the book that I found most valuable. Its also the premise upon which the rest of the book rests. The Time Value of You:  How Much Is Your Life Worth? Time.  It doesnt matter if youre a pauper or a King, time is the one thing that is in limited supply.  Nobody can buy more of it than the normal human life span.  Think about these thought bites that reflect how we normally do life: When youre young, you trade your time for money, usually to buy stuff.  When you get old, youll willing give up your money and stuff to buy more time. The fabled wealth gap, usually pitting the 99% against the 1%, is actually a time gap.  The 99% have little free time.  The 1% has an abundance of free time. Steve Jobs summed it up eloquently: Remembering that Ill be dead soon is the most important tool Ive ever encountered to help me make big choices in life . . . remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose.  You are already naked.  There is no reason not to follow your heart. Theres obviously something going on here.  And it isnt just the wisdom of age or the threat of death or the possession of wealth.  Its all about gaining a consciousness of the value of our time.  The one thing that neither you nor anyone else can buy more of. The 5 Hour Work Week Is About Time Stephan may have, in fact, titled the book poorly.  Or his publicist, but no matter.  Yes, it speaks at length about how he successfully instituted a 5 hour work day at his business, Tower Paddle Boards.  But theres a brilliant case laid out about why that is so important.  About why your time, your lifes pieces, are what matters far more than what weve traditionally chased. The subtitle on the book is Live Differently, Unlock Productivity, and Find Happiness.  See.  As I said, one sentence contains the topic of three good articles. And guess what?  He tells you how its possible to live differently.  He explains how he achieved productivity levels that meant everyone was producing the same in 5 hours they had been in 8 hours.  And he reminds you of where to look for that elusive bluebird of happiness youve been chasing so long.  Yes, its about time.  Its about time that you, and I, take back our time. Just get the book.  Read it.  And youll be on the front end of the curve on what I am sure is the coming world. About Stephan Aarstol Stephan Aarstol is the CEO and founder of Tower Paddle Boards. After appearing on ABC’s Shark Tank and securing an investment from Mark Cuban, Stephan was featured by People Magazine as one of “Shark Tank’s Biggest Winners.” Stephan’s company quickly became one of Mark Cubans best-performing investments from the popular show, and in early 2016, ABC returned to feature Tower Paddle Boards in a nationally-televised episode of Beyond the Tank. Images: Hourglass  dave

Top 10 Questions You Should Ask a Headhunter - Part 2

Top 10 Questions You Should Ask a Headhunter - Part 2 If you read the last 5 questions, youll  have established the basics for what to ask a headhunter. Now you want to see what the headhunting company is really capable of. Do they have a track record of success? What’s their communication process like and have they worked on similar roles? You need to feel assured that they are listening to your needs and requirements so make sure you are confident of the following answers: 1) Do they understand my business? Are they asking the right questions? Always consider that the headhunter you select is representing your business. They will be talking to your competitors employees to educate and persuading them about the benefits of your company including the USP’s of your service or products. Have they asked enough questions to gain valuable insight into your company which they can pass on? Do they understand that certain information is sensitive and confidential? They need to be careful! 2) Have you headhunted at this level before? Any promises made by a headhunter should always be backed up by experience and past performance. Furthermore guarantees should be included as part of the terms and conditions making them legally binding. 3) Can you offer testimonials? By: Ichthys101 A happy client will be more than happy to provide a reference and it is vital for your peace of mind to know that other companies have successfully used your headhunting service. You are also within your rights to ask to speak to one of their clients to get a more personal reference but consider many will want to remain confidential or to keep some specific details of their project secret. If a verbal reference can be provided this will give you a more personal insight into the service and off the record comments will help to create a full picture. 4) Can we have assignment updates? It is vital that you are kept informed at every stage of a search assignment. Good headhunters should send you weekly reports keeping you up to speed with their progress. Additionally, this helps you to ensure they are working to agreed target lists, time scales and also to identify problems or issues before they escalate. 5) Do you want to work long term? When evaluating a headhunting company its important to identify if they just want a one off fee or if they are keen to develop long term relations to work with you in the future. Building a good working relation with a headhunter who understands your business and people and has proved successful can help your organisation flourish in the long term. A wrong hire for any business can quickly become a costly and damaging mistake. This is why it is so important to make sure your Headhunting partner wants to take time to understand your business and its specific hiring needs. A good Headhunter will be a huge asset to your business because they can, during a search, provide you with so much useful market information and more crucially intuitively help identify and attract great people that can add value quickly to your business. Author: Ed Robertson is a seasoned Marketing Manager writing about a range of topics covering executive search, employment and education. MSC Headhunters is a retained executive search firm serving corporations around the world.

How to Create a Better Resume - First Time Writing a Resume

How to Create a Better Resume - First Time Writing a ResumeWriting a resume is an important part of the process of getting a job. Unfortunately, many first-time writers find it difficult to write a good resume. The good news is that you can become a better writer by using resume writing tips and techniques.The first step to creating a proper resume is to create a list of the most important skills you possess. Be sure to include all of the skills you think a potential employer will be looking for. Write down all of your accomplishments in these areas. These are the skills you should include in your resume.Once you have a list of skills you can proceed to write a personal statement about yourself. Do not include this section if you don't feel comfortable doing so. Your interviewer wants to know why you are qualified for the position you are applying for. It is best to include this information as part of your resume.If you are new to writing a resume, you may want to consider purchasing a professional resume template. Resume templates can be used for both your initial job search and your ongoing career development. They allow you to avoid having to write each individual job application. You also don't have to worry about having the same resume for every job opening. Resume templates also allow you to add your own skills and experience.Don't forget to include all of your references on your resume. Don't include them at the end of your resume, but do include them throughout the document. First time writers often have trouble working through their personal statements and doing some research on their references. Resume writers can fill in the blanks by including their contact information in the body of the resume. They can also include a brief summary of the references and how they know the candidate.Every job listing requires that the employer to look at your resume in order to determine if you have special skills or not. The best way to present your resume is to sta rt with your goals. What are you looking for? Make sure you begin with a powerful statement about what you hope to achieve. Be sure to highlight your goals for the job, not just your current position.Include a job section. This is usually the first section of your resume. Work this section into your resume by including your entire job history. Include when you started, what positions you held, and your achievements over the years.Make sure that your resume has enough content to allow the employer to quickly scan through and see your qualifications. Avoid making your resume too small or too long. You want to get it right the first time. Hiring a professional resume writer to help you with your resume can also be beneficial.

Regular Job to Freelance How to Transition Smoothly CareerMetis.com

Regular Job to Freelance How to Transition Smoothly Work is important. Now that is an understatement.Your work is what gets you the bread and butter, and makes life easy for you. It is either the thing you want to do or it can make “the thing” possible for you. That is an interesting thought.evalBut let me sound a bit typical for a moment â€" the professionals these days are put through too much work pressure. And even if you are into a really high paying job, it brings a lot of stress that drains you out of all your energy, much like a vacuum cleaner sucking out the dirt off the carpet! Risks towards mental and physical health are too many. Then there’s the problem of time, which you can’t give to your family and friends, and to yourself.It is becoming harder to enjoy life while devoting time to a full-time job.For many, liberation comes in the form of freelancing.So much so that 84% of Americansfeel they have their preferred lifestyle as freelancers. You are not bound by fixed working hours on a daily basis. You can work vir tually from anywhere â€" your home or a cafe. You can try and pick projects of your choice, and not get into what you don’t like doing.That said, freelancing isn’t all good. There are good and not-so-good aspects when it’s freelance vs. a full-time job.The biggest of them all is that you don’t have a regular income, and for many people, it is a factor impossible to ignore. It is all the more important when you have a family to support and monthly expenses to take care of. Plus if you have to take care of loan or mortgage payments, you do need a consistent flow of income in your account.What can also make you torn between working in an office or being a freelanceris the work culture?evalIf your company provides a good working environment, you may feel all this hard work and sacrifice is worth the time you’re putting in.Not to forget the benefits that many companies provide, especially the big ones, like medical insurance, provident fund, office conveyance, etc. These things can really create a dilemma when you have to choose between your regular job and the idea of going freelancing.Then again, people are leaving their corporate life behind to pursue their dream. Or they are simply financially capable of supporting themselves as a freelancer. This is actually a growing trend among Millennials.According to this research, the number of freelancers grew from 53 million to 56.7 million, in the US, between 2013 to 2018. And 47% among them have been Millennials.evalBut making a smooth transition to a whole new freelancing career requires planning so that you do not nosedive financially.Here are some important points that can help you make that switch successfully:Prepare for your life after corporate.Save, so that you don’t go bankrupt!Keep your expectations real.Take it easy, it can be stressful in the beginning.Keep track of your income.Know when to appraise yourself.Prepare for your life after corporateMany companies have a contractual clause restricti ng their employees from taking another professional project It goes without saying that you need to try and get projects to work on as early as possible, in order to not entirely rely on your savings. Especially when you’re a novice freelancer, it is good to have guidance on how to begin your new journey.Keep your expectations realLeaving your job for a freelance career puts you through a lot of emotions. There are excitement and curiosity about the future projects that you want to take up. You are also nervous, feeling how it is going to go. You hope that all your plans will fall into place and that you end up feeling like it’s the best decision you’ve ever made.Working in an office or being a freelancercan be a tricky decision to make.Freelancing brings you flexibility, which is why you love it. Just the thought of catching a movie in a theatre on an odd weekday could refresh you up. You can work early in the morning, in the afternoon or late at night if it suits you. More o r less, you have total freedom to pick your own time to work.Keep your expectations real though. Freelancing also brings instability until the time you’ve fallen into a rhythm and getting regular work. Different people and companies follow different payment cycles. For example, you generally get paid per project Take it easy, it can be stressful in the beginningWith all its flexibility and freedom, freelancing throws its own share of stress on you. Just the thought of earning money as regularly as possible can stress you out, more so if you’re leaving a high-paying job.Especially in the beginning, you have to work harder to get projects as you communicate with potential clients. There are also several platformsthat provide freelancing opportunities that are worth checking out.It is almost certain that you’ll first have to provide them the samples of your previous work. You can also be asked to do an assignment to showcase the capability and the quality of your work before youâ €™re entrusted with a real project.You may have to work twice as hard, and at odd hours until you establish a regular clientele. Ideally, that should be your target while continuously trying to get newer projects as and when your time allows.Keep track of your incomeIt is easy to keep track of your income and spending when you’re earning on a monthly basis. But even then, there are many small and random expenses that you may not be able to keep a check on. You may end up wondering where the cents and dollars go away!Keeping track of your income becomes paramount when you’re a freelancer. It may sound restrictive but you’ll have to become more careful with your spending. If you are someone who loves to splurge, you’re probably in for a shocker!Another big reason is a tax. As a freelancer, it comes entirely on you to ensure where your earnings fall in the tax bracket. Get in touch with a chartered accountant (CA) to understand any tax-related concerns. Set aside the part of yo ur salary which needs to be deducted or paid as tax and avoid being too liberal with your spending. This is something not to be missed.Know when to appraise yourselfOne of the benefits of a regular job you will be giving up is the regular appraisal cycle. Whether or not it is up to your liking is a different matter altogether, but at least, companies usually provide yearly appraisals to their employees.As a freelancer, you don’t get that privilege!You need to be confident in the quality of the work you do. Deliver it in the time agreed with your client, as well as adhere to any other contractual obligation you may have. Maintain the quality of your work, improve it with time, and know your worth.You must realize that as a freelancer, you will have to pitch yourself much more compared to what you might have done in your yearly appraisals. You need to know, with time and experience, when to increase the price of your work.And that depends on a number of factors, like:Length of the p roject.The amount of hard work it requires.The amount of time required to complete it.It may also depend on the scale of the company or client you’re dealing with.You can always negotiate depending on the situation. For example, if it is an urgent requirement which would require you to put more effort than what is needed normally, you can definitely try and ask for a reasonably higher price.There’s no doubt that there is an element of taking a leap of faith when you are leaving a well-paying job to become a freelancer. But with planning and preparation, you can make a smooth transition to a whole new career.

Does Your Job Search Need A Makeover

Does Your Job Search Need A Makeover If you want a makeover for your job search, you cancreate your ownmakeover panel.In the world of entrepreneurship, this is frequently referred to as an Advisory Board. As some of you reading this know, I sit on a panel with 4-5 colleagues and critique the job search strategiesof a single job seeker once a month. The Democrat Chronicle sends a reporter who covers our session. (This is a link to past stories.) Out of the 2,000 people a week who walk through the doors of RochesterWorks, we pick only one job seeker to makeover. Do you want to create your own? This is how to do it: Invite 3-5 people you respect and/or trust to provide you with advice on your search. These do not need to be career counselors, they simply need to be people with some common sense. You can invite them to your home or have them meet you in a coffee shop. Either way, feed them. They are doing you a huge favor and that is the least you can do. Set the expectations that this meeting will last just one hour. Either you will take notes or you can assign someone to take notes. You will remain almost silent. Do not get defensive. Listen closely. This can be fun for everyone if positioned as such. That is why food and drink are important. It keeps the meeting a bit lighter. Once the meeting is over, send thoughtful thank you LETTERS to each panelist explaining why you valued their feedback and advice. Hint: this is longer than a 2 sentence thank you note. Also promise that you will keep them updated on your progress. You will want to provide them all with your resume and marketing plan in advance of themeeting so theyhave time to reviewthose documents. You may also want to have a specific question in mind or challenge you need help with. It is good to have some focus. If this sounds like a lot of work, you are right, it is. And it may not be the best solution for everyone. However, each time you network, you are in essence asking for the individuals confirmation that your job search efforts are on track. You are asking for feedback and adviceon their specific industry or occupation. The value of getting a panel together is that the ideas generated have fed off the discussion from other peoples feedback. Let me know if you try it and how it works.

Costly Resume Mistakes and Their Simple Fixes

Costly Resume Mistakes and Their Simple Fixes Bad resumes and cover letters are the quickest way to turn off an employer. First impressions are lasting impressions. Unless potential employers are considering internal candidates, their first impressions of job candidates come from resumes and cover letters. Make a good first impression and improve your odds of moving to the next level in the hiring process. Fail to impress (or worse, succeed in making a bad impression) and you can  say goodbye to a lucrative job  opportunity that really would have been perfect for you. The top mistake job seekers make is failing to even include  cover letters for resumes. No recruiter wants to waste time on an applicant who can’t be bothered to complete this simple step.  Read on to learn about the other common mistakes job seekers make on their resumes and cover letters. Keyword Stuffing and Cramming in Too Much Yes, you definitely want to use keywords that parrot the “must haves” HR is looking for in candidates for a specific position, but there’s an art to keyword use. If you overuse key buzzwords or use them in unnatural ways, it will be obvious you’re trying to pad your resume with certain keywords. Sure, your resume may pass the automated screening system, but it will likely turn off live recruiters. Another common mistake recruiters hate? Use of tiny fonts and trying to load in as much information as possible. Any skilled  executive resume writing  professional will tell you it is far better to use fewer words but more effectively highlight your most important skill sets. Making Careless Errors It seems like a no-brainer, but a shocking percentage of cover letters and resumes include not only grammatical errors, but spelling errors that could easily be avoided by simply performing a quick spell check. Especially when you have your eye on an executive-level position, spelling errors are completely unacceptable. They tell potential employers  you are careless and do not pay attention to details. Those are definitely not traits that will land you a job or even an interview. Being Vague and General Keep in mind recruiters may receive thousands of resumes. Winning resumes provide a quick punch list of your  specific  skills. Instead of stating on your resume you “worked with the marketing staff,” state you “led a team of six lower-level employees and boosted productivity 45 percent while reducing expenditures by $2.7 million.” Not Selling Yourself When you’re seeking a c-level or any other executive-level position, don’t risk missing out on the perfect, lucrative opportunity because your resume does not impress sufficiently to land an interview. Once you make it to the interview phase, you can sell yourself in great detail and show the hiring authorities why you are the right candidate. However, you can’t sell yourself in person if you don’t first sell yourself on paper with a resume and cover letter that stands out.