3 Dangers of Job Seekers Only Appealing to Recruiters

3 Dangers of Job Seekers Only Appealing to Recruiters When job seekers first start poking around for a job search, many will reach out to recruiters, first. Many recruiters will offer advice and they are quite easy to find on LinkedIn, too. But if job seekers only try to appeal to the requests of recruiters, they will definitely put their job search in danger. In this post, we explain why appealing to recruiters as the lone source of finding work will set all job seekers up for failure.Note: This is not a recruiter-bashing post. There are many good recruiters who work hard for job seekers. More so, it explains the role they play.1. Putting All Your Eggs in the Wrong BasketAlthough recruiters may be the first people job seekers speak with or the first people they contact, their main tasks are to manage relationships. They make sure resumes fit the job description for the better (and sometimes worse). Recruiters have many accounts to handle and many job seekers to find, but they play no role in making the hiring decision. They will fight for you at times, but never at the risk of doing harm to themselves.Danger: Putting all your eggs in one basket with one person not in charge of hiring you and with limited information about what is really required for the job and company.2. Spending Money on Advice From the Wrong SourceRegardless of the professional resume you had worked out and paid for to show you want, if a recruiter needs it to look a certain way for his/her client, they may ask you to rewrite it. It is not that your resume is “wrong” or “bad”, but it does not fit the needs of the recruiter who contacted you.Why did they contact, or answer you, if the resume seems like it needs to be rewritten? This is a question you should always ask the recruiter. If they do ask you to rewrite some words on the resume for a job, it is primarily to fulfill the needs of their account. So, as a job seeker, you have to learn how to say “No” when called to interview for a job you know will be a waste of time.Danger: Sp ending wasted funds on resumes, not because you need to, but because you believe you are supposed to because “the recruiter said to do it”.3. Limiting Your Options and Lengthening Your Job SearchInstead of trying any form of “one-size-fits-all” theory, try new and innovative ideas to networkwith others. For example:Cleaning up your entire social media footprint Making 1st-degree connections within companies you like on LinkedIn Reaching out to former colleagues and old friends Communicating online using the right words related to jobs you want Attend face-to-face Meetups Get help from other services with proven track records of helping others find work Yeah, apply for online job postings, too, but only for “quality” postingsBe creative. We are in a connected world. Contact recruiters to let them know you are job seeking, yes, but you have so many other ideas to try.Danger: Ultimately, in a small, connected, and global business world, believing only one idea will work lim its your opportunities and sets you up for wasting money, a longer job search, and frustration at an entire industry you completely misunderstood. Be yourself, for better and for worse. Learn from your failures and never be afraid to try a new idea. Eventually, you will end up at the right company because you knew it was right.

55, Underemployed, and Faking Normal Book Review [Guest Post] - Career Pivot

55, Underemployed, and Faking Normal Book Review [Guest Post] - Career Pivot 55, Underemployed, and Faking Normal Elizabeth White’s book 55, Underemployed, and Faking Normal is an unflinchingly honest, practical, and guardedly hopeful look at options for seniors who are struggling, or may soon be struggling, with all-too-common issues of un- or under-employment, insufficient retirement funds, unaffordable housing, and isolation. It’s no secret that ageism delineates our workforce. It’s difficult to reach previous earning levels once you’re over 50 and you lose your job. Social Security is the only retirement plan for many baby boomers, and that likely won’t even cover rent. White speaks from firsthand knowledge as a highly educated professional with an enviable resume who found herself unable to get a job after losing her savings in a failed business venture. She acknowledges the denials, the pain, the mistakes, the regrets, the disappointments, and the desperation she went through before reshaping her life on her own terms. She urges others in a similar situation to stop “faking normal,” and share the truth of their circumstances â€" and then take steps to recover, even, if necessary, to “claw” their way back to a new simplified, healthy normal. She recommends forming “Resilience Circles” as a way to work through the process in supportive group meetings. Doom and Gloom Mindset is Neither Healthy nor Productive White cautions that a doom-and-gloom mindset is neither healthy nor productive, yet the myriad statistics and anecdotes she presents are overwhelmingly scary and depressing. Or at least they were to me, as a mid-sixties educated and underemployed female. Even though I am squarely in her target demographic, I don’t feel desperate, invisible, or afraid that I won’t be able to continue to live comfortably. But she also talks about denial, equivalent to faking normal even when our actual standard of living is below â€" or way below â€" par. So maybe I’m in denial. I’ve already pretty much lost it all â€" in the form of a good house I owned in a high-end suburban neighborhood. I’d lived there for 30-plus years. It was supposed to be my retirement nest egg or a valuable legacy I could pass down to my heirs. The emotional repercussions of losing it were worse than the financial ones. Fortunately I had a job still, a small vacation home out of state, and an immense desire to live a simpler creative life. It’s taken me more than ten years to claw my way back, and I can’t be sure what’s next, but I’m energized and optimistic. Most days. And, probably in denial, but I’m OK for now. More than OK. Smalling Up White writes about “smalling up,” doing less with more â€" not just being frugal to the point of depriving yourself of the things that make you happy, but differentiating between wanting and needing. Unquestionably, this is good advice, but I feel like I’ve already checked those boxes. I buy almost all my clothes and shoes, and many household items, secondhand. I rarely eat out. I repurpose/recycle everything I can. And I try to grow at least some of my own food. I’m still fighting the burden of too much stuff in storage, but I have a plan for purging and downsizing. Housing Strategies The book’s true value for me was in the sections on housing strategies and options for seniors. I will have a hard time aging in place in my current century-old house in a remote rural area, which is not near any of my immediate family. I have a very limited social network here. White addresses issues of social isolation and homes that are not structurally accessible for elderly residents who develop health or mobility problems. She has done an extraordinarily impressive amount of research into various types of senior housing options in all price ranges â€" tiny homes, RV parks, co-housing, multigenerational housing, reverse mortgages, renting out rooms to boarders, moving in with family, and moving out of the U.S. altogether. In particular, for me, her in-depth descriptions of innovative senior communities across the country, and also her exploration into the potential of tiny homes to serve our needs, was eye-opening. For years I’ve been fascinated by the prospect of building a tiny home, but it was always an unattainable dream. As a direct result of the book, I have been inspired to learn more, look into financing solutions, reach out to thought leaders in the industry, and find opportunities to get involved beyond a personal DIY construction project. Honesty and Practical Advice White’s honesty and practical advice (“get off your throne,” do “bridge work” if you have to, get food stamps/SNAP if you’re eligible and in need), tempered with sincere compassion by encouraging us to be kind to ourselves in spite of our “wouldas, couldas, shouldas,” make this book unique and valuable. Her thorough research with detailed lists of services and resources makes it a go-to, must-have guidebook for anyone now or soon to be a senior dealing with the stress of an inadequate safety net in the face of an uncertain future. I’m not the type to pencil notes in margins or earmark pages. In reading White’s book, I did both. I thought initially I’d pass it on to a friend after a cursory read. I’ll buy my friend another copy. I’m keeping mine for future reference. This was written by Adele Field. Adele is a writing and marketing communications professional with a background in publishing and PR. She moved from Los Angeles to a family property in rural Montana in search of a healthier, more affordable, more authentic life. While personal creative projects such as managing a community garden and writing a comedy podcast feed her soul, and help counter the isolation of her remote location, Adele is patching together a living in the gig economy. She currently telecommutes with an offshore medical-legal documents company, manages email campaigns and websites for small businesses, and edits books and proposals for emerging authors. Like what you just read? Share it with your friends using the buttons above. Like What You Read? Get Career Pivot Insights Check out the Repurpose Your Career Podcast Do You Need Help With ...

Desperate Times Call for Desperate Job Search Measures - Pathfinder Careers

Desperate Times Call for Desperate Job Search Measures - Pathfinder Careers Desperate Times Call for Desperate Job Search Measures In a virtual ocean of fellow job applicants, at a time when 100, 200 and even up to 500 people are applying for the same job, making yourself stand out from the crowd seems about as likely as buying the winning lottery ticket. Job seekers have had to step up their efforts to make themselves stand out in ways which would have been unthinkable five years ago. Since 70% of people find jobs through someone they know, that immediately speaks to building personal networks consisting of social and professional contacts. Start building an Internet professional presence with social media networking sites such as LinkedIn, Facebook, MySpace and Plaxo, to name a few. Using these tools can spin a larger networking web which can help snare a job through personal connections. But many people are going far and beyond just the normal realm of networking efforts to garner attention from hiring managers. Some job seekers are hiring public relations, advertising and marketing firms to promote themselves, building their own personal brand. Managing a consistent, packaged look and feel to an applicant can give a job searcher a highly polished edge, which can be novel enough to stand out from the pack. Other applicants are hiring professional résumé writers to retool their career document. Most people who have tackled writing their résumé have found it is difficult to ‘find the forest despite the trees’, so having an objective ‘third party’ work on this important credential creates the opportunity to really drill down to specifics. While it can be a harsh process, it will also allow a clear distillation of the job seeker’s value to prospective employers. I recently ran across this innovative tactic from a previous client: People are offering “finder’s fees” to whoever refers an opening to them, which results in the applicant getting a job. In this example, the client let her entire network know that if someone referred a viable job lead which resulted in her getting the position, she would write them a check for $500. Think of this way: It is a great incentive to the referrer, but at the same time, this is actually a small investment when considering the cost of a longer, more extensive job search. People are also resorting to publicity stunts. Recently a woman created a website which asked employers to hire her husband, which, on a positive note, garnered him national positive media attention and multiple job offers. In January 2009, Christopher Adams of Sacramento, CA dressed up in a suit and a tie, holding a “Hire Me” sign at a freeway off â€"ramp, handing out his résumé to anyone who wanted one, which got him on the local news. A laid-off political reporter started a blog that covered different topics, which attracted the attention of a recruiter, who cited the blog as a clear demonstration of the job seeker’s communication skills. Others have posted video résumés online at YouTube… with disastrous results including bad lighting, horrible production value and embarrassing revelations. And finally, job seekers have resorted to going to Craigslist and posting a variety of pleas, threats and just plain pathetic attempts at cajoling employers into hiring them. Maybe not so effective approaches for those last few examples, right? Others are persistent, with a creative edge. In Australia, an art designer masqueraded as a window cleaner and washed the creative directors windows on a ladder while he was in the room. The applicant started showing examples of creative work through the windows, until he finally got asked to come inside. The result: He landed the job. The point here is that it’s time to pull out all the stops. But don’t go too far overboard: Creative fields might be fairly receptive to gimmicks and imaginative résumés, but most corporate cultures are much more conservative in nature, and not as receptive. The other point is that if you actually do land an interview, be careful about not coming across as trying to bribe the interviewer by bringing pastry treats, cookies, coffee, or even flowers. A few years ago, a person I was interviewing showed up with Starbucks coffee and donuts… and it felt entirely too contrived and ‘suck-up’ to me; the situation didn’t sit too well as a result. And there is a definite line between being politely persistent and screaming ‘stalker’ with repeated (and rejected) attempts to contact the hiring manager. Get creative, but know your audience so you don’t miss your mark by delivering a dud. Being polite, respectful but innovative can open doors. And that’s what gets you noticed!

Professional Resume Writing Service: Can They Help You Get A Job?

Professional Resume Writing Service: Can They Help You Get A Job?Professional resume writing service Spokane offers service to both students and professionals, offering extensive help. They have many styles and formats to choose from, including online and printed options. The online option allows you to create a resume right from the comfort of your own home, making it convenient for you to apply for jobs anywhere in the world.Service providers have wide experience and offer exceptional service. Their resume services are offered free of charge to your job search. They make it possible for you to create the perfect resume to stand out from the rest.Using their online services you can create your own resume that will be tailored to your needs. In addition, you can submit your resume online directly to the company, making the process quick and easy.Besides the online options, there are also some other special methods of resume writing service Spokane offers. You can choose one of their templates, which comes with pre-designed letters and cover letters. The design of the letter and the cover letter can also be changed according to your needs.You can also hire a freelance writer who is a part of the professional resume writing service. They can work on your resume on a project basis and then submit it directly to the hiring company. You will be able to pay the writer a specific rate and will have control over the type of material they create.Professional resume writing service Spokane has writers available to help you can hire a professional freelance writer to write a resume for you. You will have complete control over the content of the resume.You will have access to several online samples from the professional resume writing service to get an idea of what they can do for you. These samples are ready to go with samples of the best style and formatting for your job search. You can browse through these samples and select the best one for your needs.Overall, you will enjoy the simplicity of professional resume writing service Spokane offering. Their professional services are a win-win situation for both the student and the professional.

What You Need to Know About Hiring a Professional Resume Writing Service

What You Need to Know About Hiring a Professional Resume Writing ServiceIf you have a hard time putting together a resume, then it might be time to think about hiring a professional resume writing service. Your resume is your most important asset when you are applying for any job in this world. Now, that may not seem like an attractive enough reason to get your resume into the hands of an outside professional but it will help you in many ways. Here are a few reasons why it is a good idea to go with a resume writer.There are so many places online that offer quality resumes. Many of these places offer them for free, which is not always a good idea. They do not offer the same level of accuracy as a professionally written resume, and this can lead to a lot of potential errors and mistakes. You should always go with a professional when you are looking for a resume. That is because they understand what is required, what to include, and they have experience to back up their work.When you go with a professional, they will give you a template to help you create a good quality resume. This way, you can avoid filling out too many boxes. This saves time and makes the whole process a little easier.There are some great things that come with the service. First, if you need to contact them, you have the option of calling them. It's the same way you would contact a resume writer for help or advice. So, there is no excuse anymore for not asking questions, as well as being flexible on deadlines.Also, if you need a faster turnaround, you can always use the service. This allows them to make a draft of your resume to review. They can make changes or ask for additional information from you. This will help you make sure that your resume is as close to perfect as possible.Finally, hiring a professional resume writing service is also one of the smartest moves you can make. One mistake you could make could cost you a job, as well as put your future in jeopardy. You should never allow you r resume to go to the printer without checking it first.A professional resume writer will make your life easier. They can make your resume perfect, so you can forget about it not having any connection to your future. So, consider hiring one today to help you with your resume, or check out some of the services available online.

Secrets About Entry Level Cyber Security Resume Uncovered

Secrets About Entry Level Cyber Security Resume Uncovered Entry Level Cyber Security Resume - the Conspiracy Now you have applied for the job, keep searching for more jobs with similar titles and obligations. If you'd like to conserve another job, you'll need to visit your profile and remove a saved job first. Obviously, each job will call for unique abilities and experiences, so make certain you read the work description carefully and concentrate on the skills listed by the employer. For instance, if you're asking for a job as a Cybersecurity Specialist'' in a specific company, read the work description to learn what they are searching for. There are several reasons why you really ought to look at starting with a general IT position at the start of your cyber security career path. Wherever possible, we've added related work in the career path section. In the event the time that it requires to finish the education required is a barrier to attaining an entry-level position as an Information Security Analyst, there continue to be other paths you may take to begin your very first day at work. Entry level resumes are hard to write since there isn't much expertise in hand to boast about. Information security analysts work with assorted members of an organization and have to have the ability to communicate security measures and threats to people from a broad range of technical and non-technical backgrounds. In the present cyber security market there are numerous jobs out there. You will also learn about security clearance practice. Entry Level Cyber Security Resume at a Glance You don't require a great security guard resume! In some instances, the security guard is permitted to stow away weapons for visitors and retrieve it later when they wish to leave the premises. A good deal of security guard jobs call for a driver's license, and that means you absolutely want to include that in the event that you have one. Anyone can receive a security guar d job. To create the perfect security resume, list all appropriate work experience, together with specific accomplishments if applicable. Due to its versatility and broad usage, it can only aid you in a cybersecurity career. If you're aspiring to work as a security guard, you ought to be prepared to deal with a variety of responsibilities, and to create necessary abilities and qualities to be successful at work. Your security guard resume should concentrate on the aforementioned skills together with any achievements which you have made in your career.

Teens Got a Job Thinking of Your First Car - Work It Daily

Teens Got a Job Thinking of Your First Car - Work It Daily It's a whole different world when you're in high school… we remember it. One of the main parts of growing up is getting your first job. Landing your first “real” job is a good idea for many reasons, best of which is to help you get your first car, and to help you afford things that come once you’re a driver (think drive-in theaters, road trips, etc). It’s a bit tougher to get a job in this economy, but it’s still readily possible. Our fast-track guide to getting a job? Look where your friends and peers aren’t looking. Skip the movie theaters or the fast food joint jobs, and go instead to all the local mom-and-pop shops, stores and business. (Remember: They DON’T have to be an open-to-the-public business, just knock, smile, introduce yourself, state you’re local and looking for a job, and ask what they do and if they need any help.) They may just need some help out in the back or would like to hire a cashier, etc. You never know, and you may be surprised at their response! If you’re already semi-decided on a career, don’t hesitate to look at local companies and corporations in your field, go on their website and try to find the contact information of the most relevant person that could hire you. Then, send them a short but nice e-mail and explain why you’re looking for a job - including what you’re good at. Tell them you want to just get your foot in the door. They very well might hire you, or at the worst will offer some advice and tips on job hunting, or send you to another place looking to hire. Don’t send a resume or anything at first, just e-mail. Now since we’re car people here at Automotive.com, the main reason we think you’ll want a job as teen is to be able to afford your own car. Right? This is a very important time of life, and there are many things that will factor into your decision. You parents will likely be most concerned with safety since you won’t have as much driving experience as them, and will want to make sure that you get a car that's equipped with standard safety features such as air bags and anti-lock brakes (though once again, in our day we didn’t have these and we’re still fine), but safe is always good. Another factor that should help determine your ideal first car is its fuel economy. You will be driving A LOT, trust us, and especially in a few years when you start driving to college, so mileage is important. Buying a mid-sized or smaller car will definitely help save on gas. (Here's a list of fuel efficient cars.) However, sometimes bigger cars/trucks are cheaper upfront to buy for the same reason (less people want gas hogs, and there’s less demand for these cars so they’re cheaper), therefore it’s a bit of a trade-off. There are also certain features that would be quite helpful in a first car, or any car for that matter. A GPS or navigation is great in case you get lost while driving. You’d be quick to point out the iPhones and smartphone’s of today all have GPS-enabled maps, but remember fumbling around on a phone while driving isn’t the safest thing in the world, and it’s best to try to minimize it as much as possible. For ourselves, we much-prefer a turn-by-turn voice driven GPS unit over our iPhone’s Google Maps anyway. When buying a car, one of the biggest decisions is whether to go the new car route or pick up a cool used car. It's typically not a good idea to spend a bunch of cash on a new car or hound your parents for it, unless the price is right and you get good financing (0-3% is ideal, your parents or relative can co-sign for you to achieve this rate). However you may want something older so you won't be that upset if it gets banged up a little bitâ€"think fender bender, or someone at school banging their door into you in a busy parking lot. If you’re getting a used car though, make sure to check if it’s reliable or not. IntelliChoice, Consumer Reports and other resources can help you with this. If the car is a gift from someone though, like your parents, don’t worry about it. A car is a car. Unless you can talk them into buying a newer car because it’s safer. Anyway, another thing to keep in mind that will really stink for your parents (or you if you have to pay it) is car insurance. Insurance for teen drivers is high, there’s really no way around it. Companies are taking a big risk insuring rookie drivers who don't have that much driving experience, but they still need to grow their future client base so they have to give out reasonable rates. Plus, most teens are actually great drivers, it’s the few out of the many who wreck their cars every year that jack up everybody’s rates! But the type of car that you will drive plays a large role in insurance. Faster cars will cost you more to insure, as well as expensive cars. So keep that in mind. We hope we were able to help you with landing a job if you don’t have one, and we hope we were able to give you some useful and actionable advice for buying a car. Feel free to visit us online (click the link below) or drop us a line on here. Teens got job car image from Shutterstock Have you joined our career growth club?Join Us Today!