By CAREEREALISM-Approved Expert, Mary Sevinsky I recently responded to a concern from a woman who worked for a government agency. She reported winning several awards a year, but not being promoted as she has special needs children: "The employer felt [her] "family responsibilities” might interfere with [her] ability to handle increased ... [Read Entry]

There is a school of thought that says unconventional job search tactics work.    Doing something different can help you stand out from the crowd and get noticed.  It can also backfire, but that's a story for another day.

Job search engine Juju.com has compiled some of those tactics that job seekers use to get attention. Here's a sampling:

Advertise Yourself: Imagine being stuck in traffic and glancing up at a billboard only to see the words "HIRE ME" under a massive headshot. That's what Pasha Stocking did, spending $7,000 though, in order to get noticed.

Got Food?: A job candidate once sent a cake designed as a business card with his picture printed on the cake. Another job seeker baked cookies with icing to write several reasons why she should be hired.  A way to getting hired is through a hiring manager's stomach?

HIRE ME Sandwich Board: "Experienced MIT Grad For Hire" read the sandwich board that Joshua Persky was wearing as he handed out resumes in a highly concentrated area of investment houses and commercial banks. This one worked - Joshusa got the attention of an accounting firm in midtown Manhattan, where he is currently working.

On a related, but a bit less unconvential note, Janet FritzHuspen from St. Paul, Minnesota, landed a job after mailing coffee cups to area employers.   She found jobs advertised online, then sent a box with a travel coffee mug, her resume and a cover letter inside. That one worked, too.

Here's more on guerilla job hunting and how it can help you find a job fast, from guest author Kevin Donlin. 

More: Guerrilla Marketing for Job Hunters

_{Image Copyright Online Creative Media}

Hire Me - Maybe? originally appeared on About.com Job Searching on Tuesday, November 3rd, 2009 at 10:31:13.

Permalink | Comment | Email this

[Read Entry]

Opening your job search to include out of town and out of state locations is a great way to increase your chances of finding the best positions available - especially in today's tough and uncertain job market. Many companies are open to filling positions with out of town applicants and in many cases will offer comprehensive relocation packages.

It is easy to apply to all suitable jobs nationwide and say yes to recruiters who may present out of state positions. Unfortunately many job seekers do not consider what locations are suitable for themselves or their family until it is too late in an interview process. It is unfair to a potential employer to realize prior to an interview, after receiving an offer, or even worse, after accepting an offer that the location of their position is not suitable for your family. It's even more unfair to your family members to figure this out after engaging interest in a position and not discussing the position's location beforehand.

If you are open to considering out of state opportunities, be sure to have an open discussion with your spouse or family members to determine a list of acceptable and unacceptable geographic locations. Factors to consider include career opportunities for family members, housing prices, recreational activities, weather, schools, and friends & family in the area. Go to sites like Monster.com, Indeed.com, or ResuWe.com to get a feel for what positions are available for family members. Search real estate sites such as Realtor.com, Trulia.com, and Zillow.com to get a feel for actual home prices. This is a much better way to get a feel for the primary factor of the region's cost of living and a more accurate snapshot than a "cost of living" calculator.

If you are beginning or in the middle of a job search and open to relocation, simply make a Yes/No list of desirable and undesirable geographic locations prior to submitting your resume to any positions or companies in these areas. Doing so beforehand will save you a tremendous amount of headache and inconvenience.

 

[Read Entry]

By CAREEREALISM-Approved Expert, Rob Taub The best way to introduce yourself to a company that doesn't appear to be actively looking is to know the "What, where and how you can help the company”. I can give you a better-than-even chance to get the door to open to be able to ... [Read Entry]

Over the years I have interviewed hundreds of candidates. I have seen and heard things that would shock you and that you would never expect during an interview. So I have compiled a list of the top ten things not to do during an interview. Have fun!

10. Do not bring your boyfriend, best friend or children to an interview. This is horrible interview behavior. I once had a candidate bring her entire family â€" there were seven very rowdy people in our lobby. You can imagine what we were thinking.

9. Do not curse or use profane language during an interview. Absolutely someone has done this before and they were promptly removed from the running. Using profanity during an interview is unprofessional.

8. Do not chew gum or smoke during an interview. Again this goes back to professionalism and smacking gum during an interview = not professional.

7. Do not argue with the employer. Even if you know you are right beyond a shadow of a doubt about something it is just bad manners.

6. Do not put your briefcase, purse, pocketbook, handbag, etc. on the employer's desk. This is more subjective then the rest but it goes along with their personal space and professional etiquette. You would not go to a stranger's house and prop your feet on their dining room table… same theory here.

[Read Entry]

You have a job interview scheduled, but you're sick, or simply can't make it. What should you do? I know how important job interviews are, but given the concerns about seasonal (or common) flu and swine flu (H1N1), even if you have just a cold you should reschedule the interview.

Showing up to a job interview sick is going to panic the interviewer not impress them. So, if you have any respiratory or flu-like symptons, including a cough, runny nose, stuffy nose, or sore throat, do both yourself and the hiring manager a favor and stay home.

There are other reasons beside illness that necessitate rescheduling an interview. What's important is to let the company know in a timely manner that you won't be able to make the interview and to try to secure a new interview date when you talk to them.

Here's how to reschedule a job interview.

Related: How to Cancel an Interview | Interview Excuses

_{Photo Copyright Ana Abejon}

How to Reschedule a Job Interview originally appeared on About.com Job Searching on Monday, November 2nd, 2009 at 06:00:39.

Permalink | Comment | Email this

[Read Entry]

Before you can start to job search, you need a resume.  A resume is a summary of your work-related history - a written compilation of your education, work experience, credentials, and accomplishments. Writing a resume, especially the first time or if you haven't updated yours in a while, can be complicated because your resume is going to be reviewed by software as well as by hiring managers. You need to write it for both audiences.

Review these top resume tips for choosing a type of resume, selecting a resume font, customizing your resume, using resume keywords, explaining employment gaps, reviewing resume examples, and more tips for writing interview winning resumes.

I'm probably sounding like a broken record, but writing a cover letter to send or post with your resume isn't easy either. That's especially true in a competitive job market, like this one. When you need to write a cover letter, it can be the small things that can knock you out of contention, and as importantly, how you present yourself in your letter that gets you an interview.

Review these cover letter tips and techniques for writing top notch cover letters to send with your resume, including cover letter format and presentation, choosing a type of cover letter, writing custom cover letters, and cover letter examples and templates.

Next, take a look at these 10 job search tips that will help your hunt for a new job go smoothly.

Resume and Cover Letter Tips

• 10 Cover Letter Tips
• 10 Curriculum Vitae Tips
• 10 Resume Tips

_{Image Copyright Pali Rao}

Top 10 Resume and Cover Letter Tips originally appeared on About.com Job Searching on Sunday, November 1st, 2009 at 07:00:36.

Permalink | Comment | Email this

[Read Entry]

By J.T. O'Donnell First, let me mention that some great advice is being shared as part of Job Action Day 2009 by a slew of really talented career advisors. When asked what I thought the secret to getting hired in this down economy was, I decided to share 4 things I've ... [Read Entry]

Dear J.T. & Dale: I'm an experienced, educated manufacturing manager who was downsized at the age of 62 in July of last year. I have been working daily through networking, Web sites and headhunters to find a new position. My wife thinks it is my age; although I don't want ... [Read Entry]

Dear J.T. & Dale: When May came around last year, my wife was ill and I was worn out and felt that I needed some time to regroup, so I voluntarily resigned my position. Six months ago I was ready to look for something new but have been unable to ... [Read Entry]