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Note: About Me and the kind of places I’m looking for work. And some background on why I put the effort into this kind of thing.
TOP OF THE FOLD
How Transitional Work Can Boost Your Job Search Success
http://forwardmotioncareers.com/blog/how-transitional-work-can-boost-your-job-search-success/
** A very good article. If I can, however, disagree to some extent: a company determined to weed you out will weed you out. For example, I’m trying to build a consulting gig – it’s slow! I also have a (very) part-time contract. But despite these things, I’ve been told I’m not being active enough in my transition period. Yet I know people who are doing EVERYTHING “right” per this article – contracting, consulting, part-time job, volunteering… leading to the inescapable conclusion that if a company wants a reason to say no, they’ll find one.
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7 Keys to a Successful Job Search
http://www.nextavenue.org/blog/7-keys-successful-job-search
** Worth reading.
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What Can Employers Say About Former Employees?
http://jobsearch.about.com/od/backgroundcheck/f/whatemployerscansay.htm
** Most companies, from what I’ve read here and heard, stick to “name, rank, and serial number” to limit liability concerns. They also restrict managers from doing references – which is ironic, as many companies require references from former managers. (Small disconnect here.)
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What Shopping Habits Say About A Job Seeker
http://www.careerealism.com/shopping-habits-tons-job-seeker/
** Quote: “The lesson here is to embrace the fact that you AREN’T the right employee for every company.” Now this is an interesting point to make, especially if you were fired.
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Job interviews are getting tougher and tougher; here’s how to prepare for them
** IMHO if companies are using so many levels of filters to screen people out, it gives lie to “the shortage”.
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The Power of a Referral
http://www.thewisejobsearch.com/2013/11/the-power-of-referral.html
** Don’t underestimate the power of the Dark Side, er, referral.
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FOR OLDER WORKERS
Over 50? Is Personal Branding for Boomers, too?
http://www.job-hunt.org/personal-branding/boomer-senior-branding.shtml
** If anything, even more important for older people.
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How to Get Hired When You Are Over Age 40
** Making a key point: that as a “seasoned” person you have actual accomplishments to point to.
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Over 50? Here’s How to Beat the ‘Old Timer’ Stereotype in Your Job Search
http://jobs.aol.com/articles/2014/09/29/job-search-beat-old-timer-stereotype/
** LinkedIn yes, but… personal contacts and networking based on warm referrals!
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NETWORKING
4 Ways to Network like a Pro
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/article/20141027151526-10699843-4-ways-to-network-like-a-pro
** More is not always better.
—
How to Start a Conversation with Absolutely Anyone
** Some good tips.
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5 Quick Tips For More Confident Networking
http://www.careerealism.com/quick-tips-confident-networker/
** AND… take notes on their card, and add value – how can you help someone else?
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The 80/20 Rule Will Make You a Much Better Networker
https://www.themuse.com/advice/the-8020-rule-will-make-you-a-much-better-networker
** Definitely, help others.
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9 Networking Groups You Should Join
http://www.careerealism.com/networking-groups-join/
** Chamber of Commerce events are an often-overlooked networking venue; local CoC’s are also good places to look for companies!
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Staying viable after a “No”
http://www.thewisejobsearch.com/2013/11/staying-viable-after-no.html
** Unless you’ve been rejected for a position with prejudice, stay in occasional touch. Provide value. Remind them of your ongoing interest. If they let slip a problem they’re having, get some info for them (don’t solve it, but do help point the way).
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COVER LETTERS
What To Avoid When Designing And Writing A Cover Letter
http://www.careerealism.com/avoid-designing-writing-cover-letter/
** Some basics.
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Stand Out From the Pack With This Cover Letter Technique
** Seems a little formulaic in my opinion.
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How To Start Your Cover Letter With a BANG!
http://theundercoverrecruiter.com/how-start-your-cover-letter-bang/
** Um… not sure about these. But on the flip side, a cover letter is nothing more than a marketing document to get them to read your resume. If this works for you, do it.
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RESUMES
Why a General Work-History Resume Doesn’t Work Now
http://www.job-hunt.org/resumes/why-general-resume-doesnt-work.shtml
** Customize each one based on the job description.
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5 Resume Formatting Rules For The ATS
http://www.careerealism.com/resume-formatting-rules-ats/
** I’m conflicted. Yes, you need to go through channels to avoid pissing people off. But… network, network, network.
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7 Things Employers Really Want to See on Your Resume
** Differentiate between what your responsibilities were, and what you did.
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Here’s Exactly What A Hiring Manager Scans For When Reviewing Resumes
http://www.businessinsider.com/how-recruiters-read-resumes-for-jobs-2014-10
** Video.
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INTERVIEWING
How to Establish an Advantage in Job Interviews
http://www.job-hunt.org/job-search-for-new-grads/job-interview-advantage.shtml
** Some key things.
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30 Bad Answers to Job Interview Questions
http://www.job-hunt.org/job_interviews/bad-job-interview-answers.shtml
** Definite doozy no-nos here.
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Top 5 Proactive Job Interview Strategies
http://www.careerealism.com/job-interview-strategies/
** Echoing & complementing some of my own thoughts:
Differentiate Yourself in an Interview: Beyond Your Background
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How to Cut to the Front of the Interview Line – 5 Easy Steps
** It’s all about differentiation.
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Are you sabotaging yourself in job interviews?
** Good, but many of these points are awfully subjective. E.g., one man’s confidence is another man’s cocky:
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Five job interview preparation tips that will help you shine.
http://www.healthecareers.com/article/hints-and-tips-job-interview-preparation/175709
** Basics; interesting idea to rehearse though.
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5 questions Lockheed Martin’s CEO will ask you in a job interview
** A few really good ones here – don’t be surprised if these take off and you are asked one or more of these. And related:
How to ace these 3 awkward-yet-basic job interview questions
** The one about failures is a hair-trigger minefield – not only because of the subject, but because one person’s “reasonable failure” is another person’s “this interviewee is toast”.
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Interviewing, Do You Have Credibility?
http://forwardmotioncareers.com/interviews/interviewing-do-you-have-credibility/
** I like the idea of asking for feedback on questions, e.g., number 4 under “Other Factors”
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BRANDING / SOCIAL MEDIA
Social media research for job seekers: 5 tips to help you land your perfect job
** All very good ideas.
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9 Areas Of Your LinkedIn Profile You MUST Optimize
http://www.careerealism.com/linkedin-profile-optimize-areas/
** Interesting, but a lot of work.
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GENERAL
5 Easy Tips To Get Noticed By Prospective Employers
http://www.careerealism.com/get-noticed-prospective-employers/
** Just remember, however, you can’t do it all.
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How I got hired – over people better than me!
** Fortune favors the bold. Which, in many ways, goes contrary to the follow-the-pack-through-the-ATS crowd.
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3 Tips For Acing An Informational Interview
http://www.careerealism.com/informational-interview-tips/
** IF you can get on someone’s schedule. Which is exceedingly hard these days.
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10 first impressions for job-search success
** Overall good general advice.
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3 Career Secrets EVERY Student Needs To Know
http://www.careerealism.com/career-secrets-student/
** I will add one cynical fly to the ointment: do not vest yourself in an employer; loyalty is dead. This doesn’t mean don’t do a good job – you need to do a good job. But don’t think yourself immune from politics, the economy, rivalries, or offshoring/outsourcing, etc., simply because you are doing a good job.
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UNDERSTANDING THE OTHER SIDE OF THE TABLE
How to Spot the Resume of a Psychopath Applying to Work With You
http://www.mainstreet.com/article/how-to-spot-the-resume-of-a-psychopath-applying-to-work-with-you
** Somehow this seems, to me, to be a way to rationalize not hiring someone – “because”.
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A Simple Way to Spot Rapid Learners and High Achievers
** Welcome to corporate America, where every worker is above average.
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50 Job Search Secrets Straight From the Mouths of Hiring Managers
https://www.themuse.com/advice/50-job-search-secrets-straight-from-the-mouths-of-hiring-managers
** Gold mine.
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SALARY
Why It’s O.K. to Discuss Salary Early in the Hiring Process
http://www.mainstreet.com/article/why-its-ok-to-discuss-salary-early-in-the-hiring-process
** Mixed thoughts. You don’t want to interview for a job whose salary, once revealed, is way too low for your experience/education. Waste of everyone’s time. At the same time, it’s kind of tacky to discuss it first thing.
—
3 Answers To The Salary Question
** I like this approach. But remember, in this day and age you are one of a gazillion who want the job. If you are too evasive, you can put people off. (I remember, some years ago, I was in a video interview practice; one of the other people was exceedingly, over-the-top, evasive about salary. As a pure witness waiting for my turn in front of the camera, it turned me off.)
David Hunt, PE... Mechanical Engineer on the loose! 