job search Archives - Fun Job Fairs

Job Follow up After an Interview

March 3, 2013 by Julie Austin

There’s a fine line between being excited about getting the job and being desperate. If you really want to work for the company you’ve applied to and have done your homework to make sure you are the perfect candidate for the job, then you have to do some job follow up.

The follow up should start right after the job interview. Simply ask the hiring manager what the next step will be and when you should expect to hear something from them. A good length of time is somewhere between a few days and a week or so. In a couple of days send a hand written thank you note for them taking the time to meet with you. Wait for them to get your note and give them time to respond. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Job Interviews, Job Search Tagged With: follow up, hiring manager, job, job follow up, job interview, job search

Job Search Across Generations

September 30, 2012 by Julie Austin

When a baby boomer friend was searching for a job, his elderly dad said “Look in the newspaper classifieds”. Since I haven’t picked up a newspaper in quite a while, I’m not sure they even still have job listings there.

With so many people unemployed in all age ranges, it made me curious how they each conduct their job searches. I was surprised to hear that Boomers use social networks more than Gen X and Gen Y, who tend to go with Google +.

All generations value job security, which seems to be harder to come by these days. Boomers tend to gravitate towards more meaningful work, while millennials value a higher salary and more flexibility.

Job seekers in all generations spend between 5 and 20 hours a week looking for a job. As a small business owner and freelancer I spend twice that amount of time looking for work, because the minute you finish one job you have to start looking for the next one.

What surprised me the most is that 95% of all job seekers in all generations were searching online, while spending only 5% searching offline. This leads me to think that we’re losing the ability to connect to a real, live human being. People are actually surprised when I call on the phone.

I still believe the best way to get a job is by meeting someone face to face. The one thing you can never get across in a text or email is personality. If I’m hiring someone, that’s the number one thing I want to see.

Filed Under: Job Search Tagged With: hiring, job, job listings, job search, job security, job seekers, unemployed, work

Taking a Break from the Job Search

August 1, 2012 by Julie Austin

As a business owner I feel like I can never take a vacation because I have to hold down the fort. If I leave town the phone might ring. A customer or distributor might call with a problem. So I can understand when job seekers feel that way.

But everyone needs to take a break from time to time. It doesn’t have to be a long break or even classified as a vacation, but just getting away from it all can put things in a new light. It can give you a new perspective. But most of all it takes some of the pressure off and the stress of looking for a job.

And also, once you do get a job you may not be able to take that vacation for a while. So get the rest while you can.

If you can’t afford to spend a lot of money, do something like camping or even just getting away for the day. Go to the zoo, an amusement park, go hiking. But don’t take your cell phone or computer. Unplug for the day and enjoy!

Filed Under: Job Search Tagged With: business owners, job, job search, job seekers

Job Search Tough for Law Graduates

July 15, 2012 by Julie Austin

The job search is proving daunting for recent graduates of law school. According to the American Bar Association only 55% of graduates of the class of 2011 had found jobs within 9 months of graduation. In 2010 the number was 68%. These are some of the lowest numbers since 1994.

The number of talented and qualified applicants grossly exceeds the number of available jobs. And law firms are hesitant to hire in these uncertain economic times. Also, they have their pick of the best of the best. That doesn’t mean just because you’re in the top of your class that you’ll get a job either. Those graduates are also having a hard time.

There used to be a time when clients were open to younger, more inexperienced lawyers, but that is changing. Now firms are looking into law school alumni associations for recruits.

All of this is made even worse because of the huge student loans they have taken out.

But the good thing about their law degree is that it can be used in a variety of different professions. Getting a job at a law firm is just one of them.

Filed Under: Job Search Tagged With: American Bar Association, applicants, available jobs, job, job search, law school graduates, recent graduates

A Fun Job Interview That Leads to a Fun Job

June 23, 2012 by Julie Austin

If you’re bored with the typical job search and are looking for a fun job outside the cubicle. A fun job where you’re actually paid to encourage others to have fun, then today’s your lucky day.

The Westin Kierland Spa and Resort in Scottsdale, AZ didn’t conduct the typical job interview this week. To commemorate International Surfing Day the resort started a competition to fill the full time job of ‘wave master’.

The person picked for the job would have to have a passion for surfing, people, and fun. They would have to be a good teacher and like helping others learn how to surf on the FlowRider, which is a wave simulator. Unlike regular surfing, the FlowRider is a sport for all ages and all experience levels.

The wave master would be responsible for the management of the $2.4 million Kierland FlowRider. In fact, the job requires much more than just surfing and having fun all day. A list of requirements are listed on their job site at http://kierlandwavemaster.com/.

The application process starts with a video submission and an explanation of why you are the perfect person for the job. If you are selected, you’ll go on to the next step, and finally to the surf off event to determine the winner of the position.

The wave master job search goes from June 20th to July 23rd.

Filed Under: fun jobs, Job Search Tagged With: application process, fun job, job, job interview, job search, job site, paid to have fun

Job Competition Can Be a Good Thing

June 17, 2012 by Julie Austin

In today’s competitive job market a few things have changed. Gone are the days when a job seekers could sit around passively waiting for an employer or recruiter to call. Gone are the days when you could just show up and get a check. With 4-6 people competing for every available job, job seekers can’t afford to be passive in their job search anymore.

If there’s one thing to be learned from the Great Recession it’s that you have to up your game on every front. It’s just a simple matter of supply and demand. These days employers can afford to be picky. They can afford to pick and choose from the cream of the crop. If you read the job descriptions it seems like you have to have a master’s degree and ten year’s of experience in your field for the simplest of jobs. It sounds pretty depressing.

As an employer and small business owner myself I can tell you that I’m just not willing or able to hire employees that just want to show up and get a check. Hiring employees is costly and a big responsibility, especially for a small business owner. I have to know that I’m making the right decision and that the person I’ll be hiring is the best one for the job. I want to know that they really want the job. That means someone who has done their homework and knows as much about my company as I do. I want an employee that really understands the market and will go the extra mile to make my business the best it can be.

I think competition is a good thing because it forces you to be a better employee. This is something you should do anyway, but when times are good economically we all tend to get a little complacent. We take it for granted that things are going to be easy and when they’re not we’re not prepared. Competition keeps you on your toes.

As the world in general becomes more competitive, job seekers have to learn to adapt to it. When you’re competing with several other job seekers who all want the same job, how can you stand out from the rest? How can you go the extra mile and prove to an employer that you’re the best one for the job?

Learning how to be competitive puts you ahead of other job seekers and makes it easier for you to find a job no matter how good or bad the economy is.

Filed Under: Job Search Tagged With: competition, employee, employer, hiring, job, job description, job market, job search, job seekers

Summer Job Search

May 27, 2012 by Julie Austin

The Memorial Day weekend marks the unofficial end of spring and the beginning of summer. Many job seekers think the summer is a bad time to look for work, but it’s actually a perfect time to network, which is probably how you’re more likely to get a job anyway.

Though hiring may slow down in the summer, the amount of social activities goes up. This is a great opportunity for you to get out and start networking now. Of course, there is a right and wrong way to do that. People attend social functions to get away from work. They want to relax and spend time with family and friends. And that’s how you should approach it too. Use this time to get to know people without constantly bringing up the fact that you need a job. I know it’s hard to do, especially if you’ve been unemployed for a long time. But don’t seem desperate. Instead, think about ways you could help that person. How can you bring value to their life?

Another good way to network at social events is to put on on yourself. Or find a way to work a job where you will be in contact with a lot of people. One of the best ways I used to meet important people was by working as a bartender at events. Everyone comes up to the bar. And I was in a different position than just someone walking around the party. Suddenly I was at the center of the party and everyone came over and talked to me. I made a lot of new contacts AND I got paid to do it. You can just as easily volunteer your time to help out the host of the party. In fact, you should do that anyway.

Another way to insure you will meet everyone at an event is to be the person checking people in at the door. It’s much easier to be in a fixed position where others come to you than it is to have to walk around and introduce yourself. If you’re shy to being with, this is a great way to get over it and meet a lot of important contacts.

Summer is also a great time to brush up on your skills, spruce up your resume, and do some research on the companies you want to target.

Since your job search right now should be your full time job, don’t even think about taking time off until you get your first vacation under your new job. Just remember, your competition may not be taking time off and neither should you. You can always rest later.

Filed Under: Job Search Tagged With: companies, job search, job seekers, look for work, need a job, network, resume, summer job search, unemployed

Job Search and Small Business

April 13, 2012 by Julie Austin

Small businesses of less than 500 employees are responsible for approximately 70% of all new jobs. In a recession they are also more likely to hire fewer employees, none at all, or to have to lay some of them off. But that shouldn’t stop you from applying to those companies.

When small companies do hire they are less likely to advertise those positions and are more likely to use referrals to find new employees. A woman at the local Chamber of Commerce told me she was looking to hire an assistant and put out one small ad on Craig’s List. She had so many calls she finally had to take the ad down and eventually ended up hiring someone she met at a mixer for the community. These are good places to mingle with small business owners, by the way.

As a small business owner myself I can tell you that making a decision to hire an employee is even more of a risk than at a big corporation. We want to make sure we’re doing the right thing and get the best person for the job. This is why I’ve only hired through people I know.

Also, if you’re used to the big corporation paycheck, are you sure you want to take less money and possibly do more work for it? That’s the downside. But the upside is that we are usually more fun to work for and tend to be more relaxed in the office atmosphere.

A small business is also more likely to listen to what you have to say as far as input into the company. We have to listen to new ideas and be willing to try new things.

If you want to work for a small business you will probably need to seek out opportunities instead of looking for them on job boards. That means scouring the communities you live in and ask around. Network at local events.

Above all, make yourself known and keep yourself in front of them. When a job does open up, you will likely be the first one they think of.

Filed Under: Job Search Tagged With: best person for the job, companies, employees, job, job search, small business, small business owners

The Job Search Buyers and Sellers Market

March 23, 2012 by Julie Austin

You’ve probably heard the term “buyer’s market” as it relates to the housing market. But it also applies to the job search market. This is simply basic economics of supply and demand. It describes how prices are determined by the number of things available to the number of people that want that particular thing.

In the case of jobs, right now there are more people looking for jobs and fewer jobs to be found. This makes it an employer’s market. They can afford to be picky and choose the best of the best. Very few companies are increasing pay and benefits. Some are lowering pay and benefits, while most are keeping them the same, but not hiring new employees.

But it’s not all doom and gloom. As an entrepreneur I have to hustle every day for work and new customers. So I’m quite used to it. But even business owners tend to get a little complacent about the hustle when economic times are good. What goes up always comes down and vice versa. The good news is that it won’t last forever. And when things return to a job seeker’s market you, my friend, will be more polished, with more skills, and more ambition and drive. Just keep in mind that it’s a temporary thing. Use this time to sharpen your skills, resume, and networking ability.

Filed Under: Job Search Tagged With: buyers market, employees, employers, entrepreneur, job market, job search, job search buyers market, jobs, resume, supply and demand

Job Search Mission Statement

March 19, 2012 by Julie Austin

A mission statement for an organization or company is a statement that states what your purpose is. It’s a roadmap to guide you in the right direction. It spells out what your goals are and the actions you need to take to achieve them.

So why can’t you, as a job seeker, have a mission statement too? Even though you have the information in your head, it always helps to write down on paper what needs to be done. It will help you see exactly what your strengths and weaknesses are and where you need to improve.

Writing a job search mission statement also helps you figure out what you want in a job. Instead of randomly sending out resumes to as many companies as you can, why not write down a mission statement to help you narrow your focus.

Once you figure out what your strengths are you can begin to target a job that will suit you that you will be happy at.

Filed Under: Job Search Tagged With: company, job, job search, job seeker, mission statement, resumes