Hiring in U.S. Slowed in May With 54,000 Jobs Added

The New York Times – After several months of strong job growth, hiring in the United States slowed sharply in May, suggesting the economy may be running out of steam once again.

The Labor Department reported on Friday that the nation added 54,000 nonfarm payroll jobs last month, after an increase of about 220,000 jobs in each of the three previous months. May’s job gain was about a third of what economists had been forecasting.

The unemployment rate ticked up to 9.1 percent from 9.0 percent in April.

“The economy clearly just hit a brick wall,” said Paul Ashworth, chief United States economist at Capital Economics. “It’s almost as if it came to a complete standstill.”

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Market yourself with a personal website

In today’s competitive job market, it’s important to do everything you can in order to give yourself an edge during a job search. Having a superior resume is obvious but since job hunting is about getting your credentials in front of all the right people, there are other methods, in addition to your resume, that might increase your chances of landing a job.

A personal marketing website can help set you apart from your competition because it gives access to your credentials to a wider range of people. This website should feature your universal resume and a biography, made readily available to anyone who wishes to view it. Unlike a plain piece of paper, a personal marketing website allows you to put forward your credentials in a sharper, more interactive way that gives employers better insight as to why you are qualified to work for them.

Your personal marketing website should include a brief summary that potential employers can read in about 20 to 30 seconds. It should include your name, contact information, and keywords that represent your experience and skills that would be beneficial for the type of position you’re seeking. The rest of the information in this summary should be the most marketable information about you.

Next, you should include other separate menus that people can navigate to in order to read a brief listing of your work experience and titles held, education and your full resume. Overall, don’t go overboard on the presentation of your personal marketing website though. It can be impressive, but you don’t want to look like you’re trying too hard.

If you feel as though you do not have the technology skills to create such a site, there are firms out there which can help you along the way.

After you have created your personal marketing website, use it to make networking easier. In any email you send out related to employment opportunities, include a link to your website. Having a personal marketing website in your job hunting toolbox gives you a fast, no-cost way to get your credentials out there, in much less time, with much less effort.

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Stay positive

A positive attitude is the common thread among all people who are successful on a job search. But let’s face it, it’s not always easy to stay positive, especially in a tough economy. Yet your ability to keep your chin up can set you apart from the rest of your competition who might easily give up, settle for less or stay in a job that makes them unhappy.

If you were an employer, who would you rather hire: the negative candidate who has a grim outlook on his future or the positive candidate who is confident in his abilities and has a will to succeed? Positive people attract positive reactions from others, which reinforces their positive beliefs. While nearly everyone can understand the frustration of a prolonged job search, it’s a big mistake to let your negative feelings show.

Having a positive attitude can also become a self-fulfilling prophecy. By believing that you are skilled and worthy of a good job you will be reminding yourself of all the good things you have done in the past, which reinforces a positive belief of why you deserve to be hired. On the other hand, if you’re projecting a negative attitude of doubt and never getting what you want, negativity will surround you.

Here are a few basic guidelines on how to maintain a positive attitude during a job search:

Be confident. Confidence is all about positive expectation for good things to happen. Be confident that you’ll land a job. It affects your willingness to commit your energy, time and resources towards finding a great job.

Have passion and drive. Passion and drive are the work ethic that you bring to the job hunting table. So if you’re passionate about your search and you have the drive to keep carrying on, even if you haven’t seen any results, your positive attitude will eventually pay off.

Be committed. This is influenced by your goals. So select goals that mean a lot and the pursuit of those will keep you committed.

Invest in yourself. Invest time in developing a positive attitude and invest time in truly marketing yourself. There’s no new product or business that can get started without some investment. Same goes for you job hunt.

Expect to win. This means getting rid of your negative beliefs and replacing them with positive ones and goes back to having these thoughts become self-fulfilling prophecies. If you expect to get a great job, you will.

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Job hunter lands career with the help of ERI Personal Marketing

Not all career services are equal. ERI Personal Marketing, a firm that specializes in assisting executives and professionals in their career search, proved that when they helped Mike Stanford land a job after just a few months.

I personally learned about ERI from one of the career forums I contribute to each month on career change. You can read about their services at www.executiveresumes.com.

After a long, tedious job search with no success, Mike decided to employ the services of ERI. He said he was hesitant at first due to a bad experience in the past with an outplacement service that promised him results and failed to deliver. Mike wrote a personal complaint to the outplacement firm, but they would not make things right. However, with some persuasion a friend eventually convinced him to try ERI.

Mike said the level of support and counseling he received from ERI was exceptional.

“My marketing director did an outstanding job of updating my resume and cover letters,” he said. “And kept me grounded and focused over the past four months.”

Through their counseling and guidance, coupled with the advertising services of the firm, Mike was able to get his credentials in front of the right people. He said that because of these services he subsequently received two great job offers.

“The ironic thing about this is that I had already previously contacted these companies,” he said. “One via my network and one through a job fair. However, neither of those avenues had worked.”

ERI sent out 600 teaser letters on Mike’s behalf. Mike credits those letters to to his success in his job hunt, saying that those letters are what got those companies to notice him. The two companies that extended job offers to Mike even created CFO positions, which previously didn’t exist, specifically for him.

With the support and guidance of his marketing managers, ERI’s job database and the reference materials the firm provides for each of its clients, Mike said he was fully prepared for his interviews. And by going into the interviews with confidence, he was ultimately able to seal the deal and landed two job offers.

“I truly believe that if I had not signed up for ERI’s services, I would still be trudging around with an outdated resume, replying to job board postings and never getting to the unpublished market,” Mike said. “I wrote to the president of the company and gave them a very positive review of their service.”

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Remember Me? Four Tips for Résumé Follow-Up

(CareerBuilder) –You’ve sent your résumé to several companies and have yet to hear back. But just because they aren’t calling doesn’t mean they aren’t interested. It’s not uncommon for hiring managers to become so busy that they postpone notifying — or even selecting — candidates for as long as one or two months after posting an employment ad. Don’t let this discourage you. Instead, take action to see where you stand. In today’s competitive market, following up after submitting a résumé is not only warranted, it’s recommended. An overwhelming 94 percent of executives polled by Robert Half International said candidates should contact hiring managers after submitting application materials. Why? Because it demonstrates initiative and sincere interest in a position and can help you stand out in a crowd of other highly skilled candidates. So, what’s the best way to follow up with prospective employers? There’s no one-size-fits-all formula, but it helps to know the basic rules. The following pointers will help you be more proactive without becoming a pest:

 

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Exploring new industry options

Did you know that 87 percent of all job seekers start out with the thought of restricting themselves to industries where they have past experience? But in reality, transitioning to a new industry is easier now than it has ever been in the past.

You should be prepared to market yourself so that you are attractive to employers across a broad range and don’t overrate your barriers and underrate your ability to move into a new area of work. If you choose the right industry, you will have more growth opportunities, perhaps meaningful stock options, an environment that is likely to be more positive and a chance for more regular pay increases and probably advancement.

There are several ways to break into new industry options:

  • Read and increase your awareness of the fastest growing industries and companies. It can be important to do this when looking at new industry options because firms have to go outside their industry to find the best talent and skills.
  • List characteristics of your industries and find similar industries. For industries that you don’t have experience, come up with a “industry hook,” which is the next best thing to having industry experience.
  • When changing industries, don’t overlook your leverage power, which are the added benefits you may bring by virtue of your contacts or knowledge.

The main thing to keep in mind with new industry options is that the more you appear to know about the industry, the easier it is to generate interviews. Employers are looking for common ground when hiring a new person.

If you are interested in moving into a new industry but don’t have knowledge of the industry, the easiest way to educate yourself is through trade publications. These publications will be able to bring you up to date on personal changes, new products, information on companies and challenges as seen by industry leaders. Other options of gaining knowledge are to talk to executives already in the field or attend a tradeshow. A more radical option would be to take a lower level job in the industry to gain experience and knowledge.

Overall, it’s up to you to take the initiative to learn something about new companies, new industries and the problems and opportunities they face. By doing so, you’ll greatly increase your chances of successfully breaking into a new industry.

 

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The do’s and don’ts of job hunting online

You’re sitting at your desk, staring at your Dilbert calendar, loathing everything from your company-distributed coffee mug to your co-worker, Earl, who is swirling his pencil in the crevices of his ear. “Time to blow this popsicle stand,” you think.

Thankfully, you’re sitting in front of a job-finding goldmine: your computer.

While you might be tempted to just utter a few expletives and surf on over to Monster.com, know this: There’s a smart way to begin an online job search while you’re gainfully employed.

A recent study from UCLA and the State University of New York-Stony Brook found that unemployed folks — even if they left voluntarily — are stigmatized when it comes to procuring jobs, unlike those who are collecting paychecks.

So suck it up and start your search wisely — and maybe bring some headphones to save your eardrums from Earl’s nail chomping.


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The careerist: How to handle references

In these litigious times, references have a reputation for telling people little that is meaningful. But can you get more out of them – either as a job-seeker or a potential employer?

How important are references?

“Some people don’t think they’re worth the paper they’re written on as candidates tend to give people they got on really well with,” says Nigel Parslow, UK managing director of executive search group Harvey Nash. “You should treat them with a degree of scepticism – especially personal referees.”

However, they can make the difference in marginal cases and occasionally throw up real surprises. Corinne Mills, joint managing director of Personal Career Management, says that you should think of them as “the final hurdle candidates have to clear”.

 

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Moving for a job is risky no matter the lure

WASHINGTON (MarketWatch) — States’ unemployment rates vary widely and job seekers may be tempted to move to where the employment grass is greener, but it’s important to assess the situation carefully before you start packing your belongings.

The unemployment rate in Nevada hit 14.9% in 2010, more than three times North Dakota’s rate of 3.9%. Does that mean job seekers should race to North Dakota?

Sometimes there’s no choice — if survival means moving, those workers must take a job regardless — but people with some wiggle room should make an informed decision, experts said.

“It may seem like all of the opportunities are in another state or another region,” said Don Spetner, an executive vice president at recruiting firm Korn/Ferry International. “But you really have to step back and say: ‘Are we in a cyclical mode?’ You might better off sticking it out and taking on debt.”

 

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Project the Right Image

Always project the right image to potential employers. Although there is no particular appropriate look for men and women, it’s important to project an image that gives you a presence. The right clothes make a statement and tell the employer how you see yourself.

For women, shoot for a “managerial” dress code. Well-tailored suits, fitted dresses, skirt lengths below the knee and muted, solid colors are always appropriate for an interview. The key is to have the employer remember you, not your outfit.

In addition to your clothing choice, hairstyle and choice of makeup will either emphasize or divert from your professional image.  Whatever you do, steer clear from any “extreme” looks for your hair and makeup. A short to medium length haircut and natural looking makeup is the most professional look for an interview.

Furthermore, your choice of accessories, nail polish and perfume should complement your professional look. Keep your nails short with a neutral color of nail polish and don’t use an overpowering fragrance. Wear simple jewelry and choose shoes that complement your clothing while steering clear of clogs, sandals and platforms.

For men, nothing beats a properly fitted, conservative suit. Before purchasing a suit, consider how you want it to fit. Don’t allow tailors to persuade you into a fit that you’re not comfortable with and after you buy the suit, go back at least twice for alterations. Keep in mind that typically, your sleeves should hit 5 inches above the top of your thumb, the front of your pants cuff should barely touch your shoe and you should avoid short-sleeved undershirts.

In addition, it has been said that a man’s shoes are his most important clothing item. For this reason make sure your shoes are well polished and attractive. Similar to women, men’s accessories can also complement their image. Belts should be conservative and socks should go over the calf and be a solid color. Also, wallets and briefcases can add to your professional image if they are well kept and compact. A fresh haircut, clean shave and subtle cologne are nice finishing touches to your appearance.

Overall, for both men and women, the key is to make sure you look ready for the income level to which you aspire.  If you look good, you will feel good which will translate into confidence at your interview.

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