Site FeedJob Search Tools and Resources Blog. Here you will find links to articles and job search related web sites, as well as tips on finding your next job. Be sure to also check out the job search support discussion group on Jobfiler.com.
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11/01/2003 - 11/30/2003
12/01/2003 - 12/31/2003
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02/01/2004 - 02/29/2004
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04/01/2004 - 04/30/2004
05/01/2004 - 05/31/2004
06/01/2004 - 06/30/2004
07/01/2004 - 07/31/2004
08/01/2004 - 08/31/2004
09/01/2004 - 09/30/2004
10/01/2004 - 10/31/2004
11/01/2004 - 11/30/2004
12/01/2004 - 12/31/2004
01/01/2005 - 01/31/2005
02/01/2005 - 02/28/2005
11/01/2003 - 11/30/2003
12/01/2003 - 12/31/2003
01/01/2004 - 01/31/2004
02/01/2004 - 02/29/2004
03/01/2004 - 03/31/2004
04/01/2004 - 04/30/2004
05/01/2004 - 05/31/2004
06/01/2004 - 06/30/2004
07/01/2004 - 07/31/2004
08/01/2004 - 08/31/2004
09/01/2004 - 09/30/2004
10/01/2004 - 10/31/2004
11/01/2004 - 11/30/2004
12/01/2004 - 12/31/2004
01/01/2005 - 01/31/2005
02/01/2005 - 02/28/2005
The Job Files
Saturday, July 31, 2004
Friday, July 30, 2004
Thursday, July 29, 2004
Recharge Your Job Search Batteries with some Family Fun
Being unemployed is a stressful time and having fun is probably the last thing on your mind, but it shouldn’t be. Taking a little time out to have fun and enjoy time with your family can actually help you in your job search because you’ll be less stressed if you’ve had some time to recharge your batteries and, if you have kids, spending time with your kids is a great way to remind yourself of what’s truly important in life.
The good news is that fun doesn’t have to be elaborate or costly to be enjoyable. Often the simplest activities are the ones kids enjoy the most. We’ve taken our kids to Walt Disney World and a host of other extravagant vacations, but the things they seem to enjoy the most are going on picnics and having family game night.
I can’t guarantee that your family will enjoy all of these activities, but there’s sure to be something here to please just about everyone. Although most of these activities are geared towards families with kids, if you don’t have kids, just call up some friends and invite them to go out and have fun with you instead.
Recharge Your Job Search Batteries with Family Fun - Unemployment
Wednesday, July 28, 2004
Article: There’s No Need to Pad Your Resume
It seems like a good idea, harmless in fact. Your friends assure you that everybody does it and that employers rarely check resume facts. Going on blind faith and convinced the truth hasn’t been helpful so far, you seriously consider fabricating information on your resume. You adapt the school of thought that a little white lie never hurt anyone and lying on a resume is just that, a little white lie.
Cheating on a resume can be tempting, especially when one has been searching for a job for months or even years. However, we all know that fibbing is never a good idea, and the likelihood that you’ll be caught is extremely high. Even if your “creativity” slips through the cracks, karma has a way of catching up with you. So either way, lying gets messy.
CrossRoads Newsletter and Career Development Center
Tuesday, July 27, 2004
50 Techniques to Improve Your Job Search
"No, it's not you. It is really, really hard out there. You're doing the right stuff - responding to postings on the job boards, researching companies where you'd be a fit, networking, networking networking. And nothing seems to be happening. "
"The basics of job search may be working for some people, but I'm not hearing many happy stories. Maybe it's time to try something different. Here are some techniques to think about. "
Read 50 Techniques to Improve Your Job Search.
Monday, July 26, 2004
When More Is Less - a look at Minimum Wage
Soon after Sen. John Kerry proposed raising the national minimum wage from $5.15 to $7 by 2007, predictable cheers arose from some quarters and predictable boos from others. Yet both supporters and critics keep missing a crucial point.
Take a careful look at the precise wording of a recent Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) report on this: "Slightly over half of workers earning $5.15 or less were under age 25, and about one-fourth were age 16-19.... About 2 percent of workers age 25 and over earned the minimum wage or less."
When More Is Less
Sunday, July 25, 2004
Job Posting of the Day : Television Host
Position Description:
The Discovery Channel is seeking a very adventurous, charismatic, good-looking, 22-30 year old male with a great sense of humor to track dangerous animals around the world. Should live in Southern California. No prior television or animal experience required, but must be entertaining and unselfconscious on camera. Send us an 8x11 photo, brief biography and a home video clip showing and telling why you would be a great candidate. Deadline for receiving material is July 26. Kathleen Phelan Los Angeles office, West Beach Productions 2214 Walnut Ave Venice, CA 90291 for more info. call Kathleen @ 310-391-1242 kphelan835@aol.com
Destiny Group - Career Opportunities for Transitioning US Military and Veterans - Jobs - Hiring Forums - Employer Lists - Job and Career Search - Resume Posting
Saturday, July 24, 2004
Great Truths about LIFE, that you learn as a kid:
- No matter how hard you try, you can't baptize cats.
- When your Mom is mad at your Dad, don't let her brush your hair.
- If your sister hits you, don't hit her back. They always catch the second person.
- Never ask your 3-year old brother to hold a tomato.
- You can't trust dogs to watch your food.
- Don't sneeze when someone is cutting your hair.
- Never hold a Dust-Buster and a cat at the same time.
- You can't hide a piece of broccoli in a glass of milk.
- Don't wear polka-dot underwear under white shorts.
- The best place to be when you're sad is Grandma's lap.
Friday, July 23, 2004
Do as I say, not as I do
The number of workers getting fired for violating e-mail policies is rising as companies face more subpoenas of e-mail records, according to a new poll.
Twenty-five percent of companies terminated a worker for violating e-mail policies, up from 22 percent last year, according to the poll.
Employees who get fired often are sending messages that violate a company's e-mail policy regarding content, such as messages with inappropriate language or photos. Another common mistake: using the company e-mail system for personal messages.
General Career News
Thursday, July 22, 2004
Joke du Jour
This just in from one of our readers....
A woman calls her boss one morning and tells him that she is staying home because she is not feeling well.
"What's the matter?" he asks.
... "I have a case of anal glaucoma," she says in a weak voice.
... "What the hell is anal glaucoma?"
... "I can't see my ass coming into work today."
Wednesday, July 21, 2004
Four Techniques That Get Employers To Return Your Phone Calls
Are you frustrated when you receive no response after you send out resumes, no follow-up calls to hear how you did on interviews, no replies when you are trying to gather more information about a prospective employer?
Well, you are not alone. Over the past few years, it seems like it has been impossible to get people to return phone calls. The truth is this has always been the case. The employment decision making process often moves slowly. As a result, getting back to you happens slowly too. But when you are out of work, or are trying to jump from your current position, the waiting hurts more, because the stakes are higher. In many cases, you can't afford to wait, because you need an answer now.
However, if you are proactive and creative, you can get people to return your calls.
click here to read full article.
Tuesday, July 20, 2004
Monday, July 19, 2004
Women in the Workforce
Here are some targeted resources for Women in the Workforce:
Women for Hire
Executive Moms
Working Mother
National Association for Female Executives
WomensJobSearch.net
Association for Women in Computing
Business Women's Network
American Association of University Women
AWSCPA.org (for CPA's)
Sunday, July 18, 2004
Job-Hunt.Org: The Dirty Dozen Online Job Search Mistakes
The tight job market has brought new mistakes to light, so we've added 6 more to the original 6 published in 2001 to make the "Dirty Dozen Online Job Search Mistakes."
Job-Hunt.Org: The Dirty Dozen Online Job Search Mistakes: "Protect your identity and your existing job, if you are employed, by limiting access to your contact information (address and phone number). Many employers do search for their employees' resumes in the job site resume/applicant database and/or the search engines. Those employees' jobs are at risk when their resumes are found!"
Saturday, July 17, 2004
Jobs and Careers Web Directory - Careers.Org
This site has been around since 1995, with more than 6,000 links to jobs available now, major job search sites, jobs by career field, part-time jobs, jobs by US State,Canadian Province and International, federal, state and local government jobs, entry level jobs and job outlook by occupation. You'll also find small business links, links for employers and education links as well as a directory of career education, and an extensive career library, on more than 500 pages.
Jobs and Careers Web Directory - Careers.Org
Friday, July 16, 2004
Need to Break Your Temp Contract? Here's how to do it the right way
Even your best efforts to find the right temp position can sometimes leave you feeling like a misfit. Or unanticipated events, such as a sudden illness, injury or family emergency, may force you to leave an assignment early. Moreover, you may find yourself in a situation in which the employer has already broken the contract by discriminating against you or failing to follow through on promised pay, hours or type of work.
Many things can go wrong on a temp assignment, but it's important to figure out the right way to recover and move on with your professional reputation intact.
So take a deep breath in the wake of that “uh-oh” moment, and consider some ways to end your relationship with the employer.
read more...
Thursday, July 15, 2004
Jumpstart your job search
Whether you're just getting started, or looking to give a tired old job search a boost of energy, here are five things you can do to jump start your job search.
1. Revise/Update your Resume
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What makes a good resume? Does your resume properly showcase your skills and expertise? Sometime getting a fresh pair of eyes to look over your resume can help to pinpoint any weaknesses and to help you make your resume the best it can be.
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2. Save time by setting up Automated Job Search Agents
Let CareerBuilder email you with jobs targeted to your specifications
monster.com
Click here to sign-up with HotJobs.com.
3. Figure out what you're really worth
Are your salary expectations in line with your industry and experience?
The Salary.com Personal Salary Report
4. More time saving tips: Meta-search and resume posting
Meta-searching jobs, that is, searching multiple job sites with a single query, and posting your resume online can be an effective way of saving time and getting more "bang for your buck" when it comes to your job search efforts.
Meta-Search:
Search over 300 job sites in one click
Free Sites where you can Post Your Resume:
HotResumes.com
Monster.com
Employment911.com
Click Here
HotJobs.com
5. Networking 101: Build your network
Get access to millions of professionals who want to give and get advice while building a mutually beneficial network on Monster.com
TheSquare
Ryze
Wednesday, July 14, 2004
Surprise, Surprise
I just found out that All About Jen is officially closed.
Her site now reads:
"The unemployed ex-sorority girl chapter in the story of my life
has reached its logical conclusion. Thank you for sharing the journey with me."
Jen has moved on, as many of us must do. Her new site is Jennsylvania. Best of luck!
Tuesday, July 13, 2004
Career Coaching
The right career or life coach can be a valuable asset to you in your overall career path. Often, people who seek career counseling are not only planning for their next job but the one after that (and the one after that) – looking at their careers in big picture terms and focusing their professional growth and development activities along that path.
Career coaches can help people to create and carry out plans related to their life and career goals. They can assist with resume preparation and job searches, guide people toward suitable industries or fields, or help resolve specific career challenges that are holding them back.
With the number of career coaches out there, it can be daunting to try to find the right one to work with. To help in this process, we've added a coaches database to Jobfiler.com. If you are a coach, or have a coach you're working with now, please encourage them to stop by and create their free listing in this directory.
Additional resources
The Coach Connection
How to find the right career coach
ICC Career Coaches & Mentors
Quint Careers Coaches List
International Career Development Conference October 27-31, 2004
Monday, July 12, 2004
It's not WHO you know. It's WHAT you know.
Get the news you need with HotJobs FREE newsletter for job seekers.
Sunday, July 11, 2004
Illegal Interview Questions
Federal and state laws prohibit prospective employers from asking certain questions that are not related to the job they are hiring for. Questions should be job-related and not used to find out personal information. Find out what employers shouldn't ask during an interview and how you should respond if they do.
Illegal Interview Questions
Saturday, July 10, 2004
Job Search Tip: Check out Temp Agency Job Listings
If you're between jobs and willing to try your hand at temping for a few extra dollars, temp agencies are the way to go.
Most of the larger temp agencies now have a technical division where you can find contract, contract-to-hire, and direct placement positions in the engineering and computer fields.
Here are couple of temp agency sites worth checking out:
AppleOne
Kelly Services
Adecco Technical
Manpower
Spherion
Career Blazers
Talent Tree
Some other temp agencies sites I visited which did not appear to have online job search capabilities (BAD!) or even a web site at all (WORSE!!) include Olsten, Randstad, Quantum Staffing, TAD Temporaries, to name a few.
Additional resources and information:
The Red Guide to Temp Agencies
HotTempJobs.net
Friday, July 09, 2004
Don't knock it unless you've tried it
If your unemployment has run out, perhaps a part-time job in retail can help to make ends meet until your next career opportunity comes along.
Here are some links to major retailers job listings:
CostCo Jobs
Kmart Jobs
Nordstroms
Sears Jobs
Target/Mervyn's/Marshall Fields
Wal-Mart Stores
Specialty Retail: Patagonia
Also, here are some retail job boards worth a look:
AllRetailJobs.com
Search Retail Jobs on Career Builder
Canadian Retail Jobs
Retail Jobs in the UK
Click here to read more about jobs in retail.
Thursday, July 08, 2004
Brainbench Special - All Tests are FREE through July 14th
I got this in my e-mail, and thought it was worth sharing. I've already went in and taken a project management certification test, and am planning on taking at least a test a day between now and the end of their promotion.
"In celebration of our 5 millionth member registration last month, we have decided to open up the test library for the 2-weeks prior to the launch of the Candidate Database, July 15th. No, you're not seeing things...FREE. All 450+ Brainbench certification assessments will be FREE (does not include certificate). [promotion details here]
Register now for a FREE online Brainbench Certification Exam.
Wednesday, July 07, 2004
Layout Secrets of a Highly Effective Cover Letter
Republished from From Net-Temps Career Newsletter
- One page max. Two-page cover letters are the kiss of job search death!
- Let your cover letter “breathe.” The more white space the better.
- Three paragraphs max. More than this and it appears to be a “tough read.”
- Use bullets and numbered lists when appropriate. This allows for easy scanning.
- Start the first sentence of each paragraph off with bold-faced type. It highlights the start of each paragraph inviting the person to read further. Works beautifully.
- Paragraphs should contain no more than 4 to 5 sentences each, but I highly recommend just 3 well-written sentences per paragraph.
- After you’ve finished your letter, print it out to see that it’s easy on the eyes and ‘invites’ you to read more. Remember: Less is more!
(Source - Amazing Cover Letters)
Tuesday, July 06, 2004
Get Organized!
Whether you're using a PDA, a paper organizer, or the web to manage your job search activities and contacts, the important thing is to get organized! Organizing your job search helps you to methodically approach your daily job search activities, be better prepared for interviews, never miss the opportunity to send a thank you note or to follow up on a previous job contact, impress your networking contacts with your follow-through, and be able to quickly respond in the event that you are asked for additional information (references, networking contacts, etc).
Here are some additional resources for getting organized and getting ahead in your job search:
- Save up to 80% at FranklinCovey
- ACT! 6.0 for 2004 organizes all your customer information in one place.
- Get free business cards at Vista Print
- Have
Jobs e-mailed to you by Career Builder
Monday, July 05, 2004
Summer & Seasonal Jobs in National Parks, Ski Resorts, Cruise Lines, Camps, and Ranches
Looking for a summer job? Check out CoolWorks.com
Sunday, July 04, 2004
Independence Day, 2004
To commemorate the celebration of Independence Day this year, here is a reprint of the Declaration of Independence.
The Declaration of Independence of the Thirteen Colonies
In CONGRESS, July 4, 1776
The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America,
When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. --That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, --That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security. --Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. The history of the present King of Great Britain [George III] is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world.
He has refused his Assent to Laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public good.
He has forbidden his Governors to pass Laws of immediate and pressing importance, unless suspended in their operation till his Assent should be obtained; and when so suspended, he has utterly neglected to attend to them.
He has refused to pass other Laws for the accommodation of large districts of people, unless those people would relinquish the right of Representation in the Legislature, a right inestimable to them and formidable to tyrants only.
He has called together legislative bodies at places unusual, uncomfortable, and distant from the depository of their public Records, for the sole purpose of fatiguing them into compliance with his measures.
He has dissolved Representative Houses repeatedly, for opposing with manly firmness his invasions on the rights of the people.
He has refused for a long time, after such dissolutions, to cause others to be elected; whereby the Legislative powers, incapable of Annihilation, have returned to the People at large for their exercise; the State remaining in the mean time exposed to all the dangers of invasion from without, and convulsions within.
He has endeavoured to prevent the population of these States; for that purpose obstructing the Laws for Naturalization of Foreigners; refusing to pass others to encourage their migrations hither, and raising the conditions of new Appropriations of Lands.
He has obstructed the Administration of Justice, by refusing his Assent to Laws for establishing Judiciary powers.
He has made Judges dependent on his Will alone, for the tenure of their offices, and the amount and payment of their salaries.
He has erected a multitude of New Offices, and sent hither swarms of Officers to harass our people, and eat out their substance.
He has kept among us, in times of peace, Standing Armies without the consent of our legislatures.
He has affected to render the Military independent of and superior to the Civil power.
He has combined with others to subject us to a jurisdiction foreign to our constitution and unacknowledged by our laws; giving his Assent to their Acts of pretended Legislation:
For Quartering large bodies of armed troops among us:
For protecting them, by a mock Trial, from punishment for any Murders which they should commit on the Inhabitants of these States:
For cutting off our Trade with all parts of the world:
For imposing Taxes on us without our Consent:
For depriving us, in many cases, of the benefits of Trial by Jury:
For transporting us beyond Seas to be tried for pretended offences:
For abolishing the free System of English Laws in a neighbouring Province, establishing therein an Arbitrary government, and enlarging its Boundaries so as to render it at once an example and fit instrument for introducing the same absolute rule into these Colonies:
For taking away our Charters, abolishing our most valuable Laws, and altering fundamentally the Forms of our Governments:
For suspending our own Legislatures, and declaring themselves invested with power to legislate for us in all cases whatsoever.
He has abdicated Government here, by declaring us out of his Protection and waging War against us.
He has plundered our seas, ravaged our Coasts, burnt our towns, and destroyed the lives of our people.
He is at this time transporting large Armies of foreign Mercenaries to compleat the works of death, desolation and tyranny, already begun with circumstances of Cruelty and perfidy scarcely paralleled in the most barbarous ages, and totally unworthy the Head of a civilized nation.
He has constrained our fellow Citizens taken Captive on the high Seas to bear Arms against their Country, to become the executioners of their friends and Brethren, or to fall themselves by their Hands.
He has excited domestic insurrections amongst us, and has endeavoured to bring on the inhabitants of our frontiers, the merciless Indian Savages, whose known rule of warfare, is an undistinguished destruction of all ages, sexes and conditions.
In every stage of these Oppressions We have Petitioned for Redress in the most humble terms: Our repeated Petitions have been answered only by repeated injury. A Prince whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people.
Nor have We been wanting in attentions to our British brethren. We have warned them from time to time of attempts by their legislature to extend an unwarrantable jurisdiction over us. We have reminded them of the circumstances of our emigration and settlement here. We have appealed to their native justice and magnanimity, and we have conjured them by the ties of our common kindred to disavow these usurpations, which, would inevitably interrupt our connections and correspondence. They too have been deaf to the voice of justice and of consanguinity. We must, therefore, acquiesce in the necessity, which denounces our Separation, and hold them, as we hold the rest of mankind, Enemies in War, in Peace Friends.
We, therefore, the Representatives of the united States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by the Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States; that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do. And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.
Saturday, July 03, 2004
Heretics Need Not Apply?
Job description: INTERNET PROJECT MANAGER II
Focus on the Family, a non-profit, evangelical organization seeks an experienced Internet Project Manager to play a critical role in the definition, coordination, and delivery of the technical aspects of Internet initiatives across Focus on the Family. Develop project plans including scope-defining documents, resource availability and timeline of project completion. Recommend business requirements, funding, and timing solutions to managers, customers, and stakeholders. Work with Project Managers, Internet directors, and Vice President of Internet to analyze project plans for realistic objectives, scope and process. Track all actual results against baseline plan, and track all issues, risks, and action items.
Sounds good so far, doesn't it?
Qualified candidates please forward resume and Christian testimony, referencing job title, to Focus on the Family, Attn: Human Resources, 8605 Explorer Drive, Colorado Springs, CO 80920, or fax to 719.531.3359, or email to jobs@family.org. For additional information please visit www.family.org.
To be fair, there are folks out there who would specifically be seeking a job in a Christian or other religious enterprise. For you, here are some additional web sites to explore:
- Christian Jobs.com
- Christianet
- Christian Career Center
- Ministry Employment
- Compassion.com
- Catholic Jobs
- Methodist Jobs
- Job description and information on how to become a Protestant Minister
- Jewish Jobs
- Hare Krishna Jobs
Friday, July 02, 2004
Salary History Required?
Often when candidates are asked to include salary requirements when submitting their resume and cover letter, they find themselves in a “no-win” situation. How do you “play it safe” without turning them off? How do you know what a reasonable figure is, when you don’t even know what the job responsibilities are or what the entire compensation package is? read more...
Thursday, July 01, 2004
Job Search Tip: Set up automated job search agents
Looking at the lead sources you have targeted for your job search, these sources most likely include job banks, classifieds, recruiters, discussion lists, newsgroups, etc. Select a number of key sites that you feel would be of assistance, and set up automated job search agents to search for you daily/weekly and email you the results. This ensures that you are not missing any key job postings, and also gives you an action item first thing every morning (review the jobs that have been emailed to you and respond to the ones that are interesting). Setting up job search agents is a free and easy way to give yourself an edge in your job search. Some of the sites that I recommend looking at and setting up automated agents for include:
Once you have your agents set up, it's merely a matter of staying on top of reviewing and responding to the postings as they come in. If you are tracking your job search using JobFiler or another job search organizer, you can also get a sense for which sites are bringing you the best leads over time, as well as which job sites are posting the same old tired jobs, week after week.
