In this Issue:
Will Your Resume Catch Their Eye?
What Is Your Job Search Strategy?
Ask the Career Doctor!
Article: 10 Tips to Improve Your Chances
This Issue's Cartoon!
Will Your Resume Catch Their Eye?
It's a tough proposition, writing an effective resume. You try to sum up your career – your blood, sweat, tears – and triumphs – on a piece or two of paper. That's tough and maybe even unfair.
But that's the way it is. And to succeed in the daunting challenge of finding a good job in a bad economy, the necessity of creating a resume that can immediately and emphatically proclaim your worth has never been greater.
And why does the resume need to make a statement on your behalf "immediately and emphatically?"
Because, on average, employers spend less than 10 seconds looking at a typical resume.
Ten seconds. Can you sum up your career in ten seconds? Can you make a statement strong enough that you will compel a potential employer to give you 10 seconds … and then 10 more, and then 20 more … and then a minute or two … and then a phone call?
Top companies are successful because they know what they need and how to find it, efficiently and without waste. Like those companies with whom we work closely, EngineeringDesignJobs.com knows what they are seeking, as well. We know the virtues that they value and the achievements that they need to see in those ten seconds.
We also know that most of the resumes on our site are not constructed in such a way that the candidate has a chance of being fairly recognized.
Are you a candidate who merits more than ten seconds? Most likely, you are. So how do you earn that time from an employer which will allow them to evaluate your real worth?
To answer that question and to provide a tangible service that will lift your banner higher than that of the thousands and thousands of competitors who have posted their resumes on our site, EngineeringDesignJobs.com now offers a Resume Writing Service to you.
This is a new resource which will trumpet your achievements in such a way that clients will notice your name, your capabilities, and your availability.
Our Resume Writing Service is not going to exaggerate your skills; rather, we're going to make sure that the best of your career is encapsulated clearly and concretely and hope that leads, naturally, to a more fully realized examination of your career.
Contact EngineeringDesignJobs.com today to initiate this process. It is fast and affordable. A resume professional will discuss your accomplishments and understand what you want to emphasize before returning a draft to you within 3 business days.
Your resume, featured on our site where our client companies will notice it, will have a much greater chance of being read and given a fair reckoning by the companies whose aims and history match your own.
We invite you to consider this new Resume Writing Service and see the latest in what EngineeringDesignJobs.com can do for you.
Alan Kerschen
General Manager, EngineeringDesignJobs.com
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What Is Your Job Search Strategy?
When the economy was rolling, you didn't need a major job search strategy. If you found yourself without work, you simply put your resume out there and before you knew it, you were working again. However, as 2009 progresses, things are different today.
We all know that doing the same thing over and over again but expecting a different result one of those times does not make sense. That being said, suppose you're out of work right now. You decide to sit at your desk, continually applying for jobs online, using the same resume. Days pass and you don't land an interview or even an inquiry. Would you think it's a smart plan to continue that course of action?
No – of course you wouldn't. It's a tough market! It is very possible that what you are doing or not doing is the reason you aren't finding more opportunities.
Searching for a job is very demanding, possibly the toughest "job" you'll ever have. The key to succeeding in this challenge is to lay out an effective strategy. By defining your approach, you'll be more effective and feel less frustrated.
Use the following tactics to make the most of your search efforts:
- Clarify where you're heading. Take the time to evaluate what elements are important in a job for you. Write these items down and keep these in mind during your search
- Research the market. Some construction segments are very slow right now but some geographical markets and certain industries such as energy, power, industrial and civil construction are very healthy and active. Use the internet to help determine where your energy may be best spent.
- Be assertive and proactive. It is important to use a variety of sources when looking for a job. Apply to jobs online, check the newspaper, make cold calls to potential employers in the area. Don't wait around for opportunity to come knocking.
- Utilize Professional Organizations. National and local organizations like NAHB and AGC exist in great part to help their members with career development. Join and start participating in its meetings, conferences and other events so you can get to know employers and contacts in your community. This is an excellent networking opportunity.
- Network, Network, Network. Generally this is the most effective job-hunting approach. Get the word out to friends, colleagues, and even relatives and ask them to keep their eyes and ears open for any opportunity. Make business cards to hand out every time you meet someone. Participating in internet discussion boards may alert you to leads and new ideas. Also, use social networking sites like LinkedIn and Twitter. These internet sites have professional groups in construction allowing you to network with them quickly.
- Consider Temporary Work. Often, by working briefly as a temp for a company, you can position yourself to be hired for a full-time position. Even if that doesn't happen, temping can help you network with new people while earning some decent money.
- Participate in Job Fairs. Keep your eyes open for job fairs in cities within driving distance. A job fair is a rare opportunity to have employers come to you, so make sure you attend if any construction companies are exhibiting.
- Talk to a Search Firm/Headhunter. These people specialize in helping you find a job, and there are organizations which focus on construction. Fees are typically paid by the hiring company.
- Be Persistent. Keep a positive attitude and look at your job hunt as an exciting challenge. Keep communication channels open within companies you're interested in, even if they aren't hiring right now. You never know when that might change.
The more diverse you job-hunting methods are, the more opportunities you'll uncover and the greater the chance that you will find the job you really want.
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Article: 10 Tips to Improve Your Chances
By Carole Martin
There is more competition in the job market than there was a few years ago, so it pays to get out there. Attending a job fair beats sitting at home waiting for the phone to ring. If nothing else, it's a place to schmooze and find out what's happening. Your approach to the fair may make a huge difference in whether you achieve satisfactory results.
Joe received his layoff notice on a Friday. After a week at home, he knew he had to get out and make some contacts. He found and landed his last job at a job fair, and soon discovered on the Internet there was a tech fair in his area the following week ...
Read Full Article
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Happy Searching,
The EngineeringDesignJobs.com Team
