February 11th, 2009
Effective Job Search Tip: All-in-one Status Updates
by gscott [permalink]
If you are using LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook in helping you network for a job, you don’t want to waste too much time keeping your content current on all sites. Wouldn’t it be great if you you could update your status once and it gets syndicated to all of your other social media? It’s possible. The best solution that I have found so far is Ping.fm.
The steps are very easy.
- Create a Ping.fm account;
- Under the heading “Social Networks” click the link “Click here to add networks;”
- Select the accounts from their large list of social networks;
- Simply follow their instructions to set up your accounts
To make life simple you can email your status updates.
- Click on the “Dashboard” tab;
- Under the heading “Services / Tools” click on the “Email” link;
- Copy the email address that they provide and;
- Add it to your email contacts list;
- Then simply send an email to that address;
- All of your sites will be updated.
Test all of your accounts to see that the status has been changed. It worked perfectly for me. I tested it with Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn.
As a job seeker I would suggest that you keep your social networks to the most popular ones in your country or where you desire to work. I recommend using only Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn because they are the most popular services in North America that will have the greatest impact on your job search networking.
Good luck! Let me know if I can add more clarity to this post.
February 3rd, 2009
A Personal Letter About a Tough Job Search - Can you Relate?
by gscott [permalink]
I recently asked a contact of mine (I will call him Steve) about how his job search was going. I thought I would get a quick reply like, “it’s going ok” or “I have some good leads.” I got more than I anticipated. Being out of work can affect a person on so many levels and this was an example of how hard it can be and how it can get even tougher the longer we are without it. From turning down offers because they don’t pay more than unemployment insurance to getting your family to help you pay rent. Can you relate?
I thought that this would be a great letter to share with people. Maybe some of you have some advice that might help somebody like Steve - even words of encouragement.
“Greg,
Job hunt is going ok, slow but sure. I did interview with 4 companies since 1/1/09 all through different recruiters efforts, but at least I’m getting in front of people. I’ve been out of work since early September, so going on nearly 5 months now.
I’ve concentrated on mid-level positions but have looked at some lower level help desk positions as well, with those paying about 12-13 an hour, a position for a security analyst at ‘Big Bank’ was about 18 an hour, which is more in line with what I was previously making, that position was really an analyst position with just a basic understanding of IT needed, and would be something to carry me through, it was at least a 3 month contract position. If I were to attain a full time position on my own I’d be looking at wanting to earn 45K+ but short term contract work that comes close to 38K+ will do for now.
I had been contacted by ‘a local University’ back in December for a Help Desk position, and one of their first questions after asking about my availability was ‘what kind of salary range are you looking for?” I turned it around and asked them “what do you typically pay this position?” and when they said 21K a year, while it was work, I had to pass, I think I’m actually getting more in unemployment short term per ‘hour’ based on a 40 hour work week than I would at 10.10 an hour after taxes/benefits and such are deducted, and it is by no means close enough to cover rent/utilities/car loan/insurance, and everything else I have.
My credit is in the crapper, I checked my scores after I got letters from two of my creditors about reducing my credit line and increasing my interest rates, and it had taken a serious nose dive, nothing I can do to change that now though, I can only work with so much money, and family members have been kind enough to help pay a portion of my rent the last two months.
Coming from a background in the financial industry I felt it was a pretty good short term fit for a job. The recruiter told me the other day that he hasn’t heard back but that they were still actively interviewing for the position so he said until he hears back that I’m still in consideration.
I’m not really looking to relocate as I just moved here to ‘my current city’ a year ago, and being laid off for almost 5 months now has been a strain on finances.
Hope your week went well and that your weekend will be even better.
- Steve”
You can comment here, but also, post to my twitter account if you have some great advice - twitter.com/jiibe
January 21st, 2009
January 19th, 2009
Top 20 Job Sites Widget
by gscott [permalink]
I like all of the sites on our Top 20 Job Sites Widget, but here’s a quick review of the notable few.
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I like the new look and vision for Monster.com. They are trying to be more job seeker-centric.
LinkedIn is the best for networking, which is the best way to find a job. Everyone that wants a new or better career should be using it.
SimplyHired.com and Indeed.com are the best aggregate job search engines. I would suggest using them if you want to cover all of the major job boards with a single search.
In this new economy many of you are thinking of changing careers and many are thinking of how they can make a difference - check out the idealist.org to make a step towards that change. As Obama says, “We’re going to have to take responsibility — all of us.”
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January 19th, 2009
Jiibe Twitter offers Job Search Advice
by gscott [permalink]
The Jiibe Twitter account is gaining momentum. As the Co-founder, I have been offering job search advice by following leading career coaches; retweeting their tweets and posting links from my research efforts. You can follow me at http://www.twitter.com/jiibe.
