TUESDAY TIPS: Job Search at the Holidays

Over the years, I often hear clients, who are in job search mode, say that they will cease job search and start up again after the holidays. They note the reason as being everything slows down. I happen to have a bias that, in a good economy, this is a great time to continue or even start a job search. I myself have hired over the holidays for starts at the first of the calendar year. I started a new job in the first half of January one time. Here are some additional thoughts on why to keep the momentum of your job search going for the rest of this year: 

1. The competition (all those people who say they will start up after the first of the year) drops off.
2. There are job requisitions that have to be filled before year end and job reqs get approved for new year hiring.
3. There's a lot of networking to be done at the holidays and that's great because 50% of jobs come through your network.

So, keep your plan in place. Beef up your networking if you are at any holiday events, professional ones and even those in your neighborhood. You never know from where your next job lead will come.

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Have a good Halloween. Stay safe! Have fun! And, expand your network while you are at it.

Marianne   408-295-6656

Tuesday Tips: Sharing Article by former Magazine Editor 

(This is a look at the tech professional world from outside it.)

Stop That Bus (I Want to Get On)Kitty Morgan |  September 27, 2013

A former high-ranking magazine editor—first in the Midwest, then in New York, and ultimately here—helping steer some of the industry’s biggest and most lucrative powerhouses: Better Homes and Gardens, Oprah, Sunset. Read the provocative article about her transition out of publishing and research and insights about the world of technology in the Bay Area.
http://www.modernluxury.com/san-francisco/story/stop-bus-i-want-get

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Have a great week everyone ~

Marianne 408-295-6656

TUESDAY TIPS: Using "craigslist" for Job Search

Did you know that you may both search for jobs as well as post your resume on craigslist? I just had another client find her perfect opportunity that way. Many people are aware that you can search for jobs there. Few know to also post a resume on craigslist.

Several years ago, I recruited for IT positions for a well known, leader in the IT staffing field. craigslist was one of the first places we looked because it was a "quick" resource. Why? This was because few people are posting there. As a recruiter or hiring manager, you quickly know if there is a good candidate resume and you can proceed from there.

If you choose to post your resume, you have little competition because not many are posting resumes in percentage to the number who are looking.  Here are some suggested guidelines for you to follow in order to avoid the spam that is out there.

• First of all, use an anonymous email- you will be instructed on this as you go through the posting process. 
• Take your name and contact information off of your resume. 
• Leave your professional summary and include, at the end of your summary, a paragraph such as the one below, given as an example by this client who landed her great job:

If my skills match your needs, please reply with your company name, address, telephone and person to contact. Please no direct sales opportunities. Thank you for your consideration.
   
One more thing, remember, you will need to re-post your resume but don't do it so often that you look desperate. I recommend every 21/2 to 3 weeks. Both reps of hiring organizations and job seekers  have had success using craigslist. So, before everyone finds out, make it your friendly resource, too.

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Marianne   408-295-6656