Confirmed JobMob Reader Appreciation Week Will Be Next Week!

Confirmed JobMob Reader Appreciation Week Will Be Next Week! 3 The first ever JobMob Reader Appreciation Week will take place next week, running from December 14th to 21st. In case you missed the announcement a few weeks ago… What is JobMob Reader Appreciation Week? JobMob Reader Appreciation Week (JRAW 2009) will bea special week of eventshere on JobMob, all dedicated to giving back to you and the rest of the JobMob Community in thanksfor your ongoing support. When will be JobMob Reader Appreciation Week? From Monday December 14th to Monday December 21st 2009 inclusive. What will happen during JobMob Reader Appreciation Week? So far, planned events include: A special announcement of a kind I've never done here on JobMob in the past A live questions answers chat A contest with prizes The launch of some new community featureshere on JobMob A special podcast of job search success stories featuring current and former JobMob readers And more… A challenge to you: tell a job search success story in 5 minutes Now that I've discovered the terrific Vocaroo voice message service, I've decided to leave it in place here on JobMob so you can send me voice messages whenever you like. For now, my challenge to you is to share a job search success story for the benefit of everyone else here in the JobMob Community. Look for the full schedule next Monday, December 14th, when JRAW 2009 kicks off.

7 Reasons You Should Take an Internship

7 Reasons You Should Take an Internship People sometimes become a bit dubious  when deciding whether or not to take an internship. Often, when freshly graduating you lack enough experience to get a full time permanent job, so internships, apprenticeships and work experience are your only options. However, we need to stop looking at these negatively and think of everything we can gain from internships and work placements. They are often the best option for you because you want to get a feel for work without being thrown into the deep end straight away and this provides you with  the opportunity to learn and grow. Here are 5 reasons you should take the internship and feel great about your decision: 1. To gain experience. You lack experience and this is the only way to get it. The best experience comes from internships because you get to do a bit of everything! You get to see and experience the different roles that people play in certain companies and see working life from different perspectives. This is good to take into the working world with you because at times, you will be asked to do various tasks involving different elements of the company. This way, you would have already had a go at things and understood how to multitask. 2. To have a better understanding. An internship allows you to take time to understand your role, tasks and the industry. Internships want you to leave knowing more than you came with, and this is most likely the outcome. Take this opportunity to understand each task you are given and every new tool you use.  Write things down, ask questions and do things repeatedly to  make sure you are doing everything with 100% effort. 3. Have the  opportunity to learn and watch. You can learn from the best during an internship. People will be watching over you and working closely with you on projects so that you have someone to look up to and a goal to work towards. Perhaps you will learn new skills from these people and new things about the industry and life that you didnt know before. Communication and interaction is key so ask plenty of questions and dont be afraid to propose new ideas! 4. Gain the  ability to put new things into practice. You can try out new skills and tools without the pressure of being wrong. Internships are a time to experiment, and people who hire you for that internship know that. They expect you to learn from your mistakes and use this as motivation to get better at the things you were not so great at before! Take these new ideas and skills to your next job  and find a way to incorporate them into any tasks you are given. 5. Build confidence. Whether it be public speaking, giving presentations or simply suggesting new ideas, internships will build your confidence which allows you to grow as both a worker and a person. Confidence is key because if you dont believe in yourselfwho will? There is a fine line between confidence and arrogance, so make sure you dont cross it because no one likes an arrogant worker! Internships will help you to build confidence through practice which will also help in your personal growth. After all, practice makes perfect! 6. To get a feel for different industries. Internships are usually for 3-6 months. This allows you to get a feel for different industries in a small period of time. If you spend 3 months in PR then 3 months in marketing, you get to know the difference in content, how they work and why they work. This will help in your overall career path if you are unsure of what to do in the future, or are stuck between 2 options. You also pick up a wider variety of skills when working in different industries which can make you more attractive to employers and hiring managers! 7. To communicate Internships require you to both work individually and within a team. You learn to communicate in new ways to build professional working relationships with people of all ages. This is great because it allows you to be open to other peoples ideas and to get creative in a team  in order to build better ideas and ultimately, to build a better company. Recently taken an internship and had a great experience? Let us know in the comments below!

Am I Ready to Face Fears of Starting My Own Business

Am I Ready to Face Fears of Starting My Own Business Todays guest post by Dave Thomas really resonates with me.  As a self-employed gal myself, I can tell you that these fears dont really go away even after youve decided to take the plunge into entrepreneurship.  I just got off the phone with a friend who is self-employed and we both discussed how on bad days we are tempted to go back to a day job for that steady pay check.  We debate how much we can afford to pay our interns and staff, we get easily distracted from our goals when client work gets busy and we could spend all day trying to build up our presence on the web.  The article below gives GREAT tips that are crucial for anyone who is considering self-employment or who is already there.  Let us know what YOU think.  Thanks Dave! -Nicole With 2012 up and running, is one of your New Year’s resolutions to start your own business? If so, there is likely some fear in your voice. Statistics show that between 1.5 and 2 million individuals say goodbye to their steady jobs monthly, be it to start a new business or care for family. With those goodbyes come anxiety, stress and fear for many people. Among the fears can be walking away from a dependable paycheck, a shortage of money to get a business venture up and running, all the responsibilities and burdens that come with overseeing one’s company, and the possibility of it not working out and having no financial cushion to fall back on. If you find yourself going back-and-forth on this matter, take these factors into consideration before you say yay or nay to fulfilling your lifelong dream of being your own boss: Steady paycheck or gamble? â€" The biggest question will come in the form of should you pass on the steady paycheck or not. While you may be unhappy in your present job, you have to consider whether or not you can get by without someone’s paycheck every two weeks. If you have some funds in reserve and they are not going towards your new business, then you may feel more comfortable in leaving your present corporate position; Manage both current and future positions â€" It is easier said than done, but the ideal situation is to maintain your full-time job while you are in the midst of starting up your business venture. This way you can still have a viable source of income coming in while getting your dream business off the ground. In the event you have a family, this of course becomes more of a chore as you will need their support. If you are on your own and have the extra time such as weekends to devote to your start-up business, then try and handle both jobs; The loan process â€" Unless you have been able to build up a nice cash reservoir or you have suddenly come into money, it is more likely that you will need some form of a loan to get the business venture up and running. If that is the case, make sure you have a well-crafted business plan together so that you can improve your chances for getting a loan. If getting a loan the conventional way is not likely, then check in with family and friends regarding their ability to invest in your business dreams; The online presence â€" Don’t put the cart before the horse and go into your business venture without a quality Web site. In today’s Internet-driven world, having a bona fide business Web site is crucial. Make sure your venture’s site is ready to go and will be of value to potential customers. Even in the event you need to make some tweaks here and there, have the site serviceable from day one. Without a solid business Web site, you are already starting out behind the eight ball; To have employees or not â€" As many small business owners can attest to, one of the first decisions they will need to confront is whether or not to bring on staff in their business ventures. In many cases, individuals will try and run the entire show on their own. In other instances, they may seek some part-time help, be it family/friends or outsiders. Either way, it is important to have a relatively accurate gauge on this matter so that you have funding put aside for salaries, health insurance, workers comp insurance etc. in the event you will be bringing on staff sooner rather than later; Setting your business goals â€" Lastly, you should be able to comprehend what your goals were/are with starting your own business. Is it to simply make money or is it to fulfill a dream? You can have both, but it is important to have a purpose in mind. Going into a business venture with blinders on can lead to a number of heartaches, so carefully craft your plans. This is why starting a business on the side while still gainfully employed under someone’s umbrella is oftentimes the best solution. So, have you ventured off and started your own business? If the answer is yes, what have been the biggest challenges and the greatest rewards to date? If the answer is no, what are you waiting for?

11 Tips to Help You Get a Raise

11 Tips to Help You Get a Raise Asking for a raise can be intimidating, especially if it’s your first time. Despite the fact that 70% of people who ask for a raise receive one, only 37% of workers even ask. Learning how to ask for an increase in pay is an essential skill that will serve you throughout your entire career and boost your financial wellness. By keeping a few best practices in mind, you’ll be able to successfully negotiate your salary â€" no matter your age or experience. 1. Understand What Your Work is Worth Excellent work deserves to be compensated appropriately. Look at your responsibilities â€" have you lead any projects or taken any special initiatives that your coworkers didn’t? By assessing yourself, you’ll have a clearer understanding of what you bring to the table. 2. Ask Often For What You’re Worth Asking for a raise simply recognizes that you’re working at a higher level than when your salary was last reviewed. Reminding your boss consistently of your value will ensure they notice your contributions and ambition and keep you top-of-mind during budget conversations. 3. Make Your Request Timely Timing is everything. Consider popping the question after a noteworthy accomplishment, during a successful performance review, with the acceptance of a new project, or before the end of the fiscal year. Remember that it’s advisable to wait until you’ve been at the job for a year before asking for a raise unless you’ve taken on a new leadership role or responsibilities. 4. Do Your Research What are others being paid for comparable work? Look to market data on sites like GlassDoor, PayScale, and Salary.com and create a spreadsheet to record your findings. The concrete numbers will help justify your request. 5. Prepare and Practice Your Pitch Being prepared will boost your confidence. When making your gameplan, compile a list of accomplishments, including both qualitative and quantitative attributes. Focus on the value you bring rather than your need for a pay raise and remember to always ask in person. 6. Dress for Success A clean, sharp outfit communicates professionalism. You should have a feel for the culture at your company and match your look appropriately, being careful not to go overboard. Simple colors and good hygiene are a great place to start. 7. Communicate Your Goals Show that you’re committed to the company by communicating your long-term goals to take on more responsibility. This ensures that your boss knows you’re not just looking for a quick, short-term pay bump. 8. Avoid ultimatums Ultimatums don’t build positive professional relationships. Instead of threatening to leave the company if the salary negotiation doesn’t go your way, emphasize that you’d love to stay with the company and you hope that you can work something out. 9. Prepare for every outcome Be prepared to respond professionally, no matter the outcome. If your request is declined, ask how you can improve your performance with specific details on what you can do for higher compensation. Also, consider setting a time to revisit the conversation in a few months. This shows you’re dedicated to advancing your career. If your boss values your work but can’t give you a raise because of budget restrictions, negotiate other aspects of your job like more work from home flexibility or paid time off. If you feel you’re unable to move up, consider switching organizations. To continue thriving in your career, asking for a raise is an essential skill. Whatever the reason may be that’s holding people back, it’s clear that Americans should start negotiating their salaries more frequently and more effectively. This infographic from Self Lender walks you through how to successfully ask for a raise. About the author:  Jeff Smith is the Vice President of SEO at Self Lender, an organization that helps thousands of people begin their financial journey with a credit builder account. He also serves as Editor of the Self Lender blog. Jeff has more than 14 years of experience in marketing and product management teams in high-growth companies and was previously a newspaper editor.

The Purpose Of Writing Objectives For Resume

The Purpose Of Writing Objectives For ResumeWriting objectives for resume can vary according to the type of data you are using in the resume and the reasons why it is being collected. Some employers would be more comfortable with the objective given in the cover letter and others may have certain guidelines to follow when writing them. Even so, the objective written in the resume should be clear enough to direct the reader to the desired location of the resume on the webpage.The objective can be varied according to the different types of data being collected by the employer. If it is an interview that the resume is being submitted for, the objective will include a rough idea about the answers that are expected to be provided by the applicant. The objective should also be filled in with accurate details so that it can be included in the resume as well.For the purpose of quantitative research, the objective of the resume is always a good option. It is known to be the most used document that is read from the resume page. Some questions about the objectives should also be asked before actually writing them down.If quantitative data are included, the objective is what the employer uses to determine the worth of the person. He will know how much the person is worth to his company or the position he is applying for. For this reason, the objective should be interesting and relevant to the data that is being collected.The objective should not only be grammatically correct but should also be easy to understand. It should also be written in the appropriate style so that it can be easily understood by a computer and the human reader. The objective must be written in a way that it can be presented as a single piece of data in the resume or as a summary of all the data available.The reader should also be able to get some ideas about the data to be included in the objective. This means that the employer should come up with a concrete idea that will answer the question about t he data collected about the prospective employee. This will help him decide whether the data are reliable enough to include in the cover letter or the resume objective.The objective should also be written in a way that it can be read by a person who does not know the topic in detail. In this case, the objective can be shortened and the subject matter can be explained in the summary part of the document. This is because a person with little knowledge about the subject can easily miss the explanation that is written in the summary.Writing objectives for resume is indeed important in determining whether a person has the ability to complete a quantitative research. They are also important in deciding the selection of the right data to be included in the resume. They also can help the employee get the information needed to answer the question being asked by the interviewer.

Networking Authentically

Networking Authentically Today a client told me that he was uncomfortable networking and that where he came from it just wasnt done. As I probed further I discovered that my client believed that networking was about asking for a favor and this bothered him. But networking is not about asking for favors. Networking is about asking for and sharing information. It encourages trust, community, authenticity, and reciprocity. Good networkers give more than they get. They share knowledge, ideas, and resources. They connect people and businesses. Does that sound like something thats done where you come from? Lets hope so. Make a commitment to yourself today to help someone in your community, school, or company. Youll be glad that you did. Networking Authentically Check out these wise words of  networking wisdom  from Gen Y blogger and entrepreneur  Jun Loayza  over on the  Brazen Careerist  blog. Jun reminds us that a bigger online network doesnt mean a better network. Avoid  promiscuous linking  and connect to people you know well or want to get to know better. Its hard to be credible when you claim to know several thousand people well.

Thousands of Resumes, So Little Time - CareerAlley

Thousands of Resumes, So Little Time - CareerAlley We may receive compensation when you click on links to products from our partners. Decide that you want it more than you are afraid of it. Bill Cosby Its so easy (relatively speaking) to send your resume to companies, apply for specific jobs online, email your resume to recruiters and sign up at lots of job search sites. Companies like Google and Apple can get hundreds (or more) of applications for every job posting. Even if that number is inflated, it is humanly impossible to read every resume received. Thats why most companies these days use key word search to narrow down the resumes that are worth reviewing. Companies that depend on recruiters to source candidates can receive 20-30 resumes per job opening. As a hiring manager, it is unlikely that you will read through 30 resumes (let alone hundreds) for any one job opportunity. Two really important filters are used to trim the volume of resumes down to a manageable level qualifications and key word search. If you fail on either of these points you are unlikely to have your resume seen by the right people (whether you are the right candidate or not). There are other factors to consider as well (spelling errors). So, what can you do to ensure that your resume stands out from the crowd? How do you get your resume to the top of the list? Resume Keywords The sheer volume of resumes sent via the Internet (email or otherwise) forces the use of keywords. The general guess is that upwards of 85% of all resumes are searched for keywords. Keywords are used both, on the resumes you submit for specific jobs as well as resumes you post on job search sites. Keywords vary across job functions and industries, but there are some standard words that are searched on every resume. These are your action words, they indicate what you have done (such as managed, implemented, created, completed, etc.). There is a reason they are called key words, they will unlock the interview door for you if used correctly. Resume Keywords Resume Keywords and How to Use Them The Most Powerful Words to Use on Your Resume Industry specific resume keywords Qualifications Assuming your resume makes it through the keyword search, your qualifications (embedded in your experience) is the next filter that will be used. You may be the best at what you do (or have done), but no one will know if your accomplishments are not included in your resume. This includes job titles, certifications and education, professional organizations and (of course) your experience. Summary of Qualifications Resume Qualifications Examples: Resume Summary of Qualifications Curriculum Vitae Template Good luck in your search.Joey Trebif