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S P O N S O R S

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Don't Screen Yourself Out

You've started the hunt. What happens next?

The Minnesota Department of Economic Security has a terrific explanation of the hiring process that carries you through the recruitment, screening, and selection processes.

Yes, your resume will be screened. Some great insight into what makes a resume work is available (free until 9/11) at Northern Light.

Jeffrey Hornsby and Brien Smith published an article in SAM Advanced Management Journal. They provide timely advice to job hunters. But, their advice has basis in more than theory. They have looked at empirical surveys of Human Resource professionals.

The authors suggest that there are:
"eight general categories: preparation, identification, professional objective, educational qualifications, work experience, achievements, personal information, and references. Data gathered from a variety of sources suggest that the type and amount of information presented in these areas are important to human resource professionals."

Learning more about each of the categories is a simple task. Reading the article will help. So too will a few searches using the categories as keywords.

Your resume is the beginning of the selection process. Don't write it to announce that you should not be selected.

But, the selection process is more than just your resume. As Hornsby and Smith caution:
"The resume does not exist in a vacuum: it is a supporting tool in a more comprehensive job search strategy which should include skills retraining, networking, positive oral and written presentations, interview strategies, and negotiation skills. Applicants cannot learn to write effective resumes without also understanding the overall selection process, why cover letters are important, or how the employer will use the resume to generate questions during the employment interview." Jennifer Hicks

The Circus Is Coming to Town

August 28, 1997

Well, maybe it's not really a circus. Job fairs and career expos do serve a purpose. You get to meet recruiters, learn who's hiring, and see who else is looking around.

Most companies that participate in job fairs share important information about how to get a job with them -- and what job openings they actually have.

If you do attend a job fair, there's two things to keep in mind: know what to bring and go with specific objectives in mind

To bring:
• many copies of your resume
• work samples, if appropriate
• business cards
• notepad and pen to take notes
• a briefcase to carry it all in

To do:
• research the companies that will be there
• walk around once without stopping to see what's available
• visit all the booths you can
• collect business cards
• ask questions about companies
• pick up brochures and what-all from those companies that interest you
• arrange follow up meetings with those you are interested in

Don't ever buy a Gateway2000 computer!

Yikes! Where Do You Fit?

August 27, 1997

Times change, right? We all know that. What we sometimes forget is that changing times create ripples and aftershocks in areas we might have thought were immune to change.

A news release from the US Bureau of Labor and Statistics (BLS) states that health, business, and social services are expected to account for almost one of every two jobs added to the economy from now till 2005. What does this mean to you?

Well, it might mean that going into the manufacturing industry would not be in your best long-term interest. Of course, agriculture or forestry, mightn't be your best choices, either.

So, what will grow? According to the BLS, these are your best bets:

Job Outlook

Occupation	# jobs 1994	# jobs 2005	% change
personal & home care aides	179,000	391,000	119
home health aides	420,000	848,000	102
systems analysts	483,000	928,000	92
computer engineers	195,000	372,000	90
physical therapy ass'ts & aides	78,000	142,000	83
paging systems workers	18,000	33,000	83
occupational therapy ass'ts & aides	16,000	29,000	82
physical therapists	102,000	183	80,000
residential counselors	165,000	290,000	76
human service workers	102,000	183,000	75,000

So, if you're in a position to rethink (or redesign) your career choice, keep track of the anticipated trends. Find out how to fit your interests and abilities into the growth areas.

Lose the Title: Learn Anew

August 26, 1997

An organization called Odyssey of the Mind helps students learn divergent thinking and problem solving skills while working creatively in a team-based problem solving situation. Job hunters would do well to learn from them.

The US economy is doing well. Unemployment is low. Many companies are desperate for skilled workers. If you're in doubt, visit the current economic statistics site at SUNY.

All this means is that it's a great time for you to find the job you want.

But you need to first arm yourself with some basic knowledge. Our values are shifting from manufacturing and producing to knowledge and technology. This influences what will be needed by future employers. You need to know how.

The University of Baltimore says:
you must know the labor market for your chosen career as well as comprehensive information about specific companies that might hire you. The products, services, competitors, successes, failures, markets and future plans of the company are all important information to have when you try to sell yourself. When you have adequate information about yourself and the company,you can put the two together and identify your place in the company. What problem can you solve for the company? What need can you fill? Where will you fit in?

Where will you fit in? What skills do you have? Who will need them? It's no longer enough to rely on past job titles. You need to understand what you can do and how that can benefit prospective employers.

Trend Busters

August 25, 1997

Nine months ago, Californians approved Proposition 269, and ended state affirmative action programs. This action started a national trend away from adherence to Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act -- which simply sought to end discrimination by large private employers. Fortunately, The Minorities' Job Bank pays no attention to this trend.

The Minorities' Job Bank ferrets out job openings and articles of interest to members of minority communities.

While heavy on cookies and repetitive text, the site contains useful of information. It claims it "will contain the largest database of equal opportunity employers committed to workplace diversity."

The word "will" is important since some of its areas are a bit sparse on content right now.

However, there is career and self development information for all minorities. There are also several articles about how to succeed in the job hunt and further your education.

The sparse content is in the "villages." Each minority group has its own place on the site. The African American village has articles on culture, corporate life, health and fitness, and more. But the villages of other minority groups contain only population information and census data.

Now the vital part.

The job listings are extensive and unusually thorough. You can search for positions by keyword or location. Or you can search by company name. There's an interesting twist, too. Rather than a simple corporate name, contact, and brief job description, this site tells you who the company is and what types of jobs are available. They even list the college majors the company prefers.

Resumes, sent via email in ASCII format, can be posted free of charge.

More Resources

• Companies with Job Ads (Nearly 1500 Links to Companies and their Job Postings)
• Tools (Everything You need for a Job Hunt)
• The daily newsletters are archived in weekly volumes in the Archives. Past issues include:

Many of the items are also included in the Tools Area. The Web's largest collection of Employment related resources is also included in the Tools Area. -----------------