Not Just Jobs But Info, Too

November 13, 1997

It's a professionally designed site packed with information and jobs and it's easily navigable.

It's also doing something a bit different. In addition to posting jobs and general info, Bassett Laudi, of Toronto, looks at growing companies. This means you have the opportunity (perhaps) of getting in on the ground floor and moving quickly. Not a bad idea.

The jobs database is searchable by keyword and a cursory exam showed 43 programming positions. A bit of confusion exists in that their IT Jobs page and their JAVA Jobs page, while having different URLs, appear to be one and the same page, so there's no real need to go to both.

And, while IT job postings are a dime a dozen on the Internet, the information necessary to keep you updated about the industry's peculiarities is not often found on the same site. Bassett Laudi attempts to correct this and should be commended for understanding that hunters have a variety of needs.

In addition to their many articles focusing on fast track companies, there's also a terrific resource section, with links to loads of JAVA info, online computer mags and, interestingly, Canadian immigration laws.

So, if you're looking for a colder climate, want to try a new culture, or just visit a well-designed site, visit Bassett Laudi.

Habla Espanol?

November 12, 1997

Latin America's Professional Network (LATPRO) delivers career management information to bilingual professionals who speak English and Spanish or Portuguese.

LATPRO has a Web presence, but a minimal one. What it does offer though is targeted information via email to those professionals interested in working in Latin America or those interested in working with US organizations doing business in Latin America.

You can subscribe to any number of newsletters and discussion forums via email. According to Eric Shannon, the contact person at LATPRO,

"Email is my tool of choice based on more than two years of experience building the alumni network of the Masters of International Business Studies (MIBS) program. There is no better tool to reach a mobile and busy group of people (which describes many professionals today)."

Fun and Games and Jobs?

November 11, 1997

Klynveld Peat Marwick Goerdeler, LLP (or, KPMG for short) has an engaging site for both grads and undergrads. Yes, of course, they have job postings.

But, they have more. They have interview tips, FAQs, company history, and career info. While some of it is general, most is specific to KPMG. In other words, this site understands that it takes an effort to recruit you and that you'd like to know what you're getting into before you take the plunge.

How interesting.

Of course a few other companies have picked up on the approach to lure job hunters to their sites. Microsoft has something similar; so do a few others. So, KPMG has gone even further. They have an email game.

Huh? A game on a corporate recruiting site?

But take a look. There are eight weekly rounds of the game. During each round, you're asked three questions, which if answered correctly in any two rounds, advance you to the playoffs. And, we're not talking T-shirts here, people. If you're a playoff winner you get an eight-day Caribbean vacation for two or a funded account with a personal financial planner.

Of course, there's a method to the madness. Much of the email game involves identifying insightful, famous, or KPMG-related quotes. Do you think they KPMG recruiters might be looking at the mail and making judgments about what you know as you play?

Quite an Impression

November 10, 1997

Lasting Impressions is not your typical resume writing service site. Instead, it's quite professional, informative, and knowledgeable of Web users' reading styles.

Lasting Impressions offers an impressive array of job hunting tools and resources--far beyond what most small business sites have managed to put together. A few of them are outlined below:

• If the resume they write for you doesn't produce the results you want within 60 days, they'll rewrite it free of charge.
• If you have a question about job hunting, interviewing, or resumes, Lasting Impressions can help. They've got a career forum where you can post your question. Better yet, there's an employment advisory panel composed of several professional people who will provide you with a detailed answer--within 24 hours. They'll even email you to let you know when their answer has been posted. Talk about customer service!
• If you need yet another place to start your hunting, Lasting Impression's offers a compilation of help wanted sections from newspapers. While this is an extensive list, it is unorganized and could benefit from alphabetizing or categorizing.
• To us, there best service is their free resume critique. And, if you take a glance at their sample resumes, you can be assured that the critique will offer something of value.