Don't Screen Yourself Out

August 13, 1998

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."

Networks

August 12, 1998

Job prospects in Information Technology continue to just get better and better. And, within the field, there are a number of areas.

According to a recent report from RHI Consulting, the "Hot Jobs Report", networking is the hottest speciality, with network, LAN and systems administration being emphasized.

(RHI Consulting is a specialized staffing service placing information technology professionals on a short- and long-term basis.)

The Hot Jobs Report tracks job growth in information technology through a survey of 1,400 CIOs nationwide. The study was developed by RHI Consulting and conducted by an independent research firm, which polled CIOs from a stratified random sample of U.S. companies with 100 or more employees.

32 percent of CIOs cited networking as the area experiencing the most growth within their IT departments.

Internet/intranet development was also strong - 18 percent of all technology executives surveyed said it was the fastest area of expansion.

Within the networking category, the job titles mentioned most by CIOs as being in strong demand were network administrators, network managers and specialists.

Health Careers Links

August 12, 1998

Interested in pursuing a career in the health field? Do you know what it takes?

The University of California, Irvine site offers advice--including majors and appropriate tests. It also has a section on alternative fields in the industry.

But, before you consign yourself to the field, check out Bard College'scareer information, including forecasts from Recruiting Trends magazine. Certainly the health care field is growing, but so are others. To browse additional fields and how to learn about them, visit the US Government site. It offers all sorts of freebies from what it takes to be a weather person to how to apply for an astronaut opening.

If you are convinced the health field is where you want to be--but aren't yet--look into programs that accept transfer credits and life experience. This will help shorten the amount of time you may need to spend back at school.

If you're already in the field, but are looking for a new job, there are several places to go on the Web.

Complete with animated icons, frames, and hard-to-navigate tables, Health Careers OnLine offers a plethora of opportunities for those in the health care fields--including health information and technology specialists.

Less flashy, and easier to use, is the Michigan Electronic Library site. It has links to several health care job boards and career information.

Advertising Trends, Economics, and You

August 11, 1998

The Conference Board of New York recently announced that demand for labor has remained virtually steady over the past three months.

According to them, help-wanted advertising on 51 major newspapers across the US rose in 4 regions and declined in five. "Steepest declines were in the West North Central (-5.3%), Mountain (-3.9%) and West South Central (-3.6%) regions. Largest increases were in the East North Central(14.7%), East South Central (3.3%) and New England (3.9%) regions."

Interestingly, according to Reuters News, states with the fewest new unemployment claims last month were California, with 4,988 fewer claims, Texas, with 3,160 fewer, Kentucky down 2,339, and Ohio, down 1,108. In fact, according to US News, "Michigan and Ohio recently launched competing national advertising campaigns to lure workers to those states, where unemployment is the lowest in nearly 30 years."

What this means to you is the economy is still growing and employment is still strong.

How can you use this to your advantage?

Realize that if you are a skilled professional, you are desperately needed--somewhere. Go to industry conferences, engage in some informational interviews, and talk to a few headhunters to find out what companies are looking for.

Then, bone up on your economics. In a strong economy, with a labor shortage, what's a decent wage?