Saturday, May 30, 2020

How Are Others Doing Job Search

How Are Others Doing Job Search From the beginning of JibberJobber we designed it so that you see first Contacts, then Companies, then Jobs. This was a subliminal and purposeful order so that you would first think about contacts and networking. They say that 85% of jobs are found through networking, and anywhere from 2% to 14% of jobs are found through job postings.   So why not focus on networking, instead of trying to focus on applying to posted jobs?   Thats what they say we should do. Anyway, I just looked at some stats on JibberJobber and found that the most popular section in JibberJobber is the Contacts section. This was pretty awesome to see people are using JibberJobber to manage their network. GOOD JOB! The next most popular, neck-and-neck, is the Jobs section. This is where people are going to organize and track postings, contact points, etc. This is not surprising, and its really quite important but it still is cool to me that the Contacts section (barely) beat it in popularity/use. Coming in at about less than 1/2 of what those sections got was the Companies section. I get that. When I started my job search I didnt understand the value of target companies, and how they play a role in my job search. Maybe other JibberJobber users have the same confusion, OR, maybe they are applying to multiple openings at the same company (which makes sense). I find this data and usage interesting. Heres my ask of you: Please think about, consider, and reconsider how TARGET COMPANIES play into your job search strategy.   Target companies could drive your decisions about who to talk to, where to focus your informational interviews, where to spend your time, what roles to apply to (maybe you are looking for X, but your target company needs X+Y or X-Y does it make sense to look at the opportunities of where  you want to be and what you can or want to do?   Im not saying to drop everything for the company, but if the company is right, maybe it makes sense to adjust your career trajectory a bit to get in the right place (or, as Jim Collins (Good to Great) would say, to get on the right bus). How Are Others Doing Job Search From the beginning of JibberJobber we designed it so that you see first Contacts, then Companies, then Jobs. This was a subliminal and purposeful order so that you would first think about contacts and networking. They say that 85% of jobs are found through networking, and anywhere from 2% to 14% of jobs are found through job postings.   So why not focus on networking, instead of trying to focus on applying to posted jobs?   Thats what they say we should do. Anyway, I just looked at some stats on JibberJobber and found that the most popular section in JibberJobber is the Contacts section. This was pretty awesome to see people are using JibberJobber to manage their network. GOOD JOB! The next most popular, neck-and-neck, is the Jobs section. This is where people are going to organize and track postings, contact points, etc. This is not surprising, and its really quite important but it still is cool to me that the Contacts section (barely) beat it in popularity/use. Coming in at about less than 1/2 of what those sections got was the Companies section. I get that. When I started my job search I didnt understand the value of target companies, and how they play a role in my job search. Maybe other JibberJobber users have the same confusion, OR, maybe they are applying to multiple openings at the same company (which makes sense). I find this data and usage interesting. Heres my ask of you: Please think about, consider, and reconsider how TARGET COMPANIES play into your job search strategy.   Target companies could drive your decisions about who to talk to, where to focus your informational interviews, where to spend your time, what roles to apply to (maybe you are looking for X, but your target company needs X+Y or X-Y does it make sense to look at the opportunities of where  you want to be and what you can or want to do?   Im not saying to drop everything for the company, but if the company is right, maybe it makes sense to adjust your career trajectory a bit to get in the right place (or, as Jim Collins (Good to Great) would say, to get on the right bus).

Tuesday, May 26, 2020

How To Dress Up Your Work Wardrobe

How To Dress Up Your Work Wardrobe The clothes we wear express who we are but can also have a huge impact on how we â€" and others â€" see ourselves. Nowhere is this more important than in our work life as this is where we often need to call on every ounce of resilience and confidence we have to put in the best possible performance. A work wardrobe which makes you feel less than fantastic will soon start to drain your energy levels. It’s true that you need to dress to impress at work, but the most important person you need to impress is yourself. Luckily, you don’t need to rush out and buy bags and bags of new clothes to dress up your work wardrobe. Key features of a stylish work wardrobe Minimalist Some workplaces enforce a uniform, and it’s not in an effort to quash the style or self-expression of their employees. It creates a sense of identity in the company which can be great for teamwork and puts everyone on a level playing field, but it also removes the need for decision making when you get ready for work each day. That’s what you should keep in mind when choosing new workwear as a capsule wardrobe will provide a small range of versatile items you can rely on to make you look and feel your best every day. Comfortable Comfort and how easily you can move around in the clothes is essential as you really don’t want to be worrying about pinching shoes, tight waistlines, or itchy fabrics during the working day. If an item makes you feel self-conscious, it’s going to affect not just how you feel but also your performance. High quality Putting a smart wardrobe together requires high-quality pieces which can withstand lots of wear and washing and still retain their shape. This is especially true when you are building a capsule wardrobe as you’ll be wearing key pieces multiple times. Confidence boosting Confidence is key to success at work, and our outfit goes a long way to making ourselves feel positive and strong in what we do. A great dress, jumpsuit or blazer that tells people that you mean business can make you feel a full foot taller. 6 simple ways to dress up your work wardrobe Research what you like Browsing in stores or on the internet is a great way to work out which outfit styles you prefer before you part with any money. It may be that what you like is quite different from what’s in your wardrobe and that’s okay. Often we buy and hold on to clothes that, if we’re honest, we will never wear. You may want to think about stylish celebrities or even people from your workplace who have a great sense of style. When you’ve collected plenty of images of the types of outfits you like, you can note down the similarities between them, such as color schemes. Choose 2-3 garments which make you feel great There are some garments which might be slightly unusual choices for you, but when you put them on they make you feel like a million dollars. These are the pieces which you can call on when you’re not feeling confident on the inside which give you an extra boost of self-belief. It could be a great pair of heels, a bold jumpsuit or a fantastic piece of outerwear such as a Gloverall peacoat which is not only stylish but also perfect for keeping you warm this winter. Include 2-3 versatile staples Next, come the classic pieces which you’ll probably pull out several times in a week as they are versatile enough to be dressed up or down. The little black dress or pantsuit is a great choice for many women as they can be worn with any colors and flats or heels depending on how formal you want it to be. These staple pieces should be of a high enough quality that they can withstand several wears. Depending on your workplace you may be able to wear some smart jeans which can be dressed up with a blazer. Add in the basics Your basic items will bring your confidence-boosting pieces and versatile staples together. This includes a range of plain t-shirts in colors which will coordinate with your pants and skirts or even underneath strappy dresses. Black pants and skirts will come to your rescue when you’re struggling for inspiration during the morning rush. Ideally, your basics should be neutral and plain as possible (avoid bright patterns) to ensure you have more combinations to choose from. You can choose to include color, but try to keep to block colors which complement each other. Finish with accessories Nobody wants to be swapping handbags every day to ensure that it coordinates with their outfit, especially when you’re rushing around in the mornings. It’s best to use a single bag which will look great with anything in your wardrobe and is big enough to hold what you need without feeling like you’re lugging around a suitcase. In terms of shoes, just 2 or 3 pairs should give you plenty of options for every outfit as long as you choose them in neutral colors. A comfortable pair of smart flats and a pair of heels is ideal. Finally, your underwear should be supportive and comfortable â€" including pantyhose that don’t ladder at the slightest touch. Throw your own fashion show When you have all of your wardrobe pieces together, it’s time to try everything on. See how many different outfits you can create from what you have and make sure you feel great in everything. You might feel that something is missing like a stunning accessory or a couple of extra cardigans, or that you could do with another versatile staple item to give you more flexibility. On the other hand, you might want to hold off making any more purchases until you’ve lived with the wardrobe for a month or so. You might want to hang your work garments in a separate place to your casual and home clothes to make finding your outfit even easier each morning. With your stylish but simple work wardrobe in place, you can now look forward to stress-free mornings, minimal laundry and plenty of compliments from your co-workers.  

Saturday, May 23, 2020

20 Reasons To Study Abroad - Career Geek

20 Reasons To Study Abroad - Career Geek Studying abroad is a great way to find growth, career inspiration, and great experiences, but so many students today don’t get to experience this type of learning. In fact, only 1% of all students enrolled in higher education institutions today choose to study abroad. The cost of travel, fear, and an unwillingness to miss out on precious time at school are major reasons why so many students never go overseas for education, but we’d like to see students overcome these obstacles and enjoy the benefits of learning in another country. Read on to learn why studying abroad is such an important experience, and why many believe that study abroad programs should be required for higher education students today. Students who not only study abroad, but work abroad, have a major advantage over their peers. A  Forbes  article indicates that candidates with foreign experience in China and Brazil get a major boost when it comes to promotion, as much as a year or two faster on the promotion track.   5

Monday, May 18, 2020

All Brands Should Embrace the Green Movement - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career

All Brands Should Embrace the Green Movement - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career Today, I spoke with Daniel Esty, who is a Yale professor and expert on the environment. One of the major news themes in the past year has been the environment and how companies should go green. Daniel is one of the most knowledgeable people on this topic, so we discuss how going green can actually help improve a companies bottom line and attract and retain employees. Do you think companies should embrace a green culture to attract and retain Generation-Y? One of the big surprises that emerged out of the research behind GREEN TO GOLD was the importance of bringing environment into business strategy as a matter of human resources policy. Many companies report that many of todays younger employees (and potential hires) want to work for a company whose corporate culture and values they respect. Concern for the environment emerges as a core value for many, especially the most highly sought after knowledge workers. [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i-sfjJ9AdFE] Can you explain corporate/social responsibility for the environment and why people and companies should start caring in a big way? Companies have started to care for environment in a big way for reasons that go way beyond corporate social responsibility, which always seems like a narrow commitment to be a good citizen and do fewer harmful things. Todays embrace of the environment as a core element of strategy is all about success in the marketplace. Companies that promote eco-efficiency, especially in the face of $100/barrel oil prices, will cut costs and improve their competitive position. Likewise, businesses that manage eco-risks better than the competition will see their costs go down and their competitive position strengthen. And many corporations are finding ways to drive revenues with goods or services that have a green dimension. Others are building their brands and corporate images around being environmental solutions providers. Think, for example, of GEs rebranding around ecomagination. The GREEN TO GOLD story is about growing both the top line and the bottom line by bringing an environmental lens to every aspect of corporate activity. What impact does a green-friendly company have over bottom-line results and the overall economy? Under todays circumstances (notably high energy prices), companies that go green may well be positioned as low-cost providers. And they may well be able to differentiate their products in the marketplace and thus deliver more value to their customers, all of which contributes to market strength and profitability. Why is a green-company more attractive to work at? Many employees today have lots of choices about where to work, so companies that have attractive corporate cultures, including a commitment to the environment, emerge as the employers of choice. Environmental protection is fundamental to quality of life and many people want to have these issues addressed in their professional as well as their personal lives. Do you think all companys in the future will have to be green? What will happen if a companys chooses not to go that way? I believe that most companies will find that it pays to go green but how green will depend on the circumstances of the particular business. It is also the case that a mere commitment to being green will not advantage a company. In bringing an environmental focus into a business, it is important for the companys leaders to be strategic. Environmental initiatives do not pay off unless they are pursued with the same degree of systematic care and analytic rigor as any other sort of corporate effort. - Daniel C. Esty is the Hillhouse Professor of Environmental Law and Policy, with appointments at both the Yale Law School and the Yale School of Forestry Environmental Studies. He is also the Director of the Yale Center for Environmental Law and Policy as well as the Center for Business and the Environment at Yale. Professor Esty’s research has focused on next generation regulation and the relationships between the environment and trade, competitiveness, governance, and development. He is the author or editor of nine books and numerous articles on environmental policy issues.

Friday, May 15, 2020

College Graduate Resume Writing Service

College Graduate Resume Writing ServiceA college graduate resume writing service can help make your job a lot easier. The work involved with the completion of a high school resume is often daunting. The sheer amount of work involved with it will overwhelm even the most confident and hardworking people.It is not easy to write a resume because it is one of the most difficult task to undertake. So, if you have never written a resume before, it is recommended that you first contact a professional resume writing service. If you are serious about learning how to do it yourself, you should look for a guide that teaches you how to do it.A graduate resume writing service offers you the chance to obtain expert help in completing the very difficult task of writing a college graduate resume. A college graduate resume service will help you learn how to approach the task of writing your own resume. They will explain all the different types of resumes, which is a necessary task to complete. They wi ll also help you develop a resume that is impressive and one that will stand out from the rest.As soon as you have completed your professional resume, you will have a strong argument to present to the hiring manager. You will be able to present your skills, abilities, and qualities in a much more convincing manner than you could otherwise. When you are ready to begin the process of building your portfolio, a resume writing service can provide you with the tools you need to show employers that you know what you are doing.When you contact a college graduate resume writing service, you will receive a series of articles that outline a variety of different types of resumes. Once you have had a chance to read them, you will be able to see which ones will work best for you. If you have never written a resume before, you will be able to find a guide that teaches you everything you need to know to help you through the process.An important element of a resume writing service is the time they offer to help you. They will often give you a small number of hours to work on your resume. They are there to help you finish your job, and they want to make sure that you have time to take care of all the details that are required to be included on your resume. They want to make sure that your resume is done properly.There are many people who choose to use a college graduate resume writing service. Some may even use it as their primary means of doing job hunting. As long as you know what you are getting into, and the time required to complete the project, you will find that you do not regret using this type of service. It will provide you with a great start on your job search.Your goal when selecting a college graduate resume writing service is to find one that is close to your local area. This will make it easier for you to contact them, especially during the times when you need to get things done as quickly as possible. You will find that your job search will move at a faster pac e when you have the assistance of a reputable resume writing service.

Tuesday, May 12, 2020

Corn is on the move (and not just into a new apartment)

Corn is on the move (and not just into a new apartment) 9 Flares 9 Flares Some of you may already know this, but let this post be the official announcement.  Ive moved out of my parents house, and into my own place.  Oh yes, it is official, and Ive now been living here for just over a week. The move has been very interesting, very tiring, very exhausting, and very awesome.  After some quick brainstorming on Twitter, Ive chosen a name for my new pad, and that name is The Corn Cave.  Dont laugh, jerk. Ok, so yes, my life has literally been on the move, but Corn on the Job also has some bad ass projects coming your way in the very near future.  I pride myself on what weve built together on Corn on the Job, but I know there are opportunities to help the Corn Head community outside of this blog.  Ever feel like theres just more?  Thats how Ive been feeling for a while now, and Im finally ready to build something (or three things) that are going to make a difference. Did you pick up my little hint?   If you did, you see that I have three separate projects dropping in the near future.  While Id love to spill the beans on each project now, thats just not going to happen. Things are building quickly, so it wont be too long before I can let loose and drop the announcement. However, I can tell you about one of these new projects.  Im officially launching my own Resume Writing and Job Search Consulting business.  A more formal post will be out soon on this, but heres what you should know: Resumes by Corn $99 For the insane low price of $99, this is what you get: Phone consultation to identify the voice of the needed resume Questionnaire to best identify where I need to focus First Draft within 5-7 business day of received questionnaire Final Draft within 3 days of First Draft edits Job Search Consulting With Corn (Skype or on Phone 30 Minutes $50     60 Minutes $75 Wouldnt it be great to have your own personal career coach just a call or click away?  It seems like every time we apply to a new job, we have new questions that spring up, or new challenging situations.  For that reason, clients can decide to use their purchased time however is best for them, and are not required to use it all at once.  Awesome, right? Send me an email (email below) if either o f these services is of interest to you!  I promise you wont regret working with me, Mr. Corn! CornOnTheJob@gmail.com

Friday, May 8, 2020

Small Business Saturday Making Time For Social Media

Small Business Saturday Making Time For Social Media Social media is certainly not a magic wand, but it is a fantastic way to network and grow awareness of your business. There are two obstacles I regularly hear from people. They say: I dont know where to start I dont have enough time   Knowing where to start isnt as much as an obstacle as you might think. You are probably already on one social network already. Step one is to maximize your activity on that one network. You have a personal profile on LinkedIn, great! But are you really getting the most out of it? See if you are doing these things: Updating your status update daily with interesting, relevant stories, news, questions or information. Adding key words to your skills expertise Revamping your profile summary to tell your story and highlight your unique value proposition Tweak your headline for optimum search results Add media rich content to highlight your portfolio of accomplishments or show off your work Join relevant groups Participate in group discussions Invite new people you meet or want to meet to join your network Create a business page As the saying goes, Lather. Rinse. Repeat. These are daily and weekly activities you will want to do regularly! Do you have a Facebook account? Are you using it for business? You will probably want or need to create a business page on Facebook. Actively promote your Facebook business page and invite your friends to like it. Give them a reason to visit your page- great visuals, great information they may not find on LinkedIn, give-aways or free content, special deals, stories about customers, testimonials Make sure youve got a link to your website in your about section Create events and invite your friends to attend or share the news Twitter anyone? This open network is one of the best, in my opinion, for reaching out and establishing new relationships. Join Twitter chats or host one Share great content, news events, related to your expertise Always thank people for sharing your tweets Participate in #FF (Follow Friday) by listing the Twitter users you most respect, value and/or enjoy Find and follow new accounts by using FollowerWonk or other tricks Just in case you want a handy checklist, you can find a really helpful one here by Top Dog Social. You can also find 11 Beginner Twitter Tips here. Investing Time As with any new task, there is a learning curve. But once you get the hang of this stuff, you can literally get a lot of it done in about an hour a day. Pre-schedule tweets using Buffer, SocialOomph, Tweetdeck or Hootsuite Cross-share on multiple networks (when appropriate) using the tools just mentioned. (Hootsuite is my weapon of choice) Get a good feed of content to share:  following people on Twitter or Facebook; using RSS feedreaders like The Old Reader or Feedly; searching Technorati, Alltop, or even LinkedIns news customize news feature. Set a timer and see how much you can get done in 30 minutes in the morning and 30 minutes at the end of the day! Many of these tips and suggestions are explored further in Social Networking For Business Success. Did you get your copy yet?