7 Steps to Planning Your Job Search

7 Steps to Planning Your Job Search Searching for a new job  is almost a full-time job, as it takes hard work, time and commitment to succeed. So the last thing you want to do is to send out hundreds of resumes and wait for a reply that may never come, so its important that you are organised and know how to go about your search. In today’s fiercely competitive market, you need to have a strategic plan for your job search before you actually begin the search, from where to look, to identifying the specific kind of roles you want to apply for. Here are 7 steps that should follow when planning your job search. 1. Ask yourself why you are looking for a new job. Are you looking for a new job because you hate your current field of work? Or is it because you have become so good at your job that you no longer feel challenged in the role you are currently in and need to step up and find something more stimulating. 2. Think about what you are looking for. Figure out what you want to do AND what you don’t want to do. Even though you may feel quite strongly about wanting to get out of your current job, it’s still very important for you to take your time to do some planning before launching into your job hunt. At the very least, you should know which fields or industries you are interested in, and what types of positions you are suitable for. 3. Know your strengths and weaknesses. Now that you have a rough idea of what you’re looking for, do you have what it takes to work in those particular  fields or positions? What are you good at? Don’t wait until the job interview to figure these out. You’ll have to highlight them in your resume or you may not even be invited for an interview. 4. Do your initial research. Find out what opportunities are out there in the fields that you’re interested in. Take a look at the job boards, or even company websites of businesses you are interested in. Some job openings are not advertised, so if you know people who are already working in those fields, talk to them. Even though they may not have a job to offer you, they may be able to point you in the right direction or spread the word that you are actively looking for a job. This type of networking has proven to be very helpful throughout the job search process. 5. Set aside time to do the search. Don’t “find time” for job searching, make time! Set aside a couple of hours a day for job searching and make sure it is your sole focus for that time. Make it your “job”. 6. Set measurable goals. Your ultimate goal is to land a job, but before you get there, you’ve got work to do. Set weekly goals for yourself, based on the number of applications to send out, the number of company websites to check out, etc. It will help you to stay motivated and give you a feeling of achievement each time you meet a goal.   7. Practice your interview techniques. Even though you haven’t been granted an interview yet, you should be prepared. List out some of the common interview questions and practice, practice, and practice! This way when you are invited for an interview you feel confident and ready to impress!

Get Your Zen On 6 Ways to Turn Your Office into A Spa - Classy Career Girl

Get Your Zen On 6 Ways to Turn Your Office into A Spa It’s definitely no secret that work can be stressful. It’s a given. Though, while work is highly important, so is your physical and mental health. And attempting to get projects done while under pressure whether it’s pressure from deadlines, pressure from your personal life, or pressure born from overthinking â€" will never give you the best finished product. Taking a moment during the eight-hour workday doesn’t mean taking a one-minute bathroom break. We’re human and need time to recharge. It’s just a part of life. But this isn’t news â€" we all know this. Though, did you know that you can turn your workspace into a spa? Yeah, that’s right, quiet meditation and all. Below are ways to say goodbye to ‘Ahhh!’ and hello to ‘Aaah!’ Get Your Zen On: 6 Ways to Turn Your Office into A Spa 1. Clear Desk, Clear Soul That’s a fair motto, right? But seriously â€" how can anyone be relaxed, let alone productive, with a cluttered, over-packed desk? This is your first step to ultimate work relaxation. No matter what time of year it is, pretend it’s time to Spring clean and donate whatever supplies, knick-knacks, or resources that are never used. Though, this tip could also just be a matter of rearranging your drawers so fewer items are visible on the desk’s surface. 2. Get Some Scents No, not sense. If permitted, light a candle in your office or use a diffuser with scented oils. If not, a wall plug-in will do. According to Entrepreneur, essential oils not only help you relax and therefore focus, but they also “[activate] the immune system, affecting blood pressure and stimulating digestion.” So, they’re also great for your overall health! 3. Ground Yourself with Music Next step to creating your Zen is to grab some headphones (we’re not trying to disrupt our coworkers here, but if you have the type of office where you could play it out loud, great!) Now open your computer’s music library, scan the web, or dig up your phone, iPod or radio… it doesn’t matter. Play your favorite artist or relaxing meditation music and I promise you’ll feel less stressed. I suggest making a playlist, but you do you! [RELATED: 4 Ways to Create a Habitat for Happiness at Work] 4. Real Lighting Get rid of the harsh overhead lights when the sun is a natural, free resource. Shut off the lights and open the windows in your office building. Getting real vitamin D and fresh air may not be parts of a true spa experience, but both will surely rejuvenate you like they are. Though, if the sun has a tendency to hide in your area, pick up a lamp that mimics natural daylight! 5. Five Minute Yoga This one you may or may not be able to do, depending on how flexible your company is (no pun intended!) If you’re in a private office or are simply able to take some time to yourself, store your yoga mat close by and pull it out for a five-minute yoga session. Meditate or stretch â€" either way, it’ll keep you focused for the remainder of the day. Have willing coworkers join in; relaxation for all! 6. Plant a Plant Add greenery into your workspace to lessen feelings of a stuffy office and add in some earthy vibes.   Succulents are my favorite, but adding your favorite flower or plant will be the most beneficial. Though, don’t forget to water it â€" it wants to be relaxed and nourished, too! No matter where you work or what you do, you should remember that you dont need to carry the world on your shoulders. Though, for the times you are carrying too much, remember these tips and ground yourself.

How Engineering Has Become the Most Popular Role in Retail

How Engineering Has Become the Most Popular Role in Retail When you think of retail nowadays, you tend to think of the online space. Retail is no longer all about traditional brick-and-mortar stores. Thats not to say brick-and-mortar is going away, but they are closing at record numbers. With retail  evolving LinkedIn wanted to see how the talent needs of the retail industry are changing, especially in regards to sales and engineering talent. What LinkedIn found was that there was an emergency of engineering roles within retail, and a slight decline in sales roles. Suddenly, software developers have become one of the most important jobs in retail, with the industry now firmly placing itself what is already a fierce market for tech talent. Here are the most insights we found and what it means for employers and employees in retail and outside the industry. Sales are  still popular With pretty much every other retail role declining in popularity, sales are still the biggest function in retail. Sales talent makes up 29% of the workforce in retail, which is twice the size of the second-biggest function, operations. Engineering and IT talent are the third most common type of employee in retail, representing 9% of the industry, with support, marketing, and other roles rounding things out. However, what is found is that the proportion of salespeople within retail is steadily shrinking as illustrated below: The relative size of sales has shrunk from a peak of 33% of all retail jobs in 2013 down to 29% in 2017. At the same time, engineering and IT grew from 7% to 9% of employees in retail (but more on that later). Engineering is on the rise Despite the drop in the proportion of sales roles, other functions within retail are showing promising growthâ€"particularly in engineering. The demand for engineering and digital skills is growing quickly in retail. For example, the role of ‘Software developer’ is now one of the most common titles in the retail industry. Furthermore,  The percent of retail employees in engineering roles has risen from 7% in 2013 to 9% in 2017. Sure that might not sound like a lot, but the speed of the increase is striking, especially when you look at job titles. The most common skill for retail developers The single most popular skill among retail developers was Java, a   common programming language that’s a is commonly used to build the retailers e-commerce stores. JavaScript and HTML, the second- and fourth-most common skills, are fundamental to website development, while SQL. the third-most common skill is used to access and edit databases. Which is generally used to track inventory and customers. Its obvious, everyone knows the retail industry is shifting. The move to online shopping and closure of many traditional stores is visible in our everyday lives. But the composition of the industry’s talent is shifting, too. The number of sales associates, traditionally the backbone of retail, is shrinking, as many look for opportunities elsewhere. This isn’t a “death of retail” story, despite the decline in traditional retail roles. This showcases the shift from brick-and-mortar storefronts to online shopping, given the significant growth in tech roles, as retail becomes yet another industry competing for software developers and IT support. About the author: Sharqua Abdullah is an Associate Insights Analyst at LinkedIn.

How to Find Jobs for College Graduates

How to Find Jobs for College Graduates As college seniors approach the end of the semester, they have a lot more to think about besides final exams and graduation parties. What they’re planning to do after college life is still a question left unanswered for many. For those soon-to-be graduates seeking employment, Beyond.com conducted a poll through February and March, asking college seniors how many jobs they have applied to so far. Faced with continued reports on the tough job market, the class of 2011 is clearly taking some initiative. Here’s what the results showed: More than 33 percent reported they have already applied for over 40 jobs. Just about 21 percent of respondents have applied for somewhere between 10 and 20 jobs. Almost 20 percent have applied for 21 to 40 jobs. 17 percent have applied for less than 10 jobs. The smallest percentage, 8.5 percent, have applied for no jobs at all. While the economy is looking much brighter for recent college graduates than it has the past couple years, it still takes that extra something to help young job seekers stand out among the other applicants. Here are some tips to help college graduates be at the top of their games and score entry-level jobs in their fields. 1. Clean up your online image Yes, employers do Google applicants. Make sure there’s nothing out there you wouldn’t want an employer to see. This includes ensuring your Facebook and Twitter privacy settings are intact and/or change your accounts to be employer-friendly to ensure you’re only viewed as a professional. 2. Start applying now…if you haven’t already The earlier the better. Many employers start looking for candidates months before graduation, so they are ready to fill the positions in May or June. Try to get ahead of the flood of Spring resumes by applying early and often. 3. Don’t be afraid to network â€" in person and online Every opportunity is an opportunity to network! Whether it’s chatting with a professor, staying in touch with an internship coordinator or creating a LinkedIn profile â€" don’t be afraid to put yourself out there professionally. The worst thing that can happen is nothing. Many people say landing a job is “all about who you know.” Well, the more people you are connected with virtually and in-person, the more chances you have of hearing about an employment opportunity. 4. Target your job search While not every opportunity is going to be your dream job, you can target what you want if you find job postings in a niche job board or LinkedIn group. For example, if you’re looking for finance jobs, find a place where these types of jobs are posted specifically. Niche job boards offer more targeted job search results and a greater variety of relevant job opportunities. 5. Download mobile job search apps Everyone is attached to their Smartphone these days, so why not receive job alerts and do some job-searching on the go? Check out the 20 Best Career-Enhancing iPhone Apps for more ideas. 6. Utilize your school’s career services It’s likely that your college or university has a career services office. Some schools also offer further training like a project management certificate or other classes to deepen your education. While you’re still a student, make use of these services by making an appointment to have your resume critiqued or do a mock interview. Also, join a professional student organization or participate in groups/activities on campus that are good resume builders. For example, if you’re an advertising major, you could join American Advertising Federation (AAF). 7. Prepare for interviews â€" homework “thank you’s” If you’ve received a call back after applying for a job, you need to be prepared and on top of your game. To stand out from the other interviewees, research the company beforehand. Have questions to ask â€" this will show you are interested. Also, send a hand-written thank you note or an email thank you at the very least. Check out How To Prepare for Your Job Interview for more tips. 8. Gain experience while job-searching If you have some spare time while applying for jobs, take on an internship in your desired field. This will give you extra experience to put on your resume and show that you took the initiative to advance your skill-set instead of waiting around or taking an irrelevant job. 9. Attend career fairs Career fairs are a great way to get in front of multiple employers looking to hire and network face-to-face. It provides the opportunity to showcase your communication skills and personality while participating in mini-interviews. It can help move your resume to the top of the pile. 10. Create an online career portfolio Distinguish yourself from other candidates and create a powerful web page that will display your skills and experiences to show employers that you’re willing to go the extra mile and are committed to your job search. Author: Rich Milgram is the Founder and CEO of Beyond.com, Inc. Since January 1998, Rich has developed and grown the company as a highly niche-specific web community, consisting of more than 15,000 sites providing services to business professionals and corporations to promote growth in career, business and life.

Foster Parenting as a Career Choice

Foster Parenting as a Career Choice Photo Credit â€" Pexels.comThere a comes a point for a lot of people where they reach a stage in their career when they start thinking about new career paths they could explore. Many think about starting their own business, or finally taking a shot at their childhood dream.But what if your career choice could fulfill another child’s dream? Fostering.To many this is considered as something which is done by the government where the children are living in hostels. However, many do not realize that a career in fostering can be very rewarding, both for the child and themselves.evalBefore making a career change into Foster Parenting, there are 5 questions you should ask yourself:Are you currently unhappy in your job?Are you bored of the ‘same old’ every morning?Are you craving a new challenge?Do you want a job that makes you feel like you’re making a genuine difference?Do you want a job that can completely change your life and another person’s?If you answered yes to just one of t hese questions, then there is a strong possibility that fostering could be the option for you!There was a time when fostering was just done by charities or people willing to take children into their home on a voluntary basis. This has now changed to something that can be classed as a genuine profession and form of employment.All this sounds great but why would you want to make fostering your career choice?One thing that may put you off is thought of having to look after children, but you can be fostering in Manchester or fostering in London â€" you will be given thorough training as to how you can look after children. This will mean you will be able to look after the young children properly and ensure they will live a high quality life.It is different to most other jobs in that it changes the way you live your life. It always keeps you on your toes, and no day is the same. You won’t realize how this will affect you until you get your first child to come live with you, but be assur ed that if you’re impassioned towards children, you will be perfect to help them come through any of their previous difficulties.The difference you can make to a child’s life is truly immeasurable. By fostering, you are not only changing your career, you are giving the child the option to follow any career they wish because you will be able to offer them the opportunities they need to take to get there.evalThis can be by getting them the newest pair of football boots so they can fulfil their desire to be the next big player or by giving them opportunities such as medical work experience abroad so they can become a lifesaving surgeon, which are things that would be unlikely should they be under government care.It should be noted that foster parenting is not going to be an easy job, but there aren’t many other jobs available that can give you the sense of pride and appreciation that a career in foster parenting can give you.

Job Search Musings From the F Train in NYC

Job Search Musings From the F Train in NYC A few weeks ago, my friend and colleague  Jason Alba  was in New York for the first time. He needed to get to Penn Station and I showed him how to get there by subway. He was amazed that many subway stations lack clear maps and that on many lines, subway stops seem to be announced on a need to know basis if at all.  I dont think about this much anymore since I have lived in New York City my entire life and I view the idiosyncracies of the New York subway system as just another part of life here, but I can certainly understand how this unpredictable system can seem daunting to someone who is not used to riding the subways. I was reminded of this incident over the weekend while I was on an F train running on the E line (due to construction). To top it off, something was malfunctioning with the automated software on this line used to announce the station stops, so even though I was heading towards Queens the announced stops made riders think they were going to Brooklyn. So what does th is have to do with job search? A lot, I think. You see, everyone wants the map, the rule book, the formula, and the fastest path to their next job. And yes, there are certainly strategies you can use that help make the ride smoother, more efficient, and more pleasant. But the system is not perfect. Like the NYC subway system, the journey to your next job will include set backs, delays, track changes, out of service trains, conflicting information, or even no information at all. Whats important is to know where you want to go and understand that there may be multiple ways to get there. It may take more time than you would like it to, and the journey wont always be easy. But you will get there.

How to Add a Word For Resume to Your Job Description

How to Add a Word For Resume to Your Job DescriptionWhen you're submitting another word for resume in the online resume posting process, there are a few things that you want to take into consideration. First of all, you want to ensure that your resume is as professional looking as possible. Also, you want to make sure that it is not cluttering up the page. The first thing you should do is determine what is it that people would see when they go over your resume.The easiest way to do this is to use a template. Instead of trying to work with an open document where each sentence and paragraph are individually written, a template is helpful because it allows you to eliminate the unnecessary. This can be a difficult thing to do when writing, as this is one of the first steps. The next step is to simply edit the information on your resume so that it is more relevant to the job.It is important to find a template that covers the bases for various resumes. You want your resume to stand out fro m the crowd and make a good impression. This means you need to present the information in a way that is not only professional looking, but also relevant to the position.The font used is a crucial part of your resume. For a job description that may be light on content, the best option is to use a sans serif font. This way you will get more space without losing clarity. In addition, it also adds to the professionalism of your resume.Another factor that needs to be taken into consideration is the layout. This includes the size of the title and other information in the body of the page. With a font that is not prominent enough, it will be hard to read these sections.You also want to ensure that certain words are not repeated throughout the document. When you have a paragraph containing information on a particular topic, you will want to avoid using terms or phrases that are similar to what is already present. Having the same information repeated may cause confusion, which can lead to ap plicants looking at your resume twice.The final decision to make comes with the inclusion of pictures. You don't want to just use your cell phone photo. If you plan on placing a picture, it needs to be something that reflects your personality. This doesn't mean that your personal data has to be in the picture, but you do want it to reflect who you are.The final decision in your resume writing is how you format the formatting. Using a common format is preferred because it will eliminate any confusion as to the nature of the work. One of the more popular formats are the Microsoft Word format and Microsoft Publisher format.