Economy

Comparing the Bubble Burst of 2000 to Todays Job Search/Economy A few days ago I wrote Time Magazine on Labor Day, Unemployment and Stress and Teena Rose asked a really interesting question in the comments: I have a question for you Jason … and if anyone can answer, you can, seeing as how you have an IT background. Do you know how long it took for the IT industry to realign when that bubble burst? I’m sure there wasn’t 15 million IT professionals (was there?) unemployed back then, but … Very interesting!   I remember the time well but I was in a secluded little town with a nice stable job I could essentially watch from the sidelines and be glad I didnt pursue my original dream of heading straight to Austin, Texas to work at Dell or something like that (I heard there were a ton of unemployed IT people in Austin during that time). I asked my friend Heather Gardner, who is a recruiting professional in the Silicon Valley and Bay Area she gets a terrific perspective of whats going on in the job search world from that perspective.   Heres what she had to say: I’m not sure what the “right” answer is to Teena’s question, but here’s what I would say if we were having a chat. First, there has never been such economic downsizing since I became a recruiter…. Even the dot.com bust does not compare with what we are currently experiencing. Unemployment is high, job losses are growing with more to come and what’s not being reported but has an effect on the economy is the companies cutting back on people’s hours (furloughs) not only in State local government but the private sector.   This drastically affects a household on the financial edge to begin with….. regardless of what happened with the dot.com bust, this is much different. Okay, now for the good news.   Just because it’s bad out there doesn’t mean it’s impossible to find a job. There ARE people getting jobs, finding multiple opportunities for employment and entrepreneurs who are thriving in this market, yep, thriving. What I see working for job hunters who are successful is that they think outside of the box, understand that they are in a sales role now and they don’t give up.   If something’s not working they make changing, they qualify openings to make sure they can position themselves as the “right” candidate and they are stealth networkers.   The IT Manager who just got laid off, he/she needs to have several versions of his/her resume: A resume to position himself/herself as the perfect candidate for another IT Manager position Another resume to position himself as a software developer â€" something he/she has experience in and can do again.   This resume now downplays the management background so that he/she can easily be considered for another completely different role. A resume that might be geared towards IT project management.   He/She many have done it in their IT Manager role, but not necessarily had the title. Now this IT Manager can open up doors for a variety of different career roles.   The good news now is that this IT Manager that just got laid off has increased his/her chances of landing a role that they are perfectly qualified to do. I think the best approach to this job market is NOT to compare to anything we’ve experienced before, but rather think outside the box. The more resourceful you are the better your odds are of landing that perfect role, even in this down economy. I know people getting jobs right now…. I know companies that are hiring…. It’s possible! Isnt Heather Gardner a breath of fresh air?   You can follow her blog here or follow her on Twitter here. Comparing the Bubble Burst of 2000 to Todays Job Search/Economy A few days ago I wrote Time Magazine on Labor Day, Unemployment and Stress and Teena Rose asked a really interesting question in the comments: I have a question for you Jason … and if anyone can answer, you can, seeing as how you have an IT background. Do you know how long it took for the IT industry to realign when that bubble burst? I’m sure there wasn’t 15 million IT professionals (was there?) unemployed back then, but … Very interesting!   I remember the time well but I was in a secluded little town with a nice stable job I could essentially watch from the sidelines and be glad I didnt pursue my original dream of heading straight to Austin, Texas to work at Dell or something like that (I heard there were a ton of unemployed IT people in Austin during that time). I asked my friend Heather Gardner, who is a recruiting professional in the Silicon Valley and Bay Area she gets a terrific perspective of whats going on in the job search world from that perspective.   Heres what she had to say: I’m not sure what the “right” answer is to Teena’s question, but here’s what I would say if we were having a chat. First, there has never been such economic downsizing since I became a recruiter…. Even the dot.com bust does not compare with what we are currently experiencing. Unemployment is high, job losses are growing with more to come and what’s not being reported but has an effect on the economy is the companies cutting back on people’s hours (furloughs) not only in State local government but the private sector.   This drastically affects a household on the financial edge to begin with….. regardless of what happened with the dot.com bust, this is much different. Okay, now for the good news.   Just because it’s bad out there doesn’t mean it’s impossible to find a job. There ARE people getting jobs, finding multiple opportunities for employment and entrepreneurs who are thriving in this market, yep, thriving. What I see working for job hunters who are successful is that they think outside of the box, understand that they are in a sales role now and they don’t give up.   If something’s not working they make changing, they qualify openings to make sure they can position themselves as the “right” candidate and they are stealth networkers.   The IT Manager who just got laid off, he/she needs to have several versions of his/her resume: A resume to position himself/herself as the perfect candidate for another IT Manager position Another resume to position himself as a software developer â€" something he/she has experience in and can do again.   This resume now downplays the management background so that he/she can easily be considered for another completely different role. A resume that might be geared towards IT project management.   He/She many have done it in their IT Manager role, but not necessarily had the title. Now this IT Manager can open up doors for a variety of different career roles.   The good news now is that this IT Manager that just got laid off has increased his/her chances of landing a role that they are perfectly qualified to do. I think the best approach to this job market is NOT to compare to anything we’ve experienced before, but rather think outside the box. The more resourceful you are the better your odds are of landing that perfect role, even in this down economy. I know people getting jobs right now…. I know companies that are hiring…. It’s possible! Isnt Heather Gardner a breath of fresh air?   You can follow her blog here or follow her on Twitter here. Comparing the Bubble Burst of 2000 to Todays Job Search/Economy A few days ago I wrote Time Magazine on Labor Day, Unemployment and Stress and Teena Rose asked a really interesting question in the comments: I have a question for you Jason … and if anyone can answer, you can, seeing as how you have an IT background. Do you know how long it took for the IT industry to realign when that bubble burst? I’m sure there wasn’t 15 million IT professionals (was there?) unemployed back then, but … Very interesting!   I remember the time well but I was in a secluded little town with a nice stable job I could essentially watch from the sidelines and be glad I didnt pursue my original dream of heading straight to Austin, Texas to work at Dell or something like that (I heard there were a ton of unemployed IT people in Austin during that time). I asked my friend Heather Gardner, who is a recruiting professional in the Silicon Valley and Bay Area she gets a terrific perspective of whats going on in the job search world from that perspective.   Heres what she had to say: I’m not sure what the “right” answer is to Teena’s question, but here’s what I would say if we were having a chat. First, there has never been such economic downsizing since I became a recruiter…. Even the dot.com bust does not compare with what we are currently experiencing. Unemployment is high, job losses are growing with more to come and what’s not being reported but has an effect on the economy is the companies cutting back on people’s hours (furloughs) not only in State local government but the private sector.   This drastically affects a household on the financial edge to begin with….. regardless of what happened with the dot.com bust, this is much different. Okay, now for the good news.   Just because it’s bad out there doesn’t mean it’s impossible to find a job. There ARE people getting jobs, finding multiple opportunities for employment and entrepreneurs who are thriving in this market, yep, thriving. What I see working for job hunters who are successful is that they think outside of the box, understand that they are in a sales role now and they don’t give up.   If something’s not working they make changing, they qualify openings to make sure they can position themselves as the “right” candidate and they are stealth networkers.   The IT Manager who just got laid off, he/she needs to have several versions of his/her resume: A resume to position himself/herself as the perfect candidate for another IT Manager position Another resume to position himself as a software developer â€" something he/she has experience in and can do again.   This resume now downplays the management background so that he/she can easily be considered for another completely different role. A resume that might be geared towards IT project management.   He/She many have done it in their IT Manager role, but not necessarily had the title. Now this IT Manager can open up doors for a variety of different career roles.   The good news now is that this IT Manager that just got laid off has increased his/her chances of landing a role that they are perfectly qualified to do. I think the best approach to this job market is NOT to compare to anything we’ve experienced before, but rather think outside the box. The more resourceful you are the better your odds are of landing that perfect role, even in this down economy. I know people getting jobs right now…. I know companies that are hiring…. It’s possible! Isnt Heather Gardner a breath of fresh air?   You can follow her blog here or follow her on Twitter here.

Tips on How to Choose the Right Resume Writing Services

Tips on How to Choose the Right Resume Writing ServicesResume writing services are getting more popular as people are getting increasingly more concerned about the future of their career and whether they can sustain it or not. For a new graduate or a person who wants to improve their CV, it's important to get help from professional resume writing services because they're able to get the job done professionally and will give you great results.It's important to have the right information on your CV when trying to find different types of resumes that can help you. The reason being is that there are a lot of errors on many of the CV's that are in use today. A good way to be sure of what you're looking for is to seek out these top rated resume writing services in order to help you out with your CV.It's also a good idea to use an employer first before contacting someone that you know personally. This is because if you do find one and they charge you for services, you can ask them to show y ou their credentials. They should be able to provide you with proof of their abilities and also you can find out what they can do for you.If you do hire a resume writing service it's important to know that they will provide you with a free resume sample and also give you the chance to use their service for free. This is a good way to get an idea of how they work and also for you to find out if you want to work with them. Most of these companies will offer a free resume sample and will give you an opportunity to use it before making any type of decision as to which resume service you want to use.After you find the company that you want to use, it's best to pick an area that you are already comfortable with. This way you can get a feel for how the team works. The company will usually include in the sample with a cover letter that you can customize to your needs and also include all of the necessary information.Another thing to look for is that the company will provide you with templat es or samples that will help you create a resume that will reflect your unique personality. These types of samples will also let you know what you should include in the cover letter so that it will make a good impression on the hiring manager or whoever is looking over your resume.One thing to note is that they will also provide you with samples of resumes from different industries. You can also find these samples online but it's always a good idea to see how they look on paper first. If you're interested in hiring the services of a particular company then this is an easy way to do it will make sure that you don't miss out on the great job opportunities that are available in the market today.It's very easy to find all of the various different resumes that are out there. These top rated resume writing services can help you get the CV that you want to have and also to get it right.

Top 10 Reasons for Studying in the UK - Career Geek

Top 10 Reasons for Studying in the UK - Career Geek Costs vs Value of Studying in the UK Why is the UK such a great place to study? Aside from being literally surrounded by history, beautiful scenery and friendly people, the UK offers some great advantages for students. Here are your top 10 reasons for traveling to the UK for your studies! Source: unigo.com Costs vs Value of Studying in the UK Who doesnt want less for more? Tuition costs in the UK are lower than in many other countries, including the US and including International students. Programs in the UK are also faster, with undergraduate programs taking roughly three years (versus 4-5 in America) and Masters taking as little as one year. High Quality of Education Speaking of high value, the UK is the second most popular choice for international students because of its high quality of education. This quality is assured by the Quality Assurance Agency. But if thats not enough for you, keep in mind that many of the UK institutions are world-renowned. Think Oxford! Lots of Scholarships There are heaps of scholarships and grants available to international students wishing to study in the UK and of course, there are student loans. You can also work part-time, depending on your visa. Immerse Yourself In English The English language is, if there is such a thing, the global language and is definitely in wide use across the world. If English isnt your first language, going to school in the UK will immerse you in the language and so will increase your ability to be employed in better careers. Multicultural Though the UK is the center of the English speaking world, its amazingly multicultural. The UK is tolerant to all religions and races and the international student body contains a slice from pretty well every nation in the world. Discrimination is not tolerated and differences are celebrated. Travel is Easy Europe is just across the channel from the UK; only an hour or so away! You can visit France on the weekend, go to Italy, visit Amsterdam or a hundred other places. Staying Put is Great Too If youre not so into travel, there is tons to do right in the UK: England, Scotland, Wales and North Irelandall offer exciting and wonderful opportunities to see other cultures. There is a ton of architecture, beautiful scenery and the whole area is steeped in history and wonder. Its amazing! Music, sports and Culture, oh My! The UK is home to the worlds most popular national soccer league (called football in the UK), and lots of cricket, golf, tennis and horseback riding opportunities. Plus some of the worlds greatest musical acts were born and raised in the UK-The Beatles, Black Sabbath and more. Round it off with great movies, theatre, literature, and art and youve got something for quite literally everyone. Studying in the UK is fun! Havent we made that apparent yet? If youre looking to study internationally, then the UK is a brilliant place to do it. Lower costs, high quality of education and lots to do makes the UK a premier destination for students in all fields of study. Have fun!

Personal Branding Weekly - 27 May 2013 - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career

Personal Branding Weekly - 27 May 2013 - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career Many will greet you today saying Happy Memorial Day. There will be barbecues, fun in the sun, beach time and some great picnics planned.   Memorial Day is a time to remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice. Take a few minutes away from your fun in the sun to remember the brave men and women who gave their lives in service to America. Perhaps your personal freedom given from the brave who protect and serve is to be in business for yourself. Ken shared some great tips on setting up your own virtual office. Here are the great posts from this week: How Can You Benefit from Multitasking? by Henrieta Riesco Questions Your Mentor Should Ask You by Nance Rosen How to Build Your Personal Brand Like Gatsby by Heather Huhman Profile of a Successful Salesperson by Elinor Stutz Putting the You in Business Dealings by Chamber of Commerce Harnessing the Power of Personal Brands in Your Business by Maria Elena Duron The Internet Black Hole by Richard Kirby You Cannot Keep Up a Facade for Three Years by Jeff Shuey A Diary Culture and Blogging by Peter Sterlacci GetGlue and GoodReads Dont Promote Your Brand by Erik Deckers Avoid Moving Home After You Graduate With NO JOB! by Beth Kuhel Working from Home A Guide to Virtual Employment by Ken Sundheim How Do You Identify Speaking Gigs That Boost Your Brand by the The Young Entrepreneur Council This next week we in timely fashion explore how veterans can build their brands; we delve into how to start of your new job on the right foot; the Young Entrepreneurs Council raises questions about the popular television show, The Shark Tank; Henrieta shares how to take advantage of a conflict; how successful managers can remove obstacles and how to easily build a business. In fact, brand amplification versus sales tactics was conversation that we discussed quite extensively with Sam Fiorella, Partner at Sensei Marketing. Heres the recap! Look forward to your comments and feedback this week! Author: Maria Elena Duron, is managing editor of the Personal Branding Blog, CEO (chief engagement officer) of  buzz2bucksâ€"  a word of mouth marketing firm, and a professional speaker and trainer on developing social networks that work. She provides workshops, webinars, seminars and direct services that help create conversation, connection, credibility, community and commerce around your brand.   Maria Duron is founder  and moderator of  #brandchat   a weekly Twitter chat focused on every aspect of  branding  that is recognized by Mashable as one the 15 Essential Twitter Chats for Social Media Marketers.

How To Write An Entry Level Programmer Resume

How To Write An Entry Level Programmer ResumeAn entry level programmer resume is usually given to a programmer who has not yet graduated from high school. He or she may be given a very basic resume that would not give any information about their work history. At that point, the programmer can only hope that his or her work experience matches their qualifications for the job. The job description is usually very simple and focuses on programming.What types of programs can a programmer use to write? There are many types, such as scripting languages, interpreters, compilers, virtual machines, etc. A programmer can do anything that a computer can do, but it's the code behind the program that is important. And, in order to write code, you must learn how to read, write, and understand it. An entry level programmer resume would have to include that requirement, along with previous work experience.Most programmers will not need to go back to school to earn their doctorate degree, so there is no need to include that. However, a programmer with a masters or doctorate degree in computer science can have a very difficult time finding employment. For instance, when the Internet was at its infancy, no one was actually looking for programmers who had studied computer science.Most companies look for the top programmers who can write efficient and professional code. They're also looking for someone who can test software and programming tools. If you don't have that type of experience, you should definitely include that in your resume.Programming languages are not limited to assembly code, either, so programmers can also work on programming languages other than C++. Commonly used languages include C#, C++, Java, Pascal, Ruby, and Python.Those who've worked in engineering work on computers that are part of larger computer systems. Software engineers are those who work on computers and applications that are built to run on the software. While these two types of programmers don't ne cessarily mix, it can make things seem more clear if they did.Programming resumes usually contain very little information. That's because these programmers are very 'hands-on' when it comes to the programming process. This type of job requires them to be able to quickly learn how to use programming tools and to write efficient code. This can't be accomplished by reading instructions from a manual, either.It's not necessary to have a very good basic computer knowledge to do this type of work. Those who wish to do this type of work may wish to consider careers in sales, marketing, or accounting. These jobs typically don't require a lot of schooling. But, they can be quite rewarding and can provide excellent working conditions.

What to Look for in Your Skills Sections of a Resume

What to Look for in Your Skills Sections of a ResumeEvery section of a resume is meant to be looked at with a specific eye. When you receive a resume, you want to focus on those parts that will help you best tell the person what you are capable of. Knowing your strengths and weaknesses will help you make the most of each section of the resume.The main skill sections in a resume are organized by the major career objectives. This could be career-specific or personal. One of the main objectives for a new job is to be able to do the job. They might be looking for someone who can work well in a team setting, someone who can handle the physicality of a job, or someone who can work well under pressure. The specific skill sections in a resume should be based on these areas.The career section should center on your most recent employment. Not only should this section cover the major events you've had with that particular employer, but also include specific details about the job. This is an imp ortant section, because it will provide the individual with a glimpse into the actual job.Other sections of a resume can include educational credentials, letters of recommendation, volunteer activities, awards received, letters of interest, and work experience. All of these things will help you better understand what a potential employer is looking for.An important part of the qualifications section of a resume is experience. What is experience? It is the sum total of all the skills and qualities you have acquired throughout your entire life. When you think about it, this is important because you have everything to gain from it.If you have worked for someone else previously, they might ask you about the job in question. Using a skill section or accomplishments section can help you connect the dots between the two. On the other hand, you can also take a look at the experience section of a resume if you have not worked for the company you are applying for.Not only can the experience s ection provide a much more detailed look at what you can do for the organization, but it can also help a potential employer to make the proper assumptions. For example, if you worked at a bank and then moved to a law firm, the employer may assume that you have a better understanding of the law than what was initially presented. Remember, these assumptions are always going to come back to your resume.This can be a tricky section to understand when you first receive a resume. But once you start to dig deeper into the writing, you will find that it will help you move forward with your next step in making a resume, getting a job interview.

25 Ordinary Things Im Extremely Grateful For

 25 Ordinary Things I’m Extremely Grateful For  25 Ordinary Things I’m Extremely Grateful For || Holiday Giveaway Inside!! Home Life, Lifestyle November 30, 2017 31 CommentsUpdated 12/1, 7:04AM â€" winners have been selected! If you see how I chose them, tune into my Instagram stories for the next 24 hours! It’s completely random… Google number randomizer was very helpful As I wind down from a hectically busy and filled day from my day job to work on this post, I can’t help but feel so grateful for everything I have. Yes, I’m working against a tight deadline with a headache, an empty, growling stomach, and a neck pain from not sleeping well the night before. But I’m HERE. I’m sitting in this chair, typing on this Mac notebook, with an orange tabby cat named Miles sitting next to me. When this reality of where I am physically and mentally registers in my head, and I am instantly overcome with gratitude.Why I’m so GratefulThey say people are not grateful because they’re happy, they’re happy because they’re grateful. I am a deep believer in the casual relationship between happiness and g ratitude. I have a notebook where I write down on a regular basis things that I am thankful. And they aren’t always grand things. Sometimes things as little as the greenest of grass that reflects the light of dawn, the fast speed of my internet at work, the fact that my favorite TV show this season has 20 episodes, or the quick parking spot that I found on a trip to Target. I realized over time that practicing gratitude became a habit.How Being Grateful Helps MeWhen I am down, I have found counting blessings to be the quickest way to get myself back on my feet. This is why I’m writing this post today. With the holiday season in full swing, we tend to get swept up in the doing and forget about the thinking. I want to share this method with you and the 25 ordinary things that I’m grateful for and hopefully inspire you to practice gratitude in your life, too. I made sure these are things that are accessible to everyone and don’t require any special circumstances or a lot of mon ey.And if you’ve made it here… thank you for reading! At the bottom of this post, there is a giveaway waiting for you. I got two things that I’m very proud of sharing with you this Christmas season… read on and find out how to win!!Ordinary things I’m thankful for:A lucid mind to always learn new thingsClean air to breathe and clean water to drink pretty much 24/7A job where I put my talent and skills to good useThe internet.At least 10 new books with very interesting topics lying around for me to read anytimeChristmas lights the husband hung on the roofLaminate flooring that doesn’t get dirty from cat vomit, footprints, or any spills whatsoever!Immediate and extended families that I talk to almost every single dayFriends I’ve known for 10+ years who I share many inside jokes withThis $8 Riesling wineThis article from The Atlantic about China’s advancement in space exploration technologies and how it referenced the novelist Liu Cixin who wrote my favorite novels in 2 017 The Three-Body ProblemLate night talks with friends about our culture, influence from our parents, how they influenced our beliefs and behavior and outlook on life.The Vetoquinol pill wrap that makes giving medicine to my cat Lulu a breeze (highly recommend for anyone who has to go through the torture of giving pills to cats!)The comfy throw that’s keeping me warm at the momentThe Dave Ramsey podcast. Here’s why I’m especially grateful for this, in case you’re curiousThe Sound of Music movie. And the “My Favorite Things” song!That moment when you crack open a can of carbonated drink.Live plants sunshine that I get in the office spaceTarget’s makeup aisleWinter. And Snow. *This might be a Californian thingWatering the succulents and plants in my backyardThe Magnolia Journal magazine by Joanna GainesTea. All kinds of tea.The health of my two cats, after a cancer diagnosis last month followed by chemotherapyYou, who are reading the 25th item on this long list!Now the giveaway!Because I appreciate you, Cubicle Chic reader, I bought these two things on my own to share with you. To enter, simply subscribe to the Cubicle Chic newsletter (look for that pink box that says “Get More Cubicle Chic” on the top right of the home page!) and leave me a comment about which gift you want. If you’re already subscribed, leave a comment below and let me know about that in addition to your gift selection. I will do a random drawing at 8PM west coast time on Thursday and announce the winners (there will be two!) at the end of the day on November 30th!Firstly, I have a  David’s Tea Christmas Advent Calendar, currently sold out from David’s Tea! It’s got 25 boxes of tea in there, one for each day starting December 1! The other item is a book by Simon Sinek, who’s a speaker, author, the presenter of the most popular Ted Talk ever. It’s a book I personally draw inspiration from and have really enjoyed flipping through. It’s got a lot of pictures and very easy to read! Cubicle Chic readers, I truly hope you like the gifts that I prepared this year. If I had the financial means, I would buy you ALL a gift. Maybe one day… when I make it as a full time blogger! But for now, please accept this token of appreciation I have. Merry early Christmas!  All photography by Natalie Alvarado @ Stylenfuse

4 best ways to get a job -

4 best ways to get a job - Youre worried about what people are going to ask you in interviews, but have you stopped to think about what you should be asking yourself â€"- before you even apply for a position? If youre smart, youre taking stock of what you want and what you offer before you ever hit the apply now button for any position. Perhaps youre thinking, Any job will do? From your perspective, that may be the case, but you need to put yourself in your potential employers shoes: The more focused and targeted you are when you apply for positions, the more success you are likely to have landing interviews and jobs.  What questions should every job seeker ask before approaching employers? 1. What is most important to me when it comes to the workplace? Depending on your circumstances, you may prefer a flexible job over a position earning more money. Or you might be willing to take a lower-paying job if you think the company is prestigious and would look good on your resume. Maybe upward mobility and a company that promotes from within is important to you. Or, you could be most interested in the work culture and or health benefits? Choose what is important to you and research organizations that demonstrate the best fit. Use tools such as  Glassdoor.com  to learn about salary and culture, and follow companies on LinkedIn to learn if they tend to promote current employees or hire from other companies. Leverage your network and talk to people who either work at companies that interest you or those who already left those organizations so you can collect as much information as possible. Then, spend the majority of your job search hours targeting the most suitable organizations. 2. What skills do I want to use in my next job? Perhaps you have a well-developed skill set, but you hate doing that work. If you dont stop to evaluate what you want to do next, youll wind up back in another job that makes you miserable. Make a concerted effort to focus on the skills you want to use when you apply for positions and search for jobs that emphasize those skills. 3. How am I unique and how does that relate to my target jobs? Once you hone in on what youre good at and what you like to do, its up to you to be able to explain why youd be the best candidate for that type of position. Do you have any special qualifications based on past experience that you want to be sure to highlight? For example, if you are applying for a management job in a retail store, did you spend the early part of your career as a cashier? Can you describe why your background would improve your job performance as a manager? Always consider the employers perspective when you describe your unique value proposition (what makes you special). Make sure that you do some research to help you identify what your target employers value most in applicants. For example, if the employers website uses the words team or initiative over and over again, think about how you can showcase your successful background as a team player and exceptional ability to demonstrate initiative. 4. How can I make a clear case that theres a good match between what I offer and what the employer wants? Once you identify whats special about you as it relates to your target employer, its time to dig deep and make sure that you demonstrate how and why you are a good fit. If you cannot make a clear connection between what you offer and what your target companies want, youre wasting your time applying. Do everyone a favor and study job descriptions and pick out keywords to use on your resume. Keep up with information that the company shares via social networks and use every avenue available to reach out to the organizations that interest you. Do not apply for any job unless you can clearly articulate why you are the answer to the employers problem. When you take this rigorous approach to each job application, youll apply for less jobs, but the time and attention to each application will give you a better chance to land interviews. Its a win-win: employers get clearly qualified applicants and your applications dont go into the black hole of candidates who dont appear qualified, even if they could do the jobs. Originally  posted on AOLjobs.com photo by TchmilFan