Job Seeker’s Competition Isn’t Always “Unemployed”

Unemployment remains relatively static at 9.6% nationwide.  Today, these statistically documented out-of-work job seekers are not just competing for positions with their unemployed counterparts but also with the growing number of    statistically undocumented “underemployed and underpaid” workers trying to lay their claim to additional superfluous income.

      Traditionally, these workers are employed individuals who have taken significantly less paying  positions due to a previous layoff, early retirement, or for other reasons. To sustain or maintain a previous lifestyle, these workers look to supplement their current decreased household income status by adding a part-time or even a second full time position on a different shift.  Although seeking a part-time position to supplement income is not a new concept, it has grown since economic downsizing has created so many unemployed and under-employed workers.  Because the majority of the focus is on the unemployed, under-employed workers customarily tend to slip under the economic radar and therefore are not seen as a “threat” to the unemployed workers

Friend, Follow and Connect Your Way Into a Position

Looking for a part time or full time position?  Social networking is growing and as it does so does the capacity for serious job-seekers to find a job.   You may just find the perfect job where you haven't been looking - social networking sites you already are on.  If you "tweet", "friend", or "connect" on a social network,  you can go to "groups" and begin "following" your way to a position.  On some sites, you receive notifications as jobs are posted - and this often is prior to listings in the local news or on the large internet job sites.

Many large companies have found this method of advertising the most effective and least expensive.  By posting jobs on sites such as LinkedIn, an employer can not only receive resumes or information requests for positions, they can also view profiles and read recommendations.  It is a real time saver and also is very efficient.  Savvy job seekers who keep their profile up to date and professional can move to the front of the line...and into employment.

Sometimes you do have to reinvent the wheel!

If you are wedged into a job hunt rut, then it may be time to re-evaluate what you are doing or not doing to find a position.   From your résumé to the interview, you should assess and re-assess as you receive, or don’t receive, those all-important calls for an interview.  And, if you aren’t receiving calls, then your deductive skills should tell you that cover letter and/or résumé are the culprit.  If you are getting interviews and not receiving a call back, then it is time to re-assess your interview style as the malefactor. 

If there were an ultimate job getting résumé or cover letter, then anyone and everyone who applied for a job would use it.  And, if there were a set if perfect interview techniques, everyone who used them would get hired.   However, the employment universe is faulty and finding answers to a static unemployment status requires as much research as a dissertation for a PhD.  And, like the requirements for a thesis, every résumé and interview should be distinct within the dynamics of the employment universe.

To get the wheels turning again in your employment search, follow a few simple basics.

1.    Don’t use a template to create your résumé and cover letter.

2.    Adjust and change your résumé and cover letter as needed to fit positions you apply for - adding in information about you and your work history or training that matches what the employer asks for in the job announcement.

3.    Check your spelling often and always have someone else proof your résumé and cover letter before you send it to any employer.

4.    Use terminology and words in your résumé and cover letter that you personally know and understand, and not words you have copied from other people's résumé, or from some other source, to avoid embarrassment during an interview.

5.    Practice, practice, practice interviewing and view each interview as another practice.

6.    Most importantly, don’t lose your focus or drive to get to the finish line and into a career.

© Copyright Vet2Work/Naturallysilver 2010-11. This is an excerpt from "Successful Career Moves" by C.A. Stapleton. About the author:  C.A. Stapleton, A.S., B.S., M.B.A., is an experienced, published professional career consultant, mentor, and résumé/ biographical writer.  

IAVA Announces Changes

Complete: Upgrades to the New GI Bill.
In 2008, historic New GI Bill legislation was signed into law.  Since then, IAVA has been fighting for critical upgrades where the benefit was lacking. These upgrades, which were passed last week, will impact 400,000 Iraq and Afghanistan veterans within the first year.  These include:

• 85,000 full-time National Guardsmen who will become eligible for the New GI Bill
• 58,000 students at private and graduate schools will have increased
 tuition benefits
• 25,000 distance learners will receive a monthly living allowance
• 21,000 disabled vets using Vocational Rehab will receive additional allowances
• 19,000 Active Duty service members will receive an annual book stipend
• 6,000 vocational students will receive tuition/fees and a monthly living allowance
• 6,000 On The Job training/Apprenticeship participants will get access to an 
expanded program
• 6,000 schools will receive increased fees for processing vets’ paperwork
• 180,000 new recruits will not have to pay $1,200 to buy into the old GI Bill

Read more on the IAVA blog...

Get Noticed! What Your Resume Says to Employers

Tell me the time, don't build me a clock.....! Employers don't want to read a book when looking at your resume. Consequently, your resume should immediately describe you honestly and clearly without being overly wordy. Because your resume is, or should be, limited to one page in length, every part of your resume should be connected to the other parts logically. Information should be organized clearly and be visually appealing to the reader. The key focus is to have your resume express to the employer how you will meet their (and their organization’s) requirements for success once you are hired. Remember, if your resume isn't customized and linked to the business’s product or service it won't represent you as a viable candidate to the employer.

Job Seeker’s Competition Isn’t Always “Unemployed”

Unemployment remains relatively static at 9.4% nationwide. Today, these statistically documented out-of-work job seekers are not just competing for positions with their unemployed counterparts but also with the growing number of statistically undocumented “underemployed and underpaid” workers trying to lay their claim to additional superfluous income.

Traditionally, these workers are employed individuals who have taken significantly less paying positions due to a previous layoff, early retirement, or for other reasons. To sustain or maintain a previous lifestyle, these workers look to supplement their current decreased household income status by adding a part-time or even a second full time position on a different shift. Although seeking a part-time position to supplement income is not a new concept, it has grown since economic downsizing has created so many unemployed and under-employed workers. Because the majority of the focus is on the unemployed, under-employed workers customarily tend to slip under the economic radar and therefore are not seen as a “threat” to the unemployed workers