In Shape to Look for Work

So… when was the last time you worked out? Before embarking on a job search you may want to do a physical fitness assessment. Ask yourself “Am I in shape to look for work?” This one can really hit home with anyone who has let them selves go a little, is sporting a few extra pounds and having difficulty finding clothes in their closet that fit.

Not only is it important to present professionally when you start your job search, it is also important to appear to look healthy. It is easy to be disqualified it you look like a heart attack waiting to happen.

Perceived healthiness doesn’t take much. Start by walking for an hour a day, watching the calorie intake, get enough sleep, and make sure the job search clothes fit properly. You can be a little on the big side and still look great if the clothes fit. Not to get too preachy, but if you enjoy a glass of Chablis every once in awhile, you may want to consider backing off on the booze a little. Looking hung over or smelling of alcohol can seriously impact the job search. Oh, and remember the breath freshener if you are a smoker.

You’ll be amazed at how your energy level will come through if you feel better about yourself.

Your comments are welcome.

Glen Slingerlands – Skills 101 / Job Development

A New Job Search Season

Back to school already? How about back to work! It is not uncommon to see people out of work during the summer want to stay that way. I mean, why not? It’s summer. The sun is supposed to be shining, the beaches are inviting and sometimes a summer off can be a treat. Of course the reality of the unemployed situation kicks in as September arrives. Some might start to worry if they have stored enough nuts for the winter.

Fall can be an excellent time to look for work. The service industry loses a pile of people due to back to school, and a number of companies launch new projects in the fall. The challenge is to not keep putting it off. Now is the time to be planning the job search and mapping out your course of action. That doesn’t mean trying to decide which days to go through the want ads. This is when a person needs to sit down and think about industries, companies and who they should be talking too to track down those unadvertised openings. Jobs that pay the best money, and provide a person with the best opportunity are not usually advertised in the newspaper, and that information should help you to determine how much time should be devoted to want-ads.

Your comments are welcome.

Glen Slingerlands – Skills 101 / Job Development

Tips from a Recruiter

During a recent conversation with a Recruiter, I learned a couple of tidbits I thought I would pass along. Firstly, he confirmed my belief that recruiters prefer chronological résumés. A Recruiter likes to see exactly what you have been doing and for how long, and if you are applying for a work you haven’t done in awhile, they want to see how long it has been since you’ve done it. Some Recruiters also have a problem with gaps in your résumé. I think they truly believe that no matter how long you were off work or not working, you must have been doing something.

This particular recruiter I talked to said the first thing he looks at is education. Then he will scan the experience, and from there eventually make his way to the cover letter, if the other two pieces of information catch his attention. A large gap on the resume is acceptable if it was time taken to train or further educate you. His advice to any stay at home mom heading back to work is get a couple of upgrading courses on your resume, maybe a computer course, bookkeeping or something that relates to your field of choice. Resumes with recent training send him the message you are investing in your future, which means there is a better chance of him bringing your résumé forward to a potential employer.

Your comments are welcome.
Glen Slingerlands Skills 101/ Job Development