Job Center Manager's Blog

MY BLOG IS MOVING!

2009-07-15T16:00:00.001-07:00

To those of you who have this link bookmarked, I've moved my Job Search column over to Examiner for its ease in subscribing to posts and to sort through my articles to find the information you want faster and easier!

Please bookmark the new website at:

http://www.examiner.com/x-14933-SF-Job-Search-Examiner

Employment with Startup Companies

2009-06-25T17:36:00.000-07:00

For those of you who are interested in finding employment opportunities within the start-up arena, here is some advice. Where there is funding, there are start-ups, so don’t forget to seek out venture capital organizations and angel investors to utilize for leads in finding the startup companies who have gained recent funding.

JOB BOARDS
Search job boards (especially indeed.com and craigslist.org) with just the word "start-up" or "startup" to pull up companies who are hiring. The fact that they are hiring is a good thing, regardless of whether it is for your field or not, and makes them a potential target for contacting. While at craigslist.org check the small business ads and gigs sections out as well. If you find something of interest, find a way to pitch yourself!

ONLINE NETWORKING
LinkedIn.com can be a great source for finding groups of venture capitalists or startups executives. Krista Canfield, a spokesperson for LinkedIn.com, says to use their advanced search feature to look for job titles including the terms “Owner”, “CEO”, or “Founder”. She also encourages checking out potential companies’ LinkedIn Company profile, as you will be able to see new and recent hires to gauge a company’s growth. “This page will also show you if anyone in your network connects you to that company so you can get a personal introduction,” says Canfield.

Although usually for more socially-related purposes, MeetUp.com is quickly becoming a hotbed for business interest groups as well. A quick search for terms such as “startup”, “entrepreneur”, and “venture capital” bring up hundreds of groups nationwide, and each group’s page has message boards, member listings, networking events, and more. John Ramey, Founder and CEO of the San Francisco-based startup isocket adds, “Also try twitter – many startups have the word startup in their account bio.”

OFFLINE NETWORKING
Don’t forget it’s imperative to take your professional networking offline and into the real world where the Founders and CEOs of these organizations meet. Ted Scofield, a Securities Atorney for Furnari Scher LLP states, "Securities lawyers who do private placements for start-ups have an inside track on the best start-ups. They know which companies have the best chance of success, not to mention money to pay your salary!" Find out when groups of start-ups, investors, and the likes have in-person meetings and mixers, then attend and schmooze with them! Chamber of Commerce mixers and meetings are great, and every town or city usually has one. Business schools often have many events throughout the year as well. Attend conferences, meetings, social events – anything you can find! If it’s expensive to attend any certain and you can’t afford it, offer to volunteer in exchange for admittance. You may also be able to make many introductions simple through mingling in the lobby of the event.

STAY TUNED TO THE NEWS
Set Google.com News Alerts with terms like “venture capital” and “startup” along with cities local to you. When companies are getting press you will be notified and able to locate them. Mary Robins, Director of Career Services at Menlo College also suggests keeping tabs on the San Jose and San Francisco versions of the Business Journal, “They frequently report on start-ups and who is getting VC funding. It’s really the best business news around.” Kevin Woo, a Freelancer for Forbes adds, "The San Jose Mercury News has a VC survey that they publish each quarter which lists who received money and how much." Many industry specific news sources can also give you leads on potential companies rising up, such as http://www.venturebeat.com/, http://www.bayareatechwire.com/, www.venturewire.com/register.aspx, http://www.techcrunch.com/.

THE APPROACH
Send the founders a general inquiry letter marketing your services and talents, or ask for an informational interview on their project. They’ll likely be impressed if you’re passionate about their new company and be willing to sit down and speak with you. Ramey says, “We’re very approachable. Be simple and concise, tell us why you believe in our startup, because after all, you must share the passion and vision. Do NOT let your recruiting agent forward your anonymous CV to every startup they know. We get cold emails and calls from recruiters every day, even though we ask them to stop. It doesn’t matter if the candidate is the second coming – we likely won’t bother.” Passion, vision, and dedication are key in this job market!

THE REALITIES
The hours are long. The jobs duties are far-ranging and diverse. The benefits packages may be little. The personalities are strong. And their hiring process can be even pickier than your local corporations. “You’ll need to be patient and be willing to go through a more rigorous or lengthy process than with a non-startup,” says Ramey. “Working for a startup is a life style choice, not a career choice. Do not even bother unless you understand and are willing to embrace the lifestyle. If you’re looking for a 9-5 job for 5 days a week that has well defined problems and objectives with market benefits, go somewhere else. If you want to sacrifice and change the world, come here.”

LOCAL EVENT LISTINGS:
www.jobnob.com/happy-hour – “Happy Hour” events for startups seeking interns
http://www.ebig.og/ – East Bay Innovations Group
www.entrepreneur.meetup.com/1720/ – Silicon Valley Startup Funding Meetup Group
http://www.sdforum.com/ – Emerging Technology Connection
http://www.workit.com/ – Networking event calendar
http://www.svase.org/ – Silicon Valley Association of Startup Entrepreneurs

FURTHER RESOURCES:
http://www.vlab.org/ – MIT/Stanford Venture Lab
http://www.ventureloop.com/ – Venture backed growth companies
http://www.keiretsuforum.com/ – Keiretsu Forum, a large local Angel Investor Group
http://www.gobignetwork.com/ – Investors and startup directories
http://www.ycombinator.com/ – Venture firm
http://www.startuply.com/ – Startup companies and jobs
http://www.enternships.com/ – Entrepreneurial internships
http://www.bandangels.com/ – Silicon Valley seed funding org
www.hcp.com/careers – Job Openings at Highland-backed companies
http://www.crunchboard.com/ – Tech, startup, and engineering jobs
http://www.startuphire.com/ – Job Board for venture-backed startups

Libraries During Tough Economic Times

2009-06-11T17:07:00.000-07:00

Libraries are really stepping up during the tough economic times, and they’re being noticed for it too! Check out this morning’s TODAY SHOW piece:

http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/26184891/vp/31237988#31237988

The Free2Succeed Job Center concept is also spreading!

We have been accepted to present “Free2Succeed: Creating a Library Job Center” at both the American Library Association and California Library Association’s annual conferences this year!

We’re also awaiting news on grant funding for the upcoming year through the California State Library, so keep your fingers crossed for us!

Cover Letters That Work Today

2009-04-14T14:14:00.000-07:00

Why Write A Cover Letter?

Even if the job advertisement does not specifically ask or require a cover letter, you MUST (MUST MUST MUST!!) still write one or you are doing yourself (and your job search) a great injustice. You also don’t want to send off a generic cover letter to each position, but take the time to make it specific for each opportunity. A cover letter has many purposes:

- It shows the reader that you can write and communicate effectively and professionally, which is important to just about every field. Don’t put the term “Excellent communication skills” on your resume – SHOW it in your cover letter!

- It proves that you take the opportunity (and the reader) seriously and aren’t just blasting off hundreds of resumes to anyone holding a paycheck (even if you are)

- It gives you a chance to quickly communicate your specifically valuable attributes and interest in the position and/or company, and to mention anything that your resume may not

- It makes you stand out amongst those who did not take the application process formally enough to do a cover letter, and right now you need any advantage you can get to be noticed

Keep it Short and Get to the Point

Recruiters and hiring managers are being bombarded by 100’s of resumes for every job posting they put out there. It’s not like the good old days where you can spout off a 6 paragraph long essay and have it actually be read. It likely won’t. You also don’t want to give off the impression that you’re long-winded and will bore your manager and coworkers to tears, do you? The keywords nowadays are efficient, concise, and focused. Three small paragraphs are usually enough: Intro, Qualifications, and Conclusion.

Address it to the Hiring Manager

Whenever possible, find a way to hunt down the name of the person who will be receiving your resume. Search Google.com or LinkedIn.com. Call the company and ask (politely!). If the hiring manager and a rep from Human Resources are both receiving resumes, send them separate cover letters and resumes. The point here is to prove that you go above and beyond in diligence, pay attention to detail, and are very serious about this opportunity. It also gives you a contact to follow up with should you be able to find it.

Add Passion (But with a Grain of Salt)

Write your cover letter from the company’s perspective – what can YOU do for THEM. Why would THEY want YOU? That said, if you do have (or can come up with) a very passionate reason on why this is the one and only place you’d ever want to work, use that as an opener. Leave YOUR interest there only, and continue the rest of your cover letter focusing on what you can offer them.

Examples of some passionate openers:

“After seeing your posting for the Electrical Engineer position on Monster.com, I had to send my resume immediately, as your location is less than a mile from my home and I match the qualifications perfectly.”

“Being that I took care of my mother with MS, I found the Executive Assistant position with The MS Society an extremely rewarding opportunity, and have attached my resume in consideration.”

“Since I already eat, sleep, and live baseball, I can only imagine that being able to work as an Accountant for the Oakland A’s would complete my life.”

Spoon-feed Your Qualifications

DO NOT use the second paragraph of your cover letter to reiterate your entire resume or summary of qualifications. The hiring manager is already receiving your attached resume. Use this space to respond directly to the qualifications and desires the company communicated within their job advertisement. Pull out the ad and highlight the keywords they have chosen to use within it. Use these words when carefully crafting your description of why you’re the perfect candidate. You want to spoon-feed to them quickly and efficiently that you have the skill set and experience they are looking for. Also, DO NOT acknowledge any shortcomings in your skills or experience. Save it for the ‘weakness’ question in the interview, and leave it out of your cover letter completely.

The Closer

The conclusion paragraph is very simple. You want to add in a sincere thank you (“Thank you for your valuable time and consideration.”) and a follow-up.

If at all possible YOU want to become the one to follow up (especially so in ‘pushy’ fields such as sales or marketing). To do this you will need to 1.) Have (or obtain) a phone number or permanent email address for the hiring manager; 2.) Close your cover letter by telling them you will follow up within a few days to ensure that they received your resume; and 3.) Actually perform the follow-up as you said you would. If you promise to follow-up and don’t, you’re showing a lack of follow-through and organizational abilities, so if you’re not 100% sure that you will follow up, don’t say you will.

Obviously with the current employment market being so crazy, many employers are trying to hide their identities like they are ex-mobsters under the witness protection program, doing everything from posting blind ads and using one-time only email addresses. In this case, you may not have the option to follow up despite your highly developed (or not so) online sleuthing skills. A quick, “I am available at anytime to discuss further how I can contribute to your organization, and look forward to hearing from you.” Usually does just fine.

Proofread, Proofread, Proofread!

When you’re a hiring manager who gets 300 resumes for one job opening, the first thing you’re looking to do is narrow them down immensely, and immediately! Don’t let a small spelling or grammar mistake get your resume sent to the trash pile. I don’t care how great you think you are at writing, have a friend (or two or three) look over your cover letter and resume for you. I’ve seen spelling and grammatical errors on letters coming from editors and technical writers, so it can happen to anyone!

A second set of eyes can really mean the difference between the interview and the trashcan. If you’d like for me to look yours over, I can do so as well. Just make sure to email me your completed cover letter in .doc file format, as well as a link to the job you are applying for. It’s our pleasure to provide the service from the Livermore Public Library to you.

Is Your Email Address Sending the Wrong Message?

2009-03-08T14:45:00.000-07:00

Yes, something as simple as your email address can turn off an employer, and in the current job market with hundreds of competitors all vying for the same job, do you really want to take the risk? You shouldn’t.

YOUR NAME ONLY
Make your professional email address with only your name. It can take many tries to find a version that isn’t taken, but it’s worth the time to find one. You can have another address for friends and family if you like, but you want to keep your professional email address PROFESSIONAL. Just as your resume represents you, so does your email address. It doesn’t get much safer and professional than using your name only. Some examples of versions you can try:

meganpittsley@...
megan_pittsley@...
megan.pittsley@...
mpittsley@...
mlpittsley@...
m_pittsley@...
m.pittsley@....

WHY IT’S SAFER TO USE YOUR NAME
Use of other terms and words as your email address just doesn’t give off the same level of professionalism, and can sometimes give off a bad impression or lead to discrimination because you’re giving your email address a personality of its own. Some examples of poor ones I’ve seen:

Lazydaisy420@.... <-- Who wants to hire someone lazy? And what does that 420 mean?

Tonysmamma@... <-- Don’t advertise that you have children, which can be a negative for some employers!

Honorthyfather@... <-- Stay clear of religious context in any way! Religion, politics, and sex are no-no’s!

Holla_atcha_boy@... <-- There is no place in the workplace for Ebonics

Mary1957@... <-- This may indicate the year you were born, leading to age discrimination!

tommylovestheraiders@... <-- What if the hiring manager is a Giants fan?

superhotgirl@... <-- Sexual harassment lawsuit, anyone?

thesmithfamily@... <-- We want to hear from YOU, not you, your wife, and your children

I think you get the point.

WHERE TO GET IT
You may have to try different variations on where to get your email address as well, since many of the older email providers such as AOL.com may have all the versions of your name taken. You may want to use a free non-subscription based email provider, versus using one from your current internet provider (such as Comcast), because should you ever cancel your service, you will lose your email address and all efforts associated with it.

Here are some other websites where you can obtain a free email address:

www.gmail.com
www.yahoo.com
www.hotmail.com
www.inbox.com
www.mail.com

You may also want to be careful about the email provider you choose in relation to age or tech-savvy discrimination as well. Diane Danielson, CEO of Downtown Women’s Club, states, “I tend to favor those who seem more technically literate and the email address is a big giveaway. To avoid an HR person assuming you are a Boomer (and with no technical relevancy) best to get a gmail or yahoo - or better yet, use GoDaddy or another service to purchase a personalized URL that can be redirected to outlook or Mozilla Thunderbird.”

As Diane says, if you want to really look like a pro you can always get an email address such as megan@meganpittsley.com (with your own name of course). Rita Ashley, a Job Search Coach, also suggests, “I always recommend a first step in their revised search plan is to acquire their name as the domain for their email; lose the free email accounts. It shows professionalism and for technology professionals, it is a must.”

CREATE A SIGNATURE
Not only should your email say who you are, but so should your email signature! It’s a great place to not only provide pertinent contact information, but also to market that you’re looking for a job. Here is my email signature as an example:

Megan Pittsley
Free2 Succeed Job Center Manager
Livermore Public Library
Phone: 925-373-5500 x5595
Fax: (925) 373-5503
Email: mlpittsley@livermore.lib.ca.us

A signature and a name-based email address also helps with follow-up communications. Lori McCormick, an Independent College & Career Counselor, explains another great reason why your email should be your name: “You want to confirm that your application has been received. To respond to your unidentifiable email asking for proper identification and once this is confirmed, respond with an update of your application status (translation: a lengthy email dialog) is highly unlikely! Usually they will be too busy to try and figure out who you are and delete your email.”

USE IT EXCLUSIVELY
Don’t switch back and forth between your “fun” email address and your professional one. You want to send a consistent and clear message about where you can be reached. Make sure you are using the professional email address to list on all resumes, register with all job board websites, to send cover letters and resumes, for all professional social networking sites, etc.

NEVER use your company email for any job searching communications. As Alanna Faro, a Coach and Human Capital Strategist put it, “I really question the judgment of people who email me from their current employer's computer instead of a private account - especially if that employer is a direct competitor. What they'll do to that company, they'll eventually do to me or my client.”

MORE FROM EMPLOYERS:
Cristen Rice, Senior Branch Manager of Spherion Staffing: “When we are hiring, if we see an email address that is not professional, it reflects on the candidates maturity level, professionalism and how serious they are about obtaining a career.”

Shel Horowitz, a professional resume writer and ethical marketing specialist states, “I have actually stopped my clients and said ‘you are setting up a new e-mail address...right now’, and we go and set one up that won't embarrass or handicap them.”

Glenn Phillips, a hiring manager at Forte’ Inc. tells it like it is: “Candidly, we intentionally ask that the first contact from applicants be by email just so we can see if they can communicate professionally via email. If they cannot pass that easy test, then we don’t waste our time on harder evaluations. Our thought is that if they do not understand how important it is to represent themselves professionally, then we have little faith they would think the same about representing our firm.”

In closing I leave you with these thoughts from Bruce Powell, Managing Partner of IQ Partners, an Executive Recruitment Firm: “Why work so hard on making your resume the best it can be, only to have something as simple as your contact information plant a seed of doubt in a Hiring Manager's head and make all that hard work for nothing? With such fierce competition out in the job market today and the critical importance that hiring carries, Hiring Mangers can get extremely picky and have eliminated candidates for much less. In the end, why risk it?”

Behavioral Interviewing - Become a STAR

2009-02-24T22:37:00.000-08:00

I recently received a question regarding behavioral interviewing from one of my clients and thought this would make a great topic for a blog! As the job market gets flooded, it’s an employers’ ballgame when it comes to choosing who they draft for their team, and thus the interviewing and selection process usually becomes quite more involved.

Behavioral interviewing is a method of interviewing where the interviewer asks a question where you are supposed to provide a successful example of how you did something above and beyond what was asked for, showed that you had an excellent skill, tactfully solved a problem, etc. It is not new by any means, but it is becoming increasingly popular, as studies show that the most proven method of predicting future performance is by focusing on past performance and behaviors.

COMMON BEHAVIORAL INTERVIEWING QUESTIONS:

“Can you tell me about a time when you dealt with multiple priorities and how you handled them?”

“What have you done in your past position that was above and beyond expectations?”

“Describe a time when you successfully dealt with an extremely difficult coworker (or customer/boss/vendor)”

TARGET DESIRED QUALITIES

Make a list of the top 10 or so most commonly desirable qualities in your line of work. Not sure of what those are? Start looking for keywords in ads for positions you’re interested in (especially the ones you’re interviewing for!) and key in on commonly-used terms that are stressed as being important qualifications for your line of work. Look for words like fast-paced, multi-tasking, problem-solver, independent, proactive, organized, detail-oriented, team player, self-motivated, etc.

COME UP WITH STORIES

Take your list of qualities and keywords and come up with stories that show your excellence within these areas. Think of times that you have made a difference within your company, volunteering pursuits, or accomplished something else great. Look over your resume and job descriptions for ideas that related to your responsibilities and achievements.

STAR APPROACH

Make sure when you tell your story or example you are explaining out each portion that the employer needs to hear – Situation or Task, Action, and Resolution. They need to understand what was going on, why it was a problem, what did you to solve it, and what the outcome was. Keep the STAR acronym in your mind to quickly get to the point and stay on track with your story, as you don’t want to ramble on and on.

USE YOUR ANSWERS!

Don’t wait until you’re asked behavioral interviewing questions to begin utilizing these fantastic accomplishment-rich answers either. They make great answers if you can find a way tie them into regular questions, because you’re not only telling the employer that you have a certain desirable attribute or skill, you’re giving them a visual of you actually using it.

Happy interviewing!

What You Should Know About Job Seeking & Your Taxes

2009-02-04T09:51:00.000-08:00

With the staggering amount of people laid off in 2008, the current concern for most is their search for a new job and making money in 2009. However, don't forget that with tax season upon us there are many things related to your job search that you can write-off! Now is the time to get refunded from last year's job search, or begin preparing for and documenting this year's job search. Here are a few tips from Sonja Felder, Owner of Savutax Consulting out of Los Angeles.

THE BASICS
Most things related to your job search can be written off, including the costs of printing and distributing your resume, as well as resume-writing services. Don’t forget to include anything that you utilize as a part of your employment search. Felder explains, “…if a personal computer is used at home for the job search, the portion of your internet cost associated with looking for a job can also be deducted. The same goes for phone use.” While uniforms or special shoes needed as a requirement for a job may be tax deductible, Felder warns that interview attire, dry cleaning, or general work clothes (even if there is a dress code) is NOT.

MILEAGE/TRAVEL
Whether you’re looking for work in your own neighborhood, or in another state, don’t forget the opportunity to write off travel and mileage expenses, which can include plane tickets, rental cars, and hotels. All mileage going to and from interviews, career counseling sessions, and job-seeker resource centers is eligible for tax write-off at the rate of 24 cents per mile for 2009.

For the many out there who are taking on contract work and part-time jobs to keep themselves working until they find the right position, Felder offers this gem: “…if a person has a temporary or part-time job, the miles are tax deductible up to a year. Regular or permanent job miles cannot be deducted since it is considered commuter miles.”

RELOCATION
If you can make it work, relocating to an area where more jobs are available within your expertise isn’t a bad idea. Even though in the current economy many companies are cutting back on their relocation packages, you can still write off any uncovered expenses on your taxes. Felder suggests, “In addition to the mileage deduction, an employee can also deduct temporary housing and storage costs. The deduction is reported on Form 3903 and flows to Form 1040. Some expenses could be deducted on either Form 3903 or Form 2106 which flows to the Schedule A. For example, food is not deductible on Form 3903 but can be deducted on Form 2106. However, you can only deduct the expense once.”

GETTING HELP
Going through a job search in a tough economy is difficult and draining, so get the help you need and write it off! "Career Counseling would fall under the search for new employment and would be eligible as a tax write-off." says Felder. Career Counselors can assist with a variety of job search related tasks such as career assessment, resume writing, personalized job search assistance, and more. Many free resources for career assistance can be found by logging on to http://www.servicelocator.org/ or you can locate a professional Career Counselor for specialized services through the National Career Development Association at http://www.ncda.org/ under “Consumer Info”. Also, don’t forget the valuable resources of your local libraries.

Mental health is also important to your overall well-being as well as your job search, and shouldn't be overlooked. If you feel the need to get some psychological counseling to stay balanced, this can be written off as a medical deduction for anything not covered by your medical insurance (if you’re lucky enough to have it!). You need to take care of yourself during stressful times to ensure that when you do get that big interview you can perform at your best!

KEEPING RECORDS
Maintaining and storing records is of the utmost importance. Felder says that it’s very important to record the beginning and ending mileage on your vehicle every year. “The easiest way to determine miles on the car’s speedometer is to get the earliest car repair or oil change bill in the year and the latest car repair or oil change bill of the year. The bills will always have your actual miles and help to determine miles for the total year.”

You also may need to substantiate your expenses so Felder suggests keeping strict tabs on these. “Make sure appointments for job interviews are written down in an appointment book, Outlook or a PDA. You can then google or mapquest the miles and write them down in your appointment book or prepare a spreadsheet to keep up with your expenses.” Records should be kept for up to 10 years. Although a taxpayer has 3 years to amend a tax return, the IRS is allowed to go back 10 years to audit a taxpayer.

Sonja Felder can be contacted via http://www.savutaxconsulting.com/ for tax consulting purposes.

Going Green Collar - Alternative Energy Careers in California

2009-01-28T15:46:00.000-08:00

Lately I’ve heard a lot of clients say they’re interested in solar and related careers as an emerging industry, especially for those who are feeling the hit coming from construction-related industries. Although Obama promised to put a focus on alternative energy, the current economy is suggesting that perhaps 2009 may be a good time for planning for a move, but not making one just yet.

Emerging careers include solar installers, project managers, engineers, technicians, energy auditors, as well as a variety of administrative and sales positions within these sectors. So how do we plan for any kind of career move? We become educated, trained, and begin making contacts. Below are some local resources to begin making contacts that provide opportunities for professional development in the alternative energy and emerging technologies sectors.

EcoTuesdays - http://www.ecotuesday.com
Hosts informative and networking events on the 4th Tuesday of every month in both Silicon Valley and San Francisco

SD Forum - http://www.sdforum.org
Has many event focusing on emerging technologies, including those in the green

American Solar Energy Society (ASES) - http://www.ases.org/
Extensive resources on the solar industry, including job board for research

Northern California Solar Energy Association - www.norcalsolar.org
ASES’s local chapter, based out of Berkeley

WorkIt! Networking Event Calendar - http://www.workit.com/events/cityevents.cfm
A very comprehensive calendar of networking events and resources

CA Green Jobs Guidebook - http://www.edf.org/article.cfm?contentid=8466
Includes many profiles of green collar careers, job training and apprenticeship programs (include FREE opportunities), and more from California’s Environmental Defense Fund

Before making a move, as with any other job search, make sure you research any potential employers carefully. You’ll want to know how long they’ve been in business, what contracts and projects they’ve been successful with in the past, and much, much more.

I would love to see people add to this list or offer further advice on “going green collar” – please comment!

Some “Recession Proof” Industries

2009-01-20T22:59:00.000-08:00

While pretty much every industry feels the pain of the economy, some stand to fare better than others. If you’re thinking of switching career paths, or have very transferable skills, here are some industries to keep an eye out for in your job search to plan for the tough times ahead:

1.) EDUCATION
Even when things are tough, people don’t stop breeding, and their children need to be educated. Same goes for adults who have a hard time finding work. Many people go back to school for further education to sharpen their skills and gain a competitive edge in such a highly aggressive job market. During poor economies many “stay-at-home” folks also return to the workforce because of financial reasons, leaving their kids needing care. There are many businesses within the education industry from daycares to colleges. There are multitudes of positions available ranging from bus drivers to administration to teaching to maintenance, and even self-employed tutors or nannies. Another bonus? In many institutions you and your family may be eligible for free or reduced tuition.

2.) UTILITIES & ENERGY
While people are cutting down their costs in many areas of their lives, we all still use gas, electricity, water, trash, and the likes. These aren’t going anywhere. Additionally, with shrinking entertainment budgets households are more likely to stay home and watch movies on cable and internet services. Keep an eye on renewable and other more cutting-edge forms of energy as well. Roles in customer service, management, administrative, training, skilled technical work, and more can be found.

3.) GOVERNMENT
While many governments have hiring freezes on currently, a variety of positions can still be found, more often in the state and federal arenas. Lets face it – when the government runs out of money they know where to get it – US! Not to mention the great benefits packages.

4.) HEALTH CARE/PSYCHOLOGY
With the largest population group in the U.S. aging, and everyone under stress, healthcare and related careers are still there for the taking. It’s not only physicians who are keeping solid work – nurses, assistants, technicians, medical records techs, administrative staff, counselors, and homecare candidates are in demand.

5.) SECURITY/PUBLIC SAFETY/MILITARY
In desperate times, people make desperate moves, which is why positions in the safety field stay solid. Positions within security, loss prevention, police, armored car drivers, alarm installers, and the military won’t be going anywhere. There are also related administrative roles.

6.) SKILLED TRADES
Pipes will burst, cars need oil changes, and hair grows regardless of the economy. Vehicle technicians, beauty professionals, and other skilled trades can provide ongoing income if chosen carefully. Not only can you use these skills in your day job, but they’re also very useful in making money for yourself on the side, when additional earnings can be necessary.

7.) SALES
Who’s the last person you’re likely to lay off? The one bringing in the money, especially if it’s a lot of money. If you’re the kind of person that can sell ice to an Eskimo, or can find an opportunity that involves selling products that people use regardless of finances, you’re likely to score a good gig with some companies desperate for the sales.

8.) DEBT & LENDING
We live in a world where we borrow more than we can afford and pay for too many things on credit, making loans and debt collection a solid field. Collections reps, loan processors, financial counselors, and debt managers can find salvage in other’s misfortunes.

9.) ACCOUNTING
When profits are low companies seek to manage their finances carefully, and constantly seek new opportunity for savings and tax write-offs. This financial scrutiny can benefit those in the accounting and bookkeeping fields who do the checks and balances.

10.) PETS
Our little lovable creatures still eat and get sick regardless of how pinched our budgets are. Veterinarians, pet stores, and related products/companies will still make it through.

While working in any of these industries doesn’t assure you job security, just as finding an opening doesn’t assure you’ll get to the top of the thick application pile, it’s a good start on what to keep your eyes open for while planning for the future. But I will pick up on the topics of how to keep your job and how to get your application to come to the top of that pile on another day. Talk to you soon!

Moving Cross-Country and Finding Employment

2008-12-12T16:50:00.000-08:00

I’m reminded about my recent experience moving from Boston, MA cross-country to the San Francisco area (East Bay California) just this past September. People (already thinking that I was crazy to pick up and go to California with only a couple months notice) would ask me: “How are you going to find work when you get there?” My response? “I’m a Career Advisor! If I can’t find myself a job right away, I need to find a new career!”

However my cockiness aside, I did come across many obstacles during my latest job search that I wasn’t accustomed to dealing with, including being discriminated against as an ‘outsider’. California it seems, obviously being quite the destination because of its beautiful weather, gets a lot of short-term transfers who say they will be here for years and end up leaving after much investment in training occurs. It must happen enough that they now try to avoid us ‘outsiders’ as much as possible. All in all, it’s not THAT much different than any other job search you’re going to go through, but here are some special tips to add to your repertoire that assisted me in nailing down my current position within a couple weeks of our arrival in sunny California:

1.) Get an address at your destination and use it.
A month or two in advance get an address at your destination city to use on your resume, cover letter, and all communications. Make sure all of your profiles on job sites and job boards are updated with this address as well. It doesn’t matter if it is a friend’s residence, or if you just use the city and not a street address. It makes you look ready to work and local, and makes it easier for the right employers to find you.

2.) Update or edit your resume on job sites every few days.
This is an insider trick known mostly only by recruiters. When recruiters search for resumes on the ‘back-ends’ of Careerbuilder.com or Monster.com or similar sites, the resumes that come to the top of the search results are the most recently updated. This is the reason that after a week of having your resume online you stop receiving calls. Keep it at the top instead with this trick.

3.) Visit 2 weeks early.
If you are close enough (and airline prices aren’t skyrocketing like they currently are), schedule a few days at your destination location to interview in advance. One of my best opportunities to land a position as a Director of a Career Services at a local school went down the drain because of the immediate need they had to fill it. If you can get in front of them beforehand and prove to them that you’re worth waiting for, they might just wait for you!

4.) Don’t be afraid of recruiters.
There are recruiting companies/staffing agencies/executive search firms for practically every position, level, and industry you could think of. Find the ones in your destination area that would be good choices for you and register on their websites. A week before you plan to move to your new area give them a call to schedule an in-person meeting, explaining to them that you registered on their website and asking if there is anything else you can do before the meeting to make the process go faster. Working with agencies can help you get to work fast, even if it’s only temporary, so that you don’t feel you have to take the first permanent offer that comes your way and get yourself into a career rut.

5.) Network, network, network!
Never has networking been more important than when you’re going to a new area, and our wonderful friend the internet makes it super easy. Join a professional association and email members who will be in your area, chat on message boards, reach out to friends and family to see if they know anyone from that area, basically do whatever you can to meet your peers in the area you are moving to. The Job Center Manager position I have now I was referred to by a member of the North California Career Development Association who I happened to email! All it takes is speaking to one right person!

Searching for Work with a Background Issue

2008-12-12T16:32:00.000-08:00

Whether it’s a misdemeanor that put you on probation, or a felony that landed you in a correctional facility, you’ve probably seen how much more difficult having a background issue has made your job search. Even with the Second Chance Act funding more assistance programs, and numerous insurance and tax credit programs for companies, the reality is that many employers won’t give a second chance to those with background issues. Nothing makes it harder for someone to turn their life around than not even being able to make a living.

So as I tell my clients with these problems: none of us can control how the rest of the world will be; let us focus on what YOU can do to overcome these challenges, which is to control your own actions and attitude. Here are some tips on moving forward with your job search:

1.) Know your record and know what you can do about it. Obtain a copy of your record from the courthouse(s) in which the infraction occurred and go over it thoroughly so you understand the terminology within it, what it states, and what it leaves out. Also find out if and when your record can be sealed, expunged, or legally minimized. This information should be available from the state court system as well.

There are usually free law services available that can assist you in finding out if you’re eligible for a change to your records, preparing your documentation for court, and possibly even help present your case to the court. This is extremely well worth the time investment. Try beginning with your local law school, and also try searching on the following website: http://www.abanet.org/legalservices/findlegalhelp/home.cfm

2.) Never lie, and only provide information that's specifically asked for. Never lie when asked about your record. Even if you do get the job, you could be fired later if they find out the truth. Being fired for lying could haunt you when it’s time to look for your next position and you have no good references to supply. Honesty really is the best policy.

However, in being honest make sure that you are not giving out information on your background that isn’t specifically asked for. One of the most commonly made mistakes is providing information regarding your background when it isn’t asked for. If you have a misdemeanor from 7 years ago and on an application it asks you if you have been convicted of a misdemeanor with the past 5 years, your answer is “NO”. Also, if you have a court case pending for a misdemeanor, then “NO” you have not been convicted. Be extremely careful and aware of the language that is used in these questions so that you do not give out information when you don’t need to.

If you must answer similar questions with a “YES” where they ask for more detail, write in “will discuss”. When asked, keep your explanation as brief as possible, showing remorse and understanding that what you did was wrong. Don’t try to justify your actions. Take responsibility quickly and put the focus on how you’re trying to overcome and improve your life now.

3.) Arm yourself with knowledge. Take time to pick up and read some books from the local library about the topic of returning to work after prison, or finding work with a less than squeaky background. The more tips and tricks you can learn, the better prepared you will be, and therefore more successful. Three of my top picks include:

How to Do Good After Prison: A Handbook for Successful Reentry (w/ Employment Information Handbook) by Michael B. Jackson and Ron Kenner
Job Hunting Tips for People With Not-So-Hot Backgrounds: 101 Smart Tips That Can Change Your Life by Ron Krannich
Job Interview Tips for People With Not-So-Hot Backgrounds: How to Put Red Flags Behind You! by Caryl Krannich

4.) Seek assistance. There are many professionals out there who work at government or community assistance programs who help people in your situation for a living. It’s their job to be very familiar with local resources that can help you. They can assist you to build your resume, practice your interviewing skills, provide you with computers and office equipment to use, connect you with employers who will hire you, and more. Reach out to them – that is what they are there for and you don't need to do this alone!

- Your parole or probation officer may be able to refer you to some services for assistance, ask!

- Servicelocator.com is a site where you can find your local free-to-the-public Career Center

- Ask your local ACLU affiliate for a referral to a program in your area that may be able to assist you in your situation. You can find your local branch at: http://www.aclu.org/affiliates/

- http://hirenetwork.org/resource.html Another great resource-finder for people with criminal records

5.) Know where to begin searching, and dedicate yourself to the job hunt. Although you can enlist professionals to help you, ultimately, it’s your job to find yourself a job. So get ready to full-time job search, which means spending eights hours a day doing job-search related activities. Where to start? Small companies, trade-related industries, warehouses, and sometimes temporary agencies do not do background checks. Look for their ads in newspapers and flyers, inexpensive job posting sites like Craigslist.org, by going door-to-door applying in-person, and calling up potential employers to see if they are hiring.

Don’t stop at those options – put your resume everywhere! There are some online job boards created specifically for ex-offenders, including http://www.fairemployers.com/. Make sure you use the common resume boards as well, such as http://www.monster.com/, http://www.careerbuilder.com/, and http://www.hotjobs.com/. Attend Job Fairs, network, ask your friends and family if they know anyone hiring – use every possible method you can to dig up job leads! The wider you cast your net, the more likely you’ll catch something!

6.) Get your first job and do it well; then worry about your career. The first job offer may not be what you want; but what you really want may not be attainable right now. The best way to build a solid resume is to take a position where you can stay for a year or so and put in your time to build experience and gain a quality professional reference. You may even get a promotion and find a career path in what you once thought was just an entry-level job. You have to start somewhere, and by proving that you’re a good worker at this position and building a strong work history you will be laying the building blocks for your future, when your conviction is further behind you.

7.) Get retrained and focus on your career. Once you’ve got your job, start thinking of what you would like to do in the future as a career, and begin to work towards it now. If you’re not sure of what you’d enjoy doing for a living, or unsure of whether you can hold the position with your specific background, see a free Career Counselor at your local Career Center. (Locate one at http://www.servicelocator.org/) You can also use the search box at the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ website (http://www.bls.gov/) to look up different jobs and learn all about them, including educational requirements and future job market outlook.

The local Career Center can also help you to find training programs and financial assistance for education needed for the career you are interested in. Furthering your training and education isn’t only necessary to get closer to the career you are interested in, but also to prove to future employers that you are truly dedicated to turning your life around and build up your resume.

Along with education comes experience. Find a volunteer or internship opportunity related to the field you’re interested in. If your new career interest has anything to do with your current job, ask your employer if you can take on more tasks related to the field. Once you start your education you can try to move into an entry-level position within your field of interest as well.

8.) Keep a positive attitude. In order to make the most of your second chance you have to keep a positive attitude. It’s not going to be easy, but it is of the utmost importance, and it will be worth it in the long-term. You have to be patient, strong, persistent, committed, and have faith. Even in the face of rejection, stay calm and positive. Thank the person for their time and tell them you hope to connect at a later date. Save business cards and follow-up from time to time to see if employers have a different position you may be suitable for. Every person you meet is a potential future contact, so don’t burn any bridges by losing your cool.

Half of what gets you hired (or doesn’t) is your attitude. Nothing turns off potential employers like someone who is negative, complaining, or blaming others. Think about it – do you like to work with people like that?

New Job Center, New Blog! Welcome!

2008-12-12T12:31:00.000-08:00

The first thing I noticed when I walked into the Livermore Public Library was that it was unlike any library that I had ever seen. The state-of-the-art building was enormous, the staff was extremely enthusiastic and helpful, computers were everywhere, they had an in-house café, and it was bustling with activities! For a moment I thought I had entered the wrong building. But I hadn’t, and after working here for a couple of months now I am even more impressed with their innovative programming, updated technology, and their focus on providing support and resources to the community in any form they can.

Obviously, part of their new innovative programming was adding on the Free2Succeed Job Center program. I must say, it was my dream job to be able to help the general public by providing free services and I’ve definitely found that here! Since we began at the end of October this year I’ve advised over 60 clients, and our job seeker events have had up to 81 people attending them! I’ve met with a variety of community members, from high school students seeking help finding their first job or choosing a major, to currently employed scientists looking for ideas on how improve their networking skills to land their next project. Every day is a different day, and nothing is more rewarding than hearing patrons’ success stories and getting referrals because our services were helpful!

In today’s economy the need for career-related services seems dire. With layoffs and business closings around every corner, staggering unemployment rates, and lowering wages seemingly everywhere, it’s important that individuals at all career levels seek assistance to “up their game” in the world of work. If your pipes break, you call a plumber, right? Well, when your career needs a fix, you can get professional help too, and thanks to the library it’s FREE!

Right now we’ve already begun adding on workshops, special programs, monthly Employer Meet & Greet Nights (our mini job fairs), free one-on-one career advising sessions, and many new resources including books, DVDs, and databases. Coming in 2009, we’ll have a host of new programs including some networking groups! Feel free to let me know any programs or topics you’d like to see covered, or any other suggestions you may have for the Job Center. I can be reached at mlpittsley@livermore.lib.ca.us or by phone at (925) 373-5500 x5595.