‘Tis the season for holiday jobs!

As we near the holidays, seasonal temp jobs are cropping up left and right.  This year, 700,000 seasonal retail jobs are expected to be created.  While these are great opportunities, don’t forget to also check out a temp agency if you’re seeking employment.

Seasonal jobs and temp staffing jobs are similar in that they offer you two opportunities: (1) a chance to pick up a little extra supplemental work or (2) a chance to get your foot in the door at a company and earn your way to a permanent position.  Just as it’s possible to extend a seasonal store job, our temps are frequently hired on perm with the clients we serve.

For retail, it’s possible to keep a seasonal job longer than January, but you’ve got to be persistent, hardworking and flexible.  Managers take notice when you show up on time, do all of your assigned tasks, and remain flexible when asked to work in different areas or take on additional duties or shifts.   While most temp assignments have set fixed end dates, keeping the same mindset is still important — another opportunity may emerge out of a different department at that client, or your coordinator, impressed with the great job you’ve been doing, may consider you for another placement immediately following your current one.

Either way it’s important to keep any open mind when considering seasonal or temporary employment.  Have you started a temporary/seasonal job and had it turn into a permanent job?  What are your dos and don’ts for temporary and seasonal work?

Facebook Launches New Job App

Next time you’re procrastinating on Facebook (as we all sometimes do!) consider taking 5 minutes to check out Facebook’s new job app.

Facebook has launched its new Social Jobs app last week, allowing users to search for jobs posted through BranchOut, Jobvite, Work4Labs, Monster, and US.jobs. The app allows you to like, post, and message jobs to friends.

When testing out the new app, I hit speed bumps similar to Dave Johnson’s from the CBS News article, “Look for a job using Facebook’s new app”, but overall think it’s a good start to increasing job posting viability and sharing leads with friends looking for new opportunities.

What do you think of this new app? Will you be trying it out in your job search?

Check out our new Top Jobs Newsletter!

Get our Top Jobs delivered to your inbox every Monday by signing up today!  Our e-newsletter is free and provides our latest job opportunities across Central New York for all industries — technical, medical, clerical, light industrial and more!

To signup for FREE, complete our short signup form online or go to Facebook.com/Stafkings and click the “Free Newsletter” tab to signup!

We look forward to continuing to bring you the latest in job news for you and your family and friends!

Got a Case of the Job Search Mondays?

Image courtesy of FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Job searching can sometimes be a frustrating, tedious task — trust us, we know!  Here are some tips to keep from getting blue while you’re on the hunt:

1. Look outside the scope of your previous job.  While you don’t want to necessarily abandon your skills from school or a previous job, don’t limit yourself and consider your options.  Many skills you have are transferrable and may work in other industries or job titles.  Re-evaluate what kind of position your skills might be useful for to broaden your job search.

2. Check in with your references.  While the company you’re trying to get a job with will let you know if a reference comes back less than favorable, don’t wait until then to find out.  Periodically check in with your references to make sure they can remember you.  Consider adding new references if a lot of time has gone by or if someone has moved out of the area.

3. Volunteer.  Helping others will help boost your attitude and give you current activity to add to your resume.

4.  Learn a new skill.  Taking courses to add new skills and meet new contacts could help your job search, but don’t turn down the idea for financial reasons.  Free tutorials are available online to help keep your current skills sharp or to gain new ones. Try a site like Coursera.org which offers classes in various subjects, including business, computer science, education and more.

5. Seek out community resources.  Many areas have organizations in place funded through local governments and nonprofit foundations to help job seekers get back on their feet.  You could schedule a consult with a workforce professional to update your resume, help assess your skills, and check in with them on who’s hiring in the area.

6. Don’t forget your local employment agencies as well!  We have the ability to “shop your resume” around to various employers, and can help you either gain more experience with a temporary job, or be your stepping stone to a permanent position!

5 Tips to Get You Started on an Objective Statement

Objective writing can be a tricky business from start to finish.  What do you say in them?  How do you know what to include?

1. DON’T be too general.  Sometimes people make the mistake of being too general in their statements — it’s easy to put down “Career oriented professional seeks full-time employment”, but what does that really say about you?  Use your objective statement to set yourself aside from other applicants.  Include specifics whenever possible (but don’t get TOO lengthy!) especially when applying for a particular position.

2. DON’T regurgitate what’s already in your cover letter.  Your cover letter should whet the appetite of your prospective employer and give them reason to keep reading, while your objective statement should be a quick blurb about you and what you seek to get out of your job search.  Again, keep it short and sweet and tailor it to a specific position if at all possible.

3.  DO have someone else read it.  Firstly, that friend, family member, etc. can help ensure your resume is typo and spelling-error free.  But secondly, they can also tell you if your objective statement is an appropriate reflection of you.  Knowing you and what kind of past work experience you’ve had and what you’re looking for, they’ll be in a position to judge if you’re giving yourself the credit you deserve.

4. DO be honest.  Honesty is always the best policy.  Not much work experience to back up your decision to apply for a particular job?  Use that.  Add in that you’re looking to gain experience and grow with the position.  Some opportunities require that previous experience, but others may be more flexible.  The silver lining is that you’ll be challenged and invested in your new position, as opposed to someone that’s been doing it for years and find it to be old hat.

5. DO brainstorm.  Still having trouble pinning down the perfect objective statement for your resume?  Try a brainstorming session.  Write down all of your skills and experience on one side, and your career goals on the other.  Connect the ones that make the most sense to give you some bare bones to start with–you’ll get keywords to use and hopefully some perspective on your career objective!

First Impression, Hopefully Not the Last

A first impression can last a lifetime! The job interview process can be one of the most important and intimidating parts of trying to land a job.  In order to make a good first impression you must be well prepared for the job interview. Here are some tips for before, during, and after the interview.

Before the interview:

1. Researching the company and position. Come to the interview well prepared to answer questions about the company’s history, current projects, and the duties and responsibilities of the position that you wish to fulfill.

2. Mock Interviews. If you have the opportunity to partake in a practice interview, go for it! The more practice you have answering questions on the spot the better you become at doing so. Also, reviewing standard interview questions and planning responses will only benefit you during the interview.

3. Know your Objectives. Make sure you have a clear idea of your own personal goals and abilities. Be able to explain why and how you are qualified for the position.

4. Dress to Impress. Dressing appropriately in the professional industry is important when making a good first impression. Make sure you feel comfortable in what you’re wearing; this will boost your confidence and employers are likely to notice.

5. Proper sleep and nutrition. Ensure you get a good night’s sleep the day of the interview, and eat a hardy meal an hour or so before the interview.

During the Interview:

1. Arrive with time to spare. The last thing you want to do is be rushing around in order to make it to the interview on time. So give yourself an extra 30 minutes or so to ensure you’ll be prompt.

2.Be active. Actively participate in listening, asking, and responding. Be sure to answer the questions being asked and don’t hesitate to ask the interviewer to repeat themselves.

3.Be yourself. Be honest. Be personable

4. Ask questions. Come prepared with a few questions you have about the company or position.

After the interview

1. Thank you note or email. Writing a thank you to everyone that interviewed you will let them know you appreciate the time they spent to interview you.

2. Follow up. Be sure to contact the interviewer within 2 weeks if you don’t hear back from them first.

Making a good first impression can be overwhelming, but being prepared for the job interview can eliminate some of these feeling. And don’t forget to be yourself!!

Are there no more boundaries in social media for jobseekers and employees?

Where does the line get drawn in terms of using social networks to make hiring decisions?  

Nearly 90% of employers already use social media to scout talent via Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn, with nearly half of all employers always thoroughly searching applicant profiles.  That’s why best practices for job seekers now involve a thorough review of social media profiles to remove anything that may be construed as inappropriate.

However, it’s one thing for employers to search through what someone has publicly chosen to post in cyberspace, and another to sort through a profile using an applicant or employee’s own login information.

Recently, reports have surfaced of companies and organizations asking employees and applicants for this information for social networking and email accounts:

• Job seekers getting asked for Facebook passwords
• The Social Media Interview – What Employers, Employees and HR Should Realize

In their defense, employers are saying that it helps ensure employees aren’t participating in any illegal behavior and reflects favorably on anyone willing to undergo such a search.

In response to these incidents, Facebook has announced that they will challenge employers participating in such snooping.  They are encouraging employers to stop this behavior to protect themselves–and for good reason.  Poking around an applicant’s personal information, including gender, religious, and political affiliations, and then failing to extend a job offer can lead to some very sticky equal opportunity issues.  Facebook is also threatening to revoke app access to those companies that offer job applications within the social networking site that they feel may be abusing user information, and may even go so far as seeking legal action to protect users’ rights to privacy.

It is not our policy to screen applicants using social media, but what do you think?  How far should employers go in investigating your private life online?  Is it okay for certain jobs and not for others?  

How to Ace an Interview!

Ambro / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Interview coming up? Congratulations! You’re a few stepping stones away from that new job.  Here are a few tips to help you do your best:

Ask questions.  Pertinent questions.   ”How would you describe the working atmosphere here?”  “Do you offer any in-house or off-site training to keep up with new software, techniques, etc. to help your employees advance skills?”  Keep in mind that as much as this is an interview of you, it’s also an interview of the company. You want to make sure that you’ll be happy there too.

Do Research, Research, Research.  It will show.  If the hiring manager asks you what you thought of their website, or if you saw that they recently launched a new media campaign, giving a thoughtful response will mean a world of difference in some instances.   Visit the company website, ask around, visit the location, Google them and read up on recent news items.  If you can during the interview, add in a relevant piece of information you’ve discovered about the company.  Ex: “I saw that you updated your website to include this.”   Recent research may also come in handy when you’re asked if you have any questions. Ex: “I recently saw that your company acquired a new property downtown, do you believe a new location will impact the position I’m interviewing for?”

Thank yous, small as they are, speak volumes.  They show the employer how invested and interested you are in the company and the position.  Even a short email in lieu of a handwritten card is just enough to show that you appreciate the time they took to meet with you.

Even if your interview doesn’t go as smoothly as you’d have hoped it would, make mental or literal notes on what you could have done or prepared for differently to be more successful at your next one.

Do you have some interview clincher tips to share?  Please do!

I’ve made my references list…now what?

Digitalart / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Putting together a list of references and stapling it to your resume and cover letter aren’t always enough.  You want to make sure that you’re getting the most out of those carefully chosen names you sent to your prospective employer.

1. Stay in touch.  Whether it’s via LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, email, postcards, Christmas cards, etc., make sure that you stay in some sort of contact with your references.  The last thing you want to do is have a potential employer make a phone call about you and your reference doesn’t even remember who you were.  Small gestures sometimes speak volumes, so don’t be afraid to check in every now and then and see how the person is doing.

2. Make sure that your reference knows she/he is a reference.  Check in with them first and ask if it’s okay to use you as a reference.  Not only will this prepare the person for that phone call or email, but if they really like you, they may be more inclined to provide  information about you as opposed to if a potential employer called asking out of the blue.

3.  Never limit yourself.  Make sure that your references list accurately reflects you.  Are your professional references five years old or more?  Consider rethinking listing them as a personal reference.  Potential employers want to talk to someone who’s worked with you recently.  They’ll certainly be looking at past references as well, but if all of your references are from positions you held several years ago, reach out to new contacts.

Keep in mind that in the legal-centric world we live in, professional references aren’t always so easily given.  Past employers may be afraid to say too much about an applicant and risk being sued if the applicant doesn’t get the job.  At the very least your reference can provide dates of employment, wage and title to a prospective employer, but if you’ve played your cards right, at the very most your reference can give a glowing review of your work ethic and talent.

4 Tips for Writing Your Best Cover Letter Yet

Cover letters can be intimidating to write, and the last thing you want to do is regurgitate your resume.  Here are four steps to get you started on writing your best cover letter yet:

1. Show what you know about the company.  Cover letters should always be specific.  Generic ones, while they might have taken just as long to write, don’t always come off as genuine.  Taking the extra time to include information specific to the company demonstrates that you’ve done your homework and have a serious interest in the position.  When at all possible, find out the name of the HR person who will be reading your cover letter and address it directly to him/her.  Also, research recent news about the company, and if you find something relevant to the position you’re applying to, make sure to incorporate it where you can.

2. State what you can bring to the company.  This is where you can play up your skills and qualifications.  Mention things you haven’t already mentioned in your resume, or elaborate more on them.  However, beware of space — the whole point of a cover letter is to be simply an introduction to you, and should really be only about a page in length.

3. State what you hope to gain from the position you’re applying to, or the company in general.  Every new job offers you an opportunity to grow.  Be sure to mention how you can benefit from the position (think outside of the box — don’t mention that you’re looking forward to the paycheck!).  Showing not only what you can give, but what you expect to learn and gain from the position helps the employer realize how you’ll be a great fit and that the hiring can be mutually beneficial.

4. If you’ve got a name?  Drop it.  If you were referred to the position by someone inside the company, don’t be afraid to mention it.  Showing you already know and get along with someone from the company is a good sign, just make sure the person you’re mentioning is aware that you’re applying for a position.  The hiring manager will have an easy reference to turn to, and you want to make sure the person you mentioned knows what to expect.

For more tips on cover letter writing, check out these sites:

• ResumeBear: Knock Them Dead With Your Cover Letter
• Forbes: How to Write a Cover Letter