Lately, it sure seems like we’re faced with a flood of promotions, offers, BOGO, and other incentives to lure us into buying something.  The era of Groupon, LivingSocial and many others I don’t even know about have hit us square in the face during economic times that are challenging to say the least.

I read a post from US News today about “Why the Era of Free Stuff is Ending” by Rick Newman. http://yhoo.it/p4n1pz.  From the NetFlix disastrous price increase, to Bank of America’s recent announcement of a $5 fee to use your debit card to airlines obnoxious fees for your bag to travel with you…we have gotten used to free things that are now going to have to be paid for in our lives.

Well, we believe that in this economy, there needs to be resources made available to not only corporate recruiters filling job openings, but also to the millions of people who are in need of a new job, or simply tired of their current position and need to move on.  At JobNet, we’re working on new plans that will help these needs be fulfilled, and we’re doing it FREE of charge despite Mr. Newman’s claim.

As professionals and employees, we all strive to be noticed, recognized for our creativity and ability to contribute to the company’s success.  Recent studies suggest that even in this bad economy, two-thirds of Americans would change jobs if they had the opportunity.  Why is that?  Shouldn’t we be happy to just HAVE a job?  We say NO.  We deserve to learn as much as we can, investigate all opportunities, have conversations with people we want and need to know, and have the right information in front of us when we need it.

If you’re sick of the “Post and Pray” models of Monster, CareerBuilder and DICE, we have a plan in store for you that will boost your career path, make you smarter and more competitive in your industry, and provide you with the information, people, conversations and opportunities that are important to you…watch for our announcements soon.  Meanwhile, make notes of all the things you now have to pay for, and remember that JobNet will always be free to you to join and participate in for the development of your career.

To your career!

Everyone is fond of saying: “It’s not what you know, but WHO you know” especially in the world of securing a new career.  In the new world of social recruiting, it’s true, but only partly true.

Yes, it’s important for you to meet and connect through social networks like LinkedIn and Facebook.  Some may accept your invitation, but usually people will only connect with people they already know.  So taking control of your own destiny is becoming more and more important as you plan your career’s future…whether in the current position or future.

For recruiters, JobNet is an important tool in their arsenal.  They can immediately:

• Post all openings without charge
• Build talent pipelines for passive professionals
• Search on skills, industry and occupations to set alerts to new members
• Browse the networks of members
• Socialize their openings through email, Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn allowing people to initiate conversations

With the average employment today standing at 2.6 years per position, it’s vital that career-minded professionals pay particular attention to the quality and accuracy of their profiles, their skillsets and their work histories.  Recruiters are anxious to find the best candidates for the right positions…and only YOU can control that messaging.

It’s full time work to find full time work.  Take control of your career path and make it count.  Don’t sit back and wait for the phone to ring, or emails to ding.  Be assertive.

Anyone who has ever been out of work, or even just looking for a new opportunity or career path has been faced with a lonely task.  Despite the clear need to network with people to let them know you’re looking, the fact remains that many times your friends, relatives and old colleagues simply can’t help.

Social media networks like LinkedIn and Facebook are fabulous networks of people you “already know,” but provide little help in getting to know and create dialogues with “people you NEED to know.”

For example: if you’re currently in marketing in the manufacturing industry, you may be getting tired of declining manufacturing opportunities, and declining marketing budgets to invest…so I should think about changing to a “sales” career in the healthcare industry. How do I meet people in THAT marketplace and begin to network and communicate with them to help my search.

In today’s social media climate, you get what you give.  That is, people who “give” content, direction, assistance and guidance to others in the community will most always “get” something in return.  So, it’s time for a community of career-focused people to be able to have a voice in the recruiting business.  No wonder applicants are no longer satisfied with the “post and pray” model of the job boards.  They want (and deserve) communication from people they need to know.

While the job market is still tight, predictions suggest that not too long from now, we’re going to face another battle for talent.  As a company, it’s important you begin to create your brand and your hiring brand in social communities like JobNet where you’ll be able to connect and discuss your merits with candidates across the country.

I’ve been in that position of seeking something new with no one that can or will help. Now, the voice of the career-community can be heard.  

If you are like most job seekers, you have spent a lot of time crafting the “perfect” resume.  A short document that gives a potential employers a snapshot of who you are. You’ve poured over this short summary for hours. You’ve asked your friends and peers for feedback. You’ve created the perfect resume!

Soon, you’ve landed the interview, nailed it, and the employer wants to speak to a few people who have worked with you. Perfect! But now what? Next thing you know, you are scrambling to connect with old colleagues, direct reports, and managers. 

Avoid this mad dash and plan ahead. Having a few good references can be the deciding factor that makes or breaks your application. Similarly, having one bad — or lukewarm — reference could cost you the job.

From your TweetyMail, click Request References and request a reference from your Gmail, Yahoo, or AOL contacts. Whether it’s the pastor of your church, a colleague at a past job, or a friend; acquiring references help you stand out. Once you approve them, references show up on your JobNet profile for everyone to see

Recruiters are always looking for the best and the brightest. They look for candidates with the right mix of experience and skills. So, what skills are employers looking for? How do you attract their attention?

This week, we discuss organization. 

Organization

Organization can be anything from a thorn in your side, to the secret of your success. Organized people seem to have it all figured out. They are the men and women who get things done. We think of disorganized people as unproductive, careless, or forgetful. No hiring manager wants that!

Are you organized? At the end of the day, does your desk look like it was hit by a tornado? Is your inbox full of unopened emails? Are you the guy with notes everywhere? Can you find that file, folder, or scrap of paper when you need it?

Employers see organization as a key indicator of how productive an employee can be. Employers need to have a feeling that you plan, set goals, and implement projects in a logical, consistent, and organized way. 

On the job hunt, organization starts with a complete online profile, diligent company research, proper interview preparation, and an outstanding resume. 

In your interview, be sure to highlight organization as one of your skills. 

Here are some great ways to describe your organizational skills on your resume, in interviews, and on your JobNet profile:

• Ordered
• Practical 
• Logical
• Results Oriented
• Regimented
• Prepared
• Diligent
• Methodical

If this doesn’t sound like you, here are a few articles to help you get organized. 

How to Get Organized - Finally! - WebMD

Upgrade Your Life  - Lifehacker 

5 Questions to Help You Organize Your Desk - Productivity 501

- Matt 

Recently, a few users have asked why references on JobNet are important. That’s a great question. Think of a reference as a not-so-secret weapon that helps you stand out!

Everyday, recruiters on JobNet.com search through thousands of resumes and talk to a ton of qualified candidates. Sifting through all those amazing people can be overwhelming and time consuming. Recruiters need a quick way to decide who is worth pursing and who just doesn’t cut it. 

So, which candidates get preference? How do recruiters decide who to introduce to the hiring manager? 

References are a simple way to get noticed and validate your hard work and achievements. Recruiters look for JobNet users who stand out. Candidates that go the extra mile to create a JobNet profile with tons of background information, skills, a photo, and references get more attention than the average member! 

Ask everyone in your network to provide you a reference, stand out from the crowd, and help recruiters find you!

Need some help adding references to your profile? It only takes a few minutes. Here’s how…

1. Login, click Messages, and click Reference Requests in the tool bar.

2. You will see a message box with a “Provide me a reference on JobNet.com” subject. You can personalize this message.

3. Import your Gmail, Yahoo, HotMail, Twtter, LinkedIn or AOL contacts and press Send. 

4. Your reference will get an email that directs them to a simple form like this. 

5. When your reference fills the form out, you will get an email notification. 

6. Approve the reference and it will appear on your profile instantly. 

Contact me or visit us Facebook for more helpful tips! - Matt 

Are you a Ruby on Rails Developer…. come work with us!!! We are growing fast and need smart people like you!
We are looking for an experienced Ruby on Rails developer with 2 or more years of Ruby on Rails experience. 
 
In addition to Rails experience, the right candidate will have have excellent knowledge of supporting web technologies including Javascript, jQuery, CSS, HTML, HAML, and the MySQL database or a leading SQL database. Linux and System Administration experience is also required.  The right candidate must have the ability to quickly acclimate to our existing codebase and contribute. This complex application has been developed continuously over the past 2 years and requires a self directed developer that can understand business needs. Experience with Git, ThinkingShpinx, and Redis are also highly desirable.
Does that sound like you or someone you know? Contact us and apply here…http://jobnet.com/jobs/9564153-sr-ruby-on-rails-developer


Matt Smyth 

How do you manage your career? Are you moving your career forward? Recently, JobNet member Doug Johnson shared a great HBR blog article, A To-Do List for the CEO of Your Career. Author Cathy Benko brings up a number of points related to how the working world has changed. Benko describes a dynamic talent marketplace where continually improving, growing, and marketing yourself is essential. She writes…

One estimate has it that 60% of the new jobs created this century will require skills now possessed by a mere 20% of workers today. This means that whatever your specialty, it’s at risk of soon becoming outdated if not completely obsolesced.

She goes on to describes actively marketing yourself is key…

… play an active role in directing your own career journey, treating skills, experiences and capabilities as brand-building assets. Mark yourself to market by taking inventory of your skills, experiences and capabilities, valuing their market relevance, and positioning all as a portfolio to create a consistent and compelling impression.

Thanks for sharing Doug! Read the entire article and let me know what you think!

We are always looking for articles that help us understand and explain the ever changing job world. Post a WorkLife update and share what you learned with your network!

Recruiters are always looking for the best and the brightest. They look for candidates with the right mix of experience and most importantly skills. So, what skills are employers looking for? How do you attract their attention?

Each week we will discuss a key skill set that will help attract an employer’s attention. If they describe you, include them in your resume and on your JobNet Career Profile.

Computer Savvy

Nearly all jobs require some basic understanding of computers, the web, and business software. Weather you are working in data entry, car sales, interior design, or fabrication welding, you must be able to use a computer and the software related to your business.

Microsoft Office, Salesforce, CAD, Photoshop, Basecamp, and thousands of other software products are common in most workplaces. Your ability to quickly learn and utilize these software products will be the key to your success. 

Employers are looking for people with computer and technical experience. On your resume, always include the software you are comfortable with (ie: Microsoft Office), your years of experience, and include any certifications you hold.

Most colleges and universities offer continuing education that focus on computer literacy. Keep up on the latest computer, web, and technology trends.

To be considered literate you should be able to perform at least a few of the following tasks:

• Opening, saving, and printing files
• Manage email
• Eneter and manage data
• Effectively use the internet search engines
• Format documents in Microsoft Office and similar business suites
• Understand basic web conventions
• Maintain a general knowledge of social media 
• Programming (ie: Java, RoR, .Net, PHP, Pearl)

Here are some additional ways to describe your computer literacy. Use these terms on your resume JobNet profile and stand out!

• Technically Literate
• Tech-savvy
• Web-savvy
• Computer Functional 
• Software Guru

Use these terms to describe how your computer literacy. Add them to your resume and your skill list of JobNet and attract more recruiters.

Recruiters are always looking for the best and the brightest. They look for candidates with the right mix of experience and most importantly skills. So, what skills are employers looking for? How do you attract their attention?

Each week we will discuss a key skill set that will help attract an employer’s attention. If they describe you, include them in your resume and on your JobNet Career Profile.

Are you a Team Player?

“Team Player”  is one of the most cliche terms in the book. It brings to mind the “yes man” who always tows the company line. While there certainly is some truth to this cliche, being a team player is about much more than doing as you are asked. 

No great leader or organization operates without great players. Where would Steve Jobs, Richard Branson, or Jack Welch be without great teams? Where would your boss be with out you? Team players make the impossible possible.

Team players are the glue that holds great organizations together and the true drivers of organizational success. They are supportive, reliable, creative cooperative, active, and trusting.

Now more than ever, jobs require collaboration and a team effort. Are you the type of person that makes the people around you better?  If so, employers are looking for you!

Here are some great ways to describe what makes you a “team player”. Use these on your resume JobNet profile and stand out!

• Commitment
• Responsible
• Supportive
• Active
• Willing 
• Problem-solver
• Respectful
• Collaborative 
• Agreeable 
• Leader
• Goal Oriented

Use these terms to describe how you work with other team members. Add them to your resume and your skill list of JobNet and attract more recruiters.