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Basic Job-Search Building Blocks

Over the years, California Job Journal has published a wealth of job-seeking advice. Several months ago, I began culling through past issues with an eye to retrieving some useful hints that might otherwise be long forgotten. The result is a three-week series of articles offering the essentials of dealing with job search, resumes and cover letters, networking and interviewing. While some hints will be old hat to regular readers, these are pointers worth repeating to anyone about to embark on that challenging journey to a new job.13 Great Ideas First of Three Parts
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Fighting ageism in the workplace

Aunt Gertie and Aunt Ethel were characters. They both were the younger sisters of my grandfather and the daughters of their mother, another character, who lived to be 100 years old. You never knew what to expect out of them next, and usually they were successful in their endeavors.

Later in life, Aunt Gertie and Aunt Ethel were widowed, lived together and took care of their aged mother. Both of them had the usual aches and pains that accompany old age, but they were determined not to give into the pressures of aging.
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Unemployment Doesn’t Translate to Self-employment

For the unemployed, switching careers is more attractive than self-employment, according to a recent survey. Nearly 60% of out-of-work people consider switching careers, while only 44% weigh starting their own businesses, according to a recent survey of 2,500 people in North America.

The survey conducted by Right Management Consultants, a career transition and organizational consulting firm, revealed that six out of 10 people are considering making a switch, while four out of 10 consider self-employment a viable option.
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Recruiters find minority hires in diverse ways

Bianca Carpenter (29) of Chicago talks with Illinois State Police field recruiter Brian Clay. (KEVIN MANNING/P-D)
Melissa Hamilton won’t have to search for a job in May when she graduates from the University of Missouri at Columbia.

Hamilton, 23, already has been hired at PricewaterhouseCoopers as an associate tax accountant. She found the position through Inroads, a national program that helps train and place minority students in internships and full-time jobs after college.
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Career counselors: job search best launched face-to-face

Deborah Halliday, assistant director of the Office of Career Services, helps Shari Hileman (CAS08) look for an internship. Its never too late to begin looking for a job, Halliday says.

College seniors just returning from spring break may be getting anxious about finding a job after graduation, but recent alumni know that career opportunities can emerge at the most unlikely times and places. Jennifer Ciarimboli (CAS03) didnt know the New England Institute of Art existed until she drove past it while searching for an apartment. But when she applied for a job there, she found that her work-study experience in the undergraduate programs office at the School of Management made her a good candidate for a job in higher education.
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Don’t Get Thrown for a Loop

While some interview questions are easy to answer, others can make or break you. Here are some tips for getting through the more difficult (and sometimes bizarre) ones.

Tell Me a Story.

Huh? Before you launch into Alice in Wonderland, find out what kind of story the interviewer wants to hear. Asking for clarification shows you are thoughtful and won’t go on wild goose chases in the office if difficult projects aren’t spelled out for you in advance.
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Marine For Life program holds seminars, helps Marines transition

Marine For Life program holds seminars, helps Marines
Transitioning from the military is a complicated step for almost everyone. Youre suddenly forced to think harder about bills, health coverage, food, clothing and shelter.

For transitioning Marines, a transition assistance program called Marine For Life, can help make a smooth transition into the civilian sector, and possibly help with employment.

At Marine For Life, we know that separating Marines all dont want to do the same job, said Maj. Carolyn Dysart, Marine For Life spokesperson. We offer a variety of employment, and we highly encourage all Marines to use every resource they have available.
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Workshop helps moms re-enter the workforce

Bridget Faria put her career on hold for five years to be with her two children. A successful customer service representative who become a full-time mom after her daughter was born she willingly chose diapers and story time over phone calls and meetings.

Although she doesnt regret staying home, Ms. Faria is ready for a new challenge. With both children enrolled in Project Head Start, the work world now beckons. But shes nervous.
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Staffing services can be job seeker’s answer

Finding a job can be tough, especially if you’ve spent the past three or four years focusing on college and haven’t had an opportunity to make business contacts.

There is a solution. Staffing agencies can nurture college students and help them land a job that could launch their career. They can also find them part-time positions to gain real-world experience and make their resume more attractive.
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Interviews help sell in today’s market

Sellers know you never get a second chance to make a first impression — especially when you’re operating in a buyer’s market.

More than a clich, that advice is gold for savvy marketers, whether they’re showing a house or a showcasing their skills to a prospective employer.

According to local and national experts, employment trends indicate it is a buyer’s, (or employer’s) market and potential employees are expected to “sell” their wares in an increasingly competitive atmosphere.
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