Always Be Job Hunting

Why Am I Not Getting Job Interviews?

Posted on October 16, 2012 by John N. Frank

Few things in the job hunting process are more frustrating than never getting called for interviews. It can seem as though you’re sending your resumes out into cyberspace, never to be seen again by human eyes.

Frustration builds on frustration and your self-esteem sinks to the point that if you do get an interview, you can’t present yourself in the best light.

Offer a firm handshake when you start an interview.

A piece in the Huffington Post addressed all this recently and had some good advice.The key bullet points: Continue reading →

Posted in Job search tips | Tagged Always Be Job Hunting, frustration, job hunting, job opening, search tips | 1 Comment

What Skills Do I Need to Find a Job?

Posted on October 15, 2012 by John N. Frank

A friend sent me an interesting article from CNBC recently noting that employers, even in these tough job market times, say they are having difficulty finding people with the skills they need for particular jobs.

Never stop honing an developing new skills.

“At a time when policy-makers are groping for ways to reduce the nation’s persistently high unemployment rate, companies with specialized needs are struggling just as much to find the right employees for a challenging new wave of job needs.

“What economists call the “skills gap” is one of the leading causes of unemployment today,” the article notes.

It goes on to say that skills learned in college generally are out of date five years after graduation. Continue reading →

Posted in job hunting, Job search tips | Tagged Always Be Job Hunting, job hunting, search tips, skills training | Leave a comment

Job Opening: Classified Sales Director, Chicago Area

Posted on October 14, 2012 by John N. Frank

A company named 22nd Century Media is searching for a classified sales director, according to a job listing it posted to Careerbuilder. com.

The company describes itself as a “growing company with the most effective solutions for hyper-local advertising through community-based editorial content. Currently, we publish eleven weekly newspapers and operate twelve different websites. The newspapers and websites cover solely the news of their respective town or village – the news that directly impacts the readers the most.” It’s based in Orland PArk, Ill., a southern suburb of Chicago.

HELP WANTED

Continue reading →

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What is Glassdoor on Facebook and Should You Try It?

Posted on October 3, 2012 by John N. Frank

A friend recently invited me to join Glassdoor, a new app on Facebook that sends job postings to members, as nearly as I can tell about it’s function. You also can search for jobs and complete a profile to let people know you’re searching.

Glassdoor bills itself as “An Inside Look at Jobs and Companies,” and includes company ratings, presumably by employees.

I’m not actively looking right now (although I do believe in my mantra of “Always Be Job Hunting,” so I’d say I’m passively looking at the moment). But I have been searching for places for my graphic designer daughter to apply for a new position, one that would allow her to work in an office environment rather than remotely and out of her home as she does now. Continue reading →

Posted in job hunting, Job search tips, Uncategorized | Tagged Always Be Job Hunting, First job, job hunting, new job, search tips | 1 Comment

When Should You Start Looking for Holiday Seasonal Work?

Posted on October 2, 2012 by John N. Frank

When should you start looking for end-of-year holiday jobs? Right now, according to a recent piece quoting the Better Business Bureau.

With so many people still unemployed or underemployed, competition is likely to be fierce, I expect, so the sooner you start and the more you know about who is likely to be hiring, the better.

“Target Corp. has said it plans to hire between 80,000 and 90,000 seasonal workers at its stores and distribution centers. Kohl’s says it will hire 52,000 holiday workers. “Major retailers’ hiring plans are welcome news for job seekers,’ said Michelle L. Corey, BBB president and CEO. ‘While holiday jobs are usually temporary, this is great news for struggling families and others who have had problems finding work,’” reports Stltoday.com

In addition to starting early, the article also advises to:

* Work where you shop.
* Put your best foot forward.
* Be flexible.

Great advice for any job hunt but especially for one in what promises to be a very tight market with lots of competitors.
John N. Frank

Posted in finding a first job, job hunting, Job search tips | Tagged Always Be Job Hunting, holiday jobs, job hunting, search tips | Leave a comment

How Important is Networking? No. 1, Says One Expert

Posted on October 1, 2012 by John N. Frank

I’ve written about the importance of networking to help you Always Be Job Hunting. It’s one of the key principles I write about in my book, in fact.

So it was nice to read someone else touting it as well, and not just touting it but calling it the most important tool for job hunting.

An article in the Ogden, Utah Standard-Examiner notes that “This job search method has always been the most effective and will likely remain so into the foreseeable future. The advantage of networking includes finding jobs opportunities before they are advertised and the competition becomes extensive.” Continue reading →

Posted in finding a first job, job hunting, Uncategorized | Tagged Always Be Job Hunting, job hunting, networking | Leave a comment

What Should You Know Before Job Hunting? Yourself!

Posted on September 27, 2012 by John N. Frank

I can’t tell you how many people I’ve known over the years who stay in jobs they do nothing but complain about. If you’re not happy in a job, find another one and don’t give up the search until you do. Otherwise, maybe you’re a person who simply enjoys being able to complain about your job.

It all comes down to another key Always Be Job Hunting principle: know thyself. To do that, you should:

 Be brutally honest with yourself
 Not negative, honest
 Know what rewards you need from a job:
 Money
 Fame
 Recognition, and be sure a new job offers that
 Understand why you want to change job
 Are you in danger of losing your job?
 Is the employer in financial trouble, being bought out or outsourcing?
 Are you dissatisfied?
 Are you dead-ended?
 Listen to others’ advice but own your career goals
 It’s your work, your life

Know Yourself

If you don’t go through this exercise, chances are you’ll simply move from one unhappy job to another.
John N. Frank

Posted in finding a first job, job hunting, Job search tips | Tagged Always Be Job Hunting, job hunting, search tips, time to leave | 3 Comments

Why is It Important to Know The Terrain Before You Job Hunt?

Posted on September 26, 2012 by John N. Frank

Another key part of the Always Be Job Hunting philosophy is to be aware of what’s happening in your chosen profession so you have options to look at when the time comes to find a new job.

You need to know who’s growing and who’s contracting before applying for jobs. Contracting companies often are hiring too but they’re looking for much different skills than a company that’s growing, for example.

Read secrets your overlords don’t want you to know.

Always Be Job Hunting is about always having job search options and fall-back plans. Few plans work out exactly as we hope, don’t be thrown by that, have backup plans and backup options for places you’d like to work. In short, become a student of your local professional scene by knowing:

 The professional terrain
 Who’s expanding, who’s contracting
 Who has the best workplace reputation
 Who pays the highest salaries
 You pick your next job rather than passively waiting for one to come along
John N. Frank

Posted in job hunting, Job search tips | Tagged Always Be Job Hunting, job hunting, new job | Leave a comment

How Do I Build My Personal Brand?

Posted on September 25, 2012 by John N. Frank

One of the keys to successfully always be job hunting is to build your personal brand so you have the currency to buy the attention of your next employer and the ones that follow that.

Personal brand building can take different approaches, depending on whether you’re currently working or out-of-work when you start (Ideally you started from the first day of your first job).

For those employed who need to start brand building, do it by:

Here’s how to build your personal brand as I did.

* Building a wide assortment of skills from the first day you start a job
The more skills, the more attractive you are to a next employer. Don’t let
anyone label you or pigeon-hole you, show you can take on
a wide range of tasks.
* Always look ahead
* Join groups, associations and organizations that get you known
Networking is too important to leave for when you’re out of work.
Do it constantly and
do it by showing your competency in volunteer endeavors
Don’t just be glad-handing at industry events
* Always assume you’ll be out of work tomorrow
* Volunteer for pro-bono work and for assignments that no one else wants
* Join community and social organizations
The more people who know you, the more who are likely to tell you about a job.
John N. Frank

Posted in job hunting | Tagged Always Be Job Hunting, job hunting, personal brand building | 1 Comment

Job Opening: Asst. Art Director, New York

Posted on September 21, 2012 by John N. Frank

Departures, a luxury lifestyle/travel magazine based in NYC, is looking for an Assistant Art Director.

Description is below.

If you’re interested, please email your resume to our Art Director, Alex Spacher, and make sure to send him examples of your work. His email is alexander.e.spacher@aexp.com. Please also make sure to apply online on the American Express website, because our HR department is quite strict about this. Job code is: 1211755.

Description
Departures Magazine is seeking a strong designer to bring passionate dedication and creative collaboration to our magazine. The ideal candidates must be hard working, ambitious conceptual thinkers with strong typographic skills and a positive attitude. He/she will be responsible for designing pages for any or all sections of the magazine while striving to continually push and explore the visual direction. Candidates will conceptualize, assign and art direct illustration and, while under the supervision of the Design Director and Art Director, work closely with the photo department art directing imagery. He/she must have the ability to work closely with editors to assist in creating visually captivating design solutions while excelling at working both independently and in a team environment, paying close attention to detail and deadlines. Must also assist Production Manager with production tasks as needed

Responsible for working with editors and photo department to design front-of-book layouts and sections like BlackBook, a sizable news/notes package. Also, Perform administrative duties, such as issuing contracts to illustrators and trafficking color and page proofs. Act as backup to production manager, documenting and sending out art, liaising with Prepress house, when necessary.

American Express is an equal opportunity employer.
Minimum 2 years experience in art and production departments at a consumer magazine. Proficiency in InDesign and Adobe Photoshop, plus working knowledge of Adobe Illustrator required. Knowledge of production systems and processes, a necessary plus. Extremely organized and detail-oriented, able to manage multiple projects under deadline pressure.