Top Six Job Search Mistakes (and How to Avoid Them)

Many job seekers think that whether they land a new position is a matter of luck: it’s good luck if they’re hired, and it’s bad luck if they’re not. The truth is that what separates successful job hunters from unsuccessful ones often is a question of preparedness, persistence, and hard work. A little common sense never hurt, either. Below are the biggest mistakes that people make when looking for a new job—and how you can avoid them:

• Leaving your current job before lining up something else. This isn’t a good idea even in a thriving job market, but it’s an especially bad idea in an uncertain economy. No matter how irritating your co-workers are or how obnoxiously your boss behaves, stick it out until you land something new. Just think of your daily grind as motivation to find a great new gig. The caveats: if something illegal is going on or your office is toxic to your health, get out now and wait tables for a while if you have to.

• Not taking the search seriously. Too many people who say they’re looking for a new job take fail to approach it as the serious endeavor that it is. They send out an “okay” resume that they’ve had for 10 years, don’t bother to proofread their cover letter for errors, or flake on sending a thank-you note after an interview. A job hunt is important, and you don’t want to burn bridges with potential employers because you’re too lazy to put in some effort. The solution? Get serious! Print out your resume and cover letter on high-quality paper, update your resume every few months, and contact the people you plan to list as professional references so they aren’t caught off guard when a hiring manager calls them.

• Lying on paper or in an interview. You were just a few credits shy of graduating from college, but that’s close enough, right? Wrong. Most of us don’t fudge on the big stuff—like fabricating degrees or places of employment—but many job hunters blur the line of truth when it comes to responsibilities they’ve had or skills they’ve mastered. Don’t risk it. If you don’t have the experience you need to land the job you want, work on getting it, rather than making it up.

• Not keeping your network up to date. The worst time to realize you’ve let your network disappear is when you want (or need!) to look for a new job. Think of your network of contacts, associates, and mentors as a sort of life raft for those unexpected moments that pop up in everyone’s career. When you tend to those relationships with periodic phone and email check-ins, coffees, and the occasional lunch, you’re maintaining a valuable pipeline that can come in handy when you need to know where the jobs are—fast. If you’ve let things slide in that area, pick up the phone and ask a few people if they’ll have coffee with you. They may be able to help you, but if they can’t today, don’t make the mistake of letting the relationships lapse again. You never know when you might need their help.

• Not telling the employer what’s in it for them. You’ve got a car payment due in two weeks. You want a better title. You need health insurance. All of these are great reasons to look for a new job, but they aren’t great reasons for someone to hire you. See the difference? An employer wants to hear what kind of value you’ll bring to the company and why she should take a chance on you, rather than the other 50 candidates. Think about what you bring to the table, and then sell it.

• Leaving the rest up to fate. Your great resume got you an interview, and the interview went well. While you may be tempted to simply wait by the phone until you hear from the company, there’s still plenty you can do. First, send a thank-you note to everyone you talked to (within one day of the meeting). Thank them for their time and let them know that you’re available if they want to meet with you again. Second, follow up with anyone who may still have influence over whether you get the job. Let your references know they may be getting a call and thank them for agreeing to put in a good word for you. If you have a professional contact within the company, thank them for their help in learning about the opening, securing the interview, etc. Lastly, if you haven’t heard from the company in a while, it’s okay to place a brief phone call letting them know you’re still very interested

About the Author

Jason Kay recommends that you learn more job search strategies at JobGoRound.com

What Careers Are Best in a Bad Economy

With all the concern over the economy, one thing that people keep talking about is the job market. Especially young men and women that are still in preparation to enter the job market a few years from now might be concerned with what the future may hold for them. If you are currently in school and want to ensure a stable profession to pay off all those accumulated school loans, the information below might be of help. Knowing what industries are in demand, and where people are looking for skilled employees are two very important factors to consider for planning a successful future.

Ten of the fastest-growing occupations
Do any of the fields interest you? If yes, your future is looking bright. Even though pay is important, make sure you find a profession that you are passionate about. After all, a career and profession is a large part of your life. You want to pick an area that is of some interest to you and that you are excited about.

Network Systems and Data Communications Analyst

1. Salary: $46,000 range
2. Bachelor's degree needed

Personal and Home Care Aide

1. Salary: Under $20,000
2. No college education required

Home Health Aide

1. Salary: Under $20,000
2. No college education required

Computer Software Engineer

1. Salary: $46, 000 range
2. Bachelor's degree needed

Veterinary Technologist or Technician

1. Salary: $20,000 - $30,000 range
2. Associate degree needed

Personal Finance Advisor

1. Salary: $46,000 or more
2. Bachelor's degree needed

Makeup Artists for Theater

1. Salary: $30,000 - $45,000 range
2. Postsecondary vocational needed

Medical Assistant

1. Salary: $20,000 - $30,000 range
2. No secondary education needed

Veterinarian

1. Salary: $46,000 range
2. Professional degree needed

Substance Abuse and Behavioral Disorder Counselor

1. Salary: $30,000 - $45,000 range
2. Bachelor's degree needed

Best U. S. cites to find jobs currently

Do any of the cities interest you? In general it is advisable to pick a geographic location that you can see yourself living in for the long run. If you love to ski for example, and are interested in technology, then you are in luck. Salt Lake City would just be perfect for you.

1. Salt Lake City, Utah (for technology related jobs)
2. Atlanta, Georgia (for transportation, distribution and financial service jobs)
3. Indianapolis, Indiana (agricultural related jobs)
4. Omaha, Nebraska (financial services and agricultural related jobs)
5. Seattle, Washington (aerospace and global trade related jobs)

Cities with lowest unemployment rate:

Low unemployment rate is usually a good indicator of a regions economic prosperity. A low unemployment rate is a good sign that the demand for skilled workers is larger than the supply. Any of the cities below would offer good opportunities for job seekers.

1. Sioux Falls, South Dakota (2.4% unemployment rate)
2. Rapid City, South Dakota (2.5% unemployment rate)
3. Idaho Falls, Idaho (2.5% unemployment rate)
4. Bismarck, North Dakota (2.6% unemployment rate)
5. Houma, Louisiana (2.7% unemployment rate)
6. Morgantown, West Virginia (2.8% unemployment rate)
7. Logan, Utah (2.8% unemployment rate)
8. Fargo, North Dakota (2.9% unemployment rate)
9. Casper, Wyoming (2.9% unemployment rate)
10. Billings, Montana (3% unemployment rate)

Knowing what you want to do and what geographic locations are most prosperous for you is half the battle. The second part is to be proactive in your job search. Don't expect people to come looking for you. Instead go out and prospect for your dream job just like you would going shopping for some new clothes. Gather information about different companies in your field of interest, find out who is in charge of hiring, and send out your resume. The more resumes you send out the higher the probability that you will get a call back for an initial interview. It is simply a numbers game! Last but not least: Keep a positive attitude and never take a rejection personal.

About the Author

H Pohl regularly writes and distributes articles to online publications and magazines. He is also the founder of http://www.ties-necktie.com/ and online specialty retailer offering mens silk neckties, bow ties, and cufflinks. Many of his articles focus on how to succeed in starting your own business.

The 1, 2, 3’s of Accountant Career Options

An accounting career is a highly popular choice for many people. Although accounting may not be considered one of the most exciting professions, there is certainly a high sum of money to be made as an accountant. There are also many career opportunities and accounting careers options for qualified accountants. There are also some very interesting and exciting options for accountants due to the fact that virtually every single company and organization requires an accounting department. That translates to countless opportunities to live and work. In addition, there are many different industries to choose from according to your needs and interests.

It is estimated that there are over 1 million accounting positions in place currently in the United States, with that number growing every year. There are countless opportunities in government and private industry as well as a high number of self employed accountants and book keepers. Accounting provides the rare opportunity of choice as you can just as easily work for yourself as for someone else, or even do both. Teaching is also a possibility for qualified accountants.

There are several different types of accountants. These include:

- Audit accountant
- Budget analysis accountant
- Financial accountant
- Management Accounting
- Tax accounting

Audit Accountant

Auditing is an important aspect of any business. Audit accountants check accounting ledgers and financial statements. This sort of work gives an accountant excellent experience in the business environment. Internal auditing is becoming of increased importance and these accountants must check the books for waste, fraud, mismanagement and other discrepancies.

Budget Analysis Accountant

A budget analyst accountant must develop the financial plans for an organization, as well as manage them. Government and the private industry provide many budget analysis jobs.

Financial Accountant

These accountants prepare financial statements with information from the general ledgers. Financial decisions can also be made with the help of financial accountants. Depending on the organization they can have a say in planning, long term business projections, employee benefits and other aspects.

Management Accounting

Capital budgeting and business analysis are two parts of the organization that Management Accountants have a role in. They work alongside other managers to develop new business.

Tax Accounting

Tax accountants prepare personal income tax statements and business taxes.

These accounting jobs provide a wide scope of choice for any qualified accountant, making this field one of the most diverse and varied fields of work available.

Accounting Salary: What to Expect

If you are planning on becoming an accountant then you will want to know what kind of salary to expect. Unlike many other fields of work, accounting can encompass many forms. Four main sectors you can work in as an accountant include:

- Private Sector
- Public Sector
- Non-Profit Sector
- Self Employed Accountant

You may have already decided that you want to become self employed once qualified. Although this is a wonderful way to work as an accountant, it is generally advisable to seek employed experience before embarking on self employment. Many accountants work a full time job and also have their own clients.

All companies, corporations and governments have accounting departments. That makes accounting highly flexible and ensures a never ending supply of positions. Accounting is certainly one field of work that will never be made redundant. It is also difficult to outsource most accounting tasks to overseas markets due to the in depth knowledge required of the national and local economics. This makes accounting a very secure field to work in as well.

The medium annual salary of accountants in the US is about $38,000. Auditors are listed as having a similar median wage. Of course, there is scope and potential for much improvement in this field and generally those with experience earn much more than the median.

Some other median salaries in various sectors of accounting include:

- State Government: 35,900
- Federal Government: 43,100
- Local Government: 36,400
- Commercial Banks: 35,700

As you can see, gaining an accounting position within government is an ideal place to start due to the higher wages, benefits and relative job security.

The top 10 percent of accountants and auditors have an average salary of nearly $80,000 whilst the bottom percentage earns under $25,000. Without doubt this lowest percentage consists mainly of graduate and inexperienced accountants.

You will require a bachelor's degree to work in accounting. Although this can have a short term financial impact, people can generally pay back their college fees quickly after becoming employed. Unlike other fields of study, accounting students rarely have a hard time finding a job after or whilst studying.

If you wish to improve your salary then consider a masters degree or study areas which focus on a particular aspect of accounting such as auditing, management accounting, corporate tax accounting, financial advisor and others. All of these advanced lines or work command much higher salaries and are highly interesting compared with regular accounting.

About the Author

Want more information on accounting careers? Learn about top accounting schools and accountants salary range from http://www.careertoolkits.com

You’re So Great, You Don’t Need a Resume

I’ve been hearing a lot said lately about bypassing a resume completely in your job search. Many of the proponents of this idea have some valid points to consider:

1. A resume sets you up for rejection with employers. They see your resume, assess you in 30 seconds or less, and place you on one of two piles (call or don’t call).

2. You’re just one of the herd; you don’t stand out. The resume makes you look like everyone else, no matter how well written it is, because you are essentially doing the same thing everyone else is doing…seeing a posting online and submitting your resume for that posting.

3. A resume cannot capture the essence of who you are. A resume is meant to capture your work history as well as your accomplishments within that history. So unless all you are is your work, it is only going to describe a snippet of your life.

By and large, I agree with these points. As you will see later on, though, I’m still not sold on bypassing the resume because of them. My position is that the resume is not the problem; it is how the job seeker uses the resume that is.

Nevertheless, the main thread behind the “bypassing the resume” argument, and the one that really gives me pause, is that really great people do not need resumes. So if you want to be a really great person, then you don’t need one either.

Huh?

First of all, what does it mean to be “really great” or “really spectacular”? In the eyes of these professionals, it means to be different, to stand out. Now I personally would debate that a bit. I think there are a lot of ordinary people who have done really spectacular things without really trying to be different or to stand out.

And I would also argue that there are a lot of unique people out there who stand out that don’t seem really great to me. So while I would agree that a job seeker needs to differentiate from the crowd, I would not agree that the main aim of the job seeker should be to be as unique as possible.

Maybe it depends on the goal. Most seekers out there have one aim: to find a job. And many of them want that job to be within corporate America. They aren’t looking to be the next online marketer extraordinaire or infomercial star.

Let’s face it…if ever there was a place that wasn’t keen on unique, it’s corporate America.

So writing a really cool blog or putting together an innovative presentation may definitely get you some notice; it may not get you the job. Remember that most of the people doing the hiring have all jumped through the hoops and earned their stripes. They aren’t always receptive to those who don’t.

Therefore, a job seeker needs to be astute and tactful…know when to take that risk and be that breathe of fresh air but also know how to empathize and fit in. Boy, if you can do that well, you are really spectacular!

Once you get past the “really great people” portion of their argument, however, what it all comes back to is, typically, networking and self-motivation. And on those two points, I would most definitely agree.

A resume doesn’t get you a job. That’s not shocking news, I hope. It’s the job seeker. You determine whether you get a job.

The strategy, the effort, the knowledge, the commitment, and the follow-through you place on the search are what help determine the outcome.

Someone who uses his or network of colleagues and friends, who diversifies his or her approach (not just relying on recruiters and online job postings), and who recognizes that they need to make their target audience feel as if he or she can come in and solve the problems the company faces is the one who will get the job. And you know, it is possible that he or she could do it without a resume.

Here’s an example:

Jon calls up his old colleague, Joe. He tells Joe that he is looking for X position in Y industry. Joe says he happens to know someone who might be looking for that. Joe suggests that they all go to lunch next week to discuss the opportunity. They go to lunch. Jon meets Joe’s friend, Suzy. Suzy is impressed with Jon because he comes prepared. Joe tipped him off to some of the issues that Suzy has been dealing with. So Jon brainstorms a few ideas that might help Suzy out. Suzy likes them, and tells him to call her office to set up another meeting to discuss a working relationship.

No resume needed.

But that’s just one scenario. All of Jon’s job search tactics aren’t going to go that way. Someday, sometime, someone is going to ask for a resume. He can’t very well say, “gee, I have this great blog you can read.”

My real beef with the “bypassing the resume” thing is that it is kind of like the whole “miracle job hunting pill” concept that some people want you to swallow. “Just do this, and your problems are solved!” “You know, if you were really something special, you wouldn’t be a schmuck like everyone else.”

Although job seekers need to understand what a resume can and cannot do, they really need to focus more of their energy on developing a strong strategy for their job search than on trying to get away with not using a tool that can come in handy to them.

I’m not sure I understand the logic in turning your nose up at something that is meant to help you. And although I agree that most job seekers don’t have a clue about how to wield that tool effectively, I think they are capable of learning how.

(But, then again, what do I know, I’m just ordinary like everyone else!)

About the Author

My company is called No Stone Unturned, and I am an MBA and certified professional résumé writer (CPRW). I have been in the career consulting business since 2002 with an additional 8 years of corporate hiring experience. You can check out my website that offers tools such as the No Nonsense Job Search Strategy guide and other Job Search Tips.

Why Would a Job Seeker Use a Temp Agency

Career seekers face the mounting dilemma of trying to improve their skills in an ever changing job market. They also have to compete with hundreds of thousands of other people who are trying to locate quality work.

A job hunter who has someone with the proper connections on their side can improve their chances of not only obtaining a job, but locating one in a place they will enjoy working at. This is why looking for employment through temp agencies is a great idea.

A recruiting agency has access to a database of jobs that may be offered exclusively through the agency. This exclusive job bank will significantly edge out competitors increasing your odds of obtaining the job you want.

Other benefits include:

Skill matching - There is nothing more frustrating than working at an organization where your experience and knowledge are not being applied. By looking for work through recruiting agencies, you can find an employer who actually wants to utilize the skills you possess.

Assessment and Training - HR consulting companies often test prospects to see how they rate in regards to their given skills. They also offer training for people who wish to learn new computer applications or software. This is a particularly priceless too for work at home mothers who may be rusty after years away from the job market. Training courses can also enable people to increase their earning potential and job market value.

Job variety - People who enjoy flexibility and variety will thrive at a temp agency. Not only will they have the ability to work in various companies and environments, they’ll diversify their career portfolio. There are of course, businesses that are looking for long term employees if someone wants something more permanent and stable. If you want a more secure job status, you can ask the human resource consulting representative if they have clients that offer temp to perm contracts.

Temp to perm contracts - with a temp to perm contract, an employee agrees to work for a period of time for a company so the business can see how well they fit. The contract is usually for ninety days (3 months) after which the company makes a determination as to if the employee is well suited for the job. If they are, the worker is hired on permanently and released from their contract with the temp agency.

Placement at hard to get into companies

The greatest benefit to job seekers who use temp agencies is the fact that these placement firms have access to companies that are often difficult to get into. Even certain fortune five hundred companies may utilize a human resource consulting firm in their bid to locate quality employees. If there is a company in particular you would like work for, your best bet is to call their internal HR department and find out what temp agency they utilize. You can then visit the recruiter’s office to see if there are any available vacancies within that organization.

A word of caution -- while it may be tempting to apply to several different temp agencies, it is far better to find one agency you like and work through them. The reason being is temp agencies look for employees that are reliable. If you prove yourself to be someone who consistently shows up to jobs on time and performs well, you may be considered for a job that offers permanent employment. However, if you sign up for more than one hr consulting facility, you may have to turn down one job to get another-the agency that is continuously put off will they will see you as unreliable and cease to use you. In time, you may run out of job pools to utilize.

If you are smart, and honest, a human resource consulting firm could end up landing you an entry level position at a great company!

About the Author

Temp agency provides temporary staffing, permanent recruiting, and human resource consulting. When looking for information on temporary staffing, consider Drake International.

Networking Can Jump-Start Your Career

here are a number of ways that you can acquire the job you want. You can go the traditional route of finding an ad and applying for the job, or going through the temp agency where you can get your feet wet in certain fields.

But another great way to get a job is through networking. Whether you have a family member who can make recommendations for you, or you join an organization where you get inside tips on companies, meeting the right people help you get you the job you want. Let’s look at some ways you can make networking work for you.

Talk to Your Friends and Family

If you’re really looking to find work and the want ads haven’t been very good to you then you may want to start networking with people that you trust the most: your friends and family. Not only can they surprise you with the information they know, they have your best interest at heart, which is always a plus.

Since your relationship with them is more likely to be casual, you can simply ask if they know of any job leads or people that you can link with for opportunities, without having to worry about being professional. You may just find that by networking close to home, you can find your next job lead in no time.

Join Clubs, Organizations or Advisory Boards

Making strides in a local or national club is another route that you can take to network your way to a great job. For instance, if you’re in the IT field, you might want to join The Association of Information Technology Professionals (AITP) to make connections and learn the ins and outs of your field. And if you career choice is accounting, you might want to join the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA).

If you’re already a professional in your field and are looking for new opportunities, you can always join the advisory board of one of your local organizations. For instance, if you’re working in the field of communication and want to raise your stakes as a professional, you can vie for a spot on the advisory board of Girl Scouts of America where you will be able to show your community service efforts and meet important people at the same time.

Try Online Networking

A newer form of networking that has proven to be successful in acquiring employment is online social networking. Whether you’re participating in fun sites like Myspace and Facebook, or professional sites like LinkedIn, you will find that many recruiters are locating candidates through this online vehicle. It’s good to research sites that recruiters visit most, check out blogs, and learn the culture before diving in. That way, if you set up a website profile or participate on message boards, you will be able to make the best first impression possible every time.

Networking is a great way to create new opportunities in your field. So conduct your research, make your connections, and get those opportunities started. In no time at all, you’ll see that your efforts will begin to pay off.

About the Author

Heather Eagar is a former professional resume writer and is passionate about providing working professionals with current, reliable and effective job search tools and information. Looking for resume writers? Check out reviews of the top resume services in the industry at http://www.resumelines.com

Is Fear of Failure Holding You Back From Freelance Success?

Necessity. It’s the Mother of Invention. Necessity is typically followed by action of some sort. It also brings about motivation, and together with discomfort, the three are key factors in determining your success as a freelancer.

Fear often causes paralysis, and is a significant hindrance to your success. Unfortunately, discomfort often causes fear. So are you doomed for failure if you’re afraid? Not necessarily, because discomfort can also create a sense of necessity.

There are usually two classes of freelancers: Those who want to freelance, and are starting out by taking on some side projects while holding down a full-time job, and those who have either been fired, laid off, quit their jobs or can’t find a job, and are freelancing not only because they want to, but because they have no choice if they want to survive. Which group do you think is going to achieve quicker success?

My goal here is not to paint a rosy picture of the power of positive thinking. While I do believe those ideas and practices hold merit, I’m here to point out some facts that will make sense to you and hopefully allow you to move forward with a successful freelance or consulting career.

If you are starting out as a freelancer, you have to have a strong motivation to succeed. Those of you with steady jobs: You may have a strong motivation to succeed, but I would argue that for most of you, that motivation isn’t as strong as someone who has found themselves out of work and is freelancing to put food on the table. That’s because you have some level of comfort in your life. You know that your next paycheck is coming, regardless of whether you land a new project in the next month or not. Necessity is the driving force behind the motivation of the group that is out of work. They take action every single day because it’s necessary for them to do so if they want to feed their families.

For you to succeed, you must take action. If you’re fearful of failing, you may be stalling without realizing it. Having that comfort zone allows you to be afraid and inactive, but it is also holding you back from realizing your dreams. I’m not advocating for you to quit your day job. I’m asking you to step outside of your comfort zone and take action. Take advantage of every single bad day you have at work. If you want to quit and freelance full-time, there must be a reason. You must not be completely happy with your current situation, or you’d probably stay there. So take advantage of every little ounce of discomfort that comes your way, and allow it to motivate you to take action. Is your boss giving you a hard time? Let yourself feel like it’s absolutely necessary that you be able to quit your job in less than a month, and take action every single day towards that goal.

Identify what you’re afraid of that might be holding you back, and take action by finding a solution. Afraid of not having health insurance? There are plenty of companies that offer that and numerous other benefits to independent consultants, such as MBO Partners. Fearful of not being able to find clients? Join your local Chamber of Commerce, attend some networking events. Do a couple of pro-bono jobs to build your portfolio, and get some testimonials from those clients.

Challenge yourself to do one small thing every single day that is a bit out of your comfort zone, and will get you closer to reaching your goals. Ask any highly successful person how they did it, and they’ll tell you they kept getting back up and trying again every time they failed. The only difference between them and you is that they kept taking action in the face of fear, and the face of failure.

About the Author

Angela Stringfellow is a marketing communications consultant and an MBO Partners associate. Visit their website, http://www.mbopartners.com