At ResumeBear we take pride in the quality of our sources and rely on their experience and expert guidance to help job seekers get ahead. Our goal is to help keep America working to their fullest potential. We all know the consequences of presenting a poorly cra­­­fted resume, especially loosing the ability to create the vital positive first impression to help you stand out from your competition.

Yahoo Finance writer Erin Joyce recently wrote an article singling out ten resume blunders that will crush your chances of consideration before you even had a chance when you’re searching for a job.

Many of these suggestions we’ve brought up here before; and some might seem like frivolously avoidable blunders, but all are equally important to stay away from when designing a professional resume. Joyce offers insights into authoring your resume, explaining the types of errors which could break your chances of being considered for prime available positions. We recently shared 5 of those suggestions with you in our post, “Five Worse Resume Mistakes”, and now we’d like to share the rest of them with you today.

The Five more Resume Blunders that bring your job search to a screeching halt are:

TMI means Too Much Information. If your resume gets personal, tone it down;

Your resume is not a journal entry, and sharing personal experiences not related to your job history is highly discouraged. Joyce recommends:

‘“Resumes should demonstrate how professional you are — that means the anecdote about the time you met Britney Spears is not appropriate. That being said, let your personality come through in your resume by including volunteer experience or a (very) short section about your interests.”

Your resume contains Spelling or Grammatical Errors;

This too seems like an obvious error to avoid, but you’d be surprised how many people ignore proof reading and hastily submit subpar resumes riddled with spelling and grammar errors when applying for jobs. Having obvious errors in your resume demonstrates disrespect, and will land you immediately disqualified.

“We all know to avoid this one. It makes you look sloppy and negates the part of your resume that proudly describes you as “detail-oriented.” The best thing you can do for a resume is send it to a professional resume service or a professional editor. If you are a student, your career center likely offers free resume counseling or at least free information to help you fine tune your CV before sending it out. At the very least, have a friend look it over and check for basic language errors — spell check just doesn’t cut it”, says Joyce.

Your resume lists a Specific Objective;

One common error many job seekers continually make is deciding to include an Objective section in their resume. Joyce elaborates;

“For the most part, objectives sound insincere and, worse, can limit your options. Let your cover letter do the talking when it comes to why you want that particular job. And remember, each cover letter and resume should be individually tailored to a specific job posting — not just a specific field. Taking an interest in the specifics of the job makes you look professional and focused and not like you are mass-emailing anyone who might hire you. Desperation is no more attractive to an employer than it is to a date.”

Your resume lists an Unprofessional Email Address;

You’ve heard this one over and over, but it still stands; using a personalized email address with an unprofessional name or phrase can be an automatic disqualifier for many hopeful, unsuspecting applicants.

“In a world where email is free, and most of us have multiple addresses, make the effort to have a professional email address. Keep it simple — using your name is best. Just make sure you leave the sparklebaby@hellokitty.com for personal use. One more tip? Don’t use your current work email unless you are self-employed.”, explains Joyce.

Your Resume is covered in Glitter – Literally;

Professional recruiters have seen everything. From resume’s coated with perfume to applicants including glittery photographs with their submissions, adding any additional flare could be perceived as flashy and obnoxious by the hiring manager. Joyce explains;

”In an effort to make your resume stand out, you may find that it gets thrown out. Less extreme attempts such as including image files or using non-traditional symbols or fonts should also be avoided. While it may be a nice break for a recruiter reading through hundreds of Times New Roman “documents, you run the risk of the fonts or images not loading properly. And you can bet that busy recruiter isn’t going to contact you for a simplified copy.”

The end result?

In the end, your resume needs to create a professional and inviting first impression that makes the hiring manager evaluating candidates want to learn more about YOU above all the others names on paper going through the inbox. Job hunting can be a difficult process for many, and being armed with a well written resume will help boost not only your chances of getting that first interview, but also will greatly increase your confidence and determination to find – and keep– the job of your dreams. Happy Hunting!

Stand Out From The Crowd – Include a First Rate Cover Letter With Your Resume

What does a well written cover letter do for your resume?

It helps you stand out; assisting by distinguishing you individually from the endless list of names applying for the same job. The job market is overpopulated, and it is more crucial than ever to find a way to be set apart from the crowd. Many hopeful job applicants don’t realize how dramatically they lessen their chances for being noticed by the hiring managers sorting through piles of resumes, just for failing to include a good cover letter. A well written cover letter answers the question “Why should WE pick YOU?” It introduces you before the reader even sees your resume. It should jump out and demand attention, then explain why YOU – over all of the other equally capable applicants, should win the interview.

Writing a cover letter can be intimidating for many otherwise eager job seekers. Lots of people find themselves at a loss on what to say, and more importantly what not to say. The Career Development Department at Trinity College (CDDTC) of Hartford Connecticut issued a step-by-step “how to” guide for creating a good cover letter on their website which we would like to share with our readers. They break down the mystery behind writing a good cover letter, easing the tension about the experience and removing the intimidation.

Here is the template suggested for where to start building a high-quality cover letter, excerpted from the CDDTC website:

YOUR ADDRESS (Do not put your name here)
TODAY’S DATE
Mr. /Ms. EMPLOYER’S NAME (If you don’t have one, get one!)
TITLE
COMPANY’S NAME
ADDRESS
DEAR Mr./Ms. EMPLOYER:

FIRST PARAGRAPH: This is the “why I’m writing to you” paragraph which immediately tells the employer the position you want to be considered for. This is short – usually 2-3 sentences. Points to cover:

• Why you are writing and which position you are applying for.
• How you heard about the position is irrelevant unless it is a mutual contact or recruiting program. Do not write, “I learned of this opportunity through the Career Services Office.”
• Show from your research why you are interested in this position or organization. The goal is to make a connection – do this Briefly and Specifically or leave it out; sweeping statements will not work.

SECOND PARAGRAPH: This is the “why I’m qualified” paragraph. Highlight some of your most relevant experiences and qualities as they relate to the position for which you are applying. Choose 2 – 3 points you want to make about Specific experiences/accomplishments or about general qualities you have exhibited, and provide Specific examples to support those points. This paragraph will change according to the job/employer for which you are applying. This is usually the longest paragraph of the letter. You may break this paragraph into two if it looks too lengthy or if your points work best in separate paragraphs. Points to ponder:

• The first sentence should be a hard-hitting opener. It is a quick introduction, which is accomplishment-oriented and directed at the skills and qualifications needed for the job/industry.
• The body of the paragraph should provide evidence to back up what you’ve just claimed. Cite specific jobs/internships/activities/projects and accomplishments associated with those experiences. Use your resume to come up with some specifics, but NEVER reiterate passages from your resume word for word. Discuss why what you did is to the employer- relate the facts to the job.
• Strong examples are important!

The final sentence is a summary of what you’ve discussed above. It’s a good idea to mention the position title and company name to bring the reader back to the specific job in question.

FINAL PARAGRAPH: This is a short 2-4 sentences paragraph. You should refer to the enclosed resume, request an interview and let the reader know what will happen next (Contact them within specific period of time unless it is a recruiting program). It is vital that you thank the reader for his/her time and consideration.

Sincerely,
Your Signature
Your Name
Enclosure(s)

The Trinity College career development website has additional resources available to help you construct cover letters, view sample cover letters, and learn some tips and tricks for standing out to get the interview. Click here to view the original context.

A good cover letter is a very important part of the preliminary interview selection process. Take your time when writing them, and be sure to customize them for each individual position you apply for. Remember, one cover letter could never work with every single available job that interests you. Do your research. Read sample cover letters, and research the positions you are applying for thoroughly before writing the cover letter to include with your resume.

Spending the time to design a personal and eloquently written cover letter specifically for each individual resume submission could be the difference between landing the interview, or being tossed aside, unnoticed. Never neglect the cover letter; it can make all the difference in the world.

Now get out there, and apply!

With the dawn of 2010, countless optimistic job seekers either began, or renewed their resolutions to find their great new job.  With layoff numbers and the unemployment count still growing throughout the United States, many of these diligent and hopeful applicants have become discouraged.  What guidance can we offer to the thousands of qualified, though jobless workers who are simultaneously searching for their next opportunity? You can start by changing your strategy, renewing your efforts, and going directly to the source.

We took the advice of knowledgeable career advancement professionals, and honed in on some of the most significant and effective methods currently practiced by leading hiring managers when seeking their new prospects. We found the most useful approaches focus on connecting candidates to their prospective employers in more direct and personal ways. The trick is to go where hiring organizations are looking. If you know where they’ll go, then you can be there to find.   This could be a very powerful advantage in today’s over-populated job market.

The Resume Bear team did some digging; then found and identified some of today’s top 5 most productive ways to look for a job:

Search EVERY Day

Although this might be easier said, than done; searching the job boards, newspapers, and sundry other techniques of job hunting on a daily basis will greatly increase your chances of finding that great new job. Many job seekers spend as much time hunting as they would if they were working, by searching early and often.

Consider that 62% of prospective employers have said that they generally try to fill all open positions within 30 days of becoming available.  Furthermore, a disproportionately large 35% of hiring managers said they try to fill open positions within two weeks!  Procrastination will kill your chances of landing the interview if you don’t keep up with the new jobs as soon as they are available.  Your best chances are within a few days of the job posting, and your best way to keep up with them is to spend the time to search every day, and continually follow through with correspondences with a sense of urgency.

Become Your Own Boss

Although companies may cut costs to stay afloat by handing out pink slips, those same organizations will still need for their business to run efficiently to stay in business.  Many companies are combating the money problem of paying full time employees by cutting costs and hiring independent consultants for individual projects and services.  The cost of retaining a permanent, full time staff will cause many businesses to go under in tough times. Hiring an independent contractor gives them more options, and takes away  additional costly expenses of paying regular employees, like benefit packages  and paid vacation time. Thus, businesses which might have gone under can keep going.

Freelancing your skills will keep them sharp and fresh; and can expand your networking base with entirely new types of business contacts.

Furthermore, in many cases; independent contractors will become indispensible parts of business, and can lead to a regular full time job within the company.

Becoming your own boss and successfully selling your services can open doors you have never imagined your find.  It is a wonderful way to showcase your talents, and build your resume and experience.  Take the time to check out Career sites specifically dedicated to freelancers like the popular Sologig.com.

Attend Career/Job fairs

Job fairs might intimidate the faint of heart. Some feel they are a tedious waste of time spent filling out countless applications to no avail.  That being said, keep in mind the only reason they even exist is so applicants and recruiters can interact face-to-face in a more casual atmosphere – almost like a preliminary interview.

Job fairs allow hiring managers to scope out dozens of candidates in a very short time. They can then weed more quickly through the mounds of applications with a little more knowledge of the candidate because only at a job fair can they put a face to the name on the resume before an interview. Job fairs provide also provide a very good outlet for networking because they are a place where employers are comfortable chatting with applicants in a less structured, non-corporate atmosphere. In a less intimidating environment, people feel more at ease opening a conversation with a higher-up in the company, who ordinarily they would never dare approach.

Cultivate Your Networking

If you have ever read our blog before, you may have picked up on a common pattern: Networking! We continually encourage our readers to spend time on a regular basis building their networking circle; whether through internet social networking systems like Linkedin, or by simply schmoozing at a party, job fair, or corporate dinner.  The benefits of networking are infinite, and can lead to opportunities you may have never dreamed of.

It’s all about who you know – or more importantly, who knows you – and is willing to vouch for you. Experts now estimate that upwards of 75% of open jobs are filled through candidates with personal referrals from trusted colleagues.  Corporate hiring managers would rather go with a recommendation then weed through hundreds of applications and resumes. It generally saves time, resources, and their head ache. Which leads us once again to -

Obtain a Personal Referral

(Excerpted from our original article on the Personal Referral. Click the link above to learn more about the advantages of personal referrals)

‘Personal employee referrals are widely considered to be the single best way for employers to find reliable new hires in the vastly oversaturated job market.  With so many potentially qualified job seekers looking for work, many managers strongly prefer considering applicants who have been previously recommended by a trusted colleague, or valued employee.  Scoring the coveted “personal referral” with the hiring manager can not only get you an interview, but can also offer a hearty advantage over any competition before you even set foot in the door.’

The jump-start offered to you through a personal recommendation could go far beyond what the most impressive resume or cover letter ever could. Nick Corcodilos, author of the book Ask The Headhunter: Reinventing the Interview to Win the Job, suggests that job seekers should not be fearful of asking for personal referrals and recommendations from trusted friends and former colleagues, because when done correctly the entire process should be a positive experience for both.  Corcodilos explains that not only will the referral benefit from a positive recommendation, but “so do I, because the quality of the introductions I make reflect on me and my credibility grows.”

However, as always, with privilege comes responsibility.  Never take advantage of a person offering a personal recommendation for you.  Be sure to follow through with your part,  conducting yourself in a professional way.  Misusing the advantage or failing to follow up with the hiring manager will not only hurt you, but cause the person referring you to lose some trustworthiness. “Treat a personal referral with respect”, says Corcodilos, “because someone put his reputation on the line for you. Follow up. Call the person who’s expecting your call. Behave like the person that I have vouched you to be.  But if you squander my assets, don’t ever call me again.”

Now go out and get hunting!

Students listed their criteria for choosing an employer as follows:

1. Opportunity for advancement
2. Job security
3. Quality of employer’s benefit package
4. Friendly co-workers
5. Location of the job

Students have made it clear that while salaries are important, benefits also matter to them. Overall, students rated medical insurance, yearly salary increases, 401(k) plan, and dental and life insurance as the most important benefits to them. Other benefits students look for, in order of importance, are:

1. Medical insurance
2. Annual salary increases
3. 401(k) retirement plan
4. Dental insurance
5. Life insurance
6. Family-friendly benefits
7. Tuition reimbursement
8. Bonus/commission
9. Flextime
10. Pension plan

Losing your job can be traumatic. But there is a reliable way to recover, according to noted leadership coach and author Richard S. Deems.

“Too many people become paralyzed with hopelessness after a layoff, especially in the current economy,” says Deems, author of twelve books on key management issues. “But it doesn’t have to be that way.”

After working with hundreds of large and small companies and countless laid-off workers, Deems has devised a proven, five-step approach to recovering from job loss.

1. Understand the Job Loss Cycle.

Everyone who experiences job loss goes through a cycle that includes Shock, Anger, Bargaining, Self-Doubt, Withdrawal, and finally Acceptance/Affirmation. “When people understand that these feelings are normal, they move to Acceptance/Affirmation more quickly,” says Deems.

2. Get Your Finances in order.

Cut back anywhere you can in your budget and watch your spending. Call creditors if you are or are about to be late on your payments. Creditors are almost always willing to work with an unemployed person if they take the initiative to notify them.

3. Focus on your strengths and accomplishments.

Focusing on your past achievements will not only help position you for a new employer, it will also boost your energy and confidence.

4. Reach out to friends, family and co-workers.

Give yourself permission to ask for help because others want to help. Deems’ research shows more people find jobs through networking than all other strategies combined.

5. Prepare for each interview.

Study the job description, research the organization and prepare answers to potential interview questions. “You need to be able to prove why you’re the right person for the job, and careful preparation can make all the difference in the world,” according to Deems.

Source: WorkLife Design

The current economic crisis has caused many companies worldwide to make changes in the benefits they offer their employees, such as cutting bonuses, pensions, 401k  matches or salary increases. But what happens when the economic crisis is over? Will these companies reinstate these benefits or not? At the moment, only a minority of Americans believe these benefits will be reinstated. These are some of the findings of The Harris Poll, a new nationwide survey of 2,280 U.S. adults surveyed online between March 24 and 26, 2009 by Harris Interactive: Specifically, Americans believe:

• Only just over one-third of adults, 36 percent  believe that companies will reinstate annual salary increases that match or exceed inflation if they were cut while 23 percent say they will not and 41 percent are not at all sure;

• Only one-third, 32 percent  of Americans say companies will reinstate pensions if they were cut while one-quarter, 25 percent  say they will not and 43 percent are not at all sure;

• When it comes to bonuses that were cut, one-third, 32 percent  of adults believe those will be reinstated while 27 percent believe they will not be reinstated and 41 percent say they are not at all sure; and,

• Only three in ten, 30 percent,  Americans believe that the 50 percent match on the first 6 percent an employee contributes to his or her 401k  plan will be reinstated if they were cut while 23 percent say they will not be reinstated and just under half, 47 percent,  are not at all sure.

Certain groups are more likely to believe these cuts will be reinstated than others. For example, regionally, those in the Midwest are optimists as they are more likely to believe all four of these benefits will be reinstated than people in other areas of the country. Men are also more likely than women to believe companies will reinstate annual salary increases, 41 percent, vs. 32 percent, bonuses, 37 percent vs. 27 percent  and the 50 percent match on 401k  contributions, 32 percent vs. 28 percent.

Entrepreneurial Considerations

As more and more people struggle economically or are laid off from jobs, there are a small number who may be considering plans to start their own businesses. Among those who are currently employed or are looking for work, almost one in ten ,9 percent  say they have started or currently run their own business and 6 percent say they have begun making plans to start their own business. Fully 37 percent of those employed or looking for work have considered starting their own business in the past or recently, but have not done so, and about half ,48 percent  have never considered starting their own business.

So What?

“Overall, there is a great deal of uncertainty about how companies will behave in the future. Large pluralities of Americans are uncertain if businesses will reinstate any of the cuts in salaries and benefits made in the wake of the economic crisis,” says Howard Lax, Senior Vice President, Financial Services Research Group, Harris Interactive. “There is a ray of hope, however, in that one-third of respondents are optimists expecting cuts to be reversed, outnumbering the one-quarter of pessimists who think the cuts will be permanent.”

Methodology

This Harris Poll was conducted online within the United States March 24 and 26, 2009 among 2,280 adults (aged 18 and over). Figures for age, sex, race/ethnicity, education, region and household income were weighted where necessary to bring them into line with their actual proportions in the population. Propensity score weighting was also used to adjust for respondents’ propensity to be online.

All sample surveys and polls, whether or not they use probability sampling, are subject to multiple sources of error which are most often not possible to quantify or estimate, including sampling error, coverage error, error associated with nonresponse, error associated with question wording and response options, and post-survey weighting and adjustments. Therefore, Harris Interactive avoids the words “margin of error” as they are misleading. All that can be calculated are different possible sampling errors with different probabilities for pure, unweighted, random samples with 100% response rates. These are only theoretical because no published polls come close to this ideal. Respondents for this survey were selected from among those who have agreed to participate in Harris Interactive surveys. The data have been weighted to reflect the composition of the adult population. Because the sample is based on those who agreed to participate in the Harris Interactive panel, no estimates of theoretical sampling error can be calculated.

These statements conform to the principles of disclosure of the National Council on Public Polls.

If you are searching for a job or applying to a college or even just hoping to keep the job you have you should be very careful what you say and post online.  Four out of five recruiters regularly run web searches to screen job applicants.  Potential employers and colleges may find your online profile and make judgment calls based on what they discover.  With all of the innovative websites popping up it’s getting easier than ever to screen students and candidates online.

One recruiter I recently spoke to says that she went as far as to set up rss feeds by certain keywords to facilitate the candidate screening process.  More and more employers are starting to monitor the online behavior of their employees.  A good rule to live by is “Don’t share anything online that could come back to haunt you later on.” Mentioning how you get drunk every night or how many times you’ve lied on your resume won’t make you an attractive candidate for potential employers.

We ran a simple online twitter search and easily found hundreds of examples of things people have said that could either get them fired or prevent them from being offered a job in the future.  It was hard, but we narrowed it down to  the Top 30 Ways to Lose a Job on Twitter.

Tweet about failing your random drug test

Announce you are sleeping with your boss’s daughter

Tell everyone how much you hate your boss

Call your boss names

Let everyone know what a stupid moron your boss really is

Brag about fooling your boss into thinking you worked late the night before

Talk about sleeping with your Boss

Tell how you lied to get out of working

Ask  your followers which disease you should fake to get off work early

Use Twitter even though your company blocked it on your computer

Keep posting to Twitter even after you’ve been caught by your boss 3 times in one day

Brag about how much free time you have to goof off at work

Give out tips on how to  stalk  your co-worker

Share how you lied to your boss to keep from inviting him to your party

Mention how you lied to your boss about having to take an exam instead of coming in to work

Tweet about Lying to your boss

Tell your friends how you got out of doing an assignment at work

Brag about possibly getting away with lying to your boss

Get your wife or girlfriend to tweet about lying to your boss

Admint to lying on your job application or resume

Announce you are quitting on Twitter

Tell everyone how much you hate your job and mention when you plan on quitting

Tell your followers when you plan on turning in your resignation

Threaten to sue your company and boss and mention what large boobs you have

Tweet about your new job interview and how your wondering if you should sue your current boss

Share that you got fired on your very first day at a new job

Talk about your co-workers bathroom habits

Write a message to your co-workers telling them how stupid they are and mention you hate them

Describe what you stole from work

Tell everyone how how your stupid boss screwed up the payroll

It may not seem important to you now, but what you post and share online could come back to haunt you someday when you least expect it.  Everything on the internet can be archived, which means it is also searchable.   Your online profiles might be just for friends now, but later on, your online content might keep you from getting that scholarship, the job of your dreams or even prevent you from running for public office.

Think before you post – especially before you post to social networking sites or blogs.  If you just can’t help yourself and you must tell someone at least use @secrettweet.

If you have other examples of outrageous postings online you would like to share, please add them in comments.

Often when people are offered a new job opportunity they let their excitement get the best of them by putting very little time or effort into making sure they resign from their previous job on a good note.  Leaving on a good note can be as important as making a good first impression. Here are 15 tips to help you have a smooth resignation:

Prepare:

Prepare for your resignation as you would a job interview. Put some time and thought into it.  Write down what you are going to say, in what order, and to whom. You can do substantial damage to work relationships if you tell the wrong people first, even in confidence, and somebody influential finds out second hand.  You may think they are your closest co-worker, but if they think you are leaving anyway, they might tell someone in order to help them get first chance at your position.

Be honest:

Don’t withhold the truth from your employers and co-workers. Be upfront and tell them that you are leaving.  You wouldn’t appreciate someone telling you at 5 pm that they wouldn’t be back the next day because they have taken a new position, so keep that in mind when you consider when to tell your employer you are leaving.

Be brief and direct:

Whether telling your boss in person or in writing, get straight to the point. Explain why you are leaving, be gracious and positive and try to avoid expressing negative feelings or getting into any type of confrontation.

Be flexible:

If you can, negotiate an end date that suits both your current and future employer. Do everything within your power to make the transition an easy one.  Cooperate fully in handing over the files, documents, projects and clients you are working with prior to leaving.  If they do not fill your position before your last day, leave detailed notes for your future replacement.  If they do hire someone and ask for your help training the individual do what you can, within reason, to help prepare them to replace you.  Remember, it makes you look better, if the transition is smooth.

Be realistic:

If your employer has no idea you were considering a new position, expect a reaction from your employer. Allow time for the reaction to your news. If your manager becomes aggressive, confrontational or upset, don’t respond with similar behavior. Remain calm and collected. Revert to your prepared comments.  Even if they tell you to get your things and get out, thank them for the opportunity and provide them with current contact information in case they need your help with the transition.

Be diplomatic:

If you think it is important to express your negative experiences, do it face to face.  If you feel like there needs to be a written record of some negative experience follow the proper HR channels or procedures to have your documentation included in your employee file.  Again, use your prepared comments rather than doing this off the cuff.  Always finish the conversation on a positive note, even if you are leaving under less than perfect circumstances.

Be appreciative:

Thank your employers for past training and other opportunities. Thank your colleagues for what you have learned from them. Accentuate the positives-find something good to say.

Follow up in writing:

Always put your letter of resignation in writing just to confirm your intention of leaving the organization, even though you tell your employer in person first.  Include in your resignation letter your offer to work out a negotiated notice.  Most companies prefer you work out at least a two week notice to give them an opportunity to hire and train your replacement.  Your new employer will usually be more than understanding about your needing to work out a notice with your former employer since they would want their own employees to give them that consideration if they were leaving.

Don’t burn your bridges:

You might need to rely on your previous employer for references or advice.  You may even find yourself working with or for a former colleague sometime in the future.

Use discretion:

Don’t discuss company secrets, your former boss or co-workers with anyone on the assumption that it doesn’t matter anymore since you are no longer working there.  Remember at times it can be a very small world.  A mutual acquaintance of mine had a new employee come on board that expressed she really had always hated working with a certain colleague, only to find out moments later that her new boss was related to the colleague she was bad mouthing.  In addition, it could give your new employer and new colleagues the impression that you can’t be trusted since you are revealing other’s secrets to them.

Be careful what you say online:

Even though you may feel like celebrating and throwing a huge party or just letting off some steam online, don’t post unprofessional comments like “Finally my last day at that hell hole” or  “My old boss can kiss my a**”  on sites such as Facebook or Twitter for all the world to see. You never know who might be reading your postings.  It wouldn’t look good for your former employer or co-workers to see your comments.

Look after number one:

Make sure you know what you are entitled to when you leave, such as unused vacation or sick time. Get someone senior in the company to give you a reference. Meet with your benefits contact and make sure that there is no lapse in your insurance coverage if at all possible.  With some policies, if there is a lapse in coverage, you have to start fresh with a long waiting period before any pre-existing conditions are covered for you or your family members.

Keep in touch: Be proactive about keeping in touch with the contacts and friends you have worked with.  If you work in a niche industry, you may find yourself attending conferences together or calling on some of the same contacts.

Take it one day at a time:

Even a two week notice is a small time frame in the grand scheme of things.  Unless the working conditions are extreme or dangerous, try to be positive and keep in mind that the end is in sight.  You will be at your new job before you know it.

Dealing with a counter-offer:

If your employer doesn’t want to lose you and you receive a counter-offer, take time to consider it. Ask yourself if anything has really changed?  Is this what you really want? Think about the reasons you decided to take the new position in the first place. Given that you have already resigned, will it be easy for you to continue working in the same company? Is the counter offer enough to make you really want to stay with your present employer?   If you are seriously considering accepting the counter-offer, think about the impact it may have on your relationship with your new employers.  Did you already notify them of your intention to accept their offer?  Just keep in mind even if you do accept the counter offer, you may cross paths with them again in the future. Never ever pretend you have a better offer if you don’t.  You could find yourself without a job or counter offer.

Business policies to keep and engage good workers often are based on assumptions of employees’ age. But they may miss the mark.

Employees’ own assessments of their workplace experience can differ significantly depending upon their age, career-stage, job tenure, or dependent care status, a new workforce study says.

The report, “Age & Generations: Understanding Experiences at the Work Place,” is part of the 2007-2008 national Age & Generations Study conducted by the Sloan Center on Aging & Work at Boston College.

Understanding Experiences at the Workplace – Free Legal Forms

More than 2,200 employees ages 17 to 81 participated in the survey, representing nine organizations across the nation from a range of industry sectors. The Age & Generations Study looked at similarities and differences in employees’ perceptions of their work across ages/generations, career stages, life stages, and job tenure.

For example, data from the Age & Generations Study suggests that the span of ages within different career-stages is quite large. The ages of those who reported being at early-career ranged from age 17 to 61 years; mid-career, from 22 to 62 years; and late-career, from 28 to 81 years.

Among other findings, the survey showed that the group of workers age 53 to 61 — older “Baby Boomers” — perceived significantly less supervisor support than did workers ages 27 to 52 (“Generation Xers” and younger “Boomers”).

When asked the extent to which they felt supported by their supervisors, including support for attempts to acquire additional training to further their career, mid- and late-career workers gave their bosses lower scores on average than early-career workers. Mid-career employees perceived greater access to flexible work options than did early- or late-career employees.

“From a talent perspective, only the fittest organizations will survive this economic downturn,” says Marcie Pitt-Catsouphes, PhD, study principal and head of the Sloan Center on Aging & Work.

“Smart companies will align their workplace policies with the needs of a multi-generational, 21st century workforce,” she said. “Supervisors should make sure their policies not only retain talent but facilitate workers’ desire to keep growing. Offering tailor-made support to workers of all ages and career stages can help assure a workforce that is nimble, engaged, and ready to respond to the changing demands of our hyper-turbulent environment.”

Other study highlights include:

• Workers age 35 and younger were less likely to say their work was full of meaning and purpose than workers ages 43 and older.

• Workers who had eldercare responsibility (but no child care responsibilities), felt less secure in their jobs than those who had childcare responsibilities (but no eldercare responsibilities).

• Generation Yers/Millennials (those age 26 or under) experienced less work overload than employees in Generation X (ages 27-42) and the Baby Boomers (ages 43-61).

• Employees in mid-career felt they had greater access to the flexible work options they needed to fulfill their work and personal needs, than early-career workers.

• Those in the “sandwich” generation (caring for children and elders) were less likely to feel included in their work groups than employees just providing childcare and employees not providing dependent care at all.

• Those with the least amount of job tenure (0-3 years) felt more supported by their supervisors, that their supervisors were more effective, and that they had greater access to learning and development opportunities than those with more than 3 years on the job.

“Now is not the time to create a lost generation of workers,” said Kathy Lynch, Director of Employer Engagement at the Center and workplace lead for the Age & Generations Study. “Talent management is key because good workers of every age are valuable. To keep them, it’s important to focus on where they are in their life stages, and give them as much personalized support for their individual needs as possible.”

“One size does not fit all. The question is, when businesses resurface on the other side of the economic downturn, will they be ready?”

The Age & Generations Study was funded in part by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation.

The Sloan Center on Aging & Work at Boston College promotes quality of employment as an imperative for the 21st century multi-generational workforce. We integrate evidence from research with insights from workplace experiences to inform innovative organizational decision-making. Collaborating with business leaders and scholars in a multi-disciplinary dialogue, the Center develops the next generation of knowledge and talent management.

Source: Sloan Center on Aging & Work at Boston College

Job fairs are a common method of entry level recruiting and initial screening. Job Fairs allow the employer to meet the highest possible number of prospects in the shortest possible amount of time. For students and job seekers, job fairs provide an opportunity to meet with multiple employers in the same day.

However, unless you are prepared, you could end up wasting your time at a job fair.  Employers screen candidates quickly, based on appearances, communication skills, and first impressions.  Job fairs have a set of rules and protocols all their own.   But if you arrive prepared and with a Job Fair Strategy you can easily make Job Fairs a productive and effective job search tool.

Prepare your professional resume and cover letters

Prior to attending make sure that your resume is customized to the job, company, or career field in which you are applying? Is your resume brief, easy to read, professional, and on target? Have you had your resume proofed by one or more individuals? Are your resume copies clear, clean, and straight and printed on resume quality stationery?  Do you have enough copies prepared? Place your resume copies in a nice folder or portfolio so you can access them easily when walking through the job fair. If your resume is 2 or more pages make sure you have presorted copies ready to hand out so that you are not fumbling around trying to find all the individual pages in front of the prospective recruiter or employer.

Dress to Impress

Are you dressed to make the best impression? Your attire should be conservative and professional. Your clothing should be neat, clean, and freshly pressed. Shoes and socks should match and be neat and clean. Wear conservative or minimal jewelry. Do not wear caps or hats of any kind. Do not wear social attire. You are not going out on a date or to a club so do not wear social attire or clothes that are too tight, too short or seductive.  If in doubt about what is proper attire, ask your family, teacher or other professional if they think your clothing is appropriate.

Don’t forget these personal grooming tips

Are you well groomed? Have you bathed? Is your hair  neat, clean, and combed?  Do you need a hair cut?  Have you brushed your teeth? Are your hands clean and not sticky? Ask yourself if you would want to shake your hand?  Are your fingernails cleaned and clipped? Did you shave and put on deodorant? Are you wearing too much cologne or perfume?  Do not skip showering and try to cover it up by putting on more cologne or perfume.  You should use scents sparingly or not at all.  Many people are allergic to various fragrances. These tips may seem funny but employers say these are common mistakes job applicants make.

Remember that First Impressions Count

Speak clearly, be sure to enunciate your words, and use proper English. Make eye contact. Use good posture. Have a firm handshake. Smile and be friendly. Listen carefully to what a prospective employer says. Do not interrupt them for any reason. Bring a conservative looking notebook, pad, and pen to take notes. Exude complete confidence. Turn off your cell phone completely. Putting your cell phone on vibrate is not sufficient, you risk the chance of you and the person you are speaking with being distracted. Complete job applications accurately and neatly using either a black or blue ink pen. Pencils and rainbow gel pens should NOT be used to fill out job applications. Remember, you are marketing yourself as a professional.

Job Fair Don’ts

Be Sure that you do not bring a child with you. Do not have a friend or family member join you who is just hanging out or inappropriately dressed. Do not chew gum. If at all possible, do not arrive close to the end of the job fair, as some vendors leave early.

Map out a Job Fair Strategy

Have you planned your introduction? Take out a sheet of paper and do a brief self assessment.  You should state your name and program of study. Tell something about the skills, certifications, or degrees you have that could help the employer. Do you have good grades? Do you have good class attendance? Do you have any transferable or unique skills? Have you served in any leadership positions? Have you won any awards? Have you participated in any team competitions? If you can, find out which companies are participating and research the companies online prior to the career fair. Review their current job postings and familiarize yourself with the contacts they have registered. Take the time to make a note card for each employer so you can easily go back and review their information a few times before you meet with them. Practice your interview skills with a friend or family member several times until you are confident you can answer the recruiter or potential employers questions with ease. If no one is available to help you, practice in front of a mirror.

Attending the Job Fair

Arrive a few minutes early at the Job Fair so you can get a feel for the surroundings. Register and collect any handouts or information they have laid out for attendees. If you were not able to print out a map ahead of time walk around and notice where everything is. Do not get in any lines yet. Find a quiet spot and sit down so you can map out your strategy. Go over the employer listing and determine which employers you would like to meet. Place numbers next to the employers in order of importance to you and your job search goals. Make sure you move directly from employer to employer based on the order you selected.

When you approach each employers designated area, wait patiently and quietly if they are talking with someone else. When it is your turn to speak with the employer start with a smile and firm handshake. Introduce yourself and give a quick summary of your skills and goals. Be enthusiastic and professional. Sell yourself but don’t overdo it. Show how your capabilities and strengths satisfy the employer’s job requirements. Ask the important questions you need answered to help you determine if this company is really one where you want to work. Do not ask questions that make you look like you are only interested in salary or benefits. At this stage, employers are screening job applicants based upon what they determine job applicants can offer them. When you are finished speaking with a company quickly jot don some notes about your meeting with them on the note cards you prepared about each company so you can refresh your memory later. Collect written materials from each employer. Companies typically have job descriptions or brochures available at their booth. Take materials from every company of interest to you. You will find information that can help prepare you for future contact with those companies. Do not forget to ask for business cards for follow-up.

Network with the other companies attending the job fair even if they are not advertising an opening for someone with your skills. Talk to them anyway and make a good impression, they may remember you and your resume when a job for someone with your educational background and skills opens up in the future. Network with other job seekers. They may have tips and advice that will help you. You may end up interviewing them or being interviewed by them in the future. Exchange business cards with the job seekers. Make a small note on each card to help you remember details about each person you meet.

After the Job Fair

Review your notes while everything is fresh in your mind. Make additional notes if you find you left details out. Be sure to follow up by sending thank you letters to each employer your visited with especially those you have an interest in working with. Take some time before you start writing the thank you notes like you did prior to creating your resume and cover letter. It is important to thank the employer for taking the time to talk with you. Be specific, but brief, and restate your interest in the company, the position and state how your skills and qualifications are good fit for this opening.

Be sure to proof your letters and all other correspondence with each company. It always helps to have someone else proof your letters. Timely well written thank you letters can be the thing that tips the scale in your favor.

Stay motivated by remembering that it takes effort and persistence to get a job especially in a down economy. Create a Job Search spreadsheet or checklist and market yourself aggressively every day. Tap all available job search resources, such as placement services, local professional associations, teachers and instructors, online resources, recruiters, temporary agencies, instructors and teachers, online resources, newspaper ads, state employment offices, volunteer at charitable organizations or even consider an internship with a company to get your foot in the door. Continue to network with family, friends, and any one working at a company where you would like to work. Stay positive and do not get discouraged! Review your progress daily to see if you are spending the right amount of time doing what is working the best for you. If you are getting more leads from online efforts you might want to devote a little more time to pursuing online resources and less time calling on local associations or vice versa. Stay focused on your goals and you will have the edge you need to find a great job.