How You Can Increase Your Job Search Odds

How You Can Increase Your Job Search Odds How You Can Increase Your Job Search Odds Yesterdays New York Times ran this article about executives forced to take low paying jobs because of the bad economy. Its a sad read people who have worked hard and built successful careers suddenly finding themselves scrabbling for jobs with low hourly wages and unable to meet even their basic expenses. But one section really stood out to meWhen Ms. Arlt applied for the job, she sent in a stripped-down rsum that hid herbei 20-year career at national media companies, during which she ascended to vice president of brand development at the On Command Video Corporation and welches making $165,000 a year. She decided in 2001 to start her own business, opening an equestrian store and then founding a magazine devoted to the sport. But with the economy slowing, she was forced to shutter both businesses by June of last year.After applying for mora than 100 jobs, mostly director-level and above in marketing and branding, and getting just two interviews, Ms. Arlt said she realized last fall that she had to do something to close the monthly financial hemorrhage.There are a few key points to make here.First, 2 interviews in 100 applications is actually not that bad a ratio especially in this climate and especially given that she has been away from marketing for 7 years. If you simply apply to advertised positions, you can expect a similar (or lower) ratio. Thats why you have to be creative about your search (for examples, check out my 13 Ways to Jump-start Your Job Search, or my post on Using Twitter for Job Search). Stop applying to advertised positions and start doing moreSecond, she found 100 suitable advertised jobs even in this climate. That means there were many more positions that were unadvertised and are being filled by professional headhunters, employee referrals or networking contacts. So the lesson to take away from this is that there are jobs out there. The competition is ju st more intense but and this is the key point almost all your competition is going to be doing just the basics. They are mailing a resume in response to an advertisement. If you take a different path, you will dramatically increase your chances of success.Third, none of the executives featured in this article spoke of getting professional help. I assume if they had paid money to a job search coach or resume writer, they would have mentioned that fact (because it would have helped to illustrate how tough the market is right now). This is another great opportunity for you. Do what your competition is not doing invest in setting yourself apart If you have a strong resume, consider a job search coach who can help you plan a strategy. If youre worried about your resume, consider hiring a professional writer. If thats too costly, read up on resume writing and learn how to write your own exceptional resume. (Options include Resume Magic and my own eBook).We all know the old saying when the going gets tough, the tough get going. Its a cliche because its true. The winners in this tough economy will be the people who throw out the old rule books and do everything they can to give themselves an edge.Lets look at the difference it could make. Imagine that a hypothetical job seeker in the same situation as Ms Arlt used a creative search strategy. First, she networked her way into some of those opportunities using LinkedIn and Twitter and thereby increased the 2% response rate to 5%. Then she worked with a professional resume writer to develop a killer resume that truly conveyed her value to an organization, thus increasing the response rate further to 9%. And then she had worked with a job search coach and learned how to ferret out hidden job opportunities, thus boosting the number of opportunities from 100 to 130. Instead of 2 interviews, this candidate could have secured 11 and therefore had a much better chance of success.In tough times, its all about improving your odds. What can you do today to start doing that? (Or what have you already done?)

10 Jobs with Fastest-Growing Salaries This Year

10 Jobs with Fastest-Growing Salaries This Year10 Jobs with Fastest-Growing Salaries This Year Planning your next career move? Youve picked the right time. According to Glassdoors Chief Economist Dr. Andrew Chamberlain, the economy added 228,000 jobs in November alone. With unemployment at a 17-year low, these are good times for job seekers, Chamberlain says. The wages for some jobs, in particular, are on the rise. When youre looking at your future job, notlage only is the salary theyre offering now important but also your salarys potential for future growth. According to Glassdoors Local Pay Report , here are 10 jobs with some of the fastest-growing salaries this year, and what it takes to snag one. What It Takes Chopping, mixing, slicing, dicing, sauting, frying cooks need to know how to do it all, and then some. Being a cook, though, isnt all about formal education, although cooking school can help. Other ways to enter the profession include apprenticeships, v ocational training, or working your way up on the job. Cooks need attention to detail, tremendous stamina, the ability to work in teams and preferably a good sense of taste and smell What It Takes Insurance agents work for insurance agencies or brokerages to sell specific insurance policies to customers. Most insurance agents have a background (and preferably a bachelors degree) in business or economics. However, its by no means a prerequisite insurance agents can come from all types of backgrounds. To become an insurance agent, you need a license. Many states require between 25 and 50 hours of class before the exam. Upon successfully completing the exam, youll get your license. Then, all thats left is finding a job at an insurance agency What It Takes Medical technologists work in hospitals or independent laboratories analyzing blood, cells, and bodily fluids. They also may operate laboratory equipment, run tests and analyze results, and log data. Aspiring medical technologies w ill have a bachelors degree to find a job in this field. An exam administered by the American Society of Clinical Pathology (ASCP) provides certifications for medical technologists, allowing them to earn the title of MT. What It Takes Receiving, handling, storing, and distributing different goods are all part of what a warehouse associate executes and helps manage on a daily basis. To be a warehouse associate, a high school degree is needed. However, to level up and become a warehouse manager, generally a bachelors degree, along with experience on the job, is preferred. What It Takes If you like driving, this may be the perfect job for you. Many people also turn to truck-driving as a side hustle, to fill in gaps in their income. To become a truck driver, generally a high school diploma or GED is preferred. Your first hurdle is truck driving school, which teaches you everything you need to know about the practices, regulations, and tricks of the trade of truck driving. Then, you ta ke your states commercial drivers license exam. Upon passing, as well as meeting a few other requirements, your commercial drivers license is your key to a truck driving job. Buckle up What It Takes A barista makes coffees and drinks, helps prepare food, keeps the caf clean, and everything else that keeps customers happy when they order their morning coffee. To become a barista, a high school degree or GED is generally preferred, but not always required. To get an extra edge, some people go to training programs or get certificates to show that theyve studied the arts of being a barista. Other than that, having a cheerful demeanor, being a reliable team player, being a good communicator, and having a love for coffee all help barista be successful at what they do. What It Takes Web designers have a hand in creating every single page youre on when using the web including the one youre on right now And not every web designer has a degree in computer science. In fact, the tools for tea ching yourself how to be a web designer are available online. It just requires serious determination, grit, and practice on your part. Websites such as Lynda.com , codecademy , and udemy all have tutorials on web development. Youll need to know languages like HTML, JavaScript, Python, SQL, and CSS at a minimum. In addition, to be taken seriously as a web designer, youll need a portfolio of your web design work you can show to potential employers. This will speak way louder than the skills youve written down you have on paper. What It Takes Cashiers help us buy everything, whether its food, clothes, or a new pool floaty. To be a cashier, generally, a high school diploma or GED is preferred, but not always strictly required. Other skills like basic math, quick reading, computer skills, and knowing a second language like Spanish may also be helpful. What It Takes Bank tellers help patrons of the bank deposit, withdraw, and perform other transactions with their money. To be a ban k teller, a high school diploma is required. An associates or bachelors degree may help with opportunities for advancement. Bank tellers generally work very reasonable hours, as most banks have reduced hours on weekends and nights. Being a bank teller requires attention to detail, while still being able to help customers feel at ease and taken care of. What It Takes To work in tech support, you need to be good at identifying problems. Specifically, problems in software, hardware, and other computer equipment. While not strictly required, its generally preferred to have at least an associates degree, and preferably a bachelors degree. In addition, to be an effective tech support, its good to have basic programming experience, an aptitude for problem-solving, and good listening and communication abilities.

How to Find the Best City for Your Next Accounting Job

How to Find the Best City for Yur Next Accounting JobHow to Find the Best City for Your Next Accounting JobThinking of moving? Maybe youre after a change of scenery, or perhaps your current location doesnt have many accounting job opportunities. Whether youre a student preparing for your first job or a seasoned accountant ready for a new challenge, you may be wondering how to choose the best city for you and your career.The world is big, and moving is a major life change - exciting but also a little scary. A city-by-city comparison can help narrow down your options and focus your job search. Here are some tips for deciding on where you should resettle.1. Know yourselfThe United States has 50 states, several territories and thousands of metropolitan areas, each with their good and not-so-good qualities. A smart first step when picking the best city is to understand your personal priorities and values.Whats more important to you - a location with plenty of lucrative finance jobs or a low cost of living? Perhaps your desire for vibrant cultural options and good weather surpasses all other factors? Make a list of all the attributes you seek in your dream city, and then rank them in order of importance.2. Identify your best cityInformation is key to pinpointing the best city for you. Now that you have a rough idea of what factors you prioritize, you can use the Robert Half City Comparison Tool. This interactive app asks you to use a sliding scale to indicate your preference for four overarching factors career prospects, quality of life, cost of living and cultural diversity. Then it calculates a possible best city for you based on our research of the 25 largest metros in the U.S. Play with the tool to find other locales that may suit your preferences and life goals.Which 10 cities offer the best career prospects? See our slideshow below.3. Evaluate the job marketThe city comparison tool is a good way to focus your job search on the best city for you. Now that you have a short list of places relative to your personal preferences, its time to take a look at the finance and accounting market in those locations.What are salary ranges for corporate and public accounting jobs, and how do they compare with the areas cost of living? Are there certain employers there - Big Four accounting firms, multinational company headquarters - that excite you and look promising for your accounting career? What is the unemployment rate like? Take all that information and shuffle around the cities on your list.Read How to Compare Accounting and Finance Salaries By City on the Robert Half Blog.4. Consider your partnerWhen youre in a long-term relationship, you need to also keep in mind your significant others job prospects. Some couples do just fine apart, but most do not.If your partner is open to moving as well, take his or her career goals into account. Some people have very niche professions. For example, if you want to open a public accounting firm in your s mall hometown but your husband is in the entertainment industry, he may have trouble finding work there. In other words, make it the best city for both of you, not just one party. Be sure to set aside time to discuss potential job changes with your significant other.5. Dig into job listingsA good next step is to search for current job openings in a potential best city. The ideal accounting job description details the employers corporate culture, specific job duties of the position and the required and preferred career skills of top candidates. Perhaps one of the reasons youre considering a move is for a better work-life balance. If so, keep an eye out for companies that highlight perks such as flextime and telecommuting options.The natural places to look for job postings are job boards. Be sure to also check out other career tools that are more tailored toward accountants.Visit the Accounting and Finance Professionals Career Center for more job search tools.PICK YOUR CITY, SEARCH FO R JOBS6. Increase your connectionsAnother way to make a successful best city comparison is by putting your networking skills to work. Reach out to your colleges alumni organization in each city on your list. Check on LinkedIn to see whether a former colleague or classmate is located in the areas you find compelling. Its worth the effort to attend conferences and networking events in several locations on your best city list.Before you take these road trips, be sure your accounting resume and social media profiles are current and in tip-top shape. Also prepare and refine your elevator pitch. You never know who youll meet and what exciting opportunities might arise.Although in-person meetings are most effective, they do take time and money. Thats why you should also be networking in online chat rooms and via social media.7. Take a temporary jobAfter youve decided on the best city for you, it may be worthwhile to do a trial run. This is a smart move, especially if youre a recent grad or between jobs and dont have to resign from a current position.When you take on temporary employment, you have the option to evaluate a location in much more depth than a short visit would allow, all while earning a decent paycheck. Project-based work can also help you develop skills, gain experience and make important new contacts in a new city. Interim work gives you the flexibility, resources and time necessary to find the best city for you.The best-case scenario is that you love your new home, and the temporary gig develops into a full-time role. But if things dont pan out, youre free to try again somewhere else.Accounting is a wonderfully portable career. Your skills as a CPA allow you to find satisfying, well-compensated jobs in practically all corners of the U.S. (You may need a reciprocal license, depending on what state you move to and what types of services you perform, according to the AICPA.)Doing a city comparison is a worthwhile endeavor, and finding the best city for y ou can open doors that you hadnt considered before. As an accounting professional, this is a career risk worth taking. And after your move, you may discover that what started as a need for a change of scenery has turned into a rewarding new trajectory in an exciting field. 10 Cities with the Best Career Prospects from Robert Half