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"JOB SEARCH RESOURCE"
"Here, at whatever hour you come, you will find Light, help and human kindness." ___ Albert Schweitzer
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AUGUST 10, 2005 VOLUME 1, NUMBER 8 |
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Job or Career Questions? Send them in! Your answers will be printed in the next issue. Please use the form below to submit your questions. Then click the Send button. Job Search Success Stories? Do you have a success story or job search technique that was really effective in bringing you closer to your career objective? Would you like to share it with our readers? Submit your story below. It will be published in our next issue. Simply use the form below and then click the Submit button. Support a friend! Do you know someone who would be interested in receiving this newsletter? If so, please enter their name and email address below, and your name. Then click the Submit button. Your friend will receive an email from us with a link to the "Job Search Resource" newsletter. Your name will be listed as the person referring them as a subscriber to our newsletter. I am sure your friend will appreciate your thoughtful gesture.
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Job Search Resource
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Welcome to your "Job Search Resource" newsletter! Dedicated to the support and success of job seekers everywhere.
In this issue:
4. Mailbag: questions from our readers
According to the US Labor Department Bureau of Labor Statistics, nonfarm employment grew by 207,000 in July. This reflects hiring across a range of industries. Retailing, education and health services, financial activities and construction all expanded employment. Only factories shed jobs for the second month in a row. This is 26 straight months of job growth in the US with nearly 4 million jobs created since May 2003. There are 133.8 million payroll jobs in the US today. Equally positive are the unemployment figures. In the week ending July 30, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 312,000, a decrease of 1,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 313,000. For the entire month of July, both the number of unemployed persons, 7.5 million, and the unemployment rate, 5.0 percent, were unchanged. A year earlier, the number of unemployed was 8.2 million and the jobless rate was 5.5 percent. However, the average time unemployed job seekers spend searching for work is still high. According to numbers released in July, that number is close to 18 weeks, or a little over four months. Higher paying positions will of course take quite a bit longer to land. Workers' average hourly earnings rose to $16.13 in July. This is 0.4 percent more than the average in June of $16.07. The increase was the most in a year. That's good for workers but a bit worrisome to economists who are concerned about inflation. The labor market is the one part of the economy that has had difficulty getting back to full health after the 2001 recession. There is a growing belief that the Fed will continue to raise rates this year - and probably into 2006 - to prevent inflation from breaking out.
Your Value Proposition:
A Critical Component To Having A Successful Job Search by David Richter Your value proposition is a series of statements defining your worth. It is the value you bring to the table – the skills, strengths, core competencies, marketable assets and accomplishments you can declare as your own. Your value proposition describes your uniqueness - your unique gifts. It is what differentiates you from the crowd. Think about some of the statements you can make about yourself that reflect the skills, strengths and competencies you possess. What makes you uniquely you? What is your value, your worth? Begin to jot down some ideas. You might want to ask someone who knows you well what values they see in you. You may be surprised by what they say. Then begin to formulate the best way of stating this. Your value proposition is the cornerstone for all self-introductory communication. It sets the tone. It’s how you make your mark. It is how you describe yourself when you are networking, when you are conducting an exploratory meeting with senior management, and when you are interviewing. Your value proposition should be used as your primary response whenever you are asked these types of questions:
Your value proposition also becomes an integral part of your resume. It is placed at the top, so it sets the tone. It holds tremendous weight as a differentiating tool, swiftly setting you, and your resume, apart from the rest. There is a fundamental difference between your value proposition and your areas of expertise. Your areas of expertise pertain to what you have done, the experiences you have gained over the years. Your value proposition reflects who you are, the unique gifts you possess. It is who you are which best describes to an employer how you would accomplish the specific responsibilities of the position offered. As an example, let’s say you gained experience in a cash flow / cash management, or Treasury, type of function. As part of this position, you also gained experience working with bank executives, establishing important relationships with key personnel. These would be areas of expertise. Let’s say that as part of your uniqueness, or worth, you have great macro-vision, which is the ability to see the big picture. You also have an unusual ability to communicate which allows you to quickly initiate critical relationships with high-level executives. These abilities are part of your value proposition. It is your macro-vision and unusual ability to communicate that describe how you would fulfill a position as Treasurer. Incorporating your value proposition in every aspect of your job search will set you apart and significantly improve your competitive stance in the job market. You will find your next job faster and be in position to receive a much stronger compensation package. It is critical to your success. For more information about value propositions and areas of expertise, their critical relevance to you in your job search efforts, and how you can use both concepts to your advantage, I strongly recommend reading Winning The Resume Game – Insider Secrets To Creating Powerful Resumes. For information about how to obtain this book, please click here. Copyright © 2003-2006 TopDog Group All rights reserved.
“Never let the fear of striking out get in your way... Every strike brings me closer to the next home run.” ___ Babe Ruth
Mailbag: Questions from our Readers Flora writes: "Is it proper to phone your prospective employer as a reminder, or to let him know you're expecting to hear from him?" Flora: This depends on whether you have already had an interview. If you are calling a prospective employer after you have submitted your resume, it is perfectly fine to check in to make sure your resume was received and to determine the status of a potential interview. If you have already had an interview and want to call the employer to see where you stand, I would first email the employer immediately after the interview, thanking him/her for the opportunity to meet and explore the position. This establishes a continuing communication after your interview. Then if you haven't heard anything after three to five days, I would email again to check on the status of a return interview. If you still haven't heard anything within a week of sending this second email, I would then contact the employer by phone. Often, hiring managers are extremely busy and don't necessarily follow up when you want them to. This doesn't mean they are not considering you for the position; it just means they are busy. There is nothing wrong with calling a prospective employer to ascertain your standing. If they are interested in you, they will be happy you called.
George writes: "I truly disliked the idea of networking. To me, it's a pushy process that just didn't suit me. Unfortunately, I wasn't getting anywhere with my job search so I participated in a couple of networking events. I have to tell you, those events put me over the top. I met some very interesting people, one of whom has since contacted me and I now have an introductory meeting scheduled. I don't know what will come of this meeting, but that's one meeting I would not be having were it not for networking."
Aug 10, 2005 Sales Trax Columbus, OH Aug 10, 2005 Sales Trax Jackson, MS Aug 10, 2005 Science Career Fair Boston, MA Aug 10, 2005 Hire Quest LA, CA Aug 10, 2005 Hire Quest San Diego, CA Aug 11, 2005 Hire Quest Ontario, CA Aug 11, 2005 Hire Quest Ventura, CA Aug 11, 2005 National Career Fairs Honolulu, HI Aug 11, 2005 National Career Fairs Houston, TX Aug 15, 2005 National Career Fairs Atlanta, GE Aug 15, 2005 National Career Fairs Jacksonville, FL Aug 15, 2005 GRS Career Fair Miami, FL Aug 16, 2005 Career Summit Rosemont, IL Aug 16, 2005 Career Summit Dallas, TX Aug 16, 2005 National Career Fairs Philadelphia, PA Aug 16, 2005 National Career Fairs Orlando, FL Aug 16, 2005 Sales Trax San Antonio, TX Aug 17, 2005 Job Expo Towson, MD Aug 17, 2005 Diversity Career Fair Orlando, FL Aug 17, 2005 Sales Trax East Syracuse, NY Aug 17, 2005 National Career Fairs Dallas, TX Aug 17, 2005 Career Summit Bloomington, MN Aug 17, 2005 Career Summit Tempe, AZ Aug 18, 2005 Career Summit La Jolla, CA Aug 18, 2005 Sales Trax Louisville, KY Aug 18, 2005 National Career Fairs Indianapolis, IN Aug 18, 2005 National Career Fairs Ontario, CA Aug 25, 2005 Diversity Career Fair Charlotte, NC Aug 25, 2005 Sales Trax Lombard, IL Aug 30, 2005 Job Expo Smithtown, NY Aug 30, 2005 National Career Fairs Omaha, NE Aug 30, 2005 Hire Quest Las Vegas, NV Aug 30, 2005 Hire Quest Irving, TX Aug 31, 2005 Hire Quest Denver, CO Aug 31, 2005 Job Expo Uniondale, NY Aug 31, 2005 National Career Fairs Warwick, RI Aug 31, 2005 Hire Quest Phoenix, AZ
To your success,
President TopDog Group
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