Wacky Job Search Ideas That Could Land You a Job

So you have spent months on the job search. You have emailed hundred of resumes, asked all your friends and family if they know anybody that is hiring, and have even gone as far has squeezing out the words "You were right" to your ex in return for asking his or her boss if they are hiring.

Yes, you have sunk as low as you can go and are now completely out of options. But are you?
With the millions of people looking for jobs, perhaps it is time for you to try something new. Something that will if not at least get you an interview, will get you remember. Something that is so creative that it will force people to acknowledge you.

Something that is just so plain and simply wacky, that hiring managers will call you for an interview just to see the exceptional brain behind this out-of-the-box wackiness, leaving them forced to sit there, staring, in awe of your glorious presence.

Here are some unconventional and interesting job search methods that will definitely serve its purpose of separating you from the crowd.

Instead of emailing your resume and cover letter, mail it in an invitational sized envelope:
Mark in big red writing INVITATION on the front of the envelope. Hiring managers will be so excited to receive your letter because really, who doesn't want to get invited to something? Begin your cover letter by saying "It is my pleasure to invite you to an upcoming interview with myself at a date of your choosing". Also include a small thank you card in the envelope reading "Thank you for reviewing my resume and cover letter". This idea has worked in the past with job seekers because; One, hiring managers receive so many resumes via email that none of them stand out; Two, it is creative enough to get noticed while staying professional.

Fed-Ex your resume and cover letter in a package that includes an empty Starbucks coffee cup:
Include a small note that says "Can we meet for coffee on me. I would love to discuss your vacant position". Really, who does this? Nobody. And who would refuse a free cup of coffee? Not me. And at five dollars a cup I want all the free Starbucks coffee that one man can handle. This idea has worked for previous job seekers for all the same reasons that the invitation idea has worked - it is creative while staying professional.

Wear your resume:
Yep, you read correctly: throw your resume over your head and strut down the street as proud as an unemployed person can be, showing off all your magnificent working credentials. Just make sure you get your resume printed off on a t-shirt first, because if you do not then you will be wacky and insane, and we are just aiming for wacky at the moment. You will be surprised at how many people will stop you on the street and read your resume while having a huge smile on their face. Just make sure you leave the house with pockets because you will need them for all the business cards you will collect - all potential career opportunities.

Search for a Singapore Jobs, you can always check out the updated jobs in Singapore WDA jobs bank where thousands of jobs are available.

Jobs Search Websites - Do They Work?

Are jobs search websites really effective and can you really find a job quickly and easily?  To answer this as accurately as possible, here are a few things to consider.

First, you need to know how jobs search websites operate and why they exist.

There is a need, especially now more than ever with a soured job market, to help people find employment in their respective areas.  Due to this fact, dozens of web sites have sprung up all over the Internet as a means of trying to connect employers with new employees with an excellent success ratio.

Years ago, finding a job was all about looking in the Sunday newspaper classifieds for that special career you had dreamed about.  Slowly but surely, job-hunting turned to the direction of networking and making contacts where you would put the word out to your friends, family, and social circle.  This worked for quite a long while and today, the Internet is all the rage when it comes to getting a new job that fits your needs.

You see, employers are constantly looking for new hires and the easiest way to fill these jobs for many of them is to use job search sites as a means of putting the word out quickly and efficiently.  They know with today's technology, they stand a better chance to hire the right people while spending less money to do it.

So, all you do is visit these sites, create a free account, then you start searching for jobs in your area.  Many of these job search sites offer other services, for a fee of course, for supplemental things such as creating resumes and distributing them to various companies based on your profile and preferences, and this can speed up the hiring process drastically.

Job search web sites do work if you take the time to use them but they work best when you use it with the combination of every resource you can think of.

Search for a Singapore job, you can always check out the latest jobs in Singapore WDA jobs bank where thousands of jobs are available.

Tips for Your Medical Job Search

After many years of decline in healthcare jobs and healthcare workers, the medical industry is observing a huge surge of interest in those historically popular fields. The demand for these positions is growing, as are the number of people returning to school to prepare for a career in the healthcare industry. This resurgence is due frequently to the flexibility of work hours, positions, particular niches, as well as the higher salaries that are now being offered. The free market need for these roles has generated a reversal of a negative trend.

Despite the good news, finding a job in the medical field can still be difficult, especially if you are looking to work in a specific segment of healthcare. It is a competitive market because of the new graduates looking for their own opportunities in addition to the returning healthcare workers making their way back to the medical professional. Consequently, if this is your field of interest, take note of the following tips before you begin your search for a job in the medical field.

Once your education and training have been established, the next critical component of finding your preferred job in the medical field is to have a great resume. Your resume must to be a document that really grabs the attention of the person scanning through a stack that includes yours. There are no longer cookie cutter resumes you can use that will merit more than a glance; you need to be detailed, to the point, original, and overall have a resume that stands out from the others. If yours doesn't do that, you will more likely not even receive a call, much less a request for an interview.

Prior experience is also important. If you are a new graduate, then it will bode well for you to do an internship or some sort of volunteer work to gain much needed experience. It will be more difficult to get a job in the medical field without proving you can actually do the work. No matter whether it is paid work or not, you should try to get some experience in the field before applying for positions you truly want.

Lastly, narrow your search to the types of jobs you expect to find fulfilling. If nursing homes aren't your cup of tea, do not use them as a keyword when searching online. If you would rather work in a hospital, specify it. It makes no sense to do a job search that is almost random when your interests are specific. It pays to be particular about what you want and are looking for. That way you make best use of both your time and the time of potential employers.

Looking for a Singapore Jobs, you can always check out the updated jobs in Singapore WDA job bank where thousands of jobs are available.

How to Deal With Job Rejection

Job rejection is an inevitable and discouraging part of the job search process-we've all been there. Even so, each rejection is a lesson learned; with this in mind, you can maintain the confidence necessary to move forward to your ideal job. When dealing with job rejection, the two most important things to do are to ask for feedback from your interviewer and keep in mind that being passed over for a job isn't necessarily within your control.

Getting Feedback
Although job rejection might cause you to feel disappointed in your efforts, you can still gain something positive from each experience. Ask hiring managers what you can do to improve your chances in the future - some might be more than willing to give you some pointers if they felt you were a viable candidate who simply lost out to someone more qualified.

When you speak to the hiring manager, you can ask whether there are other opportunities within the company that might be a better fit for you. Even if there are no other open positions at that company, it doesn't hurt to let them know of your interest in working for them. Your perseverance might pay off by landing you an even better job later on.

Your interviewer is not your only valuable source of information; you can also talk with your friends and family. Some people are reluctant to do this because they feel that speaking about job rejection means admitting failure - as mentioned, this isn't the case. Your friends and family can provide valuable guidance to steer you in the right direction. The more people you open up to, the more potential you will have to get interview tips or even job leads.

What You Can Do in the Future
There are a few ways that you can improve your chances of being called back after a job interview. Most importantly, remember that job rejection is not a measure of your worth, so don't take it personally. The job market is always competitive, even when the economy is thriving. Your confidence in yourself, or the lack thereof, will show, so always maintain a positive outlook in your job search.

After each interview, step back from the experience and think of the things that you could have done differently. Many people become nervous at job interviews and as a result, they slip up in one way or another. Whether you stutter or don't make enough eye contact, recognize those mistakes so that you don't make them again.

In your future interviews, send a thank-you note to the interviewer as soon as possible. Thank him or her for speaking with you, and say that you look forward to hearing about the position. It's assumed that job applicants are searching in more than one place for a job at any one time, so following up shows that you are genuinely interested in the job.

Dealing with job rejection can be tough, but it is something that everyone encounters at one point or another. Seeking feedback and realizing that some factors are beyond your control will help you to move forward in your job search and find an ideal fit for you.

Seeking for a Singapore Jobs, you can always check out the updated jobs in Singapore WDA job bank where thousands of jobs are available.

Mistakes Job Seekers Make Series - Job Search Methods

When you launch your job search, the ocean of possibilities for where to get started can look overwhelming. With so many job-posting sites, companies posting jobs on their own sites, Craigslist, aggregators, job fairs and press releases, there is little wonder why you can go from overwhelmed to a dead stop in less than a second.

Not all job search methods are created equal in terms of how effective they will be in helping you to find a job. In this context, effective is defined at how fast you can find a job using a specific method and how you can exert some influence. Some of these methods, while highly visible, are so depersonalized that they can leave a job seeker depressed and feeling out of control.

All of the methods I'm going to outline have strengths and weaknesses associated with them. For some job types, these characteristics are softened up. For other job types, they may be worse than what I'm about to describe. Save it to say, you need to understand these characteristics and plan accordingly with your daily activities. It is also important to deploy at least 2 methods at all times, because you will find that the pros and cons of one method can be offset by another method. I believe many job seekers make their mistakes around search methodology by simply spending too much time on a single method or not fully understanding what their specific actions need to be.

- Job Search Methods: (I've lumped together ones that are fairly similar in their characteristics.)
1. Networking

This method is the best method. If you ask most people how they got their job, the answer is generally because of some personal connection. The adage "It's not what you know, but who you know" has to be describing the use of your network in finding a job.
Pros:

* This is efficient in that it can cut through the resume submittal process and skip over HR, which is usually a gate keeper in the process.

* This process allows YOU to sell yourself rather than your resume having to do most of the work. It's more personalized and therefore, you will feel more in control.

* It's more fun. Usually you are out there meeting up with your network or at some social setting to meet more contacts.
Cons:

* It takes time. Time in this regard has two dimensions. First, it will take more of your time to interact with your network be it email, coffee dates or a casual drop in, and second, it takes more calendar time. In order for your network to become a good source of job leads, it will take time for you to connect with them, for you to lay out what they can be looking for, and for them to find out about job leads that might work for you and then tell you. It's like turning a battleship.

* Not all of your network can or will help. For various reasons, some people simply will not be of any use for giving you job leads. That doesn't mean they don't like you, they just don't want to do it. It doesn't mean you cut them off or give up, because you never know when they will wake up and help.

2. Online/Internet

This can include companies that post openings, places to post your resume, job openings listings, aggregators, etc. This category is online and it will involve your submittal of your resume and sometimes filling in a form. You may or may not know the name of the company with the opening.
Pros:

* Extremely convenient. Since most people have computers, it's easy to sit down in front of the TV and surf a job-posting site for the jobs you're seeking. You can cover a lot of ground in a short amount of time due to the power of the internet.

* If you're looking out of state, it gives you greater access to openings in other geographic locations.
Cons:

* Ubber competitive. Since millions of people have access to the same thing you do, there will be a high applicant flow submitting their resumes. It's hard to stand out in the crowd.

* The perfect match. Job openings in this category are often using resume-management software to weed out any resume that isn't a perfect match to the criteria of the opening. This depersonalizes the process and doesn't allow your personality or values to play in to the process.

3. Agencies and Recruiters
This is a situation where the charter of the group (be it profit or nonprofit) is to match up applicants to openings. Most of the businesses in this category make their money from the company who has the opening.
Pros:

* Someone else is doing most of the foot work. You only get contacted if there is something that seems to fit your background. The recruiter will work hard to get to know you, not only from a resume perspective, but also your personality and needs.

* Saves you time. If you are working, this is a great arrangement, as you only have to do a minimum amount of effort on your end to set the wheels in motion.
Cons:

* Specialization. Most of the time the reason why companies use recruiters is because their opening is specialized and applicants are hard to find. Unless you are lucky enough to be in that category for jobs, they probably aren't going to be interested in you.

* Perfect match. Even if the recruiter isn't specializing in hard to find applicants, they are expected to bring applicants who are not only a perfect match to their criteria, but are fully screened. They are expecting any applicant who comes from a recruiter to be ready for hiring. They only want to speak to a few people who are perfect in every way. A recruiter will kick you out at resume screening if they can't see the perfect match, because that's what they're paid to do.

4. Volunteering, Temp Work and Job Fairs These are not necessarily "standard" job search methods, but they have been known to produce full time jobs for many; so I toss these in the mix for consideration.
Pros:

* Each one of these will give you the opportunity to gain greater exposure to people inside a place of business. This builds your network and, therefore, gives you greater access to openings.

* Gain experience. Not with a job fair, but with volunteering and temp jobs you gain work experience which helps to fill gaps in the resume, as well as has income potential.
Cons:

* No real job. Even with companies going to job fairs, these aren't always representative of something with a job attached to it. Job Fairs are often done to support community efforts and companies that show up are sometimes there for PR, not because they have any openings.

There is no perfect job search method. Each one has aspects to it that are appealing and all come with known disadvantages. Once you understand both, it allows you to figure out how best to focus your actions.

Seeking for a Singapore Jobs, you can always check out the updated jobs in Singapore WDA job bank where thousands of jobs are available.

Hiring the Best: Internal Vs External Recruiting

The effective recruitment of qualified candidates is a key strategy to ensure your company remains competitive in the marketplace. However, one of the challenges that businesses and organizational leaders alike face is determining which strategy is most appropriate. In other words, when should an internal recruitment process be used versus conducting an external search?

Typically an internal recruitment process is applied in larger, very stable and developed organizations. Not only do these larger organizations have their own pool of qualified candidates, this strategy utilizes internal promotions as a recruitment and retention tool. It is an attempt to create employee loyalty and commitment as well as long term job satisfaction. It is also a succession management tool. At the same time, the internal recruitment strategy is less costly than an external process. As well, the candidates are well known to the organization and therefore orientation requirements are much less.

However, it is essential that the internal recruitment process be well managed. Job analysis and skills required must be assessed and clearly stated to candidates. Candidates also need to be informed of the overall process and the timeframe. They need to be informed of the job requirements, the selection criteria and, most importantly, internal candidates need to be treated with respect. If a candidate is not going to move forward to the next step, he/she needs to be informed in person and provided a rationale for their lack of success. At the same time, the recruiter needs to think about how to keep this person motivated and committed to the organization. If they are not treated with respect, you can be assured that this employee will leave within six months.

So when is an external recruitment or executive search strategy more appropriate? Most organizations select an external strategy when they are aware there is a shortage of good internal candidates or when sincere objectivity is required. In situations where a new direction or vision has been developed, an external search process also allows an organization to bring in new people with fresh ideas and/or target a candidate who has the skills to take the vision and make it happen. In many cases, organizations will utilize the services of an executive search professional when they do not have the time or resources to conduct the search themselves.

At the same time, applying an external search process is essentially a marketing strategy. In other words, the organization is promoting itself and their employment opportunities. This can increase the organization's reputation as an employer, resulting in more highly qualified candidates applying for open positions. It also allows the organization to target potential candidates who may not be looking for another job opportunity at that moment.

An external search process must also be well managed, transparent and fair. Again, external candidates must be treated with respect and provided the same opportunity as an internal candidate. The search professional needs to spend a good deal of time to deeply understand the organization and the role the new incumbent will play. This includes understanding not only the technical skills of the job role but also the personality and behavioural characteristics required to succeed in the job. Once this is complete, the recruiter works closely with the client to develop an effective search strategy and the methodology for making the final selection.

External search consultants typically have access to more candidates and have a candidate research capability that most organizations do not. This allows consultants to identify candidates who would not normally be looking for a new opportunity, tap them on the shoulder and make them aware of what the organization has to offer. External executive search professionals also have more capability to conduct a broad national search. With our world becoming a global marketplace, this is becoming more and more important.

Recognizing that one of the keys to organizational success is the ability to attract and retain highly qualified staff, organizations also need to carefully determine which search methodology will be more effective. When making your determination, take time to examine the market conditions, the availability of candidates, the impact of each strategy on current employees, the necessity for objectivity and the overall cost benefit. Keep in mind that each job will have a different need.

Seeking for a Singapore Jobs, you can always check out the latest jobs in Singapore WDA jobs bank where thousands of jobs are available.

Summer Job Search Tips

Many job-seekers give up on finding new employment during the summer months, mistakenly thinking that it is a slow season for hiring or because they are distracted by the lazy pace of the summer months. For every business and hiring manager that may be on a hiring hiatus for a week or so during the summer season, there are even more that are looking to ramp up hiring to go into a new fiscal year fully staffed. Following tips for finding a job in the summer will help you land one faster - without breaking a sweat!

Summer Specific Jobs: One of the most direct summertime job search tips is to look for a sector of employment that relies heavily on summer season employment such as hospitality jobs in resorts, hotels and amusement parks. Landscaping, life guarding and summer camp counseling are also ripe with opportunity in the summer. Usually these jobs are contracted for just a few months, but for the high-performing employee, a repeat invitation may be extended for next year - or possibly even a permanent job in another area of the company.

Fiscal Year Timing. Many companies end their fiscal year at the end of June each year. This means that new budgets have been prepared for the upcoming financial cycle and often new jobs or "on hold" jobs have been funded and managers have been given the green light for hiring. Getting your resume into the right person's hands around the middle of June may give you first dibs on being interviewed and hopefully hired.

Follow Up Frequently. Because summer is a time of vacations, trainings, and other activities that may take the hiring manager off-site, a job seeker needs to remember not to get discouraged and to follow up frequently. If a week or more has elapsed since you expected to hear back from a hiring manager, send an email or make a phone call to inquire about the status of the position. If you get word via automatic e-mail responder or from a voice mail that they are "out of the office", try back every several days until you reach your contact.

Stay Focused: Summer can be a time of many distractions; friends heading to the beach, long days at the park and backyard cookouts - the last time on a job-seeker's mind may be actually finding a job! This can especially be true if the job search as been languishing on for a length of time and the feeling of discouragement has set in. However, staying focused on the goal of landing a job is as important during the summer as any other time of the year. Use your new found free time to research companies in the industry that you'd like to work in and brush up on how to resume tips. Write your daily job search activities on a calendar so they remain "real" and mark each off as it is accomplished.

Searching for a Singapore Jobs, you can always check out the updated jobs in Singapore WDA job bank where thousands of jobs are available.

How To Write a Good CV and Impress Potential Employers

The path that leads to an appealing job offer always starts―and unfortunately often ends―with your CV. It takes a busy HR director just seconds to review your CV among a pile of others, and make a quick judgment: In those critical few seconds, only your writing skills influence his or her decision.

Before you dive into reading articles and books that teach you how to write a good CV, remember: Much of the impression that you leave on a potential employer comes from the level of your English writing. Since you haven't had the chance to meet with that potential employer and convince him or her why s/he should choose you among all the candidates, only your writing skills reflect your image.

Therefore, there's no doubt that a professionally written and creative CV dramatically increases your chances of gaining an interview with that potential employer.

How to write a good CV by using advanced technology solutions
Recently, some ambitious developers took English writing to the next level, developing a smart, self-learning technology called Natural Language Processing; this technology constantly analyzes millions of documents and text phrases, maintaining a growing proprietary dictionary database that simulates the human mind, so that the end user is provided with an accurate online grammar check and spell check solution.

This innovative technology compares the analyzed results with the user's existing written text―a CV for example―and automatically performs a punctuation check, language enrichment (using an advanced online synonyms dictionary), and grammar and spelling correction, eventually transforming a plain old CV into a professional and appealing "ticket to ride".

Benefits of using professional grammar software to write your CV:

(1) Makes your CV stand out from the rest, thereby increasing your chances of getting an interview.

(2) A potential employer will perceive you as intelligent, professional, and trustworthy.

(3) Prevents embarrassing spelling or grammar errors that can cause you to lose an appealing joboffer.

(4) Eliminates job-hunting stress, as you no longer need to spend hours writing, checking, andrechecking that CV.

(5) One writing solution contains all the editing tools you need to write a professional CV.

Searching for a job in SG, you can source a list of latest jobs at wda job bank.

An article by Dougles Chan - A recruitment coach that speciliased in recruitment training and recruitment mentoring in Singapore and globally.

Contact Dougles Chan @ +(65) 9388 0851 or email to dc@dougleschan.com for your recruitment training and mentoring needs.

Blank Resume Form For Free - How I Easily Write My Resume

When you are starting to create your CV, it will help you if you go on the net and download a few free resume formats as a benchmark to create your resume. A lot of people have doubts about what a resume ought to look like, and the free resume formats which are there on the net could truly assist you when you have questions about what to put on your resume and what you must leave out.

There's no unitary standard way to write a resume. There are various formats and people put different information on them. But, having free resume formats to direct you could assist you decide what you reckon is significant to you and what is not. In addition you will be able to modify your resume for the job you are applying for. Depending on the sort of position, you might prefer to change the formatting and also the information a little to meet the necessities of the job.

If you are applying for a sales job and you don't hold much education specifically relating to the sales field however you do hold several job experiences in sales, you would prefer to have your job experience listed at the beginning on your resume followed by your qualification. On the other hand, if you're applying for a teaching job and have a lot of education which goes for teaching, then you might want that at the beginning followed by job experience.

A good CV could make the difference between receiving an interview and not receiving an interview. The CV is the very first thing a potential employer checks and you'll want it to appear professional and command the person performing the hiring job to wish to see you personally. It must be no longer than two pages - actually one page if you are able to fit your information on a single page and this can be done in several ways.

The primary idea of a resume is the same, however there are various ways to state your skills and experience which is why free resume formats could help you create your best resume and receive that interview. Naturally, the free resume formats you use must just be utilized as guidance. You have to put in your own information! Perform an Internet search with your favorite search engine and put "free resume formats" in the search box. You'll have an option of 100s of sites. Consider a few of them and download a few free resume formats which interest you and then start writing your resume.

Seeking for a job in SG, you can source a list of available jobs at wda job bank.

A recruitment article by Dougles Chan - A recruitment coach that speciliased in recruitment training and recruitment mentoring in Singapore and globally.

Contact Dougles Chan @ +(65) 9388 0851 or email to dc@dougleschan.com for your recruitment training and mentoring needs.