Study Shows Job Boards Second Largest Source of Hire and Growing Stronger

Person-to-person networking continues to be job seekers’ most successful tool, according to a study by Right Management. The firm analyzed job data on the nearly 60,000 individuals throughout North America to whom it provided career transition services over the past three years. Right Management is the talent and career management expert within ManpowerGroup, the world leader in innovative workforce solutions.

Traditional networking was the source of new career opportunities for 41 percent of job candidates last year, while Internet job boards such as CollegeRecruiter.com accounted for 25 percent of new positions landed.

 

 

“The job search is changing and some approaches are losing ground to others, but classic, systematic networking continues to be most effective way to find suitable employment,” said Carly McVey, Right Management’s Vice President of Career Management. “Certainly technology plays a growing role. But online social networking may not always be separate from traditional networking since one so often leads to the other. A job seeker uses the Internet to track down former associates or acquaintances and then reaches out to them in person. And, just like a cold call, the Internet is a way to make an initial contact with a prospective employer.”

Among other findings:

• In 2010 for the first time “Online Network” was made a separate category and cited by 4% of the successful job candidates.
• The “Direct Approach” or cold calling is holding its own as an effective tool for many job seekers.
• Newspaper or periodical classified ads continue their decline as a source of new employment while Internet job postings play an increasing role.
• Agencies, recruiters and search firms may be regaining their place in the mix, perhaps as a result of a strengthening job market.
• “Other” may mean some combination of the above, or perhaps serendipity, direct referral or even good luck-and will surely remain an aspect of a successful job hunt.

As revealing as the data may be, a job search is usually a more complicated and multi-layered process, explained McVey. “Job candidates are encouraged to use as many tools as possible, every kind of research, any former contacts, and every opportunity to reach out to people who may be able to help. So in practical terms successful job candidates rely on a mix of approaches to find the new position most suitable for them.”

“Nevertheless, from year to year the data say that traditional networking is nearly twice as successful as any other job search method,” said McVey. “People tend to trust people they meet.”

10 Great Companies to Work for in Atlanta, Georgia

Are you looking for a job in Atlanta, Georgia?  If so, then you will be interested in Vault.com’s list of 10 great companies in the Peach State.  You will find that each one has its own focus.  There are opportunities for women and minorities, as well as employee benefits and perks.

 

Here are five of the 10 great companies to work for in Atlanta:

• UPS
• PricewaterhouseCoopers
• Dixon Hughes Goodman
• Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta
• Alston & Bird

 

For the entire list of these companies and more information on each of them, see the source below.

 

Source

http://www.vault.com/wps/portal/usa/vcm/slideshow?id=5&category_id=4&position=1

Bad News for Gen Y: 37% of Employers Less Likely to Promote Someone With Piercings

Wondering why you haven’t made it into the corner office yet or haven’t received that bump in title? Part of the reason may surprise you.

In a recent study, employers nationwide shared which personal attributes would make an employee less appealing for a promotion. Bad breath, disheveled clothing, piercings and tattoos ranked highest among factors. The survey was conducted by Harris Interactive for Careerbuilder among 2,878 hiring managers across industries between February 21 and March 20, 2011.

“When it comes to career advancement, you want to stack the deck in your favor,” said Rosemary Haefner, Vice President of Human Resources at CareerBuilder. “While strong job performance and leadership skills will weigh heavily on prospects for upward mobility, employers will also look at whether the employee conveys an overall professional image both internally and externally.”

The top personal attributes employers say would make them less likely to extend a promotion include:

• Piercings – 37 percent
• Bad breath – 34 percent
• Visible tattoo – 31 percent
• Often has wrinkled clothes – 31 percent
• Messy hair – 29 percent
• Dresses too casually – 28 percent
• Too much perfume or cologne – 26 percent
• Too much makeup – 22 percent
• Messy office or cubicle – 19 percent
• Chewed fingernails – 10 percent
• Too suntanned – 4 percent

Top 100 Law Firm Prestige Rankings for 2012

What are the top firms that law students should keep an eye out for concerning job opportunities?  Find out, and learn more about these companies.

The Vault Law 100 has been released, and for the ninth straight year, Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz has dominated the rankings as the number one firm in the country.  The firm’s repeated appearance on top represents a theme in this year’s Top 10, with little else changing outside of Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton moving up one spot to No. 8; Williams & Connolly dropping out of the Top 10; and Kirkland & Ellis moving into the Top 10 at No. 9.  The real stories lie with the changes in the Bottom 90.

The Vault Law 100 is for law students, associates, partners and law firm recruiters, providing a detailed perspective on the criteria considered by candidates when evaluating law firms.  This year, 16,000 law associates rated law firms on a scale of 1 to 10 based on prestige (associates were not allowed to rate their own firms and were asked to only rate firms with which they were familiar).

 

The Top 10 firms based on Vault’s Annual Law Firm Associate Survey are:

Yes, Steven, there is truth to your argument about Fair Labor Practices. However, I accepted this unpaid internship with InternProfits knowing full well that it was unpaid and that I would be working as an employee and not a busy worker.

 

Sure, many companies out there are exploiting interns and college graduates because the job market is so pitiful but that doesn’t mean that ALL companies are like that. And just because an article appears on HR Online doesn’t mean that it is fully accurate either. There are always two sides to every story. In my case, I see the positives.

 

Thanks for commenting though.

Christopher — I agree that interns should be able to choose whether to take an unpaid internship with a for-profit organization but the problem is that many, many organizations take advantage of the desperation by many students to land an internship — any internship — before graduation.

Actually unpaid internships are not illegal for for profit companies.  As long as the company follows the guidelines set out by the Department of Labor a business can offer an unpaid internship.  Unpaid internships have been around for a very long time and have been used by many companies.  The discussion around unpaid internships has been going on for quite some time and will likely continue.  The problem continues that some businesses are in fact offering unpaid internships that do not benefit the intern.  However, there are a lot of businesses providing incredible opportunities for interns – paid and unpaid. 

 

With the current economy a lot of internship programs have been shut down and likewise a lot of new graduates can’t get jobs – mostly because they have no experience and can’t compete with all the other unemployed out there who have a lot of work experience.  Additionally, a lot of businesses are struggling to keep their doors open and internships provide a win-win for both the intern and the business owner.  By working together to create an internship that works both for the intern and the business owner unpaid internships can be effective for all parties involved. 

 

Offering an internship (paid or not) should provide a learning experience for the intern and tangible work products and experiences the intern can take along and show future employers.  To say that all unpaid internships are illegal or not worthy of being offered or taken is short sighted and in the end hurts everyone involved.  Less internships for struggling college students and recent college grads (we get 10-15 resumes for every unpaid internship we offer) by saying that a company can’t offer an unpaid internship only hurts the student at the end of the day. 

 

I would encourage you to read some of the blog posts by our interns at: http://theinternprofits.com/ 

You will see that our unpaid interns work remotely (no commuting/relocation/transportation costs); on their own schedules (they can go to school, enjoy a full social life and have a part-time job) and work on real projects that they can show their future employer.  Unpaid internships when created with the intern in mind can and do work.

Debates like these are actually very good for internship programs in general and continue to push business owners who offer unpaid internships to provide great internship opportunities to their interns.

 

Three Reasons You Fear The Job Interview – And How To Conquer Your Fear

The Diagnosis

 

Are any of these symptoms familiar? At least some of them?

Your heart is beating faster than usual, your hands feel clammy, your mouth is so dry it feels like you have cotton inside – and the butterflies in your stomach are out of control.

 

Are these common feelings when you are going to be tortured – or going to a job interview? The answer is a Job Interview. For some the job interview is torture.

 

Why is the job interview so feared? What are “they” going to do to you that is so nerve wrenching?

 

Reasons For The Fear Factor And The Job Interview.

 

1. Fear of the unknown.

 

Ideally you would sit poised thumbing through a magazine, feeling relaxed as you wait your turn to have a conversation with the interviewer for the company. Not so when waiting for the interview.

 

Think about it – what do you have to lose here? What’s the worst thing that can happen? What if you don’t get this job – is the world going to stop turning? Realizing of course, that bills must be paid, but this is the wrong approach to present yourself. If you are coming across as desperate – “Please, please, hire me,” the interview is beginning on a defensive note.  Interviewers smell fear.

2. Fear of looking like you don’t know what you’re talking about – “brain freeze.”

 

You may have prepared – or not – but all of a sudden you forget everything that you have been preparing. Your mind goes “blank.” It happens all of the time. Who is putting the pressure on you to perform? YOU. Who knows you better than you know yourself? YOU.

 

So, you’re about to go in and talk about yourself. What’s so tough about that? For some people that is huge. They consider it bragging and they “hate” bragging and talking  about themselves and their accomplishments.

 

 

3. Fear of Rejection

 

Who wants to be rejected? Nobody. It doesn’t feel good at all. Somebody, and in the job interview often a complete stranger says, “We don’t want you – you’re not good enough.” At least that’s what you hear. The truth is that it may have nothing to do with you. It has to do with the interviewer/company getting the most for the dollar. And, there are tons of extenuating circumstances.

 

The Cures

A change in thinking

The first, and most important step is to change the way that you view the interview. This is not an appointment with the dentist who may inflict pain. It is a conversation with another person. What is the worst thing that can happen as a result of the interview? You won’t get the job, which may not have been the right job for you anyway.

 

Secondly, this is a conversation – a two-way process. You will be interviewing them as much as they are interviewing you. Is there a good fit here – both ways? What looks good on paper may not be what it appears – for either party. It will be part of your job during the interview to investigate whether this is a good place for you, and whether you want to invest a significant part of your life here. When you are not checking them out and what they have to offer, you are missing an opportunity that you may regret later.

 

Calming techniques

 

One of the best techniques to handle stress is through breathing. Take deliberate, shallow breaths. Take air in through the nostrils and exhale quietly through your mouth. This is a technique that should be practiced as a relaxation technique before the interview so that your body gets used to slowing down the breathing process and relaxing.

 

Relaxation techniques such as yoga, and meditation classes, are recommended for anyone who has an extreme case of “interview fright.” The interview can cause panic attacks if the fear is strong enough. Pre-conditioning will do wonders for this type of anxiety.

 

Preparation before the interview

 

These are competitive times and you should steel yourself to expect some rejection. Think about it this way, “Did you get a marriage proposal after every date?” Well, you probably aren’t going to get a job offer after every interview.

 

For every job you apply for there are more than likely three to four equally qualified candidates in line for the same job. Whether you stand out from “the crowd” will depend on your preparation and ability to show confidence in yourself – believing that you are the “best candidate for this job.” How can you possibly sell anyone anything if you don’t believe in it yourself?

 

Preparation will make you feel more confident and less anxious. Can you imagine giving a performance without some practice and preparation? “Winging” the interview in today’s market is a big mistake.

 

Fear of Rejection

 

You may have had a number of interviews with no offer. You may be feeling defeated, and it’s beginning to affect your-self esteem.

 

This would be true of anyone. But it is a mistake to take it personally. There are so many factors that could be affecting the offer that it is impossible to say what is happening. There may be internal candidates, relatives promised jobs, a competitor who is a perfect match for the job, a lack of chemistry between you and the new boss, a mismatch in salary needs, etc., etc.

 

Let it go

 

Give yourself credit for getting an interview – only a small percentage of people get this far in the process. Give yourself credit for going out there and putting yourself on the line, even though it is painful for you. Give yourself permission to not get job offers. Believe that an offer will come through when it is the right offer – the right fit for the company and for you. Take the control back and reject the feeling of fear.

 

When you have done everything to prepare for the interview, and you are satisfied that you can present yourself in the best light possible, the next step is for you to let it go. You can learn something from each interview.

 

Learn to enjoy meeting new people and having new experiences. Who knows you may even grow to like interviewing.

 

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The Interview Coach, Carole Martin, is a celebrated author, job coach, and speaker on the subject of interviewing and recruiting. Contributing writer at Monster.com and featured on talk radio. Carole is using her proven methods for coaching job seekers on competitive interviewing skills in technical and non-technical industries. http://www.interviewcoach.com

Follow The Interview Coach on Facebook, Twitter and Linkedin by visiting her blog at www.interviewcoach.com/blog to learn about current workshops and seminars Carole is offering.

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Oprah, Lady Gaga, And Your Job Interview

Two very different women. Two very different styles and generations. So what do they have in common?

Oprah’s message has been clear almost since the beginning of her show – 25 years ago: “Accept yourself for who you are and believe that you can do what you want to do — live your Best Life.”

Lady Gaga’s message may not have always been as clear, but in her latest albums and interviews she seems to be sending a similar message: “Be yourself and don’t let others put you down or discourage you – even if you’re different.”

They may use different words but the message is clear: “Believe in Yourself – and be yourself.”  It seems like common sense: If you don’t believe in yourself – why would anyone else believe in you? But sometimes when it comes to “self” we forget about common sense and listen to our inner voice – the negative one. We doubt our ability, or are ashamed of something that we did or something that happened to us in our past.

 

Going into an interview with baggage from the past is like dragging a big black garbage bag along behind you and parking it next to your chair during the interview. And it is going to “stink” up the room after a while.

 

Nobody wants to hear about your problems and baggage. Some people’s lives begin to sound like a Soap Opera there have been so many extenuating circumstances. And, some people feel compelled to share every detail with the interviewer. Big Mistake!

The best advice is to let go of those negative feelings and move on. I know it’s easier said then done. But until you resolve the issues with yourself – through one form of exorcism or another – you will carry around your bag of garbage. A good interviewer can feel hostility the minute it walks in the door.

Here are five rules to encourage Optimism and discourage Negativity:

 

1. Accept that there will be ups and downs

It’s not unusual to have highs and lows during your job search. Some days you may even feel like you’re on an emotional roller coaster. Everything looks hopeful one moment with a job prospect ahead, and then it changes to dark and dismal in the next moment when you receive a rejection. Accepting the fact that this is a stressful time you are going through and that a great deal of it is out of your control will help you put things into perspective.

 

2.  Give yourself permission to fail.

It is very disappointing when you feel like you “aced” the interview and then wait for the promised call that never comes. Be realistic – you aren’t going to get a job offer after every interview. And maybe that’s a good thing, at least some of the time. Remember, you are interviewing “them” as much as they are interviewing you.

 

3. Work on controlling stress

Stress becomes a problem when it begins to affect your lifestyle and health. Are you waking up in the middle of the night or skipping meals because you are feeling really down or upset? You may need to talk to someone who is a professional to get some advice about relaxation techniques.

 

4. Continue to get “out there”

Study after study published continues to indicate that “networking” is still the number one way to land a job. Take advantage of every opportunity to be with groups of people. No one can predict when an opportunity might come your way.

 

5. Prepare yourself

Preparing ahead of the interview will give you a definite advantage. What this means is getting focused about what you want the interviewer to know about you. You are presenting a picture of you with words. It is important to identify what makes you unique and what added value you can bring to the position. You want to let the interviewer know that you are the “solution to their problem,” and the best person for the job.

Keeping upbeat is a part of your job right now. When you begin to give into the dark side you will project that to others. You want to stay as upbeat as possible, particularly while interviewing. Bringing confidence and energy to the interview are the two most important ingredients to connecting with the interviewer.

The message of the two famous women, as well as the messages of many other people who teach self-esteem or life lessons, tell us that it is up to us to take charge and heal those old wounds and start accepting and believing in ourselves. Only then can others believe in us. Believing in yourself will boost your self-esteem and in turn you will have higher confidence. And, the key ingredients for a successful job interview are — you got it — “self-esteem and confidence.”

What method do you use to stay upbeat in difficult times? What helps you get through life when life turns against you?

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For more insights go to www.interviewcoach.com. The Interview Coach, Carole Martin, is a celebrated author, job coach, and speaker on the subject of interviewing and recruiting. Contributing writer at Monster.com and featured on talk radio. Carole is using her proven methods for coaching job seekers on competitive interviewing skills in technical and non-technical industries. Visit www.interviewcoach.com and follow The Interview Coach on Facebook, Twitter and Linkedin.

 

How to Weed Out Intern Candidates With a Simple Email…

As we begin to receive resumes for our upcoming newest pool of interns we’ve come up with an additional resume/candidate screening tool to help us not only weed out candidates but more importantly…make the process much more effective and efficient.

After we receive a resume that looks like a good potential intern we send them an email similar to the one below:

Thank you for your interest in working with our company as a Social Media/PR/Marketing intern.

Before we set-up the interview please answer a few questions to confirm your understanding of the internship opportunity and your interest and needs in the internship.

1.       Do you understand this is an unpaid internship?

2.       Do you understand that this is a virtual internship?

3.       Do you have your own computer/laptop?

4.       When can you start?

5.       How many hours per week can you dedicate to the internship?

6.       Will you be seeking credit for your internship?

7.       If you are seeking credit for your internship have you been in contact with your career services center, academic advisor or professor who will be coordinating they credit to gather any documents or requirements you may need to fulfill?

Assuming you are still interested in an unpaid, virtual internship, we would be interested in setting up a phone interview with you next Tuesday, December 7.  We have availability from 9-10 AM, 11AM-1:30PM, or 4:15-5PM PST.

The email achieves a few objectives.

First and most importantly we confirm that the candidate understands that our internship is BOTH UNPAID and VIRTUAL.  That way we know that we aren’t wasting anyone’s time getting on the phone for an interview with a candidate who needs to be paid or has a desire or need to come into our office (this is big…learn from our mistakes, we’ve scheduled numerous phone interviews in the past to find out from the get-go that the person needs to be paid).  We also re-iterate these points on the phone interview.

Second, by asking the candidate to answer a few questions via email you learn first if they can follow instructions and how well they communicate and write.  As this will be a virtual internship and most communications will be via email it’s imperative that our interns be effective communicators and easily follow written instructions.

Third, by asking for the administrative details of their internship you can gauge what your responsibilities will be with the internship (will they be seeking credit?) and also how many hours they intern will be able to dedicate each week and their start date.  If you have a specific project you want your intern working on and his or her start date and time commitment does not fit the needs of your project then right away you know this isn’t the right fit.

Feel free to “copy and paste” our email to fit your needs in your recruiting process.  This is just one of the many tips, techniques and strategies we share with our Intern Profits System clients.

To learn more about our system please visit:  www.internprofits.com