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| Working With Recruiters |
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With an explosion of job seekers competing for fewer jobs, many people are turning to recruiters to try to tap into little-known opportunities in the job market.
If you're enlisting this strategy in your job search, it's critical that you understand the possibilities and limitations of working with a recruiter, as well as how to present yourself throughout the process.
Louise Kursmark, author of "15-Minute Cover Letter," says the most important thing to remember about recruiters is that they don't work for you; they work for hiring companies.
"They are not 'your' recruiter and will not try to 'find a job for you.' That said, recruiters can be your best friends during a job search -- provided you have the skills, experience and industry expertise their client is looking for," Kursmark says.
She suggests the following tips for making the most out of your relationship with recruiters:
Uncover a recruiter's specialty areas before contacting him or her.
Otherwise, you risk wasting his time and your own. To learn more about recruiters who work in your areas of interest, consult recruiter directories (at your local library); online networking Web sites, such as LinkedIn or Twitter; the Yellow Pages; or company Web sites of recruiters based in your area.
Remember whom you're writing to.
When writing to recruiters, refer to "your client" or "your client's organization" rather than "your company."
Follow up after sending a recruiter your résumé and cover letter.
This call should determine whether the recruiter is a good fit for you. Introduce yourself concisely and briefly share some of your career achievements with him.
Be patient.
Don't expect to hear back from recruiters unless they have a job that's a potentially good fit for you.
Understand the realities of recruitment.
Recruiters have been given guidelines about the ideal candidate. If the recruiter doesn't think you are the right fit, don't dwell on trying to convince him or her otherwise. Instead, move on and let him know you're interested in future opportunities.
Help recruiters to help yourself.
If you know of other individuals who would be a good fit for the recruiter's specialty areas, recommend them. It's a win-win for all involved.
Never work with a search firm that charges you a fee to get a job.
Don't confuse this advice with fees you'd pay to work with a private-practice career counselor, coach or résumé writer. These people will provide you with services, but don't promise you a particular job.
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| We Know It's Tough Out There! |
September 13, 2009 |
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Hello Everyone~
Congrats to all our readers who let us know that they landed a new job this past week and we also want to acknowledge four more of our clients would also found new employment! As we keep saying, those with a strategy and strong networking activities are landing the open positions that they chase!
For those of you who are still working hard to land a job, keep it up, and work from a plan and you too will be among the employed once again! If you need a little help from your friends please let us know! The job market is opening up and remember it is not about sitting in front of your pc clicking your resume off to hundreds of internet job postings every week. Your are competing with more people than you realize so you must stand out from your resume to your informed and targeting networking plan.
Have a great week and please contact us if you feel you need a little help from your 'friends'!
V. Mikal Jackson
404-808-1896
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| Re-Tooling - Education with Government Help! |
Questions & Answers for Unemployed Americans interested in Education and Training Opportunities
Q1. What federal financial aid is available to the unemployed for training purposes?
A1. The federal government has a variety of grants, loans and work-study programs to help you pay for continuing education and training.
The President announced in May that he encourages unemployed Americans to consider education and training opportunities during this period of economic hardship. In particular, the President highlighted the availability of federal student aid, including the Federal Pell Grant. If you are currently unemployed, you may be eligible for federal financial aid, including a Federal Pell Grant. The maximum Federal Pell Grant award for the 2009-10 academic year is $5,350.
Q2. I am currently unemployed. Am I eligible for federal financial aid?
A2. If you are currently unemployed, you may be eligible for federal financial aid. Eligibility for federal grant aid, such as Pell Grants, is need-based and depends on the total income of your family. Federal student loans are available regardless of your income level. Financial aid administrators at participating institutions have been urged to take an unemployed person's current economic circumstance into account when determining a student's eligibility for Pell Grants and other student assistance.
A student must also meet certain other eligibility requirements including (1) not being in default on a federal student loan, (2) having a high school diploma, General Education Development (GED) equivalency or otherwise demonstrate his/her ability to benefit from the education or training offered, and (3) being a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen. Pell Grants are not available to students who have already received a bachelor's degree.
Q3. I received a letter from my state workforce agency while receiving unemployment benefits encouraging me to consider seeking additional education and training. Does this mean I will receive federal financial aid?
A3. A letter from your state's workforce agency does not guarantee you federal financial aid. However, you should bring that letter (or, if you no longer have the letter, other evidence you are currently receiving unemployment benefits) to a financial aid office at the school you are considering. The U.S. Department of Education is working with community colleges, colleges and universities to help them meet your financial needs.
Q4. I am currently unemployed and am in need of benefits and/or reemployment services. Where can I get more information?
A4. Check with your state workforce agency for available benefits and services. Assistance is available to locate state workforce agencies and your local One-Stop Career Center by visiting www.careerinfonet.org or calling the U.S. Department of Labor toll-free number: 1-877-US-2-JOBS.
Q5. What other forms of financial aid are available?
A5. In addition to the federal financial aid offered by the U.S. Department of Education (see Question 1), there may be opportunities from your state or the school that you are interested in may offer scholarships or other institutional aid. For example, some institutions have established special financial aid programs to address the needs of those who have recently lost a job or otherwise have become unemployed. Your local One-Stop Career Center will also have information on training funds available from the U.S. Department of Labor. Visit www.careeronestop.org/findos to locate a One-Stop Career Center near you.
Q6. What costs does a Federal Pell Grant cover?
A6. Federal Pell Grants are available if you are taking classes as part of a program that leads to an undergraduate degree or certificate. Federal student aid, including Pell Grants, can be used to cover a variety of costs, generally including:
Tuition and fees normally assessed;
Books, supplies, transportation, and miscellaneous personal expenses;
Living expenses such as room and board; and
An allowance for costs expected to be incurred for dependent care for a student with dependents.
Q7. How much can I receive from a Federal Pell Grant?
A7. The Federal Pell Grant Program is a need-based program and the amount a student is eligible for is determined when you complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). For the 2009-10 academic year, the maximum Pell Grant award is $5,350.
You may complete a FAFSA here: http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/
Q8. Where can I get more information on federal financial aid?
Q10. I have additional questions, who may I contact?
A10. Call 1-800-4-FED-AID or go to www.federalstudentaid.ed.gov
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| Volunteering Your Way To A New Job |
Five Steps to Volunteer Your Way to a Job
If you're not sure where to start, follow this guide to landing a volunteer position as a part of your job-search strategy.
Industry experts and job hunters who have successfully parlayed volunteerism into paying jobs provided the following advice.
1. Use your network to find open volunteer positions. That will get you into an organization faster.
- Jane, a job hunter who turned a volunteer job with the MSPCA into a paying job with a Web site focused on animal welfare
2. Determine whether the volunteer opportunity matches your "availability horizon," both so you can achieve success and so you don't leave the non profit in the lurch.
- Robert J. Rosenthal, Volunteer Match director of communications
3. If you are able to secure a position where you're actually doing a job that's in line with your skill set, then you can absolutely list that on your resume as a position you've held. Disclose that you were a volunteer, but list all of the duties and responsibilities that you had, as well as any significant responsibilities.
- Rahul D. Yodh, executive recruiter with Link Legal Search Group
4. Join a professional organization or a chamber of commerce within your region. These organizations are already in the business of helping each other, and there's always a need for fresh blood. Professional organizations are a fantastic place to network and work. It's great exposure on many levels.
- Nate Towne, who found his position as a public- relations counselor at the Hiebing ad agency by performing volunteer work
for an industry professional organization
5. Treat an extended volunteer job like any other job on your resume, provided it is related to your profession and can demonstrate what you accomplished at the charity.
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Remember that we offer all readers a free resume review and 15 minute coaching session. Just E mail your resume and one of our coaches will contact you to establish a convenient time to talk. We call this our "pay it forward" work and you will never get a sales pitch - never/ever!
Let us know when you land a new job!
Sincerely,
V. Mikal Jackson
Jackson Life Coaching, LLC
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