What Is Your Biggest Job Search Problem [POLL RESULTS AND ANALYSIS]

What Is Your Biggest Job Search Problem [POLL RESULTS AND ANALYSIS] 4 Current job search problems holding back job seekers and suggestions how to get past them. These are the results of our poll about What Is Your Biggest Job Search Problem? What the results mean 34.29% No jobs in my field This isn't a surprising result to hear as the #1 job search problem people are having in a recession.eval Mainstream media likes to measure the job market by the number of advertised job openings in newspapers in a given time frame compared to the same period one month/quarter/year earlier. However, that's not a very good indicator because it doesn't take into account that the number of companies also changes during that time, or that companies are also using other ways, like social media, to publish their job postings. My follow-up question is this: I believe you, but how do you know there are no jobs in your field?eval 31.43% I'm not getting many responses to my resumes This is a classic problem whose sources range from generic, non-targeted resumes to recessionary times where companies aren't hiring. Follow-up every resume to confirm that it's getting through. If your candidacy is being rejected, try to find out why so that you can learn and improve your results as you go. If you're sending out too many resumes to have time to follow up after each one, then you're wasting time sending out too many resumes and not targeting them enough. 17.14% I don't know where to start looking Actually, I expected this number to be higher, considering how many places there are just to find job openings online. Once you know which job you're looking for, contact some people in your profession (such as on LinkedIn) who work in the location you're targeting, and ask them where how they found their jobs, have they heard of any job openings, and can they recommend specific websites that are currently trendy for industry job postings. 8.57% Other These were the other results typed in: 1) Want to springboard to another career but don't know what could use my skills Talk to a career counselor or try an online aptitude test. TestQ has some good, free career quizzes. 2) No responses before/after I am called for advertised jobs where my profile fits I'm not sure I understand this, it sounds like another vote for “not getting many responses to my resumes.” 3) Time and language barrier I'm sure more people are feeling this one, especially in a place like Israel where many new arrivals don't speak Hebrew fluently. Although Hebrew isn't necessary for many jobs in Israel, it may be necessary for getting past HR. Focus on local job listings that are in a language you're comfortable in, like English. The language of the job listing will usually be the main language needed on the job. 5.71% The job offers I'm receiving aren't good Many Israeli job seekers have complained to me that employers are offering them jobs with ridiculously low pay, using the economic crisis as an excuse. This is an attempt at exploitation, pure and simple, and I recommend you don't take those offers unless you are *absolutely* desperate for income. And if you are desperate, consider taking an easier job at the same pay but that would give you more time to keep on on job searching until you find a better job opportunity. 2.86% I just started looking, no problem yet Whoever voted for this last one- sorry to hear about the layoff. Take to heart the other things mentioned here above so you can hopefully avoid these other job search problems.

Social Networking for Business Success - Book Review - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career

Social Networking for Business Success - Book Review - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career Are you starting a business? Are you running an existing business? If you answered yes to either of those questions, you are probably thinking about how you could use social networking to promote, sell, or get visibility for your company and products. This is the book for you! I am a big fan of Miriam Salpeter, Keppie Careers, and Hannah Morgan, Career Sherpa. When they released their book, Social Network for Business Success, last September, I immediately bought a copy. What I like about the book is that Miriam and Hannah wrote a book they wished theyd had when they started their own businesses. The introduction states: We wrote it to be useful whether you are just thinking of starting a business on the side, or if you have a company thats doing well but are ready to launch it to the next level. What I found useful in the book is, besides giving you guidance in using Social Media and doing business in general via the Internet, they direct you to resources that they have found useful. I highlighted sections in just about every chapter that I plan to go back and review. Useful online resources For example, in chapter 3, What Social Media Does For Your Business, I found the section called Review Third-Party Twitter List a valuable resource. They listed a variety of online tools/websites that made it easy to identify key players in your field. In the same chapter, they have a section titled Find And Own Your Name Online. They listed two websites (KnowEm.com and Namechk.com) that you can use to research the availability of names on hundreds of social networks. I found a lot of social real estate where I needed to claim my name! Offline resources In chapter 7, called Research the Competition, there is a section called Professional Organizations Who Help Small Businesses. What impressed me here is that they have a section on Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs). These SBDCs are typically housed in Universities but are funded by the U.S. Small Business Advisory (SBA). We have one of these organizations at Texas State University, and I have sent numerous clients to them for help with their business plans and mentorship. Other chapters There are chapters on: Creating Your Website How to Choose the Best Social Networks for your Business Creating a Buzz for your Business Social Sharing Tools and Applications Monitoring Your Activity Tools and Tips and lots more! What I like about Social Network for Business Success is it does not tell how to do it but directs you to the resources that will tell you how to do it! Marc Miller â€" Career Pivot Check out my book Repurpose Your Career â€" A Practical Guide for Baby Boomers Do not forget to follow me on Twitter or FaceBook

Reduce Stress with These Four Essential Hacks

Reduce Stress with These Four Essential Hacks Reducing stress-levels related to work, can literally be a lifesaver. More than that, reducing stress can also be a major life-enhancer. Looking for the golden elixir of happiness â€" then instead of chasing the proverbial dollar, you are more likely to find happiness my improving your wellbeing.   Check out these four ways to reduce stress and enjoy work more! Music Sound therapy has been scientifically proven to reduce levels of anxiety. Gongs and sound-bowls are often the standard instruments on hand at a professional sound therapy session often accompanied by some tribal shamanic chanting. Whilst not easily accessible for your average, busy Real Estate agent, Spotify and Youtube might have the answer… The song “Weightless” by Marconi Union was actually created with the help of a sound therapist. It may come as no surprise therefore, to learn that the in one study, the track actually reduced anxiety levels by over 50% The only downside with Weightless and other similar tracks is that you probably will not want to drive whilst listening to them! (seriously, you shouldn’t).  Mobile Phone Apps If you are one of the many self-employed out there, then your mobile phone, with the right apps, can dramatically streamline your working day.   For example, a phone answering service app can help to reduce interruptions, allowing you to focus on the work at hand. QuickBooks is also a very popular phone app. It makes creating invoices, chasing missed payments and creating financial forecasts much easier. With the ability to seamlessly link with your bank and Paypal accounts, it can reduce the amount of soul-sapping administrative work that often accompanies being your own boss. Breathe Deep breathing from the belly, is also associated with a reduction in stress, and stress hormones such as cortisol. Protocols vary when it comes to breathing for relaxation, but Dr Andrew Weil, recommends breathing in for 4 seconds, holding for 7 seconds and breathing out for 8 seconds â€" repeat for 10 breaths and you should feel significantly more relaxed. Diaphragmatic breathing i.e. breathing from the belly, has also been associated with an increased attention span. See one study here.  Magnesium Magnesium is a highly effective supplement when it comes to the reduction of both anxiety and depression.  Unfortunately, increased levels of stress, and use of acid-reflux and indigestion medication, may deplete levels in the body. Combined with the depleted amount of magnesium found in the average diet these days, a stress-inducing deficiency in the mineral is surprisingly common. In 2018, it was estimated the up to 50% of the US population may be deficient in magnesium. If you are struggling to sleep and have sore and/or tense muscles, this could be an indication of magnesium deficiency. Speak to your doctor about the possibility of consuming a magnesium supplement.  Saunas Sauna use has been associated with a range of physical and mental health benefits in recent years. From increased longevity, to muscle relaxation, there is an increasing body of scientific evidence supporting the use of both traditional and infrared saunas. If you don’t have access to one, you can enjoy many of the benefits by using an infrared sauna lamp. Whether you are a self-employed professional, or work for a firm, there is always pressure when working with clients and customers. What’s more, some of the things that could go wrong are out of your control. With this in mind, remember this quote from Stoic philosophy when something goes wrong: “Make the best use of what is in your power, and take the rest as it happens” â€" Epictetus