JobScribble

The dreaded rejection letter, we all get them.  If you applied for a job, you will eventually get a letter from the Human Resource Department that goes a little like this "Although your experience is impressive, another  candidate has been selected  ... we wish you success in your job search ,,, ". Sometimes the letter comes after you complete an application, or it may be sent to you after your interview. So what do you do now?

Most people throw the letters away and do nothing because they think all hope is lost  Well, you can still keep your foot in the door by following up after receiving a rejection letter.  Here are some tips:

• If you went to a job interview, call the person who interviewed you and let him or her know that although you were disappointed that you did not get the job, you want to let them know that if another position becomes available, you would like to be considered for it  (who knows maybe the person they hired won't work out). Guess who they will remember next?
• Ask the interviewer if he or she can give you some tips on how you can do better in an interview or what skills or knowledge can you gain in order to be better prepared for the field you are seeking employment in.  Simply let him or her know that you are still interviewing and would appreciate their feedback and help.  I know this takes guts, but you will be surprised at how many people will be willing to help you. 
• Don't forget to ask them if they know of anybody who may be hiring with their company or if they can refer you to anybody else who may be looking for someone with your skill sets.
• If you cannot get up the courage to call, send a "thank you for the rejection letter".  Or better yet, call and send a letter.

Here is an example of what you might want to say in your letter;

Dear Mr. Brown:

Thank you again for the opportunity to interview for the Marketing Assistant position. I enjoyed meeting with you and discussing your company's goals to expand into the Canada Market.

Although,  I was not selected for the job, I remain  very interested in working for  you.  Please keep me in mind should another position become available.  I would like to be part of your team in the future!

Thank you for your time and consideration.  I am enclosing another copy of my resume.  

Sincerely,

Now, if you didn't get to the interview stage, first try and call  the person you sent the resume to or the person you think may have been in charge of hiring for that position.  If you applied through the human resource department, call them.   Ask if they can give you some feedback on why you were not selected for the position because you would really like to work for them and you need some help identifying how you can become better prepared for applying for jobs in your career field.    More often than not, you will get a response like "we hired the most qualified candidate".  However, you may get someone on the phone who is willing to give you some feedback on where you fell short (not enough experience, education, needed someone that was bilingual, needed someone with had HTML skills, etc.). 

This information you receive after being rejected for a job can help you.  For instance, you may be given indicators that you need to upgrade your skills.    Or, the feedback you receive may help you apply for positions that you are more qualified for. Don't get discouraged after receiving a rejection letter, use it as an opportunity to follow-up one more time time and gain some personal insight on how you can better prepare for your next job interview.  Your follow-up after being rejected will leave the employer with a lasting positive impression of your  willingness to obtain constructive feedback and eagerness to join their company. 

Job seekers are using video resumes on Youtube, blogs, video resume posting websites and on some job boards.  Resumes should not have your picture attached unless you are applying for a modeling job so why would you want a video resume?  Video resumes may seem like a good idea, but there are some pros and cons associated with having one.

PROS:

• Easy to produce with a webcam
• Ability to sell yourself on camera
• Can show that you are professionally dressed
• Can be a plus if you are good looking or attractive
• Ability to verbally articulate your skills and accomplishments
• Can show your personality and positive attitude
• Can show a little humor

Click to read more ...

If you are employed but looking for a new job, do it on the down-low!  Do not even tell your closest friends at work.  Also, do not tell your friends outside the workplace  either because word can get around fast.  I know networking is important, but their is only six degrees of separation. Even telling family members is iffy.  Only tell those that have connections with others in your industry and can truly help you network.

Don't give out your work phone number to potential employers.  Most offices have caller ID now days and you don't want the receptionist to become suspicious about all the calls you are getting.   You  also don't want to receive a call at the office about going to a job interview when you boss is in your office.  Ask potential employers to call you at home or on your cell--mention this in a cover letter and indicate when the best time to reach you is.  If you take your cell to work, keep it off and make sure you don't take the call while you are working.  Wait until you can leave the office at lunch or wait until after work to return the call. 

Do no provide or use your  work e-mail.  Use your personal e-mail address and don't check your personal e-mails from work.    Do not check on-line job boards or read newspaper want ads while you are working either.  Watch yourself when making job search appointment notes or reminders on pieces of paper or calendars.  You may accidently leave them where someone can see them. 

If you need some time to job search while you are working, take some vacation time.  If you have a job interview, it is best not to call in sick to go to it.   Take a vacation day or personal day off.  You never know who may see you driving around so try and not make your interview appointment during the lunch hour or close to starting or closing time as your co-workers or boss may be driving to and from work.  Also, don't show up for work in your interview attire and then leave early for an interview.   You will raise all kinds of red flags if your not wearing your usual Polo and khakis to work!  They will wonder if you are going to a funeral or a job interview.  Even getting a new hair cut, getting your nails done, or shaving more often than usual, and buying new clothes and/or shoes, can make others suspicious especially if you have expressed dissatification at work.

One time my husband was told at a corporate meeting that  the salesforce was being replaced by an outsourced salesforce in 30 days.  My husband  started job searching and landed an interview out of state before the layoff.  While making a connecting flight at the Houston airport, he saw the division's Vice President.  He asked him what he was doing at the airport.  He said he took some time off to go for an interview,and that he had told his boss he had an interview.  The VP confirmed with the sales manager that he had indeed told him he had a job interview and had requested time off.    Now, I would not advise you to tell your boss that you have an interview unless it was under a similar situation.  If you take some personal time off, just let him or her know you have some personal matters to attend to.  Co-worker will also be curious about your abscence, but if they ask , let them know you are taking some vacation time or that you are have some personal stuff to take care of.

When you are job searching while working, simply state in your cover letter that you are enclosing a confidential resume.  If the employer your sending it to knows your boss or someone at the company or organization you work for, he or she should be ethical and not tell your current employer. 

If you are posting your resume on major job boards-watch out!  Your employer may be using them to scout for candidates for jobs, and you don't want them seei your resume in the database.  For your job board resume, you may want to use a first name only on your resume and a new generic email address (no last name) and no phone number.  When listing your employers,  you may want to include Top Fortune 100 company or other generic identifying information instead of the company name.  Better yet, check the job board daily and submit your resume directly to employers and don't post your resume or job boards.   Do you really want to risk your employer finding out that you are looking? 

Be careful on social networking websites or your blog.  It is ok to talk about your background and experience in your profile but don't mention that you are looking for work.   

If you are completing job applications, make sure you answer "NO" to the may we contact question.  Simply state "still working there".    Do not use your current boss or co-workers as references.

Job searching incognito is difficult but treat it as an undercover mission and be very discrete! 

Money Magazine has just published their "Best Places to Live" list.

Source: CNNMoney.com

You are so concerned with looking good at the interview you have forgotten about how you smell!  You took a shower with your favorite fruity soap and lilac shampoo and conditioner. You sprayed your melon body spray.  You blow-dried your hair with mouse a la vanilla and used some strawberry and cream hair gel and then sprayed your hair generously with hair spray to keep your hair in place.  After you dress, you squirt three or four sprays of your favorite perfume and lather your hands with your rose scented hand cream.   Now, they will smell you coming as you walk in the building!  You may think that you smell good, but the interviewer or others in the office may be gasping for air.  Wearing cologne or perfume in the interview or at your workplace is a no no because peole can be allergic or sensitive to scents.  Scents can cause headaches and breathing problems for some people.  What smells good to you may smell like bug spray to others!

An interviewer's nose is on alert when you are interviewing especially if they are bothered by perfume or cologne.  Your future boss will be trying to determine if you are someone he or she can be around (smell) eight hours or more a day. 

Perfume is not the only thing that can make you stink!  Bad breath, body odor, dirty clothes, stinky socks and/or shoes, overpowering hand cream, hair spray and/or hair gel and smelling like you just smoked a pack of cigarettes can keep you from getting the job.  Also, don't go get a perm or color your hair the day or two before your interview!

Bottom line is to be considerate of others and practice good hygiene.   It is best not to wear any perfume, cologne, after shave or other strong smelling products.    If you shake the interviewer's hand, you don't want your hand cream or "Old Spice" to linger after you are gone.   Take a shower and wash your hair with non-scented or lightly scented products.  Use a deodorant that is non-scented or lighted scented.  Wear clean clothes and shoes and brush and floss your teeth and use mouth wash.  Forget the cologne or perfume and hand cream.   If you are a smoker, don't smoke after you take you shower and make sure your clothes don't smell like cigarettes! Also, don't drink alcoholic beverages the day of or day before your interview either.   

If you do these things, your won't stink and nobody will be reach for thier oxygen masks when you leave the interview.  Also, remember these things once you start your job too!  For more tips on preparing and succeeding at a job interview and to download a free interviewing guide go to Jobscribble.com.

A recent MSNBC article provides job, college financial aid and business resources for disabled veterans. 

Check out the great advice from U.S. News and World Report on private student loans.  Beware of those e-mails and T.V. ads promising you quick money that you don't have to pay back until you graduate.  Before you borrow any money, read the fine print and understand your options by visiting with a financial aid representative at your college.  Know the difference between "subsidized" and "unsubsidized" loans.   Complete your FAFSA to make sure you don't qualify for a subsidized Stafford and Perkins Loan or grants.   Visit the financial aid section on Jobscribble.com  to learn more about student loans and grants.

Resumes often read like job descriptions.  In fact, job seekers often take their job descriptions they were given when the were hired and use the same exact language in their resumes. Often job seekers make the mistake of writing in the 3rd person and keeping language that is not suitable for a resume, such as directives.  For example, "will follow company guidelines".   It is quite evident to the person who is reviewing your resume that you copied your job description. 

While job descriptions are a good place to start to identify your job duties and abilities.  Resumes should not just be a compilation of job tasks.  Instead, include your accomplishments, outcomes, achievements, and/or results of your tasks.  The resumes should also indicate not only what you did, but how you performed your duties. Did you come up with a solution, process or procedure?  What did you improve or fix?  What have you been praised or recognized for?  If possible quantify your accomplishments.  For example,  Initiated and created an effective e-mail marketing campaign which increased membership by 20 percent. 

A great way to emphasize and highlight your accomplishments is to keep your responsibilities together for each job and under that add a heading entitled "Accomplishments" and then list them under the heading.  Use powerful descriptive accomplishment statements which emphasize accomplishments, and reflect talents that your new employer could benefit from.  

If you are over 50 and job searching, MSNBC offers some great advice.  See their article  "How Older Workers Can Rebound from a Job Loss". 

With shrinking pension plans, lack of savings and rising prices and health care costs, older workers are forgoing retirement and staying in the workforce.  Some just want to continue working simply because they enjoy their jobs or they just want to stay active or contribute to society.   The top three jobs held by a majority of older workers (65 and over) are Retail Workers, Farmers and First/Line Retail Managers and Supervisors according to a study by the Urban Institute to be published later this month.  Jobs with the highest percentage of employees who are 65 and over are also reflected in the research.  For instance, 31.4 percent of funeral service workers are 65 and over and 27.7 percent or crossing guards are 65 and over.  To see other occupations on the  lists, go to the U.S. News and World Report article below.

AARP has some excellent resources and information for older workers who are trying to decide if they should work after retirement.  Check out their website and the articles below for additional Guidance.

Clues An Employer Welcomes Older Workers, AARP

2007 Best Employers for Workers Over 50, AARP

There are a variety of job boards geared towards those over 50. Try

Simplyhired for 50 Plus or niche job boards like Yourencore for older scientists and engineers.  Many employers or industries are are "older worker friendly" but many of them offer the low paying retail and door greeter jobs! Perhaps these jobs are just the ticket for those wishing not to go back to a more stressful job.  Others may want to continue to find jobs that offer more money and benefits.  Network with former employers and co-workers, as many retirees work for former bosses.  Teaching as a part-time Adjunct Instructor at a local community college or university may also be an option.  If volunteering is an option check score.org  (provide entrepreneurs with advice) or volunteermatch.org. 

Sources: U.S. News and World Report, "The 10 Most Common Jobs for Older Workers" by: Emily Brandon