Check out our Job of the Day: Network Technician III

Spring is in full bloom, and many people regard the emergence of nicer weather and new growth as a time for starting fresh with a little spring cleaning. But spring cleaning doesn’t just have to mean organizing your closets or scrubbing down the patio furniture—it is also a great opportunity to apply a “fresh start” mentality to your job search or career plan.Dust off your long-term goals and ambitions. Are you taking the right steps toward making your career goals reality? Many of us tend to stick with what we know is safe and easy, especially when looking for a new job.  Sometimes, however, it takes a full change in direction to put yourself back on course to achieve the goals you set for yourself.  It might mean looking for work in a different role or industry.  It may even mean expanding your education or relocating to a new city! In the spirit of “spring cleaning,” be sure to clear out your preconceived notions about your job search and think outside the box.

Re-organize your contact book.  Sure, a well-rounded network is one of the most important professional assets you can have.  But having a bunch of old contacts for the sake of having a large network isn’t always the best strategy.  Since an effective network is one with which you keep up relationship ties (and not just email addresses in your “contact” list) take a look at who makes the most sense in your professional network, and get to work maintaining the connection!  This is not to say you should delete old names and numbers of prior acquaintances, just organize your list so you can focus on building the relationships that are most important.

Refresh your professional image. Whether it’s a resume renewal, cover letter overhaul, or social profile upgrade, an image update can do wonders for your confidence and enhance the way you present yourself to colleagues, employers, and potential employers.  It is often easy to let an outdated professional information go unnoticed–even though it is often the first thing a company discovers about you. Consider having someone new take a look at your resume and give you feedback on how you are coming across to others. Once you’ve updated your resume, be sure to post it so employers can have access to your new-and-improved image!

Clear out your desk. This may seem like the simplest (and most obvious) way to apply spring cleaning to your professional life, but it is important nonetheless.  Take time to organize paperwork, file important documents, delete or archive old emails, and give a whole new sense of function to your work space. Whether you are looking for a new job or looking to advance in the one you have, an organized work space can provide you with a renewed sense of inspiration, relieves stress caused by unnecessary clutter, and help you find that important document without risking an avalanche of paperwork!

Spring is a great time for renewal, especially when it comes to your career. Once you’ve done some cleaning, be sure to renew your job search!

Planning to join the workforce after graduation next month? Still looking for that big break after graduation last year? See the video for top tips on landing entry-level employment.

A report released by the Labor Department on Thursday said that weekly unemployment benefit applications decreased 5,000 to a seasonally adjusted 359,000–a four-year low. It’s no secret job seekers have had a tough go of it for the past few years.  But as recent news continues to bring good signs for the job market, many job seekers are seeing the light at the end of the tunnel.

The report is a promising sign for those looking for a new job, but it also presents an opportunity to reflect on the lessons many job seekers have learned from the challenging job market.

The Internet is an invaluable resource for finding, researching, and preparing to land a job.  Knowing how to make the most of the Internet during a job search gives today’s job seekers the edge they need to rise above the competition. Posting a resume online, searching job boards that collect job listings from across the web, and reading up on career skills such as interview techniques give job seekers an edge in an uncertain job market and beyond.

Skills and education are valued at a premium.  As trades and traditional job fields continue to experience challenges even as the economy improves, educating displaced workers to help them move into new roles has been a topic of interest for both employers and job seekers. Job seekers have learned that expanding their skill set through training and education can give them the edge they need to make a new start in a growing field like IT or healthcare.

Job seekers must know their strengths and how to sell them. The job market has consistently favored those who know how to sell their “personal brand”, whether through extensive networking, savvy resumes and cover letters, or greater persistence.  Sometimes, all it takes is the right contact at a company or a well-edited resume.  Job seekers are turning more to social networks to expand their professional connections, and relying on tools like the Who button to let them know who they may already have a relationship with at companies with job openings.

Job hunting can be a full-time job in itself. Staying organized, checking for new jobs often, and keeping in touch with companies you’ve been in contact with are all time consuming efforts, but they often prove to be well worth the time. Even devoting a little more of your time to your job search and making use of time-saving tools like email job alerts can make the process quicker and easier in the long run.

The good news on the job market may come as a welcome relief to many job seekers, but it also serves as a reminder that they must remain on their toes in order to be ready for the best opportunity possible.

For more job seeker how-to tips, be sure to visit our YouTube channel at http://www.youtube.com/job

It’s been a busy several weeks for the Job.com crew, but last Friday we took a break from all our hard work for a potluck lunch!  Participating employees brought in a dish of their choice to share with everyone.  Then, we gathered in the conference room to feast!

Some of the yummy dishes from our St. Patrick's Day potluck

The dishes ranged from pasta and fruit salad, to a variety of chili and meatball dishes.  We were even treated to “Navajo Tacos” and a sheet cake to celebrate one of our colleagues who is expecting a baby!

The quarterly potluck is one of Job.com staffers’ favorite company traditions. Tell us about some of your favorite company traditions—past and present—in the comments below.

The job market may still be a long way from where it was before the recession, but recent reports have optimism growing among experts and job seekers alike. U.S. employers are adding jobs at increased levels again last month according to the latest reports from the U.S. Department of Labor.

The economy is generating an average of 245,000 over the past three months, making it easier for those looking to actually land a job than it has been over the past few years.  Many employers are seeing more demand for their goods and services with the gradually strengthening economy—all signs that point towards more job creation needed to keep productivity humming along.

With each passing month bringing more encouraging job news, isn’t it time to reinvigorate your job search and start making good on that New Year’s resolution to improve your job situation? Here are some tips to get your job search back in shape:

Update your resume.  Sure, you did that back in January when you started your search.  But if your job search is slowing down, consider having a professional or a detailed friend take a second (or third) look for that extra “sizzle.”

Try integrating social—if you haven’t checked out how your social networks online can help you land a job, now is the time.  Features like the “who” button on Job.com allow you to see contacts on Facebook that may help you land a job, and help keep your resume out of the so-called “black hole.”

Check your search terms.  If you have been using the same terms and search agents to locate jobs for you, such as “customer service in Miami,” you could be missing out on opportunities that fall just outside of your standard search like “client care” or “membership representative”.  Try updating your search for expanded results.

Sign up to receive job alert emails.  Though it may be frustrating, a good job search takes a continuous effort.  One or two enthusiastic days of sending our resumes usually won’t do the trick—you have to make a commitment to dedicate time to your job search throughout the week.

More jobs are available and putting yourself out there by both applying to jobs and posting your resume, you can get back on top of your resolution and on the path to securing your dream job in no time.

If you’ve been waiting for signs of vitality to return to the job market, now is the time!

Share your thoughts about the job market news with us by taking our poll!

Image by suendercafe

2012 is a leap year, which means today–February 29–we get one extra day added to the calendar.  Leap Day isn’t just an extra number on the calendar—it’s one more reason to make each of the 366 days of this year count, especially when it comes to job searching.

But first, a few fun facts about leap year:

• The Earth takes approximately 365 and one quarter days to orbit the sun, so the Gregorian calendar conveniently adds an extra day every four years to keep things in line
• The name “Leap Year” comes from the fact that we will figuratively “leap” over the date March 1 would fall on.  Since March 1 was on a Tuesday in 2011, we would expect it to land on a Wednesday this year–but today is February 29 instead!
• Babies born on leap day are called “leaplings.”  Of course, they don’t avoid getting older just because they have 75% fewer true birthdays than the rest of us.
• According to old Irish Legend, leap day is when women propose marriage to men, and not the other way around.  Since we’re in modern times, women can obviously propose any day of the year,  the legend still stands as a remnant of old traditions.

Fun facts aside, today is a great day to get serious about your job search. Job.com continues to make the job searching process easier, with new access to job searching on Facebook, improved search results, and even more great jobs for you to browse.

Especially in the current job market, persistence is key. Seize the leap day, and start searching jobs now!