JobBound

How Do I Make A Career Change?

2008-04-17T16:00:00.008-05:00

Question:
I am two years out of undergrad and have been working at a major metropolitan newspaper covering high school sports. With the newspaper industry in the gutter, I'm looking to make a career move to something related, but different than print journalism. maybe PR? marketing? What are the best ways to break in to a new field, especially when my resume only has print journalism experience? Thanks for your help!

BK Answer:
Years ago, there were not many job changes much less many “career changes.” Most people got a job, and they worked at that company for thirty-five years until they retired with their gold watch.

Nowadays, it is not odd for a person to have several different careers in their lifetime. Recruiting directors are becoming more attuned and aware of this trend, so it is not as difficult to make a career change if you go about it the right way.

There are a few secrets of making a successful career change:

1. Gain relevant experiences. You want to get experiences outside of your current line of work that directly relates to the job you want. If you know you want to leave your banking job to write for your favorite travel magazine, start writing on the side and building your portfolio. If you want to switch from teaching to event planning, plan your class’s graduation event to gain relevant experience. And if you want to leave journalism for marketing, check out your newspaper’s marketing department before heading out.

You can also take classes, pick up new hobbies, or join industry organizations to acquire relevant skills and get in tune with the environment of your new field.

2. Create a summary section on your resume or highlight transferable skills. A summary can be a great way to show relevant skills when you don’t have the exact background a company is seeking. Again, if a Recruiting director is looking for a marketing professional, the most recent job may throw him or her off. By starting with a summary, you can actually match what you have done with the job description.

You also want to pinpoint the skills you gained in your past experiences that directly parlay to the job you want. Paint a clear picture for the recruiting director. You want them to see the skills and assets you have that transfer smoothly to their industry.

3. Make the best out of the experiences. Even if you don’t have perfectly relevant experience, you want to sound as good as possible. In addition to hard skills, employers are also looking for soft skills. Things like strong work ethic, accomplishment, communication skills, management skills, etc. By showing that you have done well in your past jobs, a potential employer will see that you can be an asset to their organization.

Good luck!

They Are Just Not That Into You: Why Won't Recruiters Call You Back?

2008-04-03T15:45:00.008-05:00

Question:
I am an international student and graduated in June 2007. I have been job hunting until now, and I am starting to lose hope. I have been networking and circulating my resumes around, and I have also asked my professors for help. But the calls do not seem to come in though my resume has been checked by several recruiters before and all the changes have been made and edited. An ex recruiter who edited my resume commented that it now looks neat and there is substantial information and I was good to go. But still nothing has popped up. What else can I do?

BK Answer:
You call but hear no answer. You leave a message but get no reply. You email but receive nothing. You send a letter or even call again but you never hear back. You know they’re interested – you can see all over that they want someone. You know you’d make a great match. So why don’t you ever hear back?

Face it. Recruiting Directors just aren’t that into you. If I’ve heard one common lament from anyone looking for a job, it’s this – they rarely hear back on time or at all for the jobs they apply for. Senior executive, junior employee, new grad – it doesn’t matter, there’s virtually never a timely response.

So why does it happen? Why do you get the cold shoulder and why do they play hard to get? Here are three reasons:

1. Sheer volume.
Most companies get flooded with resumes. When I worked at Leo Burnett, it was not uncommon to get upwards of 500 to 600 resumes for one job opening. The sheer boundaries of space and time do not allow the typical recruiting director to personally get in touch with each and every candidate. To make matters worse, you’ve all been told to send your resume and then follow up in a week. Don’t expect a call back if you do contact a company. There just simply isn’t time.

2. There is no job.
Could this be true? Yes, it is. Companies often post jobs when they don’t necessarily have an opening. Here’s why:

- They want to collect resumes, so when they do have an opening, they have people to consider.

- They have to post the job for governmental or legal reasons (don’t ask…it’s a long story).

- They forgot to take the posting down from the last opening they had (happens more than you’d think).

In these instances, you will likely never hear back from a recruiting director.

3. Bad business
At some companies, recruiting becomes one of the last priorities. There are client demands, meetings, emails, co-worker issues, etc. Companies then relegate recruiting to the bottom of the list. The fact is recruiting should be the top priority since we all run on brain power – but not every company thinks that way. As a result, you send the resume, you even interview, but you never receive a response.

I have heard stories of account supervisors going on two rounds of office interviews, and then never hearing if they got the job despite sending five or so inquiries via phone and email (spaced out over an appropriate amount of time). To me, that’s bad business.

So given that most recruiting directors are not that into you, how do you deal?

1. Don’t take it personally.
It’s going to happen. Assume no one will get back to you, and then you can be pleasantly surprised when one does. Don’t get discouraged; rejection is just part of the game.

2. Let your friends do the dirty work.
If you have a friend or acquaintance working at the company don’t be afraid to have them check in for you. It will seem like less of a nuisance to a recruiting director if his own employee checks in.

3. Be persistent, not a stalker.
If you’re applying for a job by sending your resume online or in person, make the call after a week to check in to see if they received it and to see if they want to talk. Don’t expect a response, and don’t follow up again.

If you’ve actually interviewed for a job, you can be more persistent. After every interview ask when you can expect a reply, and then feel free to follow up if you have not heard back. I’d call, then email, then call again. Feel free to contact them every 3 or 4 days, but switch up how you reach out.

4. Know when to take a hint
Just like the guy or gal who never calls, there is a time to move on. You need to think to yourself, “Do I want to work for a company that doesn’t have the common decency to even call me back to tell me if I have the job after an interview?” You may wonder how they treat their current employees if this is how they treat their recruits.

The truth is the job search is a lot like dating. You may have to deal with a lot of rejection before you find the right match.

Good luck!

www.jobbound.com

Finding Post-Graduate Internships

2008-03-28T12:44:00.003-05:00

Question: I graduated from college almost a year ago and am finding the job market in my desired area difficult to break into. I've started applying for internships (I never had one in college) even if they say they are for undergrads. What is the best way to find post-graduate internships?

Answer:

For some competitive fields and especially in a tight job market, an internship is an excellent way to get your foot in the door. Recruiting, training, and onboarding new employees is expensive, so many companies use internships as a trial run. If you prove yourself, then the company will extend a full-time offer when the internship is complete. Research shows that 85% of companies use internships to recruit for their full-time workforces!

That being said, there are a few things you can do to find post graduate internships:

1. Call or visit your university career center.
The career center’s job is to help alumni as well as current students with the job search. Employers often publicize their internships through colleges and universities, so this would be the best place to begin your search. Your career center counselors may have some great leads for you. Just because you have graduated, it doesn’t mean your career center can’t be of service!

2. Apply for any internship.
Most internships are not exclusively for only undergraduate or only post-graduate candidates. Apply to any internship that interests you, and you may find that your degree gives you a leg up on the competition. Also, your cover letter is a great place to express why you are seeking an internship after graduation.

3. Create your own internship.
If you can’t find an internship that suits you, create one! If you are trying to break into politics, speak to your local congressman about an internship. If you want to break into marketing, ask a local non-profit if you can intern in their marketing department. Create your own opportunities.

Good luck!

www.jobbound.com

Got a question about that first job?

2008-03-14T10:29:00.008-05:00

You’ve checked your resume for typos, your shoes for squeakiness, and your breath for smelliness. But what if there’s something you forgot?

You may want to take advantage of this blog as your tool to success.

We’d like to remind you that you are welcome to ask for personalized advice RIGHT HERE with a Post on this blog!

If you have a question you’re itching to ask about your personal experience searching for a job, let us know! Don’t allow that one unanswered “what if” question turn into the uncomfortable situation you’ve been fearing.

Post your question and we will answer with the expert advice that you need right away.

www.JobBound.com

BRAD KARSH LIVE ON CNN TODAY!

2008-03-07T10:18:00.003-06:00

Today, the headlines are:

"Employers Slash Jobs by Most in 5 Years"

"Employers Slash 63,000 Jobs in February, Most in 5 Years, Feeding Recession Fears"

Brad Karsh weighs in on these scary headlines. Tune in to CNN today at 12:00pm EST.

www.jobbound.com

"Young People Bring Politics Online"

2008-03-06T13:52:00.003-06:00

The Associated Press brought a very interesting topic to light. Check out the article and my thoughts on the situation:

By REBECCA KNOWLES and LILLIAN CUNNINGHAM
Medill News Service for The Associated Press
Friday, Feb 22, 2008

WASHINGTON — Facebook face-offs. MySpace mudslinging. As the newbies in this year's presidential throw-down, throngs of young people are finding their political voice and, of course, they're finding it - often with little restraint - online. But that free speech could come at a cost.

With political expression traveling at warp speed online, bosses can instantly find that diatribe posted about Obama or McCain - and they can wield the ax for it just as quickly. The labor codes in 48 states have never protected employees from being fired for their political views. But, then again, personal information has never been so readily available.

"I think young people going in are under the assumption they are free to engage in free speech so long as it doesn't take you away from your work," said Jason Mattera, a 24-year-old spokesman for Young America's Foundation, a national conservative organization focused on college campuses.

That assumption has translated into a willingness among young people to take their politics to the Web. "People are getting really involved online," said Sean Sullivan, an 18-year-old student at Grove City College, Pa. "It's become really popular with the campaigns this year."

Bruce Barry, who wrote the book "Speechless: The Erosion of Free Expression in the American Workplace," said, "We all have this magical view of free speech." Young people's lack of work experience contributes to their misconception that they can say whatever they want about politics without workplace repercussions, he said.

The result is an election-year Internet riddled with vicious opinion blogs, partisan Facebook groups and a near free-for-all when it comes to young people's political expression.

"In a year like this, there are fewer and fewer of us left who don't have strong opinions," said Stephen Rothberg, president and founder of CollegeRecruiter.com, an online recruitment and career advising site for young adults. "But once you post that information online, it's never really gone. And I think it comes as a shock to most (job) applicants just how much employers are digging into their digital dirt."

Lauren Koehler, 20, a senior at Boston University, said, "For a long time, I think people felt like the Internet was a massive safe harbor. "You could say things online that you couldn't in real life because it wouldn't come back to you. But as we've gone on, more and more people have had their 'real' lives affected by the things they post."

Professional networking organization ExecuNet e-mailed surveys to 15,000 recruiters and executives last year to determine their use of online resources in background checks. The vast majority of those who responded said they use online search engines and networking sites to learn more about candidates. Nearly half acknowledged they disqualified some job seekers because of information found online, ranging from evidence of drug use to extreme political views.

"It's that kind of stuff that bothers me," Koehler said. "That I may miss out on opportunities because of something I posted on the Internet."

Online searches are becoming an increasingly routine part of the hiring process, said Brad Karsh, former director of talent acquisition at Leo Burnett advertising in Chicago.

"My advice is to shy away from political things on your resume because they do alienate certain people, and I tell candidates not to put anything online they wouldn't put on their resume," said Karsh, who now runs a career consultancy called JobBound.

"I'm not going to look at, say, all 500 people whose resumes I receive," said Karsh. "But if I narrow my list down to 10 or even to the final two, I might just go online and see what I can find."

"Stay away from attack content, viciously attacking candidates," said CollegeRecruiter's Rothberg. "If you write, 'I don't like Hillary because she's a woman,' you'll have a major problem with any employer."

While the Labor Department doesn't keep statistics on the reasons for hirings and firings, there have been a few high-profile incidents in which employers dismissed workers for their political views. And some of those targeted were adults.

During the 2004 presidential race, Lynne Gobbell of Moulton, Ala., now 45, lost her job at Enviromate, a housing-insulation maker, for pasting a Kerry/Edwards bumper sticker on her car. Phil Geddes, the company owner and staunch supporter of President Bush, suggested Gobbell could either "work for him or work for John Kerry."

By a lucky happenstance for Gobbell, getting canned from her old job turned into an opportunity. When Kerry's campaign heard what happened to her, he called Gobbell personally to offer her a job with his campaign, and she jumped at the chance.

The same year, then 35-year-old graphic designer Glen Hiller of Berkeley Springs, W.Va., was fired by Octavo Designs in Frederick, Md., after shouting comments criticizing the Iraq war during a rally for Bush. Octavo said Hiller embarrassed the company and the client who had provided the tickets to the rally.

And that political expression was tame compared with some of the out-there opinions young people are putting online this time around.

Just sift through Facebook, a social networking site that allows its (predominantly young) users to create personal profiles and join online groups. It's hard not to stumble across political groups with inflammatory slogans, such as, "Life's a bitch, why vote for one? Anti-Hillary '08," a group with more than 15,000 members.

Others include "George Bush is a Fascist" and "I think therefore I am not Republican." That's only the beginning, and the language of many others is too offensive to print.

Some young adults are exercising more caution online, especially with the unemployment rate sitting at 4.9 percent.

"We're seeing a significant uptick in nervousness by students," Rothberg said. "They're pessimistic about getting multiple job offers after graduation."

This pessimism could be trickling down to young adults' online behaviors. Some are making a point of keeping politics off-line - using the Internet as a clean slate for job applications instead of a soapbox for political opinions.

For Liz Egan, 23, an intern at the Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank in Washington, her passion for politics doesn't make it to the Web. "There are a lot of employers who are shameless about getting their employees to find people on Facebook for them," Egan said. "I'm not rushing out to have a political blog because that's just not how I want to be defined."

Egan's not the only young adult weighing the value of going viral with political musings against future career prospects. "Students, especially seniors in college, are so nervous and cautious about jobs," said Margot Locker, 22, a senior at Northwestern University. "I can see how people my age would be reluctant to put anything controversial - including their political views - online."

For Locker, who has worked on Sen. Hillary Clinton's campaign and who started the Facebook group "Northwestern for Hillary," being politically active is more important than keeping quiet to protect job prospects.

"There's some personal information I'll be cautious about, but politically, I'll put all my views online," she said. "It's not even a second thought for me."

She's not alone. "No, I definitely didn't take the spineless route," said Mattera of Young America's Foundation. "It takes guts to say, 'This is what I believe in and I'm going to deal with the consequences.' If anyone denies me work in the future because I'm a conservative, so be it; everyone should wear their beliefs like a badge of honor."

Some free-speech advocates, such as "Speechless" author Barry, worry that as college advisers and hiring managers urge careful management of online profiles, fewer young people are likely to risk going public with their political views.

"University placement offices tell the kids, 'Think about what you're doing,'" and the political identity is an interesting variation," said Barry, who teaches management and sociology at Vanderbilt University.

CollegeRecruiter's Rothberg is equally apprehensive. "I hope we don't turn into a society that's afraid to be politically engaged because it might harm a job application 20 years down the road," Rothberg said. "But it's going to happen."

www.jobbound.com

Full-Day Interview AND Lunch

2008-02-20T10:43:00.002-06:00

By Courtney Pike
Director of Communications, JobBound

The full-day interview with lunch! Yes, that can be a little intimidating if you don’t put it into perspective.

First, you want to prepare like any other interview. Do your “YOU” prep work which means going through your resume and familiarizing yourself with everything you have done. It sounds crazy, but you will know what I mean the first time someone asks “Tell me about an obstacle you have overcome when you were working on a team.” Of course, this question is easy to answer if you’ve thought about it before the interview.

Here are a few tips for long interview days:

1. Bring several copies of your resume in a padfolio. Since you will be meeting with several people, you want to make sure everyone has a copy.

2. Ask for a business card from each person that interviews you. You want to have the name and email address of everyone you speak with so you can promptly send him or her a thank you note after the interview. It’s also a great idea to make notes on the back of the business card that references something that will help you remember them. Ex: Red Tabasco tie, born in Louisiana.

3. Stay in the game. For each interview, you have to pretend like it is your FIRST interview. You may get asked the same question by three different people, but of course, you answer with the same energy and sincerity as if it were a novel and very original question.

Now, for the ever-so-important lunch with the CEO! Of course, you want to follow all of your grandmother’s rules – don’t chew with your mouth open, don’t wave your fork around when making hand gestures, and don’t rest your elbows on the table. Fortunately, the CEO is more concerned with your experience and background than whether or not you correctly butter your bread.

Play it safe with the food. Don’t pick finger foods, spaghetti, or oysters on the half shell. Buffalo wings might be your all-time favorite, but you can celebrate with your friends that night with an extra-saucy batch. No one wants to return to the last round of interviews with Ragu on her white blouse. You also want to be liberal with your napkin use. It’s difficult to be taken seriously if there is salad dressing on your mouth.

Play it conservative with your order. You don’t need to get the side salad or a cup of soup, but you also don’t want to order the $45 surf and turf. Try to pick something in the same price range as the CEO, and it’s always smart to pass on the alcohol. During an interview, you want to be on the top of your game, and a mid-day martini will give you the lazy eye.

Follow the lead. Is he ordering dessert? Is he ordering coffee? Is he eating slowly and speaking between bites? You will probably be famished after a long morning, but resist the urge to inhale your grilled chicken sandwich. Take small bites so you aren’t caught with a mouthful and keep the CEO waiting 4 minutes while you finish chewing.

Be polite. The way you treat the waiter may be the CEO’s cue of how you will interact with members of a team. Be sure to say please and thank you, and don’t complain about the food – even if it is bland or rubbery. Since you were invited to lunch, do not worry about the check. Just say thanks and send a follow up thank you for a nice meal.

Be yourself. Interview lunches are usually a little more casual than boardroom interviews. Remember, this is a human being sitting across from you. Do not think you have to talk about the state of the economy and interest rates the entire meal. CEOs want passionate, driven people at their company not two-dimensional puppets. Relax and enjoy the company.

Keep these tips in mind, and that will not be your last lunch with the CEO!

JobBound is Hiring - "Manager of Communications"

2008-02-15T10:52:00.003-06:00

Job Description

Title: Manager of Communications

Location: Chicago, IL

Reports to: Director of Communications

Summary
The Manager of Communications will certainly be doing a lot in the field of communications but will also do much more. With a growing company, there is a constant need for fresh ideas paired with a can-do attitude and the ability to manage a wide variety of projects. The Manager of Communications should have the creativity and business acumen to come up with great ideas and the work ethic, perseverance, and attention to detail to see it through to completion. As the Manager of Communications, you will have an amazing opportunity to delve into a growing company and help out as it rises to the top.

Key areas of responsibility
• Contribute to and handle ongoing projects involving communication vehicles: company newsletter, blog, website, media blitzes, press releases, and press kits
• Assist Director of Communications in creation and marketing of JobBound product series
• Head efforts to overhaul the web site – Redesign layout, add features, compile resource section, and include interactive elements
• Direct all communication with incoming career services customers and manage resume consultants
• Coordinate communication and business development for presentations and workshops
• Help out with business administration, organization, and logistics
• Research, develop, and implement a strategic plan for generating affiliates for resume writing and career services
• Enhance and help develop new training products, workshops, webinars, and resources

Terms of employment
• Full-time
• Start May/June 2008
• Chicago, IL near Wrigleyville

Compensation/Benefits
• Competitive salary
• Health insurance
• Profit-sharing
• 10 paid holidays
• 2 weeks vacation
• Summer hours

Qualifications
• Bachelor’s degree, 0-3 years of experience
• Sharp, ambitious graduate with positive attitude, entrepreneurial spirit and great work ethic
• Solid business/advertising/marketing/PR aptitude and background
• Strong creative and persuasive writing skills
• Independent worker with initiative and willingness to contribute new ideas
• Well-rounded individual with ability to handle wide scope of job duties
• Enjoys small, personal work environment
• Technical and financial skills, Web design, and graphic design proficiency a plus

Application Process
• Send your cover letter and resume to careers@jobbound.com
• Call 773.404.9661 or email Courtney at careers@jobbound.com with questions

Company Description
JobBound is one of the nation’s leading career consulting companies helping students and professionals get great jobs and excel in the workplace. JobBound offers a host of job preparation services such as resume writing, interviewing, and career coaching to college students, professionals, and seasoned executives. JobBound helps jumpstart, reignite, and advance careers. For more information, visit www.jobbound.com.

JobBound’s sister company is JB Training Solutions, a corporate training business. JB Training Solutions offers interactive and dynamic workshops to assist professionals in achieving success in the workplace. For more information, visit www.jb-trainingsolutions.com.

President’s Profile
Brad Karsh is President and founder of JobBound and JB Training Solutions. An industry expert on breaking into the job market, Brad is the author of Confessions of a Recruiting Director: The Insider’s Guide to Landing Your First Job (Prentice Hall Press). Brad has been featured on CNN Headline News, The Dr. Phil Show, and CNBC and has also been quoted in The Wall Street Journal, Fortune, The Chicago Tribune, and dozens of other media outlets.

www.jobbound.com

Top Ten Cities for Young Professionals

2008-02-14T10:14:00.003-06:00

Are you wondering where to live after graduation? Forbes magazine compiled a list of the Top Ten Cities for young professionals. The list was compiled by tracking where the graduates of top universities across the country ended up after commencement; where the best business opportunities exist; which cities had the most young and unmarried people; and which cities paid young professionals the best.

1. New York City, NY
2. San Francisco, CA
3. Atlanta, GA
4. Los Angeles, CA
5. Washington D.C.
6. Boston, MA
7. Seattle, WA
8. Minneapolis, MN
9. Philadelphia, PA
10. Denver, CO

Forbes.com

www.jobbound.com

What's the Best Strategy for Asking for a Raise?

2008-02-06T11:45:00.001-06:00

AdAge - Ask Brad: Five Tips to State Your Case --
If You think you Deserve One

By Brad Karsh
Published: February 04, 2008

This week, I appeared in AdAge talking about what is near and dear to the hearts of many: money! If you want to make sure you are getting paid what you are worth this year, check out the following tips:

As baby boomers begin to retire, companies are offering bigger salaries and better packages to gain and retain the best employees. Now may be the perfect time to ask your company for a raise.

Most companies aren't going to throw more money at you "just because," so it's your job to state your case if you think you deserve more money. Here are five tips to help you start rolling in the dough:

1. KNOW WHAT YOU'RE WORTH.
Get the facts and figures to justify your request for more pay. Check out websites that have salary information. Do some research to see what people in your position typically earn. Speak with your colleagues and check out recruitment ads. If you realize that in Chicago, your job typically commands between $45,000 and $55,000 and you're only at $40,000 -- it's much easier to make your case.

2. PROVE YOU DESERVE THE MONEY.
The best way to do this is to bring in your accomplishments and what you plan to do to earn your new salary. It makes your case even stronger if you can say, "I helped us win X account, which brought in more than $3 million in incremental revenue. In addition, I will be managing a team of 20 this year, so I believe I have earned a raise of $20,000."

3. TALK TO THE RIGHT PERSON AT THE RIGHT TIME.Your boss might not be the one who determines whether you get a raise. You want to do whatever you can to state your case directly to the decision maker. Similarly, you want to talk about a raise in a private meeting where there are no other distractions or business to talk about.

4. BE DIRECT, CONCISE AND ASSERTIVE.Too many people beat around the bush or sound too wishy-washy when it comes time to actually ask for the money. One of the biggest mistakes you can make is failing to prepare yourself.

CANDIDATE A: "Well, I know times are tough, and you probably have a lot of deserving people around here, so I was hoping, if it's possible, that I might be able to get a raise?"

CANDIDATE B: "Lori, as you know, I've been a critical member of our team. In the past year, I've solely managed the X account, eliminated our billing discrepancies and filled in for two employees on maternity leave. I think you'd agree that I deserve a raise."

Who would you give the raise to?

5. KNOW YOUR COMPANY.
Requesting a raise isn't always the only or even best way to get more money. Since promotions usually come with more money, requesting a promotion may be easier. As for counteroffers, sometimes even the thought that you're interviewing can spur a company to give you a raise. But proceed with caution. Some companies may see this as a way to kick you to the curb.

Before having the money talk, also evaluate your level of job satisfaction. Consider creative options and other benefits to improve your situation if your salary is non-negotiable. Might an extra week of vacation or the ability to work from home make you just as happy?

Ask for a raise the right way, and you stand a good chance of getting the money you deserve.

www.jobbound.com

Gain the Resume Accomplishments You Need

2008-01-25T13:28:00.001-06:00

Are you an aspiring writer or journalist? Would you like to get your story in front of thousands of viewers? At JobBound, we know how important it is to list accomplishments on your resume, so we want to give you the opportunity. We are accepting career and job search stories for our newsletter and blog. Your article could be read by thousands of students and professionals across the nation. We are seeking:

-Personal chronicles of your job search

-AP-style stories on careers, job outlook, job search, etc.

-Topics covering resumes, networking, cover letters, interviews, career planning, career fairs, and more

To submit your story for possible publication or to ask questions, please email Courtney at cpike@jobbound.com

www.jobbound.com

Where Do You See Yourself in Five years?

2008-01-24T11:08:00.000-06:00

Ah, the old, "What do you want to be when you grow up?" question. This certainly ranks up there as one of the most vexing probes an interviewer can ask.

Like many interview questions, it's less important what you say and more important how you say it. Candidates often think there's a "right" answer to this one - something like, "I'd of course like to be the VP of Sales at this company in 10 years, and then COO by the time I'm 33, and naturally President of your organization in the year 2037.

The good news is that no interviewer is looking for a response like that. Instead, they are just trying to get a sense of your overall goals and aspirations and see if those may fit into what the company can offer. They don't expect that you'll be working at the company for the next 35 years, but they also don't want to hear that you are planning to "give it a shot" for three months. In fact, in my more than 1,000 interviews I heard some pretty bad responses to this question.

Here's what you DO NOT want to say:

"I'd like to work here for a little while, get some experience, and then go make some real money."

-"I just need to get some experience on my resume before I go to grad school next year."

-"Heck, I barely know what I want to do tomorrow, let alone what I'd like to do in the long term."

The way to properly deal with this question is to think about it in more broad terms. What are your goals? What do you want out of your career? Even if you have no idea what you want to do, you probably have a sense for the type of work environment you like. Then take some of those thoughts, tie them in with a few strengths you have, and speak generally.

Here's a good response:

"I love working with people and I consider myself a fairly competitive person. That's why this job in sales appeals to me. At some point in my career, I'd like to be in a manager role since I've had success as a leader. Ultimately, it would be wonderful to be running a company, but that will be quite a ways down the road. As long as the company feels like I'm contributing and as long as I continue to develop and grow, I can see myself in a career like this one for a while."

You haven't made any commitments to them, and you also haven't said you're planning to walk out the door in a year. What you have done is shown them that you've thought a bit about your future and that you could be a good match for their company.

www.jobbound.com

Internet Mistakes Can Effect Your Job Search

2008-01-23T11:43:00.000-06:00

Last week, I was on the Dr. Phil Show stating how online profiles could hurt your chances of getting a job. Did you miss it? You can see clips from the show here:
http://www.drphil.com/shows/show/1008

Have you cleaned up your profile to look more professional? Let us know what you think!

www.jobbound.com

Dr. Phil Asks Brad Karsh

2008-01-14T10:32:00.000-06:00

Scandalous photos from crazy parties and drunk nights adorn facebook profiles for the viewing pleasure of your friends...AND the World Wide Web! How do photos of you hugging the porcelain throne and doing keg stands complement your resume? Dr. Phil weighs in on the issue and so does Brad Karsh! You will hear from the group moderator of "30 Reasons a Girl Should Call It a Night" as she battles it out with Dr. Phil and Brad.

Brad Karsh on the Dr. Phil Show this Tuesday

Tuesday, January 15, 2008

Check your local listings for show time

"Internet Mistakes"

www.jobbound.com

Would your online profile hurt your job search?

2008-01-08T09:50:00.000-06:00

Facebook, MySpace, and personal blogs are a fun way to network with friends, but can this seemingly harmless tool ruin your chances of getting that dream job? College graduates and young professionals do not have many past bosses or employers, so some companies are turning to the internet to run informal background checks.

A 2007 survey by Ponemon Institute found that:

-35 percent of hiring managers use Google to do online background checks on job candidates

-23 percent look people up on social networking sites.

-About one-third of those Web searches lead to rejections, according to the survey.

A study by another workforce consulting firm, showed that 66 percent of Generation Y respondents, those in their late teens and 20s, were not aware that the information they put online can be factored into hiring decisions. Fifty-six percent said they think the practice is unfair.

Unfair or not, there is not much legislation out there that guards against discriminating against questionable Facebook profiles. Play it safe and keep your profile G-rated if you're serious about securing a good job.

www.jobbound.com

Top 10 Companies for Seasonal Hiring

2007-12-11T12:11:00.000-06:00

Need to earn a few extra dollars for the holidays? As you can imagine, retailers tops the list for seasonal hires:

1. Target
2. Ann Taylor
3. Best Buy
4. Macy's
5. Radio Shack
6. CVS
7. Michael's
8. Papyrus
9. Ikea
10. Toys R 'Us

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What's It Like Out There? "Real World" Stats

2007-11-28T15:35:00.000-06:00

1. People with Bachelors degrees earn an average of ___ more income in their lifetime than non-college graduates.

A. 98%
B. 75%
C. 45%
D. 35%

2. People with Masters degrees earn ___ more in their lifetime than non-college graduates.

A. 170%
B. 120%
C. 75%
D. 50%

3. ___ of people surveyed would move from their current employer to a company that is more environmentally friendly.

A. 35%
B. 25%
C. 5%
D. 1%

4. ___ of respondents plan to seek jobs with shorter commuting times.

A. 50%
B. 32%
C. 15%
D. 9%

5. Fortune 500 companies with the highest percentage of ___ on their boards saw equity returns 53 percent higher than companies with the fewest number of ___ on their boards.

A. Millionaires
B. Women
C. Lawyers
D. Investment bankers

6. Nearly ___ of workers ages 18 to 34 say they have been subjected to age discrimination.

A. 70%
B. 25%
C. 10%
D. 3%

7. ___ of respondents claim to have “witnessed or experienced” ageism but didn’t report it out of fear they would be viewed as troublemakers.

A. 93%
B. 57%
C. 25%
D. 10%

8. ___ of U.S. employees say their organizations have used e-mail, instead of face-to-face meetings, to notify people about layoffs and firing.

A. 45%
B. 10%
C. 5%
D. 1%

9. Two-thirds of employers of college grads said they paid those who had internship experience about ___ more than those who didn't.

A. 21%
B. 9%
C. 4%
D. 1%

10. ___ Americans will leave some of their vacation - an average of three days -on the table.

A. 52.1 Million
B. 13 Million
C. 3.7 Million
D. 1.1 Million

-Sources include U.S. Department of Commerce, Workforce Management, and NACE

ANSWERS:

1.) A 2.) A 3.) C 4.) D 5.) B

6.) B 7.) A 8.) B 9.) B 10.) A

www.jobbound.com

First Jobs: Gaining Experience

2007-11-09T13:02:00.000-06:00

Everyone has to start somewhere, right? It's really easy to look at all of the successful people in the news and wish that you had their money, prestige, success, or livelihood. But they probably didn't start out at the top. If you are working at a seemingly insignificant job right now, do not be discouraged. It may just be your first step into something bigger and better. Check out the "First Jobs" for some of rich and famous:

Brenda Barnes: Brenda started her business career at a flower shop decorating mums in the greenhouse. Currently, Brenda is CEO of Sara Lee.

Brad Pitt: Moved refrigerators

JK Rowling: Rowling went from a poor single mom on welfare to a billionaire. A friend loaned her £4,000 to pay for her daughter's childcare while she began writing the first Harry Potter novel and studied to become a teacher.

Mark Wahlberg: Wahlberg was born the youngest of nine children in a poor, working class area of Boston. Wahlberg dropped out of high school at age 14 and spent time scamming, stealing, and working drug deals before partaking in the substance himself.

Simon Cowell: Mail Room Clerk at EMI Music Publishing

Alec Baldwin: Bouncer

Ashton Kutcher: Floor Sweeper

Seann William Scott: Movie Attendant
Before being a star on the big screen, Seann worked at a movie theatre.

Steve Carell: Mail Carrier
Steve Carell was once a mail carrier but says he quit after a few months because he was "very, very bad at it."

Gwen Stefani: Mopper
This "Rich Girl" scrubbed floors at Dairy Queen!

Sean Connery: Milkman
Sean's first job was as a milkman with St. Cuthbert's Co-operative Society.

Pierce Brosnan: Fire Eater
Pierce is a "professional" fire eater who performed at a circus when he was sixteen.

Demi Moore: Debt Collector
At age 16, Demi Moore dropped out of high school to pursue her dreams of modeling, acting, and working for a debt collection company.

Jack Nicholson: Mail Sorter
Jack was actually 'discovered' while making his mail rounds at MGM.

Bill Gates: Congressional Page.
Intending to follow his father's footsteps as a lawyer, a young Bill Gates attended Harvard and worked as a Congressional Page.

Ralph Lauren: Glove Salesperson.
While attending night school, fashion designer Ralph Lauren sold gloves for two different manufacturers.

Jim Carrey: Factory Worker.
To help support his family, Jim Carrey worked as a janitor in a factory when he was seventeen.

Ellen DeGeneres: Oyster Shucker.
Though her original plan was to be a veterinarian, comedian Ellen Degeneres instead found work shucking oysters.

Dennis Rodman: Camp Counselor.
In addition to his 3.4 GPA in college, Rodman was a camp counselor at the Boys Club in Memphis.

Marlon Brando: Ditch Digger.
This infamous actor chose to dig ditches after he was expelled from military school.

Coolio: Firefighter.
Seeking rehabilitation from a drug habit, rapper Coolio took a job as a firefighter.

Elvis Presley: Truck Driver.
Before he was "The King of Rock n' Roll," Elvis was the "King of the Road." After graduating from high school, Elvis earned a living as a truck driver.

Bill Murray: Chestnut salesman

Robin Williams: Street mime

Jerry Sienfield: Sold lightbulbs over the phone

Stephen King: Janitor

Michael Dell: Dishwasher at Chinese restaurant

Madonna: Cashier at Dunkin Donuts

www.jobbound.com

Find thousands of Hispanic jobs at LatPro.com.

Applying for a Job - Making a Hard Sell

2007-11-05T11:51:00.000-06:00

When it's time to apply for a job, you want to make sure you stand out. But just how far can you go?

What's the fine line between being creative and being stupid? Are you being persistent or are you being a stalker? There is a fine line of distinction between the two, and you want to make sure you don't cross it.

When it comes to resumes, I have seen and heard it all. I've received resumes on purple paper covered in glitter. I've been given menu resumes, resumes in the shape of a star, and resumes stuffed in a shoe. It seems four different job seekers were “just trying to get their foot in the door." These job seekers crossed the line.

This weekend, I was quoted in a fun New York Post article: "MAKING A HARD SELL - Some bold-school job seekers turn to sandwich boards, hire-me blogs, billboards and other stunts."

Check out the article, and make sure you comment on our blog.

If you were the recruiting director at the W Hotel, would YOU hire Andrew Calvo? Let us know!

www.jobbound.com

Find Diversity employment at DiversityJobs.com.

Write a Winning Resume

2007-10-17T10:56:00.000-05:00

Accomplishments and Results

This is the single, biggest mistake that virtually all job seekers make on their resume. Most people write job description resumes. In essence, they describe not only what they did, but what anyone would have done.

Here’s an example

Sales Representative, Drab Shark Manufacturing, Middletown, CT,
2003 – Present

*Sold manufacturing components to clients throughout New England

*Developed and maintained solid relationships with all customers

*Created call lists and scheduled in-person visits

*Managed personal budget and prepared reports

Now that may sound good, but the sad fact is that every sales rep in the history of Drab Shark – or any company for that matter – did those exact same things. The author of this resume simply wrote a job description for a sales rep. Undoubtedly, the reader of the resume is familiar with what a sales rep does.

The key to a great resume is to focus on what YOU specifically accomplished. What did you do that was unique, special, different, or distinctive? What made you stand out?

The way to best accomplish this is by thinking about your accomplishments. Results come in two forms: scope and results.

Scope
How big?
How much?
How many?
How often?

Results
Did you grow sales?
Did you save the company money?
Were you recognized for your achievement?
Did you create something new?

If you can guess from these questions, you get accomplishments through numbers, numbers, and more numbers. You want to be as specific as you can in everything you write.

Let’s look at a new version of the sample resume. Same person, same job, but a very different resume

Sales Representative, Drab Shark Manufacturing, Middletown, CT,
2003 – Present

*Sold $35 million in manufacturing components to more than 1,200 clients throughout New England

----Ranked third out of 29 national sales reps

----Exceeded company mandated sales goals by 9%

*Personally secured more than 400 new customers through dedicated cold calling and in-person visits

*Managed a budget of $35,000 annually – decreasing spending by 13%

*Prepared dozens of comprehensive summary reports delivered monthly to national VP of sales

Sounds quite a bit better, doesn’t it? This is the number one key to writing a great resume. As you can imagine, this is the information a recruiting director is craving, because it really brings a resume to life.

Learn about Hispanic Recruiting at LatPro.com

www.jobbound.com

How Do You Write a Great Resume?

2007-10-16T11:00:00.000-05:00

1. Short is better than long.

Here's the problem. You have a lot to say, but we don't have a long time to hear it. Rarely, would I ever pick up a resume and say, "Wow, I really wish this resume was one page longer!" But often I would pick one up and say, "Wow this is way too long, there is no way I am going to read it all."

A resume does not need to be your life story. You just need to tell the recruiting director enough information about you to get you hired. You don't have to tell them everything.

Think about it like a print advertisement you would see in a magazine. When you see an ad for something like Tide detergent, they do not say the following:

¢ Tide comes in a powder
¢ Tide comes in a liquid
¢ Tide is available at grocery stores
¢ Tide is available at convenient stores
¢ Tide is available at Target and Walmart
¢ Tide works on colors
¢ Tide works on whites
¢ Tide smells nice
¢ Tide was invented in 1887 by Milo Jay Tide III
¢ Tide will get your clothes clean

They just tell you what you need to know to buy Tide detergent. It might be nice to know all that stuff, and some of it may be meaningful to the folks at Tide, but it simply is not relevant or prudent given the time and space restrictions they have on your attention in an ad.

Think about your resume the same way. You may have accomplished a lot, but you only have a limited amount of time to present your message to the recruiting director. Determine what you want them to focus on during their 15-second scan. You'll see some great sample resumes that highlight this point, but in essence, you will typically be putting the greatest emphasis on the most recent and most relevant jobs in your past.

From a very tangible point of view, your resume should never be more than two pages (with a rare exception). If you have worked less than four years or so, you typically want to keep it to one page. After you've had more experience you can (but don't have to) go to the second page.

Find information on Diversity recruiting at DiversityJobs.com.

www.jobbound.com

Job Talkin' - My New Yahoo! HotJob Column

2007-10-09T15:21:00.000-05:00

I am excited to say I am a columnist for Yahoo! HotJobs. Make sure you catch my regular advice in the column called "Job Talkin." Of course, I tackled a topic near and dear to everyone's heart: Money!

Read my past article "How to Counter a Low Salary Offer" here: http://hotjobs.yahoo.com/career-experts-how_to_counter_a_low_salary_offer-33.

Check back this week for more job advice!

www.jobbound.com

Happy Anniversary JobBound!

2007-09-27T14:47:00.000-05:00

October 1. Who knew it was such a big day in history? Check out all the excitement from the day:

1903: First baseball World Series
1908: Henry Ford introduces the Model T
1971: Walt Disney World opens
2002: JobBound is founded!

On October 1, JobBound celebrates its five year anniversary. I have to say, I'm a bit proud. Over 50% of companies only survive four years, so JobBound has beaten the odds.

For those of you who have been with us from the beginning, you'll recall that we started out in the business of writing resumes for students. And that was it. If you'll allow me to indulge, here are five of the highlights from the past 1,820 or so days.

1. Publishing Confessions of a Recruiting Director: The Insider's Guide to Landing Your First Job. I never would have thought in a million years that I would get a major publisher like Prentice Hall Press to print my book. Somehow I convinced them, and the rest has been history. I have to say it's pretty cool to walk into a bookstore and see it sitting on the shelves.

2. Growing the presentation business into what it is today. Five short years ago, I thought it would be a good idea to do a free presentation on college campuses to help promote our resume writing business. Fast forward to now, and I give about 30 presentations across the country (from Maine to Hawaii) to thousands of students and job seekers annually. Since it doesn't look like I'll ever be a rock star, presenting to hundreds of people is the next best thing.

3. Delivering the commencement address at the International Academy of Design and Technology in Chicago. No doubt the pearls of wisdom are still resonating with the new grads.

4. All of the PR. CNN, CNBC, FOX, The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, USA Today, the Toronto Globe and Mail, Fortune, The Washington Post, heck even Details and Glamour. I even write a regular column for Yahoo! Hot Jobs and AdAge now. Who would have figured five years ago that all these outlets would turn to JobBound as the definitive source on getting a job and thriving in the workplace.

5. Launching JB Training Solutions. When JobBound was launched, I offered one training program that I delivered about three times each year. As of two months ago, we created a sister company devoted exclusively to training. We now deliver roughly 35 workshops annually on a variety of topics including Managing Millennials, Communication Skills, Presentation Basics, and Adjusting to the Working World. It's so gratifying to see some of the nation's most prominent companies like KPMG, Dick's Sporting Goods, CH Robinson, Blue Cross, Blue Shield, Omnicom and more turning to us to help develop their employees.

I have to say it's been a pretty wild ride. We have some more cool stuff in store for the next five years, so buckle your seat belts and enjoy the ride!

www.jobbound.com

Starting Your Own Business

2007-09-27T14:14:00.000-05:00

Are you thinking about a career change? Maybe you are ready to set out on your own and start your own company. Five years ago, I decided to do just that and it's been the most rewarding career and life experience. If you are considering making the move, check out some of my tips.

According to the U.S. Small Business Administration, more than half of all small businesses fail within the first four years. JobBound rings in its fifth year of success on October 1, 2007.

Five years ago, I left the security of my corporate job at one of the largest advertising agencies in the nation to charter the new territory of entrepreneurship.

Entrepreneurial Words of Wisdom:

1. Perseverance is key, and sometimes roadblocks can lead you down the right path. We love the name JobBound, but we didn't get there right away. Job Juice, Job Rabbit, The Hire Level, or Freedom Writer were part of our original name options. Thank goodness these URL web addresses and countless others were not available. After all these failed, we happened upon JobBound.

2. Be flexible, but never stop believing. JobBound's business plan is a plan in name only. We started out writing resumes for college students. We still do that today, but it represents less than 10% of our total revenue. It's impossible to imagine where a business can go.

3. Go get 'um. "If you build it, they will come" doesn't exactly work for new businesses. It all started with one gutsy news release, one brave phone call, and another bold move. Since then, JobBound has been featured on CNN, CNBC, and FOX. We have worked with some of the nation's leading companies like KPMG, Blue Cross Blue Shield, and Dick's Sporting Goods, and we've been quoted in The Wall Street Journal, NY Times, USA Today, The Washington Post, and even Details and Glamour. You may have heard it before, but if you work hard enough, anything is possible.

4. Get used to saying things like, "Hello Comcast, this is Brad Karsh calling AGAIN." You are your own boss. You set all the rules. You run the show. You also walk to the post office to mail your letters. You sit on hold with the cable company for hours when the Internet doesn't work. And you make the long trip to Office Depot when you run out of paper clips. As an entrepreneur, you can be the tech department, accounts receivable, marketing department, and support services all in one as you start the company. You have to make sacrifices and be humble to get things up and running strong.

Stay tuned for more on JobBound's beginning on October 1 - the official 5 year birthday!

www.jobbound.com

Why You Should Be Networking

2007-09-20T14:58:00.000-05:00

Unfortunately, I didn't make the cover of this month's Details magazine. It seems another Brad (Brad Pitt) stole the spotlight on that one. But I am quoted on page 130 in the latest issue. You can check out the story online here: Details.

It's all about networking and how it can help you when it comes time for the job search.

Enjoy!

www.jobbound.com