Most Clicked HERC Jobseeker SmartBrief Stories
1. 10 tips for job seekers who are out of work
HERC Jobseeker SmartBrief | May 23, 2013
Job seekers who are out of work must stay focused and not define themselves as unemployed, leadership coach Margie Warrell writes. Among other things, candidates should put the word out that they are job-hunting and ask colleagues for introductions to others who can help, Warrell advises. "Never underestimate the power of the people in your orbit to help you land that 'lucky break,'" she writes. Forbes (05/23)
2. What can "alt-ac" offer academic job seekers?
HERC Jobseeker SmartBrief | May 22, 2013
For job seekers looking for academic positions that are nontenured or nonfaculty, alt-ac -- or alternative-academic -- careers may be the right path, write Brenda Bethman and C. Shaun Longstreet, co-founders of Alt Academix. In this commentary, they define the types of careers available in alt-ac, including academic and student affairs, and development and research. "There are many more alt-ac positions, but they still require effort, research, preparation, and, yes, sometimes luck," they write. InsideHigherEd.com (05/22)
3. How to use LinkedIn as more than just an online resume
HERC Jobseeker SmartBrief | May 17, 2013
LinkedIn may be the best way for job seekers to put out their resume, but it can also be a valuable place to learn and build a network, writes Kevin Grubb, an assistant director in the career center at Villanova University. In this commentary, Grubb suggests keeping up with what peers are reading through customized industry channels and using LinkedIn Groups to talk with others in fields of interest. "Let yourself shed the image of LinkedIn as 'just my resume online' and reconsider it as an opportunity to read, learn, and network with colleagues around the world," Grubb writes. InsideHigherEd.com (05/17)
4. Tips for calming pre-interview nerves
HERC Jobseeker SmartBrief | May 21, 2013
Interviewing can be nerve-wracking, but preparation can help, recruiter Lindsay Olson writes in this blog post. Olson offers advice from other career experts, such as thinking about questions that will be asked, breathing deeply and avoiding caffeine, and remembering that the employer is already interested. "There's something about you that has already caught the interest of the potential employer. Think about these attributes and make sure you touch on them during the interview," advises Nichole Lefelhoc, associate director of career development and internships at Mansfield University in Mansfield, Pa. U.S. News & World Report (05/21)
5. Job-search advice to unlearn
HERC Jobseeker SmartBrief | May 22, 2013
To land a job, candidates should not overwhelm employers with too many career details but instead should highlight how their skills can help the employer, career expert Heather R. Huhman writes in this blog post. Huhman also outlines other job-search "don'ts," including bragging during interviews and failing to use a network. "Networking is about using all of your resources, not just those you've met professionally," Huhman writes. GlassDoor.com (05/21)
6. Tips for grad students embarking on a job search
HERC Jobseeker SmartBrief | May 20, 2013
Graduate students looking for a job should finish their dissertations and start their search before graduation, suggests Washington University professor Sowande' Mustakeem, who gave a recent talk on the subject. In this blog post, Michigan State University doctoral candidate Ashley Wiersma compiles tips from Mustakeem, who suggests creating one-page "cheat sheets" about each school before an interview that should include information about those who will be involved in the interview, as well as questions about the teaching load, support and expectations of each school. InsideHigherEd.com (05/19)
7. Treat phone interviews with the same care as in-person
HERC Jobseeker SmartBrief | May 21, 2013
Job seekers should not take an informal approach to phone interviews, Pattie Hunt Sinacole, president of a human resources consulting firm, writes in this blog post. Just as in face-to-face interviews, candidates should do their homework and be prepared when an interviewer calls, remembering to ask about next steps, and follow up with a thank-you note, she writes. Also, they should be sure to minimize distractions. "Crate your dog, turn off the radio and, if in your car, pull over to a quiet spot so you are able to talk in a focused way," Sinacole advises. Boston Globe (tiered subscription model), The (05/20)
8. Why you should stop writing resume objectives
HERC Jobseeker SmartBrief | May 23, 2013
One of the most misguided notions held by job seekers is that their resume should include a statement identifying their objective, writes Harrison Smith, co-founder of Crafted Resume. Companies would rather hear about what you can do for them instead of what you want. "[D]o yourself a favor: scratch the resume objective and put in another line or two of substantive accomplishments under your work history," he writes. SimplyHired.com (05/22)
9. How to straighten up a messy job search
HERC Jobseeker SmartBrief | May 22, 2013
By organizing your job-hunting contacts in one place, such as in a spreadsheet, you can include notes about things such as how you met the person, says Deanne Kelleher, founder and president of kAos Group. These are the kind of details that can be used to break the ice in follow-up communications, she says. CBS MoneyWatch (05/21)
10. Why seeking advice can help turn a job lead into an offer
HERC Jobseeker SmartBrief | May 17, 2013
Job seekers should be enthusiastic and ask for advice when contacting job leads, writes career coach Marty Nemko. If possible, they should ask colleagues for an introduction to someone who may be hiring, Nemko suggests. Then they should keep the lead apprised of their progress and always pay it forward, he writes, adding, "After you're hired, remember that you have a cosmic obligation to be helpful to other job seekers." AOL Jobs (05/16)
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