Wiser Worker Blog

Probably one of my favorite holidays, I have always thought of Thanksgiving as the official kick off to the Christmas Season.  This year it hold a little different meaning, with the economy in somewhat of an influx I am more thankful than ever for my good fortune. I have a great job helping job seekers like you find jobs with WiserWorker.com and our various hosts of tools that we are constantly adding.

A year ago WiserWorker.com was just an idea or a concept and look where we are now…..online and growing larger every day. For us at WiserWorker.com it’s been a busy year, but it’s also been very exciting!  From our home to yours Happy Holidays!  

There’s no better time than now to start the application process. You know what type of job you want, you have found the right company to place an application with, but wait: Is it better to apply for a multiple jobs?  My answer is YES; in the current labor market you will get the biggest value for your job search if you apply for multiple jobs with different companies in the same industry. For instance if you want to work in retail I would apply for numerous retail outlets perhaps Target, Kmart, Wal-Mart. Just keep accurate notes of where you applied for jobs so when recruiters contact you, you sound organized.  

So you have chosen the job you want to apply for maybe you found a posting on WiserWorker.com. Remember: you need to be just as prepared for an online application as you are for an interview.  Sure it’s less pressure because it’s a computer screen rather than a live person. Because of this little fact you need to be sure to give as much information as possible to the online application,   you want the recruiter to get the spark from your resume and call you for the job they are hiring for.

Get the spark going fill out the best possible online application, do that and the job will materialized.

Part 3

I thought it might be helpful to explain the difference between online applicant profiles and online applications, there is a difference and you need to understand it.

Online Applicant Profile- Companies have the ability to build their search database of applicants by allowing the job seeker to enter your information into their database.  Recruiters often shop these online databases for candidates before they even post positions.  It’s not uncommon for a company to require you to create an online profile before completing an application, usually after you create an online profile then you can “shop” for jobs that are open within that company and then quickly apply for those jobs.  

Job Application- Usually when you fill out an application it’s for a specific position, and once that position is filled your application is archived. Applications are time sensitive and job specific.

Important - a profile is long term permanent record with that company where as a application is for one specific job opening.

It’s in your best interest to create online applicant profiles at the job boards you are most comfortable with such as WiserWorker.com.  Our employers visit our applicant profiles often looking for job seekers just like YOU. Click on this link to start your applicant profile.

Good Luck!

Part 2

Just like everything else in life if you are prepared the online application process will be far less intimidating. Before you jump in feet first prepare yourself. Make sure you have the appropriate amount of uninterrupted time set aside to fill out the application, figure on anywhere from 30 to 45 minutes for the first one.

So how do you prepare for something that is online? It’s just like being prepared for a traditional sit down interview. You wouldn’t go to an interview unprepared to talk about yourself and your skills so don’t sit down to a computer unless you are prepared as well.  Make sure you have these items ready and accessible when you get ready to sit down and fill out an application.

1.   Printed copy of your resume – use it as a reference.

2.   Electronic resume– In many cases you can copy information by selecting the information on your resume and pasting to the online application. 

3.   Your personal information – depending on what types of position you are applying for you may need information such as your driver’s license.  Have it handy!

4.   Your job history details – Have your dates of employment for both active and volunteer positions.

5.   Small note pad– keep a notepad with you to jot down any questions you might have…just like in a traditional interview.

So in a nutshell take the time to prepare for the time you will spend online filling out applications. IF you do the preparation work it will go so much better. I promise, hang in there we are in this together!

In a world where I believe w don’t have enough human contact I have found the necessary evil of online applications.  Company use online applications to streamline their hiring process, the fact is this: companies have more applicants than recruiters.   Online applications are not going away and in fact we will probably see more companies using them so it’s time we understand them, embrace them and learn to use them to our advantage.

Over the next week I will be delving into the world of online applications. I will go over how to be prepared to complete an application and be prepared in general.  It has been my experience that online applications are almost mini interviews.  They are more than a resume but less than a full fledged interview.

Time: the reason most people fail at online applications. Job Seekers don’t give themselves enough time to accurately fill out the applications. People tend to rush themselves because they figure they can explain in detail when they get the interview.  Well folks; this is your first impression; take the time to make the best impression you can. If you need an hour to fill it out then take an hour. Tune out the world and focus on the task at hand your online applications. This may be the only chance you get!

Start with WiserWorker.com some of our job postings direct you right to the application process.  Online applications can be intimidating, but don’t be afraid of them.  My advice to you is to take a deep breath and take your time; we will get through them together.

Earlier this year and a wise man said to a large group of people “Tough Times Don’t Last, but Tough People Do” at the time this statement struck me as profound, but today it means more to me than it did on that day.  Our labor market is in what I can only describe as tough times, I also know we are a nation of determined people. The answer: job seekers need to dig in and ask am I a tough person?  In this labor market the tough people will prosper and will professionally survive.  

If you are a job seeker you need to get tough. It’s a essential for survival in the workplace.  You might ask yourself what does it mean to be a tough job seeker. As a person who works with job seekers and employers daily, I think a tough job seeker might possess these attributes:

Confident in their abilities to succeed

Aggressive - know what you want and they go after it

Skilled - a full profile of abilities to enhance your resume

Determined to be the best candidate!

Innovative– create solutions without supervision

Mentor – have the desire to share your knowledge with others.

Problem Solver – ability to solve a problem on your own

Diverse Experience - years of life learned skills.

If you’re not already become a tough person, when you apply for a position go into confidently. When you interview for a job put your best foot forward, highlight how you intend to make the company you are interviewing with a better place.  Don’t place all your focus on the negative rather highlight the positive.  The media tends to report on the negative because let’s face it that’s what sells.

Hang in there; what I can tell you is WiserWorker.com places new postings on our site every day. We strive to provide you with up to date information.  I can also tell you that people just like you are using online job boards more now than ever.  I can guarantee you WiserWorker.com is here to stay and wait out the storm with you because we are an organization made up of tough people who are here to help you the tough job seeker.  

In case you were curious, Jeff Littlejohn is the wise man who said “Tough Times Don’t Last, but Tough People Do” to our group. He is our leader and one tough guy.

Is it possible to be too aggressive in the search for a job?  I say NO, in some cases I am sure it’s happened however more commonly job seekers tend to send a resume or fill out an application and then wait and then, well ….wait some more.  To those job seekers I say….get out there and make it happen!  If it’s a job you want and think you are the ideal candidate follow up and make sure you are don’t become just another applicant in a pile of applications.   

Just yesterday I was talking to a job seeker who told me they had put in an application for the perfect job and never heard back.  My response:  Did you follow up?  Well you guess it they had not. They were waiting to see if they would call back.

Folks, there is no shame in calling and asking about the hiring process, the conversation can go something like this:

Job Seeker:  Hello, I turned in an application last Monday and I was wondering where you were in the interview process?  I am very interested in the position you have open.

Employer:  Hold on I have had so many people interested in this position, what was your name? 

Employer:  Why do you feel you are the best applicant for my position?    

Job Seeker:  I have many years in customer service as well as customer retention and I like to work with the public. I would appreciate the opportunity to come in and meet with you and discus my qualification.

Employer:  Can you come in tomorrow? I would like to sit down with you and tell you more about the job.

The current labor market is one where the eager are going to get noticed and the aggressive are appreciated.   As a manager who often recruits, I have always been in the opinion if a job seeker shows me they are interested in a job; they deserve an interview.   Make sure you start your job search  with WiserWorker.com for all the latest job openings.  

Well folks it’s here…cold and flu season. I bet you are asking yourself how cold and flu season fits into job search. Well, it does in more ways than you can imagine. It’s a plain and simple fact that this time of year is the easiest time to pick up germs and while you are searching for a job you need to avoid as many germs as possible.  It’s no fun to land a job only to wind up calling in sick so be proactive and avoid the cold and flu season.

My career with WiserWorker.com keeps me on the road and in close quarters with germs. I also HATE being sick, I have learned to pay close attention to keeping the germs at bay. The winter season is the time of the year when I have to be the most careful and work extra hard at staying healthy. Here are some of my ways to avoid being a victim of cold and flu season.

1.    Flu Shot - You can stop in at any Walgreens pharmacy and licensed health care professionals will administer flu shots and nasal spray flu vaccines in-store, in most cases they can bill your insurance. I stopped in a Brandon Walgreens and it was only $24.95.  No appointment necessary.

2.    Wash Your Hands Frequently - Get in the habit of anti-bacterial gel, it’s a live saver.  I shake a lot of hands and you can never wash your hands, don’t stop shaking hands just wash yours more often.

3.    Whip Down Common Surfaces – When I enter a grocery store I wipe down the cart with a Lysol towel. Most stores offer them free but I also carry them in my purse.

4.    Clean Your Phone – Phones are breeding grounds for germs. If you share a phone make sure you wipe your phone off with a cleaning towel.

5.     Stay Away from Sick People – your health is important steer clear of people who are already sick. 

6.    Stock up on foods that will keep you healthy- Researchers are finding positive links between immune function and components in food. Here’s a link that will give you all the info you need.

These are just a few of the things I do to ward off the cold and flu season, I also try to keep up my exercise routine a nice brisk walk keeps the heart healthy as well. If all else fails and you find yourself ill do yourself and your co-workers a break and stay home and get better. It doesn’t help anyone if you are the one who spreads germs, I want you to be a Wiser Worker!

It’s your privilege and your duty!  Tomorrow is the big day…..it’s time to cast your vote on who you would like to see in office for the next 4 years. If you need to know where to vote visit www.govote.com, they will tell you where to go!

Here’s what you need to know to cast your vote:

Make sure you’re registered and bring your ID

Know where your polling place is and when it closes: Visit http://govote.org/ for the up to date information on your polling location.

Your vote matters: Here’s a fact: The 2004 election was decided by fewer than 120,000 votes in Ohio. The 2000 election came down to 537 votes in Florida. The reality is that, in 2004, more than 14 million people who were registered to vote, didn’t. When elections come down to thousands, hundreds and sometimes dozens of votes, showing up is everything.