Check Out The Emerald Coast Professionals For Job Openings

Facebook is a great way to network but it is also a great way to locate job offers.  Check out Emerald Coast Professionals (a regional program of JobsPlus) for local employment opportunities as well as networking.

Local Community Job Fair - November 19

A community job fair will be held Saturday, November 19, 10:00 am - 1:00 pm at Northwest Florida State College, Fort Walton Beach Campus in the Student Union (building 21), 1170 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.  Local industry, retail stores, resturants, health care facilities and local, state, and federal goverment will be present.  Workshops are planned fo 10:00 am and 11:30 am in room 126 (administration bldg) on "Interviewing Techniques" and "Resume Building."

Help Wanted ~ Seasonal Jobs

Seasonal Job Search Tips

• It’s time to think holiday jobs. Retailers are now hiring seasonal workers for a variety of Christmas jobs. Apply today!
• Remain positive during the job interview process.
• Be extremely flexible with your work schedule. Seasonal jobs often require working nights and weekends. Be flexible enough to work these holiday hours.
• Apply to more than one seasonal job this holiday season. Retail and restaurants are the largest industries that are hiring hourly workers during the holiday season but did you also know that UPS and FedEx need delivery drivers? Security guards are also in demand during the holiday season as shopping malls get crowded from shoppers.

Top 50 Interview Mistakes

Top 50 Most Common Interview Mistakes By Alison Doyle, About.com Guide

Here are the top 50 most common interview mistakes to review so you can avoid making them.

1. Dressing inappropriately.
2. Not taking a phone interview as seriously as an in-person interview.
3. Leaving your cell phone on.
4. Chewing gum.
5. Bringing a cup of coffee or other drink with you.
6. Bringing another person with you to the interview.
7. Wearing sunglasses.
8. Showing up early.
9. Showing up late.
10. Showing up hungover and/or really tired.
11. Going to the interview if you are really sick.
12. Not knowing the interviewer's name.
13. Not introducing yourself.
14. Leaving a Bluetooth earpiece on.
15. Texting during the interviewer.
16. Interrupting the interviewer to take a call.
17. Have background noise (kids, pets, etc.) during a phone interview.
18. Wearing too much much perfume or cologne.
19. Wearing a hat or cap to the interview.
20. Not bringing extra copies of your resume.
21. Not bringing a list of references.
22. Depending on the job, not bringing a portfolio of your work.
23. Playing with your hair.
24. Saying "ummm" or "you know" or "like" too often.
25. Mumbling and using poor grammar.
26. Talking too much.
27. Cutting off the interviewer's question.
28. Not talking enough.
29. Not smiling enough.
30. Telling jokes and laughing too much.
31. Not making eye contact with the interviwer.
32. Criticizing your last company or boss.
33. Not remembering your work history.
34. Checking your notes for an answer to a question.
35. Not following directions if you're given a test.
36. Not being prepared to answer questions.
37. Not paying attention to the questions you're asked.
38. Not taking the time to research the company prior to the interview.
39. Forgetting the name of the company you are interviewing with.
40. Forgetting the names of the companies you've worked for in the past.
41. Not remembering the job you applied for.
42. Telling the interviewer that you really need the job.
43. Telling the interviwer that you need the money.
44. Not knowing enough about the company you are interviewing with.
45. Asking about time off in your first interview.
46. Asking about salary and benefits right away.
47. When asked "Why do you want to work for our company?" providing answers that are focused on you instead of on how you will benefit the company.
48. Not have relevant questions to ask when asked, "What questions do you have?"
49. Neglecting to thank the interviewer for the opportunity to meet with him or her.
50. Not sending a thank you note after the interviewer.

Understanding Health Insurance Options if You Lose Your Job

As the economy continues to struggle back from the recession, employers are still cutting jobs or at least holding down their hiring levels. That means the strain is continuing for people who have been out of work for many months as well as those who have recently lost their jobs.

Even if your job seems secure for now, it’s a good idea to have a mental game plan for your health coverage if your employment situation changes. Consider the following:

Get some general financial advice right now: While health insurance is one of the biggest concerns for the unemployed, it’s a good idea to take a look at your overall finances if your income is under threat. While you’re still working, talk to a trained financial planner about immediate things you can do to conserve money and protect your investments.

Resumes that get Results

The resume is the document that “gets you in the door.”  Considering there may be dozens of applicants for the job you are interested in, it’s important that your resume grabs the attention of the person who may be interviewing you.  Consider your resume great practice for the actual interview – it gives you an opportunity to think about what you can offer the potential employer.

Employers in many areas prefer the chronological (traditional) resume, which lists places of employment in reverse chronological order with brief job responsibilities and descriptions of your accomplishments.  You will also include any important education, training, and certifications on a chronological resume.

What Makes a Good Resume?

• Easy to read.
• Clearly states your skills, knowledge, and experience.
• Shows your accomplishments in numbers and facts.
• Grabs the reader’s attention, so you will be invited to interview.
• Encourages questions during an interview.
• Provides visibility after your interview.

Other resume tips:

• Spell check, double check, and have someone else read your resume.  Careless errors can eliminate your chance for an interview, even if you are well qualified.
• Read statements aloud to make sure they make sense.

Formatting Checklist

• ½” margins all around, if necessary.
• Font no smaller than 11 pt. 
• Use numerals instead of spelling out the number – example: 25 instead of twenty-five.
• Use bullet points instead of paragraphs to describe your accomplishments.  Keep each bullet point to one line, when possible.
• Use the dollar sign instead of spelling out “dollars” – example: $8 million instead of 8 million dollars.
• Use capitals in state abbreviations – example: FL instead of Fl.
• Dates on right side, including months.
• Whether or not you use periods at the end of statements, be consistent.
• No “s” on verbs – example; supervise (if current position), not supervises…personnel.
• For past positions, use –ed on descriptions: supervised, not supervise or supervises.
• Use a summary statement at the top instead of an objective.
• Don’t use industry jargon or acronyms.  Unless you are certain the screener will understand it fully, spell it out.

Sample Resume

Marty Jones
2000 SW 2nd Street

Anywhere, FL   31234

(352) 222-5555 C or (352) 222-5555 H 

Email @aol.com

Summary

11 Years supervision experience in Manufacturing Production with skills in:

• Lean Six Sigma Green Belt Training, ISO Certification, Continuous Improvement.
• Employee Coaching and Development including hiring and promotions.
• Budget requirements for company and customers.

Experience

XYZ, Inc., Anywhere, FL                                       May, 1998 – February, 2008

Production Manager                                                                                                           

• Directly lead 2 supervisors and 50 production employees.
• Accountable for safety training, quality defects, and labor cost budget of $3.2 million.
• Reduced “recordable injuries” by 100% through constant training, plant safety audits, and start-up meetings, resulting in 1 million hours without recordable accident.
• Cost reduction of more than $200,000 through “Lean Six Sigma Green Belt” project.
• Reduced overhead costs by 3.2% by supporting Customer Service, Warranty, Sales, Engineering Design, Manufacturing, Purchasing, Safety and Environmental, R & D, and HR departments.
• Primarily responsible for successful ISO inspection and maintaining continuous improvement.
• Developed cross training matrix and 5S production floor action plan.

ABC Company, Anywhere, FL                            March 1990 - May, 1998 

General Assembly                                              

• Increased production on motor line 3% in 4 months.
• Contributed to just-in-time program, resulting in 6% decrease in parts inventory.
• Trained 12 new hires.
• Worked a variety of machines, including CNC machining centers, lathes and grinders.
   

Education & Training

Central Florida University, Somewhere, Florida – Certifications in:

Lean Six Sigma Green Belt      Contract Management      Advanced Leadership

Technical Knowledge   

Forklift Operator              Air Tools                   Plumbing & Foam Installation 

What To Do When Networking Isn't Working By Alison Doyle author of About.Com Guides

Sometimes, despite your best efforts at applying for jobs, looking for contacts to network with at companies, and doing everything else within your power to get your candidacy noticed, you're stuck.

This is a tough job market and it's not a question of you not doing the right things. You can be doing everything you're supposed to do to job search effectively and can still hit brick walls when it comes to getting noticed by employers.

What else can you do? It can take thinking outside the typical job search strategies box and being creative to get the attention of a prospective employer.  Here are tips and advice for what to do when networking isn't working.