Jobs, Career and Money

Here are a number of online job search engines out there claiming to get you a job with a series of easy clicks! Even with the best sites, this is not the case. You have to know how to use the search engine, you have to treat job hunting seriously, and you can’t rely on online searches alone. Here are some tips and guidelines for the best job search-engines online right now.

1. Monster.com - All of you have probably heard of Monster. They are one of the largest job sites online. They’re also an excellent resource, if you keep the following things in mind. First of all, unlike in the commercials, posting your resume is not the only/last step. Posting your resume is the first step.

Generally, you will get NO responses from posting your resume on Monster. You have to be the active one and search job postings and apply from there. Searching on Monster is very easy and often self-explanatory. If you are looking to stay in one location, my search tip would be to search the location for jobs of all categories—don’t limit yourself by category choices unless you have a very specific job in mind.

If you check back everyday wading through all the jobs won’t be that daunting. Some jobs pop up under categories you might not have expected, by expanding your search you will find more opportunities. Also, unless the company is confidential, make sure to do some research on the company.

Monster offers a cover letter on file feature, but make sure each time you send a cover letter it is specific and personalized to the company and job you are applying for. Monster also keeps track of your resume submissions, which is a very good tool. However, make sure you print out the job description you applied for. Sometimes the job is removed and when a person calls you to set up an interview you will want to know what job you applied for and what skills you should sell in the interview.

Note: Yahoo HotJobs and MSN CareerBuilder offer similar searches and tools. However, both carry more spam, scam jobs and old, recycled job postings. Monster does have some scam postings, but there jobs are rarely old or recycled.

2. Craiglist (find the location you’re looking for on right sidebar) - Craigslist is quickly becoming the hot new search engine. Craigslist doesn’t just offer job postings, but a variety of other postings. However, their job postings are always original (no recycled jobs) and very location specific, so if you are looking to stay in one location, and there is a craigslist for this location, this is a good site to check on a regular basis.

It doesn’t have the volume of jobs posted on Monster, but number of jobs also depends on your area and the career field you’re in. Craigslist also lists part-time jobs and internship type jobs. A very good resource to check a few times a week. There are some scam jobs posted (especially in the TV/Movie/Video category), but if you use common sense you should be able to weed them out.

Craigslist does not offer a resume-sending tool, but this can be a good thing. Write a solid cover letter with personal touches and specific company-specific items and you may engage the employer more than a form-Monster application.

3. State Government Jobs (under government jobs, click by state/location, then pick your state. A list of city/county websites for your state will be listed) - This is an excellent resource for anyone interested in government, or would like to apply your current career/skills to a government facility. (For example, all cities/counties employ secretaries, clerks, etc…) A wide variety of jobs—anything that makes a county/city run! Again, a very location-specific tool, but you can also search locations you would want to work for.

4. Education - Not just for teachers, but anyone interested in working at a school (see sections for support staff). Choose your state, then search accordingly. Many schools go through REAP now, though not all.

These are some of the best search engines on the net right now. If you have a particular company you’d be interested in working for, find their webpage through a search. Most large companies will have a human resources page with a listing, or a specific employment page.

With every online posting it is imperative you follow the instructions listed in the posting. If they ask for no phone calls, don’t call. If they want a cover letter, make sure to send one. If they want salary history, references or examples of your work, supply these things. If instructions aren’t followed most employers will toss the resume without even looking at it.

Make yourself stand out without being gimmicky. Follow the rules of job application, but highlight your best assets to the company. Tune your resume and cover letter to each company/position you are applying for. Finding a job is a full-time job, you won’t get the job you want without taking the time to work at it.

You are talented artistically. So what do you do with it? There is no reason for your artwork to be a hobby while you labor over jobs that you hate. Here are some ideas you can use to turn your art hobby into a career.

1. Make Portrait Art Your Career:

If you are talented at drawing faces, you can make portrait art your career. These days few people are willing to sit for a portrait, so you will want to create portraits from photographs. One particular portrait artist I know taught herself using drawing books and lots of practice.

She started out doing pencil portraits solely, and once she had an excellent mastery of pencil portraiture, she began branching out into other mediums. She even illustrates books now. Another portrait artist I know does pastel portraits that are less time consuming to make, so they are less expensive for the customer.

She does require her subjects “sit” for a photo, which she will take herself. After all, you cannot get a perfect portrait without the perfect pose. The internet and in baby magazines are a great place to start advertising.

2. Make Art Illustrating Your Career:

An art illustrator can choose from a vast pool of careers choices. Greeting card companies are always looking for artwork. Book publishers and writers need their work illustrated.

The fastest way to break into the market is to illustrate your first book without charging up front. You would request commissioned payments instead. If your work is good, more work will come. You will also want to submit samples of your artwork to publishers and independent writers.

3. Make Decorative Art Your Career:

If you have an eye for all things beautiful, you should consider decorative art. Decorative Artists produce work intended primarily for utility, including jewelry, furniture, and other crafts.

There are a great many other art career choices available for someone who was previously a hobby artist. If you have the time or inclination to go back to art school, your career choices will be endless.

In the end, if you are going into business for yourself, beware of the biggest mistake that career artists make. We do not charge enough for our work. Search the internet and art galleries for work similar to what you do. Charge in the mid range of the prices you find. Otherwise, you will find that your art career has turned back into a hobby because you cannot make enough money to sustain yourself.

Career counselors are in very high demand, as so many people are interested in going to one. There are many scenarios in which a person may choose to visit a career counselor. Whether you are a college student or someone who is in a transitional period between jobs, chances are that visiting a career counselor may be effective for you. With so many career counselors that are available for you to choose from, selecting the right one can be very difficult. Here, we will take a much closer look at some of the main things that you should be sure to take into consideration before choosing a specific career counselor.

Tip #1: Figure Out Why You Need to Visit a Career Counselor

Are you trying to figure out what is required of you to complete your career goals? Or maybe you want to take some evaluations in order to help determine what type of career you may be good at. Maybe you even need some tips on how to write the best resume. No matter what the case is, it is important for you to figure out why you need to visit a career counselor in the first place. Until you know why you may want to visit a career counselor, you will never be able to find one which is perfect for you.

Tip #2: Choose a Career Counselor Who is Highly Qualified

One of the main problems with this field is that it is rapidly increasing. Many career counselors are unqualified. Choosing a career counselor which is qualified is one of the main keys to choosing the one which will work the best for you. One of the qualifications that you should look for is a Bachelor’s Degree at the very minimum, but preferably a Master’s Degree or higher. It is also important for the career counselor to be a member of the National Career Development Association. The career counselor should have credentials which qualify him or her as a NCC, LPC, RPCC, or psychologist. Experience counseling is also necessary, of course.

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