To blog or not to blog while job searching?

Mark Swartz
Workopolis Career Advisor

It is kind of cool to have your own Blog these days. Using freeware such as Blogger, WordPress or many others, you can write about anything you want, any time the mood strikes. And maybe, just maybe, people will read your stuff and respond. Sort of a nice, easy way to get your message out and create a bit of community.

But is it useful in your job search?

The answer might be “yes,” if you do it right and it’s relevant to the work you’re seeking. But it’s a big fat “NO” if not. Here’s what I mean. On the yes side, let’s say you’re looking for a job in marketing. You decide to start some sort of marketing Blog. Every day or two you post your ideas. Maybe include links to other marketing-related Blogs and stories. When people write in, you contact them and generate new relationships–in essence networking via the Net. In time, your Blog could become popular and attracts a steady following. Then, one of your regulars gives you the scoop on a job vacancy few others know about yet.

Zoom ahead to the interview you scored because of your Blogosphere buddy. Mr. or Mrs. Intimidating Interviewer asks the dreaded question: “So, what makes you stand out from the other 20 remarkable candidates in line behind you?”

You can shoot right back with tales of your internet savvy: show them a couple of choice printouts from recent postings, like the ones where people are thanking you for providing such a compelling and illuminating presence on the Web.

Then again, it could backfire badly. What if people start posting nasty comments on your blog, or you get spammed with junk messages? How about if you let your posts get too stale? Could be also that your content is simply frivolous and time-wasting. It takes effort to properly manage a Blog...time you could be spending applying for jobs and networking face-to-face.

If you want to be seen as somewhat of an expert in your field, or you think that Blogging will give you a better online presence than simply having your profile done well on Facebook or LinkedIn, then by all means go ahead and start broadcasting your thoughts to the world. Otherwise, focus on the task of finding a job without the added distraction.

Using Your Blog in Your Job Search: Do’s and Dont’s

Do...	Don’t...
- consider making your content relevant to the type of role, industry or profession you’re applying for	- be overly controversial or indiscriminate with what you say
- invite potential employers to visit your URL	- publish rude, offensive or explicit material
- keep your info current	- believe you can hide behind a nickname or alias forever
- network selectively via e-mail with people who write in with their comments	-forget to thank the people who help make your Blog a success

Senior Food and Beverage Supervisor

Do you have a proven track record in Food and Beverage Management?

Our client is a prominent Halifax Hotel. Our ideal candidate must love to work with different types of people and meet challenges with a positive attitude. Their management style is one that balances a commitment to a team and their own development combined with business/financial accountability. Successful candidates will be a motivated and proven leader who thrives on delivering an exceptional guest experience.

Qualifications:

• Minimum 2-3 years experience in the Food & Beverage Industry
• Supervisory experience is required
• Experience working in a unionized environment is an asset
• Formal hospitality training an asset (i.e. degree or certificate program)
• Must be well organized, results oriented and flexible to work various shift schedules
• Must be problem solver combined with excellent interpersonal and communication skills
• Micros 3700 experience an asset

Responsibilities:

• Ensuring all departmental operational procedures are adhered to in accordance to hotel standards.
• Promoting and enhancing the image of the outlets.
• Monitoring schedules daily, ensuring staffing levels are maintained and consistent with business levels while following the guidelines created by the hotel and union.
• Maintaining a positive working atmosphere for both team members and guests alike.
• Following through on guest requests and or complaints.
• Maintaining Employee Development Reviews, training, coaching, and progressive discipline.
• Assisting with the recruitment, selection, training and development of all outlet team members to ensure high standards are maintained.
• Participating in the development of the merchandising and marketing of all food & beverage services.
• Working closely with the Executive Chef and promoting teamwork between the kitchen, and the Outlet team members.
• Ensuring all financial reporting is maintained and accurate, including payroll and billing.

Above all your goal is to ensure that every customer is receiving a consistent high quality experience!

Our Client is well respected in their industry and offer a competitive salary range based on experience including full benefits package and opportunity for further professional development.

We specialize in the Hospitality Industry.

Please forward resumes via e-mail to
Brooke Ireland-
Jump Career Solutions
E-mail: brooke@jumpcareers.ca
www.jumpcareers.ca

Construction Project Administrative Assistant

Looking for your next opportunity? Ready for a change?

Our Client is a reputable and well-respected commercial construction company that provides construction services in the commercial, industrial, and institutional sectors. They are currently seeking a qualified individual to join their team as Project Administrative Assistant.

The ideal candidates will have previous experience working in a construction office/engineering office environment. The positions will require and individual who will be pleasant, courteous and interact professionally with people at various levels of an organization. The positions suit a well-organized individual who can effectively prioritize and multi-task.

Qualifications:

• Post Secondary education from a recognized institution
• 2-5 years Administrative experience
• a strong knowledge of Windows-based software and interfaces
• comfortable working with computers; knowledge of MS Office is required
• High level of accuracy and attention to detail
• Knowledge of Jonas accounting system would be an asset
• Demonstrated ability to interact professionally with people at various levels of an organization
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Initiative, strong judgment and problem-solving abilities

Responsibilities:

• Assist the Project Coordinator / Project Managers in development
and utilization of a Project Start-up
• Support the Project Coordinator, Construction Manager and Project
Managers in the preparation of Documents for all new and existing projects
• Project Administrative Assistant is responsible to ensure the Project File System is fully maintained and up to date on a daily basis
• Assist the Project Coordinator in the timely review, recording and submission
of project shop drawings.
• Assist the project managers and the Project Coordinator from time to time on
other project duties and/or problems that may arise to allow timely
completion of the project.
• Provide administrative support to the project superintendents, Branch
Manager, Construction Manager, Project Coordinator and the project
managers including typing, organization, stationary supplies, copying, etc.
• Enter invoices for accounts payable in the Jonas accounting system.

If you meet any of the above qualifications and are an energetic, organized individual, we would be interested in hearing from you.

Our Client offers a competitive salary based on qualifications, an attractive benefit plan and the opportunity to participate in a performance-based bonus program.

We are hiring part time servers for our client!

Do you want flexible hours and the most competitive wages in the hospitality industry?

Jump Career Temporary Placement Solutions is a growing modern career solutions company newly operating in the field of temporary placement recruiting. We are looking for great candidates that want part time or full time employment in the hospitality industry as banquet servers in Downtown Halifax.

If you want to work in an environment that demands exceptional performance, yet reaps great
rewards - whether it's career opportunities, job enrichment or a fun and supportive working environment. If you are ready for this challenge, then we are ready to help you.

Our ideal candidates will want to demonstrate professional and positive image to guests and colleagues at all times.

QUALIFICATIONS:
• Food & Beverage serving experience would be an asset
• Must be friendly team player
• Must have exceptional communication skills
• Superior guest service abilities
• Displays high initiative requiring minimal supervision
• Individuals must be able to lift moderate weight
• Must be flexible and able to work a variety of shifts and hours including evenings and weekends
• Ability to multitask a definite asset
• Must be Health & Safety conscious and dedicated to maintaining a safe work environment

RESPONSIBILITIES:
• Several types of service involved, including plated and buffet dinners and breakfasts, working lunches, coffee breaks and banquet bartending
• Complete set up and tear down of meetings, and functions, including the moving of banquet tables and chairs
• Providing creative propping and room decoration for theme dinners and functions
• Catering to groups of 5 - 1000 guests
• Reading and understanding Banquet Event Orders
• Direct contact with Conference/Sales Services Team and kitchen to ensure accurate setup of function

Jump Careers Temporary Placement Solutions will provide the most competitive hourly wage based on the industry standard.

Territory Advertising Sales Manager | Print Media

Do you appreciate an open-ended compensation structure where you can enjoy the rewards that come from hard work and results?

Our client, an exciting new business publication for Atlantic Canada, is looking for a sharp, ambitious, goal-oriented self-starter who can devise and implement sales strategies with ease, while enjoying the excitement that comes from working with a dynamic new company. There is a Halifax based and Moncton based opportunity with a small percentage of travel.

The successful candidate is someone who is not averse to working hard and truly enjoys developing new business. Motivated by the thrill of the sale, you have a strong need and desire to be in successful business for yourself. A strong understanding of the inner workings of the real estate industry will be considered an asset.

Candidates MUST exhibit strong sales planning skills, a solid foundation of sales principles, extremely well organized, detail oriented and be an excellent communicator. You will be a key part of a growing young company.

QUALIFICATIONS:
• 2 to 5 years of sales experience
• Post secondary education from a recognized institution
• Superior customer service orientation
• Previous advertising sales would be an asset
• Be experienced in selling advertising, both print and online
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Highly skilled in areas of analysis and presentation
• Must be able to work under pressure, balance multiple priorities with a high level of self-initiative
• Strong time and territory management skills
• Work autonomously from a home office
• Business aptitude an asset
• Own a vehicle and have a clean driving record
• Radiate confidence and enthusiasm

RESPONSIBILITIES:
• Generate leads by contacting and servicing key target accounts within market segments, as well as through industry networking and cold-calling
• Secure business through prospecting, networking, presentations and sales calls
• Take a leadership role in the growth of the company
• Prepared to develop a territory for a brand-new publication

With a unique business venture, comes a unique compensation package. This package includes a base salary and competitive commission structure that will ensure financial success.

The Money Question! How to handle it in an interview

The Money Question – it always comes up in interviews
by Eric Raynard

The money question always comes up in job interviews. If you are a candidate looking at a new position, you can safely assume the person on the other side of the desk will ask some form of the money question. Your answer is difference between moving forward and being eliminated.

In an interview, the employer has four basic questions in mind. However they dress them up, whatever creative spin they put on them, employers really want to know four things:

1. Who are you?
2. Why are you here?
3. What can you do for me?
4. How much will it cost?

That final question can make or break the situation. If you answer it wrong, you're done. The correct answer is non - numerical. A number, whether too high or too low, is ALWAYS wrong.

The employer will invariably ask something like, "How much money do you need to consider for this position?" Or else, "What will it take for you to come to work for our company?"

If you want to be considered for the position do NOT, under any circumstances, give a numerical answer. The correct answer is something on the order of,

"I'm here to discuss the position and assess my fit with your organization. I want to make sure my talents are a good match for the duties you're outlining. You're probably thinking along the same lines. I am sure, if we get to that place, we can reach an accommodation."

Why answer that way? Because it's the truth.

The demand - interest barometer tells us that, for a candidate, as demands go up, interest goes down. And as interest goes up, demands go down. If you as a candidate articulate a number too early in the process, you're drawing a line in the sand and creating an impression that you're more about reward than effort, more about price than value.

A number which is either too high or too low is wrong for several reasons.

The interviewer will eliminate you from consideration if you articulate a number that's too high. Whether they can afford the amount you say or whether you're worth that amount is immaterial. If you as the candidate create the impression that you overvalue your skills (in other words say any number above the range they've calculated), they are concerned you will never "settle" for the amount they're offering. So they will remove you from the process.

Conversely, if you say a number that's too low, you might inadvertently wind up accepting compensation less than the amount the company budgeted because that's what you said. You reduced your ability to negotiate because you have too little information.

Over the years, in coaching people on successful interviewing techniques, the money question is the one where people stumble most often. Many times people will tell me, "I just wasn't prepared for the question ... the number just popped out of my mouth." Or else they will say, "I told her $X because I think I'm worth it."

Bottom line, it doesn't matter what YOU think you're worth. The magic number is always somewhere in the range between what they want to pay and what you think you should get. I've been in career coaching and recruiting for 20 years. This has been my experience.

When the employer asks, "How much...? " the right answer is, "We'll know when we get there." If they ask again, insisting on an answer, defer diplomatically a second time. Something on the order of, "I appreciate you want a number. I'm a little uncomfortable making anything which could be perceived as a demand at this early stage. I'm interested in the position and would like to learn more."

And if they ask a third time, the correct answer is, "My year to date compensation is $Z."

But why give a number that way? Simple. It's a statement of fact, not an estimate of self-esteem. You compensation is verifiable. An employer can ask for and receive verification of income. You pay taxes. Your income is a public record. In the real world, your current or most recent employer valued you at an identified level. That's the number to share.

So ... don't get caught by the money question. Role play with a friend or practice in the mirror. Be prepared for this inevitable question. Your ability to answer the money question with an non-answer can get you the job or get you more money for the job you really want.

[Source: article by Eric Raynard, ERE Daily, August 18, 2009]

Four Easy Ways to Find an Unadvertised Job!

Lots of jobs are never advertised, so as a job seeker, how do you go about finding one of these?

Network:

Tell everyone! - your relatives, friends, neighbors, people at the gym. Let them know of your skills and credentials. Who knows when they may be asked to recommend someone for a job and your name will be fresh in their mind. Get out to networking events around the city and make new business contacts as well as reconnecting with ones you have not seen in a while. Let them know what you are up to and if they know of anyone in your area of interest.

Background work:

Not all companies post jobs on job boards or put ads in the local newspaper. Check out Company websites as they often post their job ads on their corporate site. A little background work might reveal they are hiring for your dream job.

Drop off a resume in person:

If you are interested in working for a specific company, drop in and introduce yourself and leave a resume behind for them. They may take your resume and keep it on file. The next time they are hiring, before they incur costs to advertise, they will probably look through their own database of resumes.

Contact your Local Chamber of Commerce:

They know of most businesses in the region. They can help you find out who is hiring and who isn't. They can also inform you of new businesses (maybe a large company is coming into the area and is looking for staff) and put you in touch with business leaders. This gives you the opportunity to use your networking skills and to introduce yourself to those who make hiring decisions.

Finding unadvertised jobs is all about putting yourself out there and looking for opportunities. It's about taking the time to seek out your dream job even if no one is telling you how or where to apply. Do not get discouraged if this takes some time because you never know when all of your dedication to your job search will pay off.