Rosemarie's Pearls » Resources

Seven no-cost solutions for the savvy job hunter

rosepena — Sat, 07 Feb 2009 13:52:30 +0000

Bring your resume to life with a VisualCV.

You’ve come to terms with the reality of the current job market. There are jobs available; but, it will take focus, dedication, and a bit of savvy to land one. No problem.

You’re ready to take a no-excuses approach to your job hunt and you’ve diagnosed any underlying job search issues. You’ve spotted a few areas where you need to improve your job search skills. Working with a career professional isn’t an option for you right now. So, what other options are available?

Here are seven, no-cost resources to help you become a more savvy job hunter that has the skills to compete in the current job market:

LinkedIn.com – LinkedIn is a social network for business professionals. An updated LinkedIn profile is practically a must-have for every job hunter. However, LinkedIn isn’t just for job hunters. It’s an essential tool for anyone who understands the importance of networking as a career management tool. You can connect with current or former colleagues and alumni and request recommendations (a professional endorsement) from people you’ve worked with in the past. LinkedIn also offers a great opportunity to connect with people within organizations you are targeting during your job search.
O*NET Online – A full-access version of the occupational network database. This is an invaluable tool for researching industries and discovering occupations that you might not have previously considered, but closely match your skills.
JibberJobber.com – This career management tool works seamlessly with LinkedIn or any spreadsheets that you might already be using. This tool will enable you to keep track of all of your job search and networking contacts and any correspondence or follow-up. Best of all, if you need to resume your job search in three years, the information you collected this go-round will still be there waiting for you.
VisualCV.com – This online tool truly allows you to bring your resume to life – complete with presentations, documents, video, and a photo, if you so desire. It is especially useful for creatives with large portfolios. However, it can be a great way for any job hunter to stand out. Rather than just reading about your accomplishments, an employer can view a presentation you gave, see certificates you’ve received, and go through your portfolio. Note: The VisualCV does not replace your traditional resume. Rather, it should be used in conjunction with it.
JobRadio.fm – Up late worrying about tomorrow’s interview or wondering whether you should have listed every job you’ve ever had on your resume? JobRadio.fm – available online 24/7 – will keep you company and keep you informed about the latest job search strategy news. Listen to career and job search-related podcasts anytime or download a show and listen to it on your computer or MP3-player at your convenience. JobRadio.fm features content from Secrets of the Job Hunt, Career Communique, Jobacle, Jobs in Pods, Total Picture Radio, and the SavvyJobseeker Podcast – hosted by yours truly.
TheJobLab.com – Get 24/7 access to article, video, and audio libraries; online forums; and a number of other tools and resources for job hunters. Need more support at a minimal price? A low-cost upgrade gives you access to live workshops and bi-weekly Q&A sessions.
Free community resources – CareerOneStop is a great online and local resource for job hunters. Many local employment networks, libraries, and churches are now offering job search training or hosting job search support groups or networking groups. Do your homework and find out what is available in your community.

The current job market certainly requires a savvier jobseeker. However, there are lots of resources and sources of support available to job hunters – regardless of budget. Take advantage of any available resource that will help you to improve your job search skills and your job search fortune.

Cleveland Job Search Examiner: Seven no-cost solutions for the savvy job hunter.

Is Your Family Ready For An Emergency or Natural Disaster?

rosepena — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 13:03:28 +0000

As winter storms here in Ontario have once again illustrated, it’s always a good idea to be prepared for an emergency. We’re big on this concept at Wired, having put out a few emergency guides like How To Survive a Power Blackout and The Smarter Emergency Kit.

But, I figure the US Department of Homeland Security probably knows a little more about this area than we do. They tipped me off that as part of the “Ready” Campaign (designed to help families prepare for disasters), Homeland Security has launched a new, family-oriented Ready America web site (co-sponsored by the Ad Council).

The site includes a wealth of planning resources and includes aspects that are frequently left out of typical emergency preparedness guides. For example, there are forms for preparing emergency contact information for your family so that friends and relatives know how to reach you and where to find you (other than at your home) in the event of an emergency. An online tool walks you through the process of creating a family emergency plan. A wide range of PDF publications are available for download, including an emergency supply list, information for pet owners and emergency planning information for businesses. There are also kid-focused documents available, including an activity book that introduces children to the concept of being prepared for a disaster without being overly alarming. Instructional videos are provided and a video blog encourages people who have experienced an emergency situation to share their story with others.

A widget that can be embedded on other sites acts as a hub for emergency information: FEMA news feed, National Weather Service warnings, emergency contact information for all states and even FEMA and Ready Twitter feeds.

This is a comprehensive site for emergency planning, and you would expect that from Homeland Security, but the focus on family preparedness makes it especially useful. While it’s obviously targeted at US residents, most of this information and advice is applicable anywhere.

None of us likes to fixate on emergencies and natural disasters, but being prepared is just common sense. And if you have a family, your job is a little more complicated, with a lot more at stake. It’s well worth checking out Ready America to see if there’s anything you may have overlooked in your own planning.

Is Your Family Ready For An Emergency or Natural Disaster? | Geekdad from Wired.com.