5 Ways to Make Your Job Search More Productive

5 Ways to Make Your Job Search More Productive5 Ways to Make Your Job Search More Productive1In a job search, there are few things worse than feeling unproductive. If you are feeling stuck and looking for a little boost to move things along, there are several ways to make your job search mora productive.Having a productive job search isnt as much about quantity as it is about quality less is more By focusing your job search efforts to your true professional ambitions, you can develop a better network, learn more about your targeted industry, and find jobs that are a good fit for your experiences.Consider the following five ways to make your job search more productive.Keep Structure in Your SearchMost people have heard that a job search is like having a full-time job. In a sense this is true. By maintaining structure in your job search as you would a job, you can better manage the different tasks associated with a job search. Try managing your time by using a schedule and to-do list. From there you can begin to prioritize your time based on your goals.Use Social Media and Your NetworkMaking small talk with acquaintances usually doesnt top the list in a job search, but it should Through social media and a well-developed professional network, you can get support and advice from others in your career field and access to unadvertised positions. Plus, by engaging social media and creating an online presence, you can increase your chances of getting on recruiters radar.Use Job Search ProfessionalsThere is no shame in seeking assistance, especially in a job search. There are several resources available to help you with your job search, including job search sites like, resume writing assistance like Professional Resume Services, and interviewing techniques through ResumeDeli.Do Your ResearchResearching the company and the job you are applying for is highly important in a job search. It is important for job seekers to fully understand what is required for a job and to ma ke sure they apply only to jobs they are qualified for. (Thats right. Quality, not quantity.) It is also important to be educated on the employers you are applying or interviewing with. Without knowledge of the companys history, mission, or operations, you cant craft a cover letter, resume, or interview response to make an impression.Join Professional Organizations and Attend Career FairsNot only can you build your network through professional organizations and career fairs, you can learn more about the industry, trends, and types of jobs in your career path. These events can offer a lot of information and allow you to connect with others who can help you in your job search.Making your job search more productive can ultimately affect the outcome, and in the meantime, create a better atmosphere and attitude. Even though a job search can be stressful, it doesnt have to feel frustrating each and every day. By utilizing a few productive measures, you can decrease the frustration and pro actively work to increase your job search outcomes.Readers, what do you do to help you stay on track and make your job search more productive? Share your tips with us in the comment section below

Do You Need a Job Search Coach

Do You Need a Job Search CoachDo You Need a Job Search Coach?Do You Need a Job Search CoachBrian Ray (pictured) is founder of Crossroads Career Network, a national, non-profit membership of churches that provides online job search/ career resources and access to career groups. He is also author of the 2010 Crossroads Career Workbook, owner of Primus Consulting executive search, and former vice president for human resources and administration for Chick-fil-A restaurants.I was once told that professional golfer Jack Nicklaus had his own golf coach, because there was one thing the coach could do that Jack could not Watch Jack.The value of having a seasoned set of eyes looking at what youre doing cannot be overstated. Thats especially true when your job search requires different skills resume writing, web searching, personal networking, and interviewing.But, you might say, I cant afford a coach To that, I would counter that you cannot afford to be without a coach. But heres the good news Not all coaches dienstgrad fees you can hire a coach for free.Paid coaches are usually more qualified and should always be more committed to your success and available to your needs, because youre paying them.On the other hand, coaches whose services are free can be extraordinarily helpful and knowledgeable. But since theyre not making money from it, you may find a limit to their availability.5 Questions to Ask YourselfBefore you look for a coach, whether for free or for a fee, ask yourself these five questionsWhat kind of help do you need? Writing resumes, networking, interviewing, negotiating, or all of the above? To get a better understanding of your needs, you can download and complete a Career Explorer Questionnaire from my web site.What should you expect from a coach? The primary expectation is quality counsel based on understanding your situation, goals, and needs, as well as their expertise and experience. Other expectations include confidentiality, encouragement, accountab ility, and contacts.How do you find a coach? The best way is to network. Ask people you know who have made good progress in their job search. Also, ask professionals in human resources and recruiting, or in industries and occupations youre searching.How do you select the best coach for you? Evaluate potential coaches based on the specific help you need. Review their backgrounds and interview them about their experience and expertise. If youre considering a paid coach, ask for certifications, services, fees, and references in writing.How do you maximize value from your coach? Be clear about what your coach will and will not do for you. For example, will they coach you on writing resumes, or will they actually write them for you? Be koranvers to ask questions and try what they recommend. If you begin to lose confidence in their coaching, say so, or stop working with the coach.By now, youre probably feeling that trust in the coachs character and competence is the most important element in working with a coach, whether paid or not. And youre right.Imagine Jack Nicklaus on the 18th green in the final round of The Masters, wondering whether his coach gave him good advice. You need to trust that youve found the right coach for you, too

What Iceland can teach the U.S. about equal pay for women

What Iceland can teach the U.S. about equal pay for womenWhat Iceland can teach the U.S. about equal pay for womenThere is no country better positioned to celebrate Equal Pay Day than Iceland.On March 8th, International Womens Day, Iceland did a lot more for their countrywomen than drop a brass statue of a girl in front of the Charging Bull on Wall Street. The countrys leaders announced that Iceland would become the first country to enforce equal pay for women on a national level.There is a standard which we have already taken up, but leid all are following it, said Icelands Prime Minister Bjarni Benediktssonto reporters recently.According to the World Economic Forum, Iceland is already the most equal country in the world in terms of gender. Even so, there is still a sizeable average wage gap of 14-18% between men and women. By enacting countrywide federal regulations, the Icelandic government hopes to close the gender wage gap entirely by 2022.The plan will go into effect in 2020, a nd will apply to every Icelandic company that employs more than 25 people. Every 3 years, they will have to undergo certification to keep their equal pay policies in check.It comes on the heels of a massive strike that took place in Iceland last October in which women protested the wage gap. At 238pm, 90% of women across the country walked out of work as that was 70% of their workday, which equals the average cent on the dollar they earn. The Icelandic government took notice and acted accordingly. Iceland is changing the wage gap in different waysIn 2000, they instituted an equal parental leave policy, which gave both parents 3 months off, and an additional 3 to split between them. In 2012, that policy was upgraded to 5 months with 2 additional months to share. The country also pays for 95% of kindergarten tuition, which makes it much easier for parents to return to work.In October, 2016, Iceland elected a record number of women to Parliament - 30 out of 63 seats - which makes it the most equal Parliament in the world among countries without a quota.Outside of politics, due to their excellent state level education systems in place and government assistance with childcare, Iceland has the the highest percentage of women in the workforce worldwide.Needless to say, if there was an award for most feminist country in the world, Iceland would likely win it.The U.S. is making progredienz on equality, but has far to goAccording to The Economists most recent glass-ceiling index which measures things like higher education, workforce participation, pay, child-care costs, maternity and paternity rights, and representation in senior jobs, the US ranks 20 out of the 29 countries represented.While that doesnt sound great - specifically in terms of gender wage gap, in which the US ranks in the bottom 5- , there are silver linings. The U.S., even though it feels like its falling behind, ranks ranks highest in percentage of women in managerial positions at 43.4%, and more tha n the average number of women in this upper echelon ranking are attaining higher education degrees. Of course, we have a lot of work to do in terms of women in government offices, but that change may be on the horizon considering our current political climate.Furthermore, the wage gap is much smaller for younger women ages 25-34, at 93 cents to the dollar, which suggests the trend is finally turning a corner, and the overall gap will shrink over the next decade.Finally, there have been some measures taken on the state level to equalize the pay gap. In 2010, Minnesota finally achieved full pay equity for state employment, which means they are one of the few states to require equal pay for work of equal value, and have since 1982. Its taken decades, however, for that requirement to be properly enacted.Compared to Iceland, the United States has a long way to go to achieve gender equality in the workforce, but the battle for change is well underway. And, with a burgeoning generation of women who refuse to take inequality lying down, the chances of this gap disappearing in the not-too-distant future are good.