The Search for A Non-Federal Job

The Search for A Non-Federal JobThe Search for A Non-Federal JobThe Search for A Non-Federal JobJob search is job search, or is it? If you are reconsidering your focus on a Federal position and are now looking towards the private sector for employment, here are some tips to help you along.1. Before you start, searchUse career aggregators like Indeed.com, CareerJet.com, and SimplyHired.com to search for what you consider your ideal job. When you find it, read the announcement carefully and note the qualifications and requirements the employer wants. Your resume and your cover letter must show you match these.2. Language matters.You dont have to be fluent in more than one language, but you must be fluent in the employers language. Use the exact words the employer is using to describe your skills, qualifications, and experience so he/she will make the connection easily.3. Revise your resume.In fact, be prepared to edit your resume each time you submit it to match language, move skills u p and down the list, and emphasize or de-emphasize experiences and qualifications to match the employers needs. SusanIreland.com has terrific examples and samples for you to review.4. Take the time now to create your online presence.Build a LinkedIn profile that outlines your ideal position. Use your resume to fill the spaces, but then add other content you might not have on your resume, such as volunteer work. Add a good professional photo because it really does make a difference.5. Network, online and off.Find and join some relevant groups on LinkedIn. Find and join alumni associations (college or university, veterans groups, etc.). Re-connect with old friends and former colleagues, but also connect with some new people. Find and job professional associations that represent the work you want to do. And then press some flesh, virtually and in-person. Check job-hunt.org/associations.shtml for a list of groups and associations to get you started.6. Dont overlook short-term assignment s.Staffing and Temp firms are experiencing a much higher demand for talent than the general employment rate. Employers are turning to short-term help before hiring permanent staff, but they are also using these assignments to find new employees. The American Staffing Association (americanstaffing.org) has great information for job seekers and a list of member firms waiting to hear from you.7. Remember that the Feds are not the only government in the US that hires a large number of employees.Your state, county, and municipal governments also provide numerous services that demand a workforce with broad experience and qualifications. StateLocalGov.net can connect you to many agencies, and GovtJobs.com has many listings you can review.Margaret F. Dikel is a private consultant working with those who aid people in transition, helping them create websites and training seminars on the use of the Internet as a career planning and job search tool. For almost 20 years, she authored The Riley Guide (rileyguide.com), a free online guide to online career and employment information that welches used by thousands of readers monthly and was widely cited in national and international publications as a premier resource for those seeking guidance in their job search and career transition. Margaret is co-author of The Internet A Tool for Career Planning, (3rd edition, 2011), published by the National Career Development Association and was principle author of The Guide to Internet Job Searching, which for many years was considered the top resource on online job search. Email *Sign up to be notified by email when our newsletters are posted

How to Hire a Human Resources Specialist

How to Hire a Human Resources SpecialistHow to Hire a Human Resources SpecialistAs the economy spurs business growth, more and more companies are looking for administrative professionals to staff critical roles. A menschlich resources specialist can perform a wide range of tasks to guide your workplace, which makes it essential to find the right person for the job. From hiring to payroll to training, HR focuses on people management, a vital function.However, low unemployment rates and a shortage of skilled candidates have made it difficult for managers to find the right people for positions like that of the human resources specialist, according to the OfficeTeam Salary Guide.So, what HR roles should you spotlight now in your hiring, and how do you attract the top candidates? Heres what you need to knowWhat human resources specialists doThese professionals support recruiting, onboarding and talent management programs. Before you begin the staffing process, consider the duties and spec ifications of the various types of HR specialist positions that can benefit your business. Some of those common roles includeHR assistant/generalist - These employees assist with critical functions in the hiring process, including conducting internet research to identify potential candidates, scheduling interviews and screening phone calls. They may also review resumes, help plan new employee orientation programs and maintain employee records.HR benefits specialist/coordinator - Professionals in these roles oversee the enrollment and management of company benefits plans. They help register new employees, serve as the primary point of contact for benefits-related questions or concerns, and work directly with vendors to resolve any issues that may arise.HR recruiting specialist/coordinator - Recruiting specialists manage the internal and external postings of open jobs, evaluate candidates to ensure they meet company hiring standards and prepare employment offers. They may also over see applicant tracking, conduct recruitment analysis and facilitate other HR projects.When to hire an HR specialistDetermining the right time to bring in specialized HR employees depends on the needs, schedules and budget of your organization. Here are just a few examples of when and where the expertise of these skilled professionals can benefit youSluggish staffing - A slow hiring process often leads to you missing out on candidates with in-demand skills. If your favorite candidates are getting snatched up by other companies by the time you make an offer, you need to evaluate your hiring process. A human resources specialist can identify what needs to be updated to help ensure you are conducting interviews and extending offers in a timely manner.High workloads - If the amount of work is increasing at your organization, new employees or temporary help may be required to handle the additional responsibilities. In turn, youll need a human resources specialist to assist with hiring, especially if youre creating and staffing multiple roles.New programs or benefits - Is your company planning to roll out updated benefits packages or new employee programs, such as a 401(k) or professional development opportunities? Experienced HR staff can oversee and administer these additions so implementation runs smoothly.Need help locating brilliant HR specialists?LET US HELP YOU HIREHow to hire your next team membersOnce youve decided to hire, its time to start looking for candidates. Because of the increased competition for HR gurus, strategy is key when staffing these positions. As you search, keep the following tips in mindBe specific - Knowing how to write a job description thats carefully crafted can give you a springboard to identify candidates who match your requirements. Job descriptions should contain an outline of all the skills, experience and personality traits youre looking for.Seek referrals - Friends, family members, professional contacts and your staff are valuable resources when looking for accomplished HR professionals. You might even offer incentives, such as gift cards or bonuses, to your employees who provide referrals leading to promising new hires.Look for balanced skill sets - In addition to human resources expertise, look for HR specialists with computer and technological savvy. Likewise, evaluate nontechnical proficiencies, such as interpersonal skills and strong writing and speaking abilities, which indicate a capacity to communicate clearly, think quickly and work well with others.Offer competitive compensation - To attract top talent, you must keep up with industry standards in terms of salary and benefits. Consult our Salary Guide to determine the range for human resources specialist starting salaries in your area. And if you havent already, consider offering popular perks and benefits like flexible work arrangements and public transportation reimbursement.Maintain realistic expectations - Remember, the perfect candid ate probably doesnt exist. Spend time looking for someone who ticks every single box, and you may miss out on many talented individuals who would have great success with your company. Instead, be open to providing on-the-job training to develop additional skills required for the role.

Resume and Cover Letter Samples and Templates

Resume and titel Letter Samples and TemplatesResume and Cover Letter Samples and TemplatesDo you need to write a resume and titelblatt letter to apply for a job or internship? When youre applying for jobs, its helpful to review examples of resumes and titelblatt letters to get ideas for both the formatting and the content of your job search materials. Using a template to create your own personalized resumes and letters can give professional looking structure to your job application documents. How to Use Samples and Templates Designing a document from scratch can be time-consuming and difficult. Along with helping with your layout, written examples can help you see what kind of content you should include in your document. They can also give you ideas on the schrift of language you want to use. For example, a sample resume might show you the kind of action words you should include in your resume. A template helps you with the layout of your document. Templates also show you what el ements you need to include. For example, a resume template will show you some possible sections you might include in your resume. As a starting point for your documents, its a good idea to spend some time reviewing a few examples and templates. You might use the same design elements as the sample, or order your information in the same way. However, you should always be flexible. You can change any of the elements of the sample to fit your own needs. Dont expect to make your document look exactly the same as an example or template. For example, if an example resume lacks a skills section, but you want to include one, you should definitely do so. Your documents should fit your individual work history and the requirements of the job for which you are applying. Take the time to match your qualifications to the job, and customize the applications for every job you apply to. Find sample resumes, cover letters, CVs, and their corresponding templates below, as well as examples of all sorts of employment-related correspondence, from application and networking letters to thank you notes. Resume Examples and Templates Resume ExamplesReview example resumes, including chronological, functional, targeted, and other types of resumes. Perusing samples will help you determine which format to choose for your own resume. Resume TemplatesHere are resume templates to use as a starting point for creating your resume. Add your information to the template, then edit it to personalize for each position you apply for. Cover Letter Examples and Templates Cover Letter ExamplesSee example cover letters for a variety of occupations and employment situations. These samples can be customized to create your own letters to include with your application materials. Email Cover LettersEmail cover letter samples for jobs including formatted email cover letter messages, subject lines, and email cover letter formats and templates to use to apply for jobs. Letter TemplatesReview letter templa tes for applying for jobs, including cover letter templates, resignation letter templates, thank you letter templates, and other job search related letter templates. Resumes and Cover Letters for Students Samples for StudentsAs a student or recent graduate, you will have some special circumstances that youll want to highlight in your resume and cover letters for jobs and internships. Its helpful to see how to make those hours of volunteer work and casual jobs relate to career world experience. Browse sample resumes, cover letters, and reference letters especially for high school students, college students, and recent graduates seeking employment. Curriculum Vitae Examples and Templates Curriculum Vitae (CV) ExamplesCVs are used in the United States when applying for international, academic, medical, or research positions, and when seeking fellowships or grants. A curriculum vitae includes your name, contact information, education, skills, and experience. A CV also includes a ll research and teaching experience, publications, awards, grants and fellowships, and professional associations and licenses. Job Application Samples Job Application LettersGet tips on how to write job application letters, plus job application letter samples, examples, and templates to use to write application letters to send with a resume when applying for jobs. Sample Job ApplicationsThese sample jobs applications will give you an idea of the information you will need to complete when you fill out an application for employment. More Employment Letters and Email Message Examples Follow Up Letter SamplesFollow up letters to send after an interview, and to follow up on a resume or a job application you have submitted. Job Search Email MessagesSample job search email messages including cover letters, thank you letters, resignation letters, and other sample formatted email messages. Also, review job search email etiquette. Sample Networking LettersSample job search networking letters including referral letters, letters of introduction, and networking outreach letters. Reference Letter SamplesSample reference and recommendation letters, letter samples for character references, a letter asking for a reference, and a reference letter template. Resignation Letter SamplesSample resignation letters include a basic letter to say you are leaving, plus formal resignation letter samples thanking your employer. Thank You Letter SamplesThank you letters for job interviews and career assistance, including how to write a thank you letter, who to thank, how to send your thank you letters and sample thank you letters. More Job Letter SamplesDo you need to reject a job offer or accept one? How about withdrawing your application for the position or making a counter offer? Here are a variety of employment-related letters you can edit to fit your circumstances.