Tips from Employment Resource Center

10 Things Smart Job Seekers Do
By Beth Braccio Hering, Special to CareerBuilder


1. They realize a potential job lead could be anywhere.

Smart job seekers aren't afraid to mention occupational aspirations to
their book club, their parents' friends or their dentist. One never
knows whose golf partner might be the ticket to getting a foot in the
door. Caroline Ceniza-Levine, a partner at SixFigureStart -- a career
coaching firm in New York City composed of former Fortune 500
recruiters -- recommends putting your LinkedIn public profile
hyperlink in your automatic e-mail signature. "This is an elegant way
to attach your résumé to every correspondence you send. Even friends
who think they know you may click through to your profile, learn more
about you and perhaps think of you for a job or lead that they might
have overlooked."

Bing: Get tips on using resume keywords

2. They surf job boards for more than just open positions.

Ceniza-Levine calls job boards "goldmines" for research. "You might
see companies you didn't know before -- add these to your list of
targets. You might see the same requirements again and again -- this
indicates a standard for the job you want, so incorporate these items
into your pitch and cover letters."

3. They put adequate time and effort into their applications.

"Spend time to make your résumé the best possible written
advertisement of you," says Lisa Quast, author of "Your Career, Your
Way!" and founder of Career Woman Inc., a Seattle-based career
development consulting company. "Analyze the job requirements against
your own skills and abilities, and customize your cover letter."

Obviously, all correspondence should be free of errors and typos. And
before sending off the application packet, look at the job posting one
last time to ensure all desired material is included.

4. They do their homework.

Smart applicants know something about potential employers. From
Googling a company to checking out its financial statements, they
learn what they can -- and use the info to enhance their
correspondence.

5. They know employers do their homework, too.

"According to [a 2010] Coremetrics [study], 75 percent of companies
require recruiters to research job applicants online, so you'll want
to be sure you know what they'll find," says Sherrie Madia, co-author
of "The Online Job Search Survival Guide." Besides thinking twice
about what you choose to post, she suggests doing a Google search on
your name. If you find something undesirable, try to have it removed.

6. They make their value known quickly.

"An employer gives each résumé about a three-second window of time
before he decides to either 'delete' or read further," says Patrice
Rice, author of "How to Interview" and president of the recruiting
firm Patrice & Associates in Dunkirk, Md. A smart applicant answers
the question, "What can you do for me?" right off the bat with a
summary of strongest accomplishments at the top of the résumé.

7. They look and act like a professional.

Simple but effective: A smart applicant arrives on time, dresses
appropriately, both talks and listens, displays confidence and minds
his manners.

8. They show that they want this job.

Smart job seekers are not "tire kickers." They focus on the needs of
the employer and demonstrate how they are perfect for this particular
position.

"Show enthusiasm during the job interview," Rice says. "Always make
certain that the company you're interviewing with feels as if it is
your first choice, no matter what other companies are involved in your
job search."

9. They don't get ahead of themselves.

As much as she may be dying to know about promotions, raises and
vacation time, a smart candidate doesn't jump the gun and tackle these
issues during the first interview. She focuses on landing the
position, then on whether the package is suitable.

10. They ask for the position, follow up and offer thanks.

"As strange as it sounds, you need to ask for the job," says Catherine
Jewell, author of "New Résumé New Career: Get the Job You Want with
the Skills and Experience You Already Have." "At the end of the
interview, sum up your strengths, tell the interviewer that you are
excited about the position and say, 'I would really like to contribute
to this company. I am hoping you select me.'"

Then, a smart interviewee keeps his name in the game with a follow-up
note reiterating interest and offering thanks -- knowing that a great
last impression can seal the deal.

Bing: What to do after the job interview

Beth Braccio Hering researches and writes about job search strategy,
career management, hiring trends and workplace issues for
CareerBuilder.com. Follow @CBForJobSeekers on Twitter.


--
Brother Bill A. Smathers
Surprise Stake Employment Specialist

Employment Resource Center

WANTED: Military families who need help
There's a million-dollar relief fund available to recent war veterans and their families but most of them have no idea the money exists.
And Stan Zeitz, a member of the committee that administers the Arizona Military Family Relief Fund, is hesitant to ask for my help.
“I know that you've done columns that had to do with getting people to contribute to the fund,” he said, “And things about soldiers

who have died. And the (National) Guard. But I didn't know if this would interest you. This is just getting the word out.”
It's embarrassing but true that we occasionally have to be reminded that there still are soldiers in warzones in Iraq and Afghanistan. And still families of soldiers who must deal with death or injury or psychological damage.
“These recent wars are producing a very large number of young people with the kind of concussion head injuries that will cause them trouble for years to come,” Zeitz said. “This fund isn't going to solve that, of course. But sometimes when these kids get back from the war they have trouble adjusting and their finances wind up in a mess. Or they have health issues that keep them from working or working regularly. There are a lot of criteria under which they can be offered some assistance but none of that can happen unless they know we exist.”
And while the law allows the money to be collected and distributed through the Arizona Department of Veterans Services, it provides no additional funds for advertising.
“So we want these kids to know that if you are a member of the military who was deployed to a combat zone after 9/11 and you need some help, contact us,” Zeitz said. “Or if you know someone like that and think they might need help, tell them about the fund. These young people come back and are just expected to melt back into society. It's not that easy for some of them.”
You can learn about the fund through the veterans' services website (www.azmfrf.gov) or by calling 602-255-3373.
The fund committee also is looking for volunteer financial counselors who might be able to help struggling military families.
The fund isn't only for financial troubles. Families of injured or wounded soldiers have gotten assistance to help them get to overseas hospitals caring for their loved ones. Many cases involve long-term rehabilitation for soldiers.
We don't talk much about the war these days. Zeitz is a Vietnam veteran who understands how public indifference can become pervasive during the course of a long conflict.
“We ask a lot of these young people,” he said. “But we don't seem to be paying attention to them the way we did when the wars began.”
We don't have to. Fewer than one percent of U.S. families carry the full weight of national security in our all-volunteer military.
In a speech last month Defense Secretary Robert Gates said of our soldiers, “They've lost friends in combat. Some are struggling psychologically with what they've seen and heard and felt on the battlefield…
Gates added, “No matter how patriotic, how devoted they are, at some point they will want to have the semblance of a normal life … all of which they have justly earned.”
The adjustment can be tough, however. And there is a million-dollar fund in Arizona that could help. Veterans and their families might even find out about that money if the rest of us could refrain for just a minute from arguing about which politician should get elected, or which quarterback should start for the Cardinals, or who should win Dancing with the Stars.
None of which we could do without them. All of which we'll get back to tomorrow.

(Column for October 17, 2010, Arizona Republic)

Employment Resource Center

All Expenses Paid Employment Training for Vets Aged 20-24

Includes transportation, training, living expenses, follow-up services

Dear Partners in Veterans’ Employment,

As the Assistant Secretary for Veterans’ Employment and Training, it gives me great pleasure to announce an exciting new training and employment opportunity for Veterans who are 20 to 24 years old!

The Veterans’ Employment and Training Service and the Employment and Training Administration’s (ETA) Job Corps are partnering in a demonstration project that will provide Job Corps’ comprehensive array of career development services to eligible Veterans 20 to 24 years old to prepare them for successful careers.

This is a fully-funded, all-expense-paid demonstration project that is free for the Veterans. The program includes transportation to and from the Job Corps center, housing, meals, basic medical services, academic and career technical training, bi-weekly living allowance, and job placement and post-graduation support.

We have worked with Job Corps to create an accelerated, customized program developed specifically for Veterans. This program recognizes the maturity and life experience that our Veterans have gained from their military experience.

Job Corps employs a holistic career development training approach that teaches academic, vocational, employability skills and social competencies in an integrated manner through a combination of classroom, practical and based learning experiences to prepare participants for stable, long-term, and high-paying jobs. One of the important outcomes is that participants will obtain a credential or certificate certifying them in a trade.

Veterans accepted in the demonstration project will be living among non-Veterans and other Veterans who are also transitioning from the military to civilian life. One of the Job Corps program’s key benefits is its post-graduate support.

When Veterans are ready to begin transitioning into their career, Job Corps staff will assist them in job searching, resume drafting, and job interviewing skills.

Job Corps will provide graduates with transition services for up to 21 months after graduation, including assistance with housing, transportation and other support services. Upon completion of training, Veterans will be assigned to a career transition counselor to assist them with job placement or enrollment in higher education.

• Atterbury Job Corps Center in Edinburgh, Indiana;
• Earle C. Clements Job Corps Center in Morganfield, Kentucky; and
• Excelsior Springs Job Corps Center in Excelsior Springs, Missouri.

The enrollment will be open and continuous until a center reaches 100 Veterans. It is expected that Veteran participants will be enrolling and graduating at various rates. Although Job Corps has set aside 300 slots for the demonstration project, actual participation during the year may exceed that number due to the continuous enrollment.

We will be announcing this demonstration project and providing handouts and other information in our TAP Employment Workshops all over the world. TAP facilitators will discuss this initiative in class and Job Corps personnel will visit selected sites to answer questions and initiate applications for interested Veterans. Once a participant has been
identified and accepted into the program, he/she will be given the opportunity to select one of the three Job Corps training centers chosen by Job Corps for this demonstration project.

This is a one-year demonstration program and we want to demonstrate demand for the program and its effectiveness as quickly as possible so that we can look at expanding it.

To make this demonstration project a success, we need your assistance in getting the word out. Attached are three brochures that provide all the pertinent details and contact information.
• Brochures (PDF)
• Frequently Asked Questions (PDF)
• General Information (PDF)
Here is the contact info to sign-up for the demonstration project:

(800) 733 - JOBS / 5627
www.recruiting.jobcorps.gov

VETS’ point of contact in our National Office is Tim Winter at phone number, 202 693-4705 or email:
winter.timothy@dol.gov.

This is a great opportunity for our young Veterans and we all need to help them take advantage of it.

Sincerely,

Ray Jefferson
Assistant Secretary for Veterans' Employment and Training
Veterans' Employment and Training Service

U.S. Department of Labor
Trina Jenkins
Special Programs Supervisor
Maricopa Workforce Connections
602-372-4493
602-372-4290 (fax)