National Job Network

A common mistake many job hunters make is not doing their homework before an interview. If you want to appear professional and engaged you must come into the interview prepared.

There are many reasons why you should do your homework beforehand. Digging up information about an employer allows you to be able to carry on intelligent conversation, ask quality questions and decrease the chance of finding out the employer isn’t a great fit for you beforehand.

So what kind of information should you find out before the interview? Here are a few places to start:

Basic company information and history. Head to the “About Us” section of the company website. Here is where you’ll find some basic information about the company. Try to learn about their history, their mission statement and company profile.

Company structure. It’s always good to find out where your potential position would fall within the company’s structure. Would your position be a part of the finance department? How does this department work within the company? You can start by looking for this information the company’s website and then continue your research on sites such as Forbes.

Industry trends. You don’t have to overdo it on this, but you should have an understanding of what is going on in the industry. That way you can accurately answer questions and also have talking points of your own.

Recent press. You want to know what has recently happened at the company, and the best way to do that is to look for recent press. You should look at both the company’s personal press releases, as well as objective sites that you can find by searching the company in Google news. By doing so you’ll be able to see the company’s recent successes as well as where they struggle.

Your interviewer. Find out a little about your interviewer before you go in so you know what to expect. You can search sites like LinkedIn or Google them to find out a little more. You shouldn’t necessarily bring up the fact that you’ve been researching them, but it could give you some talking points if you find out you have things in common.

The purpose of a job interview is to sell yourself to an employer.

And while every interview is different, there are a few guidelines you can follow to ensure that you present yourself in the right manner. Here are four things to do in your next interview that are sure to impress.

Be the solution to their problems.

You should always prepare for an interview by researching and identifying the problems that the company has and that are hinted at in the job ad. Then, be prepared to give a few examples of how you’ll be able to solve those problems and how you have solved similar problems in the past. If you learn how to tell stories about the specific results you have achieved in the past you can impress potential employers and show them how they could benefit from hiring you.

Back it up.

Be prepared to back up your skills and qualifications with specific stories that prove you accomplishments. Instead of telling a potential employer that you have great leadership skills, tell them a story about the types of teams or projects you have lead.

Prepare talking points from you resume.

Use your resume as an outline for the interview. Although you will want to be able to elaborate on what the employer already sees on your resume, following your resume can be a good way to focus the interview. But because resumes are brief and simply show what you did, be prepared to expand on how you did those things.

Be positive.

While some interviewers will ask you questions to provoke negative responses, resist the urge to complain about a former employer, no matter how badly things ended for you in a previous position. Complaining about previous jobs or employers can make you seem difficult to work with. So if asked why you left your previous position, instead of complaining about your incompetent manager, use the opportunity to make yourself seem more hirable and say something about needing more challenge or room for growth.

Small towns and cities can be great places to live and work. They can offer lower costs of living, easier commutes and tight-knit communities. But job-hunting in a small town can be very different than searching in a metropolis area.

Finding a job in a small town can be trickier because your options are more limited, but if you adjust your approach you can still find success.

Use the local paper. In an Internet age, it’s easy to overlook the classified ads in local newspapers, but when it comes to job-hunting in a small town, these ads can be one of your best resources. When you job searching in a big city you can get away with neglecting the classified ads, but in small towns, most things printed in hardcopy aren’t always online too. Often times, jobs will only be advertised in the local paper in small towns. So continue to check online job sites, but make sure you pick up a paper as well.

Network. Although networking is key in any job market, it is essential in a small community because everyone is connected. Let friends, family and even acquaintances know that you’re looking for job to increase your potential for opportunities. Do everything you can to get yourself out there in the small community. In addition to social networking, join local community groups, intramural sports teams or a church, because as the cliché goes, it’s not what you know, it’s who you know.

Adapt. Small towns don’t usually offer a wide variety of available positions, so be flexible on what kind of position you’re looking for. You probably won’t be able to find the same niche position that you would in a big city, so look for jobs where your current skills and experience can transfer. You don’t have to switch careers entirely but the more flexible you’re willing to be the more successful you’ll be.

Use other local resources. Small towns offer other resources that you might not ever think of, such as the local Chamber of Commerce or local government. Both of these usually keep databases of all the business in the area as well as job banks with openings. Don’t be afraid to use these readily available resources.

Additionally, remember that you can still use all the job search tactics that you use in a bigger city. When it comes to job-hunting in a small town, you often just have to adjust your approach to be successful.

(CNNMoney) — Raise taxes on the rich, and you’ll put the nation’s “job creators” at risk.

It’s a ubiquitous Republican talking point: Congress must keep the top two rates at 33% and 35% — instead of 36% and 39.6% as President Obama wants.

The argument: Many small businesses file taxes under the individual tax code.

But while that argument makes for a good bumper sticker, it’s a misleading simplification of a complex policy issue.

“The Republican claim that this is a tax increase on a large fraction of employers is just not true,” said Howard Gleckman, a resident fellow at the Urban Institute.

In sharp contrast to the rhetoric, current data suggests small businesses don’t create an outsized number of jobs, very few small business owners fall into the top two tax brackets, and tax cuts for small businesses are ineffective stimulus measures.

Continue reading here.

In a tough economy, desperate times may make you feel like taking desperate measures when it comes to job searching. And while you may be tempted to settle for a less-than-ideal job offer, there are situations where it’s better to decline than accept.

Taking a job offer that isn’t right for you will hurt you more than help you in the long run. Not only will you be unhappy and distracted from finding the job you really want, but if you only stay there for a short amount of time, your resume will suffer as well.

However, it can be hard to say no to a job offer, so here are a few instances of when you should decline.

Decline if the offer is too low.

This might seem obvious, but when times get rough it can be tempting to accept an offer that isn’t quite up to par. But even if you’re desperate for a job, accepting a low offer can hurt you in the long run. Make sure you are making what you are worth, otherwise you might find yourself resenting your boss and feeling unmotivated at work. So if the offer is lower than acceptable, try negotiating. If that doesn’t work, than you should decline.

Decline if it’s not the right job.

Sometimes the job description on an ad is vague or misleading. For this reason you should use the interview to figure out if the job would be a good fit for you. You might find out that the job description and the employer’s expectations for the role don’t completely match up. If you’re not comfortable with the hours, duties or expectations that the employer has for this position, don’t accept the offer.

Decline if the work environment isn’t a good fit.

Even if the job is exactly what you’re looking for, sometimes the company isn’t. Make sure the company is a good fit before you accept an offer. Maybe you’re looking for more of a business-casual environment but the company offering you a position is more corporate. Or maybe you’re looking for a company that provides a good work/life balance but the potential employer is expecting you to put in 50 hours a week. If the company doesn’t provide the culture you’re looking for you should consider declining their offer.

Finding a new job. It’s been on your mind for a while now, but how do you know when the time is right?

Sometimes thoughts about quitting a job are just a phase due to other circumstances, and you’ll grow out of it. Other times, if you can’t shake the feeling, or maybe your job is too stressful, too boring or just a not a good fit for you, it might be time to find a new job.

Here are three basic signs that it’s time to move on.

You’ve hit a dead-end. If you see no room for advancement and there’s no light at the end of the tunnel, it’s probably time to start looking for a new job. It’s difficult and exhausting to stay motivated in a position that doesn’t have a promising future. Often times it’s a sign to get serious about a new position if you’re feeling hopeless.

You feel bored. If you can easily do the job but you don’t enjoy it, it might be time to move on. When minutes start to feel like hours, take this as a sign of things to come. If work has become only work to you, and all of the fun has been drained, start searching for something new.

You spend your days searching. Whether you’re searching the Internet to kill time at work or you have become addicted to job searching, these are probably signs that you need a change. While most people surf the Internet at some point in time during our workday, if you’re spending more time checking Facebook than you are doing work, you should probably look for a job that is more stimulating. Similarly, if your job search has gone from checking once a day to living on job boards, it’s time to get serious about finding something new.

There are several other telltale signs that you’re ready for a new job. But if you have reached this crossroads, finding a new job will significantly improve your quality of life.

WASHINGTON (MarketWatch) — Applications for unemployment compensation rose slightly last week, indicating little change in a weak U.S. jobs market in which net hiring remains near a standstill.

Jobless claims rose to 414,000 from 412,000, the Labor Department said Thursday. Economists surveyed by MarketWatch forecast claims to rise to a seasonally adjusted 411,000 in the week ended Sept. 3.

Initial claims from two weeks ago were revised up from an original reading of 409,000.

In a more positive report, the Commerce Department said the U.S. trade deficit in July fell sharply as exports in that month jumped to a record $178 billion. The data indicates companies were still receiving steady demand from abroad — at least as of midsummer — to partly offset weakness at home.

“The latest labor market data confirms that companies continue to focus on cost cutting as a means of boosting earnings. Firms are looking to cut costs as domestic demand stalls,” said Steven Ricchiuto, chief economist of Mizuho Securities USA. “However, overseas demand remains surprisingly firm even in the face of European austerity.”

Continue reading here.

Do you feel like you’re trapped in your current job? Are you ready to venture out and try something new? With 14 million American’s unemployed, you might feel thankful just to have a job but you shouldn’t let that fact deter you from pursuing something new.

However, the reality is, transitioning to a new industry is now easier than it has ever been in the past. That is because with the advancement of technology, it’s now effortless to explore new industries and network with a variety of new people.

Here are three strategies to break into a new industry:

1. Do research to discover the fastest growing industries and companies that interest you. If you increase your knowledge of the industry, you will know where to look. Often firms have to go outside their industry to find the best talent and skills.

2. List the characteristics of the industry that you currently work in and find industries that require similar skills or knowledge.  If you find an industry that your talents can transfer to, you could possibly find that you will have more growth opportunities, meaningful stock options, an environment that is likely to be more positive and a chance for more regular pay increases and advancement.

3. Sell your transferable skills. If you feel like your skills are too industry-specific to change jobs, chances are you’re wrong. All employers are looking for employees who have a wide range of universal skills. It actually may surprise you to find out how many of your skills can be useful in another industry. Most people need to identify and market 10-20 skills and if properly communicated in resumes, letters, phone discussions and interviews, they can significantly expand their appeal.

Overall, in this struggling economy, if you’re going to explore industry options, explore recession-proof industries where you can have a bright future, such as health care or energy. It’s important to do your homework and see what your options are.

Also, keep in mind that when it comes to new industry options, the more you appear to know about that industry, the easier it will be to generate interviews because employers are looking for common ground when hiring a new person.

However, it’s up to you to take the initiative to learn something about new companies, new industries and the problems and opportunities they face. By doing so, you’ll greatly increase your chances of successfully breaking into a new industry.

Preparing for an interview is one of the best ways you can insure success on your job hunt. However, most people don’t know how to do so properly and, despite their best attempts, continue to miss out on opportunities because they’re unprepared.

But what if someone provided you with the advice, training and encouragement you needed to succeed? That is exactly what ERI Personal Marketing did for Steve Bender.

Steve, who had been unemployed for over seven months, couldn’t figure out why he wasn’t getting any job offers. He was well qualified for many positions, but after interviewing for them, he would never hear back.

Discouraged and frustrated, Steve asked a former co-worker for advice, who recommended ERI.

Steve said that ERI gave him the guidance he needed to succeed in interviews and essentially helped him land a job.

“All of my team, the resources and job databases were extremely helpful on my job search,” Steve said. “In addition, the audio files that provided advice for interviewing and negotiation were invaluable.

Steve said that before he had an interview, he would listen to the audios several times.

“This helped me prepare and ease my nerves,” he said. “I found that the resources ERI provided me helped me overcome my interview fears, which had previously been paralyzing.”

Now Steve works as a Senior Project Manager for a biotechnology company, where he makes $100,000 a year. He said that doesn’t have a single complaint about the assistance he received through ERI and that they went out of their way to give him first class service.

“Now I have a higher income, more opportunity for advancement and I also received a signing bonus,” Steve said.

If you would like to learn more about how ERI can help you prepare for an interview or any of their other services you can visit their site at www.executiveresumes.com.

It is no secret that the job market is tough right now. So it is more important than ever to take advantage of all the resources available to you in order to increase your chances of landing a job.

Tap into your alumni network, don’t rely solely on job boards and take advantage of old and new connections. Additionally, if you’re job searching at the executive level, you may want to consider utilizing an underused resource – career services.

That is what Janet Graves did. As a once-unemployed executive, she took advantage of this resource and now accredits SET Personal Marketing to her career success.

“In a tough job market, SET’s resources enabled me to stabilize my position,” Janet said.

Janet said she went from unemployed to making more than $80,000 a year at her new position as Business Development Manager for a land development company in Indiana, all thanks SET’s first class services.

She said that she was initially timid about reaching out to a career service firm because after researching online she saw a lot of complaints about other firms. But after her experience with SET she said she’s glad she didn’t give into her fears.

“SET’s system was easy to use and helpful,” Janet said. “And the research and support teams were great, and always ready to help if I needed it.”

Janet not only receives a higher income at her new position but she said she also has more job security, greater job satisfaction and now works in her ideal environment.

She said that because trying to find a job is hard work in even a great market, finding a resource like SET was even more valuable in a tough job market, where conducting a job search can be all the more daunting.

“Working with SET was wonderful,” Janet said. “They gave me the confidence I needed to do well throughout the entire job hunting process.”

If you would like to find out more about the resources the SET Personal Marketing can provide you during a job hung you can visit their website at www.executivejobhunting.com.