By MARVIN WALBERG, Scripps Howard News Service
Hired: Work as a volunteer to build your resume
For all levels of workers, and students, volunteering is an incredible way to develop skills, get real work experience, valuable networking contacts, and build a resume. A true story:
Hired: Repeat this mantra -- network, network, network
Some messages become redundant - like a mantra - sung over and over until the lyric is memorized, or understood.
Do what others fail to do.
Or: if you do things the way you always did, you will get the results you always got.
Hired: How to respond to a layoff
Ian Christie, head career strategist at BoldCareer.com wrote a very helpful article for monster.com. I'd like to share some of Ian's ideas.
"If you've been laid off recently or think you might lose your job in the near future, you need to respond strategically and massively. Here are eight tips to ensure your response to a layoff is focused and effective:"
HIRED: Layoffs can have silver linings
In the late '80s, I addressed a group of New Jersey corporate employees who were being laid off because of the elimination of their division. I said, "This may be the best thing that has happened to your career', and I almost had to run for cover.
I didn't know if it was what I said or my southern accent. It was what I said.
Getting Hired: Pulling off a great job interview
We talk about networking a lot. In good times and bad, networking is usually the best and quickest way to get to the next job. You build your network constantly, starting with friends and family, and then adding new contacts from social and professional interactions.
How to keep your job in this economy
Recently, we talked about ways to avoid having to conduct a job search in today's troubled economy -- or, how to keep your current job.
Getting Hired: Job seekers can learn a lot from Cupid
Since February is the month of love, it's a possibility that job seekers can learn a lot from Cupid, according to Shawn Graham, author of "Courting Your Career," published by JIST.
When pondering job advice, consider the source
In economic times like these, everyone becomes an expert. Early on I recommended staying away from negative news about our economy. Now I am urging you to consider the source on job searching advice you get these days. Case in point:
Background checks go deep
Dear Mr. Walberg:
I've heard that because of the current state of our economy, employers are doing deeper background checks on applicants than ever before. If this is true, how do you hide the fact that you left a previous employer because of a conflict with a supervisor. Won't that come out in any reference check?
E-mail from T.T. in Pennsylvania
Dear T.T.:
