ShareThisDear Mr. Walberg:Since I am currently working full time, I have little free time to job search. I am in the Chicago area and have over eight years experience in my present field. Would a headhunter be a good option, and if so, do you have a listing of firms in my geographical area? -- E-mail from E.C., ChicagoDear E.C.:Since executive search professionals have client contacts in pretty specific fields, if your experience falls into a firm's category, you could benefit from that course of action. For local resources, and firms working in your field of experience, go online to www.onlinerecruitersdirectory.com, Google executive search firms, or use your public library for reference books like The Directory of Executive Search Firms.Two weeks ago, "Getting Hired" was about strengthening your resume. The e-mailed responses I have received since then tell me that I should repeat some suggestions.In a chronological format, go back in time 10 - 12 years to show relevant work history. If you have to go back farther in time to expose relevant experience, omit dates and switch to a more functional format.If you completed college over 5 years ago, omit the dates and just show degree or field of study.List basic duties/responsibilities of each job in your history to describe or explain your position, but highlight your accomplishments. Explain each job, briefly, then drop down with bullets to highlight your accomplishments. Use numbers and percentages when you can, stay honest, and stretch your arm to pat your back. Sell yourself a better job!Understand that doing what you were hired to do in another job was what you got paid for - it was expected. If you wanted a raise, you had to exceed those expected levels of accomplishment, and to sell yourself a better job, you want to show that you deserve it; that you have a history for going beyond your basic job description to be productive.So, if achieving accomplishments is not a part of your history, start now. The next time you think, "That's not my job!", maybe you should think about making it part of your promotion or future.Marvin Walberg is a job search coach. Contact him at mwalberg(at)bellsouth.net, marvinwalberg.blogspot.com, or PO Box 43056, Birmingham, AL 35243.
Should you go head over heels for a headhunter?
Submitted by SHNS on Thu, 01/31/2008 - 13:07
Paying taxes unites us. It also divides us. People can pay five and even six times more in state and local taxes than other folks in similar circumstances making similar incomes.
Who's got your number?
In one of the fastest-growing forms of identity theft, crooks are stealing tax refunds by swiping personal information and using it to trick the Internal Revenue Service.
